A Grand Weekend

On Thursday, we had two expected and one pleasant surprise visitor come from CA to visit the Yukon abode. Grandpa Durne, Grandma Jackie, and suprisingling, GREAT-grandma Albie arrive Thursday evening and departed Monday night. It was so wonderful having them come to visit. The time was spent both at home and around the city, with some of the highlights being going to Unplugits and Albie getting to see the bombing memorial for the first time. As always happens, the time went by way too fast and we can't wait until we can spend time together again. The flickr album on the left has more pics of our time together. Enjoy!!

Caleb and Nathan...Go Bears

Caleb and Nathan...Go Bears
Originally uploaded by Houstons

Our friends Peter and Beth visted us in the fall before Nathan was born. Peter works at Baylor so they brought cute coordinating shirts for the boys. We are now coming into some warmer weather and Nathan is getting bigger so we took advantage of a mid-60's day and got the boys dressed in these cute shirts. Thanks Peter and Beth for the shirts, Caleb loves his and LOVED the chance to 'hold' his brother for the photo op! :)

Nathan is Growing Up

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Originally uploaded by Houstons

Post three of the "April catchup" begins with Nathan. In April he has had some major milestones. He has had his two bottom, middle teeth come in (haven't been able to catch them on camera just yet). He also has perfected the art of rolling over, and over, and over...so he is mobile. This is fun, but also we must now be strategic with where we put him because he will travel to where and what he wants. He has a few new sounds, and laughs a lot more now than last month. And he smiles at almost anybody now to get a smile back! He is now on solids and his diet includes rice cereal, peas, prunes, green beans, sweet potatoes :), and apple sauce. Caleb was and has always been a good eater in that he will eat everything, just in smaller amounts. Nathan, on the other hand is putting the food away at a great rate, and at a younger age by a month or so than Caleb.

Caleb of course is loving being a big brother. He is all about helping out with Nathan, and even has been able to sooth him when he is fussy. He really loves to hold Nathan, and we have to constantly tell him he cannot pick him up just yet. Caleb also LOVES helping daddy with the yard work. There are new pics in the flickr album on the left showing Caleb helping 'mow' the yard! He has helped plant flowers, spray the weeds in the front yard, pick up old leaves, and now mow. He is ALL BOY and loves to get dirty!

All in all April was a GREAT month for the Houstons. We are very blessed and are looking forward to a great summer of travel and family and friends!

America: Where people are sick and Pigs are scared!

If you have been around me this week, you know my thoughts on the 'pandemic' spreading like, wild, I mean, birthday candle fire across the world. I ran across this story today and found it a tad ironic. Let me get this straight...the people could infect the pigs? Classic!

Pig Farmers in US Take Every Precaution to prevent Swine Flu

Now being a former pig farmer (I use this in those uncomfortable get to know you games, or random trivia about yourself contests), I do realize first hand that disease spreads VERY quickly through swine heards. (We had a pretty bad case of roto virus in our heard and lost almost a third of the litters one spring.) But as a few have noticed, here and here maybe this thing is a little blown out of proportion. Now the pig farmers are not only standing up against the name (which has been formally changed to protect the pigs to H1N1), they are banning the disease carrying humans from the farms. Good for them. They should get some of this press and 15 minutes of fame!

Finally, let's keep in mind that in one week in our country, this 'pandemic' still hasn't even doubled in size. Compared to not only the common flu, or if you think about summers past, West Nile, Bird Flu, or SARS, this is a pebble in the proverbial pond of humanity. But, I do have my mask ready and have passed them out to my co-workers because I like to always be prepared! (Disclaimer: I do feel very sad about the individuals and their families that have been or are directly impacted by this, and do not minimize what they are going through)