Cousins

Sorry for the dearth of posting lately; we are still trying to get settled and accomplish all that a move entails. I did finally commit to start using facebook...am in that awkward stage of not liking it. Much prefer blogging, but maybe I'll come around. Anyway, if you want to be my friend, look me up. =)

One of the aspects of this move that we most looked forward to was getting to see family more. Pictured above: Lo Lo and Ashlyn, first cousins. Ashlyn seemed transfixed by Lo most of the evening recently, staring with perpetual surprise at all the cool things a 2-year-old can do. We love these kids! (although yes, that is a bumbo chair perched on a table...I know, makes me nervous...are we the only ones who have ever done this??)

Back to School

We've always known Jerry would further his education. This past summer, he graduated from his company's leadership development program so it felt like a decision was around the corner. We were not feeling great about staying in our current area for a variety of reasons, including wanting to move closer to family. Originally Jerry got the OK to transfer next spring to one of the plant sites on the West Coast, which would have been a better location for us (though still not ideal). About a month ago, we got word that Jerry could no longer transfer to that particular position--just the unpredictable nature of the manufacturing world. We've gotten used to surprises during the past few years with this company...! So Jerry decided to make a break for it and quit his job. He plans to return to full-time schooling for a bit of a career change--afterall in his own words, he's "not getting any younger," and we have decided it is an important goal for him to be able to get employment that is both gainful and personally fulfilling. Thankfully in the time since we graduated from college a few years back, we have been blessed to be able to pay off our student loans and build enough savings that we feel the freedom to make this move. It honestly feels like a miracle and biggest blessing that we have such opportunities and joy in life. My parents have also been a big help in giving us the courage to have Jerry in school full-time, since they are letting us move in with them for the year that Jerry will take to complete his program. Perfect timing since my little brother enters the MTC in December and his bedroom will be available...=) We are happy to let Lo Lo spend at least some of his toddlerhood surrounded by extended family.

Jerry has been accepted to Boise State University, starting classes in January 2012. After one year he will be able to take the CPA exam and ultimately make his career something in the field of accountancy. Hooray for change! After this move to Boise, we will have moved SIX times since our marriage just FOUR years ago, with more than half of those moves being interstate. Life is crazy but good.

Finishing up the trip

I have a random assortment of photos left from our trip last month to Utah/Idaho. I'll just throw them all together and get it over with so I can move on to tell about more recent happenings. We went to the Western Idaho Fair in Boise. Lo rode this mini roller coaster type ride all by himself. Note how all the other riders around him have parental supervision...but we were too cheap to buy a few more tickets to get ourselves on there with him. And he was technically tall enough to go on his own...? See photo below for how sketchy the height measurement was...

Why yes, that is a hand-drawn, scibbled mark at the 32 inch mark to denote that Lo's 34 inches is tall enough.

We went to a butterfly house. Ever since then, Lo can be heard saying on an at least daily basis, "puh-puh" (accompanied by making ASL butterfly sign), followed by tapping his shoulder, followed by the verbalizing the word "Mom" (translation: remember how the butterfly sat on grandma Valerie).

My little brother David (age 16) makes things out of popsicle sticks. This ship he crafted won every prize available at the fair. For scale, to imagine how huge it is, pictured in the background (about one yard away from the boat) is myself, my mom, and bro. Justin.

See the buck in the middle of this frame? He hangs out in my parents' garden all the time. Jerry couldn't get enough of it.

We went to an aquarium in Sandy, Utah. It was a tad mediocre--still new and needing to expand a bit before I'll recommend it.

Crocodile (or alligator...I never remember how to tell them apart).

Also while in Utah, we visited all of Jerry's former host families. Here we are with the beloved Dean and Melody. And their parrot (on Dean's shoulder). Note Lo Lo eating out of an endless bowl of chocolate chips. Ah, good memories.

Lo warmed up to Melody within seconds of meeting her. She has such an angel glow about her, little kids must feel it.

While in Salt Lake City, we had to stop by Jerry's favorite restaurant, Little World. It is a pretty authentic, delicious Hong Kong style eatery.

We hung out with cousins a lot. Here is Lo and his second-cousin Marshal. Riding the airplanes. More amusement park rides all by himself--our little Lo seems so grown up when I think about it!

Traipsing through Liberty Park in SLC. Lo hitched a ride from my little brother Brandon who is starting at BYU this semester. We were so happy to get to spend time with Brandon while we were in Utah!

And here is Lo feeding baby cousin Brit. He LOVED her, stroking her hair, hugging her, etc.

Well, that's it for now on the trip updates. I have a few more photos, but this post feels long enough. We had a really fun time on this vacation, visiting lots of family, friends, etc. and doing a million activities along the way.

MK Nature Center- Boise

Personality entails "enduring characteristics," as explained in one of my human development classes. I enjoy watching Lo's personality unfold. Lo's personality seems to show a consistent bent toward sociality: He stood blandly by this fish viewing tank until a few other children walked up, and then he leaped into action, chattering to them about what he was seeing, staring more at the other children than the aquatics.

His personality also seems detail-oriented, though I wonder how much of that characteristic is developmental rather than unique to Lo? I thought he would love seeing these taxidermy critters, and he thought they were okay--but the ROCKS! Wow, the rocks. Lo kept wanting to touch and examine the rocks more than desiring to gaze upon the mighty grizzly and salmon.


I keep finding myself surprised by this child. He is his own person.

ah, family

Here are the remaining pictures from our trip to Boise last week. I still feel a tinge of homesickness brought on by that little vacation! Sometimes it is hard to live far from family. It was so fun to see our Lo get doted on the way only family can do. We are already planning our next trip back there in the Fall, and are also looking forward to seeing the Hong Kong family in November. The 4 generation shot (my parents, my mom's parents, and us Little Tam Fam).
A rare Boise nap; because of all the excitement and noise, Little's naps tended to be short or non-existent. Oh my yes. We are glad to be back to the sleep routine here in Ohio.

Grandpa Dean picked us up from the airport when we flew in, and this is a shot of the first-ever meeting between Grandpa and Lo.


Grandpa Clark with Jerry. (Jerry's tie is tucked because we were in the middle of a meal)



Uncle Justin, with all the expertise his three years of Spanish class could muster, gave some Spanish children's book reading to that Lo. We also went to one of Justin's lacrosse games while we were in Boise, and I do not have a picture of it, but have to say it was one of the most exciting athletic events observed in my life. Picture a cross between swashbuckling, rugby, and Quidditch.

Uncle Matthew and that Lo. When Little first saw Matthew's facial hair, he couldn't stop staring, and then he reached up with his chubby hands and buried his fingers in Matthew's chin. Wish I'd had a picture of that moment. Then Matthew kissed Lo, who began to cry, and that was the end of facial hair appreciation day.

After the blessing, we had a big dinner at the church with friends and family. Lots of cousins, aunts, and uncles came from afar to visit with us, and we are so grateful to feel of their love. Especially thanks to all who contributed to the food and cleanup--even little cousin Kevin was a big help putting away chairs.

Aunt Stefani created this amazing honeybee cake. Since Grandpa Walter was a beekeeper, we all like the hive analogy for our big hardworking Steele family. Little Tam is just one more bumble bee to add to the bunch. These little bees on the cake were such a hit with the kids at the gathering. The bees are made of peanut M&M's, with chocolate eyes and stripes, and gumdrop sparkles of wings.

Some of the bees "landed" on the rice krispie squares as well. =) This is the dessert table at the gathering.

And one last picture of a Boise nap. It was so special whenever he finally fell asleep, we always had to whip out the camera to document.