Thursday, September 22, 2011

Girls Trip!!!

I can't believe it actually happened but it did! I got to go on a girls' trip without husbands and children (I guess that would be the definition of a girls' trip. :). It was FABULOUS!!! We just relaxed, relaxed and relaxed some more. Our days consisted of laying by the pool, laying by the beach and eating...lots of eating. It doesn't get much better than that! Thanks so much to the girls that made this trip so fun...the laugh 'till you cry kind of fun! And thanks to our wondeful husbands who not only kept our kids alive but actually did a pretty good job being Mr. Mom! :) Here's hoping for many more girls' trips in the future!!! :)

On our way!!



One of the many yummy dinners we had



Oh and the desserts....can I just say I probably gained 5 pounds on this trip!



The peaceful beach


Outside our condo on the dock. I have to say the funniest thing happened right before getting this picture taken. We asked a sweet little 'ole grandma to take our picture and she had my camera turned around backwards! So every time she brought the lens toward her eye, we would see her eye get bigger and BIGGER in the viewscreen. Oh my gosh!! It was histerical! We'd tell her to turn the camera around and she would just twist it. We were laughing so hard I thought for sure someone would fall in.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Oops you missed!

I'm sorry, this is gross but too funny not to share!! Ethan has been really interested in going on the potty so I bought him a new potty seat this weekend. Today he was asking to go potty after school so I brought it in the kitchen while I was doing dishes and thought he could sit, play whatever, get used to it. So within maybe two minutes, he started whining "mommy" like he was scared and this is what I saw!!! Crack me up! Good try buddy but you missed. hee hee. Then he tried to pick it up and I yelled, "NOOOO" which scared him and made him cry. Braden thought it was pretty funny too!



Ethan's birthday party

We had Ethan's party on Sunday afternoon. It was sports themed because he loves balls just like Braden did at this age. He was very excited to see balls on everything and to see "bwoons" everywhere. :) He had so much fun with his family, new presents and yummy food. We got "pia" (pizza), Ethan's favorite and had plenty of sweets to make partygoers sick before they left. Thanks to everyone that came and made it a special day for our special birthday boy!


I made cake pops for the first time and they were a hit. I'm definitely making these for many occasions coming up! So fun and yummy!


I displayed them on the number two and in this baseball bucket. I felt very professional for a moment. ha!


And more cake!


Treat table


His collages...it's crazy how they change so fast. :(


My handsome birthday boy!!!


Eating the "pia." Yummy


John and Heidi got a new dog so Chris brought it down for a bit...can you tell my boys want a dog?!?!? What about a fish boys?


Opening his presents in his new birthday chair-thanks Johnsen's :)

His ADORABLE outfit from Mimi


Granny got him a Thomas shirt and he ran it over to her saying "choo choo"


Braden picked out this puzzle for Ethan and wrapped it. He was so excited for him to open it...and so he could play with it!


"Thanks Bubby"


And a little two year old present opening time


Gma Cindy added some of his favorite snacks to his gift bag...oh, he had to show these to Papa T and had to start eating them right away :)


Happy birthday to you....happy birthday to you...


Trying to get him to blow out his candles....he had to have a little help. Oh and I had to relight them because the wind across the table was pretty strong!!


Such a great party and a fun time for him! He was all tuckered out!


Brother was too!

Papa T's surprise 60th bday party

On Saturday Chris' family had a surprise birthday for his dad who was turning 60. It was great because a ton of the family was there and a lot of his friends. Happy bday Papa T!

Surprise!

Surprise on this end!


Papa T and his grandkids...the boys and Izzie


Lots of help on the candles-Braden is working hard!


The kids all gathered around like it was a kids' party. They were waiting for some cool toys to be opened...I was hoping it would all be "age appropriate." ha!

More soccer action

The "Blue Toads" had a game on Saturday and tonight. Braden's little team is all over the place....from a couple of kids that are coordinated enough to run and kick to a few that just run with the group and occasionally bump into the ball (probably where Braden falls in). ha! He's doing great though and it sure is fun to watch!

Warm ups

Papa T came on Saturday...the kids are always after "papa's juice" uh...pepsi


Braden and Jacob probably talking important competitive strategy talk. :)




This is hilarious!! So I have no idea who these people are sitting down the row from us and this older man says, "Come here Ethan and sit on granddaddy's lap" talking to HIS grandson Ethan who was probably about 7. So my Ethan gets up, walks on down there and backs it up and sits in his lap. It was hilarious!!!! Then later in the game, he went down again and sat in his lap. When we left I said, "tell granddaddy bye." Love it!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

My baby is two!!









Somehow, someway my baby turned two today!! I really thought time flew with Braden but it just flashed by with Ethan! I think in the hustle bustle of each day these babies just grow up on you so fast! Tear :(


Anyways, Ethan is two today and I am so, so in love with this child!! He has the sweetest, funniest and feistiest little personality! He absolutely cracks me up right now! I love all of his new phrases he comes up with each day. I find myself saying, "did he just say that?" Their vocab just explodes at this age and I love hearing each new little word. I love the way he can't say his "s's" so he wants a "poon" to eat and a "nack" to eat. It is too cute in that little voice! I love the way he says "bubby" for Braden and he's so excited to see him and was so sad when we dropped him off at school last week. I love the way he says "poop and butt" when he's gone to the bathroom with that confused look on his face! (yep just got a potty seat out today).


Ethan is a busy body and rarely sits and plays. Instead, he kind of tornadoes around the house wearing everyone's shoes, carrying purses, wearing hats and costumes, dragging toys, Tupperware, remote controls...anything he can find from room to room. :) He is right on top of me whether I'm sitting on the toilet or trying to make lunch, he is literally on my feet. Not complaining though because soon he'll be off in his room playing forever and I'll miss it. He loves to "play" with Braden and wants to be big. Of course he makes a mess with the legos or little figurines Braden is setting up and so Braden gets mad and I'm pretty sure that makes Ethan want to mess them up more. ha! Brotherly love!




He loves Barney videos and mimics what the kids do in the videos. He tries to sing the I love you song and the clean up song. He loves choo-choos and gets excited when he sees a real choo choo or a toy train. He loves balls and is actually very athletic and coordinated for a two year old. He's quite the little batter and can throw and catch a ball really well. For the longest time now, when we drive through a subdivision, he pretends to shoot a ball if he sees a basketball goal and says "shoot the ball" which sounds more like "sh*t the ball" ha! He loves bath time and makes a gigantic mess of the entire bathroom with water trying to splash and swim. He loves brushing his teeth but mostly when he does it, "ME DO!" and tries to eat the toothpaste container.


I just love Ethan's squishy little face and those squinty eyes when he really gets laughing...:) we are still trying to figure out who he really looks like. He is such a big, big boy but still has that baby pudge and those baby dimples in his hands. :( I don't want him to lose that. He's just a snuggley little fella that you could squeeze and eat right up! I love the way he runs and says "mommy" and "daddy" with such enthusiasm and love when we pick him up or get home. It just melts your heart! I just love the way he runs in general with his arms straight down by his sides and the way he stands with his hands behind his back when he's checking something out or waiting.


We love you to pieces Ethan Christopher!! You make mommy, daddy and Braden (most of the time) so happy! You entertain us and keep us on our toes. You are two and SO very two right now!! I'm pretty sure my hands are full but I'm going to try to treasure each two year old moment with you! We are so blessed that God gave us you, a big healthy boy with a big personality! We love you buddy! Happy birthday!!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Braden's first day of Pre-K

It's hard to believe that this is Braden's last year of preschool!! The thought of registering him for kindergarten in the spring blows me away! So until then...I'm focusing on this year, his last year of preschool, Pre-K! He had a super first day! I am in the class right next to him so I can see him through the windows off and on and he was always sitting and playing-either at the Lego's or the castle. ha! I also noticed he was hanging around with some really sweet boys. I know us teachers love all of our students, but being in the building I also know which little boys might be a smidge of a better influence on him. He is a follower for sure so usually if he sees someone throwing blocks or jumping off a playset or any of that good 'ole boy stuff, well he's right there in the mix. :) I'm hoping that he hooks up with a few of the more mature boys at least most of his day. :) I got to see him on the playground and he was all smiles about his first day!

In other news, Ethan started with a new sitter today and she is perfect!! Right by school, I love her to pieces, a few playmates and super cheap. I'm feeling so blessed that this situation worked out too! Oh and my class was awesome today too!! Day 2 here we come!

Several people commented to me that he looked like a 2nd grader today! He is a tall, handsome little guy!





At school enjoying a popsicle with his buddies, Jacob and Carson

Family Palooza

On Monday Southeast Christian Church hosted their annual Family Palooza. It is SO much fun! All of the activities are totally free and lunch is $1.00! It's a great deal. The boys got to ride ponies, jump in bouncers, get their face painted, dance, eat snowcones, cotton candy and icecream....yep, they were in heaven!

Ethan reminds me so much of Braden at this age because he's having fun on this pony but he is so serious! ha!

Braden kept grinning like, "am I really riding a pony?" :)


Nice ride


Ethan kept wanting to go down this slide which meant I kept having to climb up with him on those tricky steep stairs. Thank goodness I didn't deflate the thing!


Crack me up! This room had bubbles and hula hoops. Check out Braden's version of hoola hooping...he spins his whole body each time instead of the hoop. :)


Ethan gave it a "whirl"


Treats!


Double fisting


The boys got to hold and squirt a real fire hose-very powerful!



Such a fun family day!