My Great Papa Ken

In November I lost one of my great grandparents (my mom's last living grandparent), Great Papa Ken! Ken Sanderude was a pretty special guy who taught me a lot in the years I knew him. He moved to Oregon just before I was born and I'm pretty lucky to have had him so close these last few years. Just a month shy of his 94th birthday, Papa went peacefully to live with the Lord. I know he's an angel in heaven now looking out for me and my sister, and I frequently make up songs about him that I sing to myself when no one's around. Here are a few things you may not know about my Papa:

1. He loved to tell stories -- old stories -- good stories. The kind you don't mind hearing a hundred times, like the time he swatted my mommy when she was my age for talking sassy to him.
2. He was a VERY hard worker and a talented salesman. His work ethic is something that has been passed down through our family; I already love having "jobs" and tasks to help out with.

3. He was an outdoorsman who spent much of his life on his family's farm in Minnesota. He frequently talked about going back there -- now he will be back there. He spent his later years on a lake in northern California where he picked up golf, crawfish trapping, boating, snow shoveling and just about anything else to keep active.

4. He was COURAGEOUS. Papa Ken fought in WWII as a Marine. He remembered stories of his platoon's convoy getting hit by the enemy and even kept a rifle he took from the Japanese that my Daddy now has. He always said, "Once a Marine, always a Marine" and woke the family up with a bugle song bright and early (too early) each morning.

5. He had outlived most all of his family -- parents, 2 sisters, 2 wives and hundreds of friends. He was born in 1917 and lived through some tough times, but that just made him stronger. He is survived only by his 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

6. He was a great singer and dancer. Mommy remembers the way he always smelled like Listerine and after-shave. It's one of the reasons he still had all of his own teeth at 93! Here he is dancing with my mom at her wedding.

7. He ALWAYS wore the shiniest cowboy boots! In fact, he left several pair behind that we are now enjoying. He polished his boots so religiously that they look brand new! He also had his clothes dry-cleaned regularly so they would always be freshly starched and pressed.

8. He was a classy guy...someone we all loved knowing.

9. One of his favorite sayings was,"Ride loose in the saddle of life." I think I'll have to ponder that a little longer before I know what he meant.

10. Perhaps his very favorite quote was, "The first hundred years are the hardest!" I know that must be true; hopefully I got his good genes. Love you, Papa.

NEW ENDEAVORS

It's fall...a time for change. I know this because the leaves have started to change colors and fall off the trees. With new seasons come new endeavors. I have set out to broaden my horizons since I am now three and a HALF years old. Quite a lot has changed over the last six months. Here's a little recap. of my adventures and new endeavors:

1. I started a new school - West Hills Montessori. I LOVE IT!!

2. My friend Jordi and I learn new lessons at school every day. 3. We both have new lunch boxes for the school year. 4. I also have a new big-girl car seat that I ride in to and from school. Jordi rides with us in the afternoons. Mom takes him to LOJ where his Daddy meets us. 5. Macey and I participated in cheer camp this year. We performed at the high school football game together and we did GREAT!6. I tried roller skating for the first time. It took me awhile to get used to the feeling of it, but once I did I was literally "on a roll!" 7. I have become a rock star -- nightly performances are regular at my house.

8. I overcame fear and rode the rides at the county fair and the pumpkin patch all by myself.

9. I'm even trying new foods...finally. Mom and Dad are glad to see my appetite expanding.

10. I am working really hard to overcome my trepidation of putting my head under water. My weekly swim lesson is helping a lot (I think my goggles help, too)!

Christmas Cheer in November - Part I

Eckley Family Christmas has come and gone once again. Yes, it's only November, but we're already full-swing into the Christmas spirit. We spent Friday baking pumpkin bread, wrapping presents for my cousins and listening to classic holiday music to get us in the mood. We had a ball with the family on Saturday and once again celebrated this magical time of year with none other than CHINESE FOOD! Yep, that's part of our holiday tradition.

Mom and Dad took me to the mall this past weekend and I was shocked to see Santa already there! Yep...that's right. It's not quite Thanksgiving ('cause Mom and Dad's birthdays are before Thanksgiving and I know that hasn't happened yet), and I also know Christams is AFTER Thanksgiving, but everywhere we go lights are on display and decorations are abundant. I told Mom she better get with it and start thinking about Christmas -- I know I already have. I'm still getting my list together, but a purple unicorn is at the top of it this year. I plan to tell Santa when I have breakfast with him and Mrs. Clause in a few weeks. Until then, Mom and I have started a few other holiday projects, like picking out our Christmas cards (check out the unique Christmas Card designs here http://www.tinyprints.com/shop/picture-christmas-cards.htm) and ordering wreaths from the cheer team. Last year we didn't get to send out a Christmas card because we were eagerly awaiting baby Cait's birth. Instead, we waited and sent out a New Year greeting with our annual update and Caitlin's birth announcement all roled into one. Do you remember getting that? This might be our picture for this year's card. What do you think?

Pretty soon we'll start getting pictures and family updates in the mail -- many from friends and family that we haven't seen all year! We love to string twine across our mantel, then we hang the cards with clothespins so that all are on display for several months. And since our mantle is over 15 feet long, we can fit A LOT of cards. We had over 60 cards hanging from it last year! It's so festive and fun to see how everyone has changed over the course of a year.

My New Diggs

Every girl needs a lavender room -- that's a fancy word for purple (just like in my Fancy Nancy book), and that's just what I got last July when I moved out of my baby nursery and into my big girl room. Of course it all revolved around my new big girl bed - a white trundle bed that will host many sleep overs for my sister, Cait, and me. We searched high and low for the perfect comforter and finally decided on a patchwork quilt that coordinated with my striped curtains (clearance bin at Pottery Barn Kids).

While the bed was the centerpiece, I sure made good use of my new bookcase (thanks to Grandma Paula who had great Papa Ken's dining room hutch re-furbished for my room). It houses all my animals on top and all my favorite keepsakes inside (as well as tons and tons of books).

And doesn't every girl need a stacked washer/dryer? Of course!

Inside the hutch I have special momentos -- my Christening doll from my baby dedication, a picture of Dad as a young boy in an antique pink frame, my 10-week hand/foot prints, my birthday cupcake, piggy bank and my keepsake box.

Below: Hand-made sign in mosaiced ceramic tiles (courtesy April P.); Charlie and me (framed); my silver engraved cup and...

...my BFF, Macey.

A few of my things traveled with me from my old nursery.

Dad made me this sign with hooks before I was born. I'm still called "E" by my parents. The tutu was a gift from one of mom's students. Macey and I have matching tutus!

More books...and some of my favorite photos!

Another family heirloom -- great great grandma's dressing table from the early 1900s. It was tuned up by my Grandma Paula and her friend Bill. I adorned it with butterflies and filled it with my jewelry, bows, lip glosses and of course, my animal figurine collection!

I just can't find enough space for my art, though. It covers the house.

More special photographs...

...and my first framed piece. I call it: "Le Play Avery."

The New "Old" Nursery

Last summer, Mom and Dad decided to overhaul my old nursery for baby Cait. In anticipation of another little girl, they didn't have to change too much, but you know how that goes...one change leads to another and then another, and before they knew it, they had a "new" nursery that had taken on a very unique feeling just for Cait.

My old bright aqua walls were repainted a soft gray/blue (Blue Pot by Miller). A pink canvas valance replaced the home-made paisley valance that had once covered by black out shades.

While most all of the furniture stayed the same (white works with everything), most all of the personal accents were moved into my new "big girl" room. This left empty shelves and wall space for Caitlin to fill. Below: Caitlin received a teddy bear from Aunt Lois and Uncle Joe just like mine -- it's personalized with her name and birth date. Her bear sits next to our favorite picture together.

The family photo collage remains above the changing table that Daddy created with a removable topper. The dresser was my Mom's when she was a little girl. New art work and "CAIT" hooks flank the dresser on either side.

Mom found these letters at a consignment store -- what a steal!

Since hooks hang down from the letters, Caitlin got her very own tutu -- just like I had. Mom also made a little art project for Cait before we had a name picked out. We lovingly referred to her as "Baby Honey," a name that I picked out all on my own. Mom got to make this out of clay/glaze in a the art room at her school.

While the crib stayed the same, the bedding was purchased new for Cait by Grandma Mary Pat. It is simple and clean, just like my monochromatic aqua bedding had been; however, it is also much more girly and feminine...just like Cait. A hand-painted tree (painted by Mom and Dad) rises above the crib and two antique silver frames hold keepsake baby pictures of Caitlin and Mom.

An original hand-made mobile (purchased on etsy) spins gently above the crib. Caitlin loves watching the two love-birds spin on their crystal branches.

Original artwork -- Created by Mom; inspired by friend Jenn S. who hosted mom a "sprinkle" and had guests make paper ornaments that would become wall art. The lamp base was recycled from my room. The shade was purchased new from Target and covered with fabric and ribbon by Mom and myself. I love art projects!

More original wall art -- thanks, Jenn! Two coordinating canvasses with baby animals add a whimsical touch to the nursery.

Of course, Caitlin has her own newborn photograph mounted on the wall, just as I did, but her white frame distinguishes itself from my black frame.

Finishing touches include a soft, fluffy white area rug at the base of the sofa (which doubles as a pull-out hide-a-bed) and yellow nesting tables. Storage boxes are filled with baby toys, though Caitlin doesn't really have interest in them. She'd much rather play with my big girl toys and me!

My New Do

Today I decided to cut off my long golden locks. I opted for a shorter do that would allow me to forgo hair brushing on a daily basis, if I so choose. Thankfully, Mom took me to a great place that knew just what I wanted.

My side profiles and a shot of the back (below).

To top it off, I got to sit in a Cinderella sports car while watching Cinderella on DVD while my stylist worked her magic. My new do was finished with a bit of pixie dust (AKA - SILVER HAIR SPARKLES) that she sprayed onto my new look. I love it! What do you think?

Mom's Been Busy...

...and so have I. Life with my new baby sister has called for a few "adjustments." I have to admit, I've been getting to spend a lot of quality time with Dad (which I love), but as my editor-in-chief of this blog, Mom's been keeping me from my regular updates. For that, I apologize!

Many of my days are spent just "hanging out" with my Mom and sister. We're a great team! I help out with all the dirty diapers by untaping the nasty old diaper and throwing it away for mom. I always take a quick peak at what's inside, though. I also help tape up the new diaper and have even been known to put a little bottom butter on my sister. I'm a great helper! We also spend time together on our tummies. We have matching frog blankets made by a friend. I don't fit on mine quite as well as I used to, but it's still good to have tummy time.

Of course it's very important to give the baby lots of love...kisses and hugs galore. It's easy when your sister's as cute as mine is. Mom and Dad say she's a very quiet baby, but I've heard her cry a time or two. This big sister job sure is tiring! I need a little more beauty sleep. Goodnight!!