My kids are getting too old!

Ahh! Where does time go?







Scott mentioned tonight the good ole days when Sean would tell me he was tired and wanted a nap. True story! He used to ask for a nap frequently. These days neither Ryan or Sean nap, unless they are sick (a whole different topic - but I sorta enjoy when they get sick because they sleep and are cuddly - obviously it depends on how sick they are - and we are fortunate because usually they are sick for less than 24 hours). Somehow since Sean turned three he has grown up a ton! He hangs with Ryan so sometimes I have to remind myself that he's nearly two years younger and he's only three! But then I look at him and he doesn't look like my little Seanny any more! He's lost the rounder cheeks of a toddler. Lucky for me he still loves to cuddle and will take it any time I can give it. And is understanding when I can't.

The sad thing that I'm also realizing is that Ryan has been old for a long time! He had to grow up quick because Sean was born before Ryan was two. So I probably didn't get to enjoy his second year of cuteness as much as I did for Sean. Don't get me wrong, I obviously enjoyed him lots, but he wasn't the baby for as long as Sean was. I'll tell you what though, he certainly has risen to the challenge of being the big brother. We expect a lot from him and usually he meets that expectation. This picture is about a month before he turned three. I wish I could jump into that picture and give him a big hug! Now he's in Kindergarten!


Kyle has been rolling over for almost a month! And yesterday I discovered his first tooth broke through his gums! What? Just barely 4 months old! We had no symptoms of a teething baby aside from some drool.
**UPDATE: Second tooth broke through 2 days later!





He is two weeks older than his birthday if you consider his gestational age...which for the first year makes a big difference. He's still a super sweet baby. He talks/grunts a lot. Making him laugh is really exciting! He doesn't laugh all the time, so when he's game it's so fun. Typically Ryan is still the clown to make him giggle, but I got him going tonight! It was a great mommy moment:)

I got Kyle a fun exersaucer the other day. Never had that toy for the others since it was so big...but I decided with so much going on, I needed another place for Kyle to play while I was getting stuff done. It's super cute, but man, he looks so old in it! And he had to have his first haircut on Sunday! Since most of his long birth hair hasn't fallen out and it continues to grow, it needed a trim. His newborn stage certainly flew by! I blinked and he wasn't a newborn anymore! We had his 4 month appointment the other day and he was 19 lbs 10 oz!

The small one is me and Ryan. What a sweetheart!

Here is Kyle probably less than a week old.

Here's the happy guy at 19 pounds:)
As Dori in Nemo says, "Squishy, Here squishy! I will
call you squishy and you will be mine."

I'm sure I messed up that line and I'll correct it later when I get the real thing from Scott or Ryan.

Man! Time flies. Thanks for strolling down memory lane with me...I promise I'll look at it a million times.

Yesterday morning...Ryan says, "Kyle's skin feels like plastic."

Either it's just so smooth and soft or taught thighs and cheeks...not sure which.

I really love my kids at their stages now but I miss parts of them little too!

I need to take more videos.

Kindergarten!

Today was the day! Honestly, I've been excited
for this day for a long time. I'm so excited for
all that Ryan-going-to-school will add to our lives!
Back-to-school nights, homework, activities, parent/teacher conferences, etc!










Here he is all ready to go...to bad he had to wait another half hour! He is in the afternoon class, so we had a relaxing morning as we got ready. When I made his lunch...he asked for an apple - he's not usually an apple fan. Random...but it cracked me up because he somehow associated apples and school. Anyhow, he wanted to get ready pretty quick. While choosing his outfit, he confided that he was a "tiny bit scared of going to Kindergarten." I assured him that his teacher was going to be great and he was going to meet lots of new friends and once he got there and got into it, he'd be fine and that I'd be there to pick him up when school was finished. Scott always had the perfect way of saying things. His response was, "I was always nervous my first day of school too because I didn't know what to expect. etc." (I think I had the same idea...but he said it better :) After Scott gave Ryan his first day of school father's blessing, we hoped in the van and were off. Then on the way, he says, "But I don't know where the bathroom is at school."


It's a really cute and old school - the principal says the oldness adds to the character of the school and he loves it.

Fun Factoid: There is a sign in Ryan's Kindergarten class that says this is the same room Summer Sanders attended Kindergarten...if you are not from around here you may not remember, but she is an Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer 1992.

Now the parents were invited to stay the first hour of class. I assumed that was optional - and the principal even said so at the New Parent Orientation. Scott had to leave prior to the hour mark and we drove together...thinking we'd stay a bit and then head out - especially since the other boys were in tow too. Weellll.... the teachers had a different plan. There was a list of probably twenty things to do with your children in the class room, including making a flower, a house and a parachuting teddy bear, touring the classroom, meeting the teachers, etc. Anyhow this would have been really cute and enjoyable except that Sean was tired and Kyle was hungry and Scott had to leave and we had one car at school. Scott got the stroller from the van, Sean camped out in that. Scott took my van home and left a door open for us. I held an uncomfotable Kyle and helped Ryan complete his tasks - but imagine 26 students with at least 1 parent each...many with 2 and trying to complete the same stations we were going to...so crowded! Oh yea, and I'm a little sick. I got a head cold with a stuffy/runny nose. Then the students went out to play. I said goodbye to Ryan and he said he had to go to Recess (he learned what that was this morning:).
The teacher went over a few things and then parents were to leave and say good-bye as the kids came inside. As I gave Ryan another hug, he handed me a little baggie with Hershey's hugs an kisses. On the outside it said, "Please enjoy these Hugs and Kisses until I can come home and give you the real thing." Then our friends kindly gave me and the two little boys a ride home.
It was super chaotic, so there was no opportunity to reflect on the hugeness of this day! I kinda wanted to soak it in...watch my baby be a big boy in school! I had no idea that dropping him off would have been so involved and without my "crew" in tow it could have been pretty cute and enjoyable.

Does going to Kindergarten automatically make you look older? I wasn't thinking he looked much older than usual until I saw the last picture of him at the tables! What a cutie.

His teacher is Mrs. Rath. She seems so sweet and must know what she's doing, because she's taught at the school for almost thirty years. My worries and wonders about his first teacher are no more. My first impressions today were great!

We are so proud of him and can't wait to see all the things this year has in store for him and us! It's going to be so fun to see him learn and grow!!!!! Can't wait!

And ... for your squishing pleasure.

Austrailia Women's Basketball...

What were you thinking when you bought these uniforms?

In our Olympic obsession, we happened upon Austrailia's game against Russia and they did great. Too bad I seriously could not stop laughing!

It's a one piece short length unitard! I can't imagine that this uniform would be functional. Imagine shooting a basketball and your shorts/unitard riding up! I think a regular leotard would be more comfy than with the shorts attached for the purpose of basketball. Okay, I'm no basketball expert, but are shorts and a jersey uncomfortable? Was there a need to find a new design?

Now take a look at their color design. The yoke (sp?) angling created a very high rear end from the back. These lovely ladies running around the court in these uniforms made me laugh hysterically.

As for other Olympic hype...we love it all! I love the swimming, diving, running, gymnastics! There is something about Olympics that captures my interest. I honestly don't always watch all of these events if part of some other competition. How amazing is Dara Torres? She's awesome. 41 and almost got the gold! I wanted it for her so bad! Michael Phelps is obviously fabulous and we have loved watching him!

As for Austrailia...I love you too, especially for making me laugh!

Boys interview August 2008

I thought it'd be fun to record some of the kids answers to interview questions after seeing Jillian do the same. These things crack me up. The answers are their own true answers...

What is something mom always says to you?
Ryan: I love you.
Sean: Stop doing stuff.
Mom: What stuff?
Ryan: He meant doing naughty stuff.

What makes mommy happy?
R: putting seat belts on by yourself
S: Putting my pants on all by myself

What makes mommy sad?
R: Not putting seat belt on when mom asks me to.
S: Not listening
R: Breaking crayons

How does mommy make you laugh?
R: tickling
S: tickling

How old is mom?
R: I don't know, 15
S: 15

What's mom's favorite thing to do?
R: Go places, chuck e cheese or the store
S: On the Border or to a restaurant

What's mommy really good at?
R: Juggling (I can juggle scarves)
S: Teaching your class

How are you and mom the same?
R: Our faces are the same.
S: Our noses are the same

How are you and mom different?
R: Our noses
S: you are silly.

What is mom's favorite food?
R: Burritos
S: Burritos

What do you like to do with mom?
R: Go to Chuck e Cheese
S: Go to On the Border
R and S: PLAY UNO!

What is your favorite food?
R: Ginger beef sandwiches or a corn dog
S: Cereal, spaghetti or Hangabers (Hamburgers)

What is your favorite part of the Olympics?
R: Diving and seeing the Great Wall of China
S: The drums (Opening Ceremony)

What is your favorite fruit?
R: Pineapple
S: Blueberries

What is your favorite vegetable?
R: Asparagus
S: Broccoli

What is your favorite part of church?
R: Drawing pictures in my class
S: Singing in nursery

What is your favorite dessert?
R and S: Strawberry Shortcake

Favorite place to go?
R: Disneyland or Hershey Park (says Disney is best though)
S: Chuck E Cheese

What is your favorite toy?
R: Transformers
S: Legos

I think it's funny how they answer some questions because they think it's a good answer - for example...the toy question. The only real transformer Ryan has is pretty complicated and we don't ever play with it...and he's never seen a transformer cartoon or movie. I should have split them up when I asked questions because some answers were certainly influenced by brothers. Chuck E Cheese is surely a favorite around here - and they ask to go all the time. They know we think the pizza is gross, so they ask to go just for the games/rides and not to eat. I think it's funny they are so obsessed. We don't go much and we've got other great things we do more frequently that I enjoy more.

Kyle can't answer any questions but is a happy boy! He started rolling over a few weeks ago and got really good at it this week. However he's at that stage where he rolls over to his belly is happy and proud of himself. Looks around with a smile for a bit with good back strength...but then after a few minutes gets tired and is done being on his tummy. So then he's grunting and face plants into the floor. After a few times of me helping him to return to his back, he immediately flips over but is already done being on his belly and is mad instantly. It cracks me up. If you don't want to be on your belly, don't turn over:) Sometimes it seems almost like a reflex. A toy does distract him from the instant roll over for a bit, but he's not great at playing with toys yet so it doesn't stay in his hands (I put the toy in his grasp)very long. He's super happy and smiles lots for us with some laughs mostly at big brother Ryan.

Anyhow, we are loving the Olympics...but tired from staying up so late!

Good-bye Browns!

These kiddos have been buds for as they can remember!

We met when our first kids were 1 and almost 1...and Sean was born a few months later on Kennedi's birthday! They moved in really close to us and I remember the first time we met, Jenner said we had to be good friends because she was going to help me when I had my second baby! How nice is that? We've had lots of fun ever since.

Jenner and I served in Young Women's togther, Tye and Scott in Elders Quorum, we did a "Joy School" type group together, tending each others kids and lots of play dates!

Now they are off to Indiana. Bummer for us. Good stuff for them. Have fun guys! We miss you already!

Summer-time, Summertime, Sum Sum Summer-time!

The boys and I just recovered

(Sean got sick our last day...including
the airplane ride home - poor guy!) from our two week trip to Virginia! Lucky us! We had a great time - as usual...so here's a rundown of our adventures.


Grandpa had some projects waiting for the kids, so when we awoke from our red-eye caused naps they quickly got to work on their "fort." The boys drew and grandpa cut doors, windows, a ceiling hole, secret passage near the bottom on a huge sturdy box. Inside they drew a steering wheel, refrigerator, TV, etc. They cherished their own special "fort."

This is Sean drawing the circle on top.

Window.

Eating lunch inside their fort.
One day the boys discovered that there were some long branches from a HUGE tree hanging right over a little slide in Grandma's backyard. Just as you would expect, it was quickly turned into a swinging vine and they were Tarzan. They took turns swinging soooo many times. The mini branches held up surprisingly well given their size and usage.

"I'm tarzan, I'm tarzan, Tarzan the swinging guy!"

Then we brought out the slip-n-slide.

They ran, slid together, on their bellies, on their backs.

On another day we went to "The Sweetest place on

earth".....Hershey Park in Hershey, PA. Scott made sure the boys knew beforehand that Hershey is good, but we like Ghiradelli better. And while I definitly agree, Symphony is made by Hershey and it's yummy!

So here we are with Mr. Symphony.

Unfortuntely, my dad came down with a serious stomach bug on our way there and spent the entire day in the Infirmary...puking 12 times by days end! My poor dad was so sick and uncomfortable!

I sure love my kids, because despite my history of puking on circular spinning rides, I

accompanied Sean on this. It took me a while to recover.

Are they jousting? I think they are knights.

This hot dog was a bit too big for his mouth.
No words needed. These hot dog pictures make me laugh every time!
We made it to a capitol Concert! Military bands play in front of the capitol on Summer Evenings. We happened upon a most beautiful evening. The boys blew bubbles and we listened to some good music.
What a beautiful building! It's stunning. The history! Completed as we know it in the mid 1800s, yet the cornerstone was by Washington himself in 1793! As my friend Julie would say, Yousers!

I love it! God Bless the U.S.A!



My kids with their friends - the kids of one of my longest friends! All our kids are the same ages and it's so fun to get them together. They have so much fun even though they see eachother only once, maybe twice a year. Same with the parents:) Even though we don't get together often, I love them just the same!
And here's the youngest of the Mud and Mot kids.

Our trip was filled with many more things. We visited with Scott's cousin who recently moved to No. Va, went to Wolf Trap for a kids performance, a kids water park, played lots of UNO and go fish, took our friends back to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens where the kids got out binoculars, magnifying glass and bug boxes to really explore nature, played in the sand, destroyed the fort and played with Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Sydney!

We had such a fun trip and did so many fun things, but spending time with family made all the fun things so great! We love you!

And one last pic of our little meatball - Just over 3 months.

What a beautiful day!!!

Summer is so great! We have so much fun!

Monday was my mom's birthday and we packed in the fun! We started off the day at Great Falls, Virginia. It's been so many years since I've been there and it's still GORGEOUS - just like it was for George Washington (it is known as one of his favorite places)! WOW!

I agree George! Could be in the running for prettiest place on earth! Happy Birthday mom!

Sean wanted to take a picture too...can't believe it turned out so great! Good job Sean!

I love our earths' beauty! From oceans to mountains, waterfalls to deserts, there is beauty all around!

After Great Falls we packed a picnic (shh...apparently picnics aren't allowed) and went to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. Beautiful place!

Feeding the fish and turtles off the gazebo.
This is a bell flower. Pretty cool! Me and Ky-son! According to our scale...at three months he is 18.2 lbs!
Garden of Eden?

These are really truly live mushrooms! There was a sign that read "don't eat mushrooms!" The boys loved feeding the fish. I had to keep reminding them to not lean over so far and keep your feet on the rail!

Picture perfect.
We returned home for ice cream cake and fireworks!

The festivities concluded around 9:30. The boys and I get soo spoiled when we are here! Nonstop fun! I only wish Scott could come visit with us...then it would be complete! Sorry you miss out on so much fun! We miss you:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! What a great day.

grandpa and Sean having sparkler fun!