Keaton is 4, part two

I am alittle late posting this but here is our little cake and ice cream party we had for Uncle Justin and Keaton Wednseday night. Aunt Rachel took the kids to Chucky Cheese and then they came back for some swimming and cake and ice cream.
Keaton is having his birthday party with all of his friends this Saturday. He is so exicted. We have having a Pirate Party theme. Any one have any good suggestions about a Pirate party? We are still in the works of putting this one together. I will post more after his party.

We are trying to stay cool. It has been over 100 degrees and it is HOT! Owen is sleeping better during the day because I have had to let him cry it out a little longer. The boys are getting a little cranky. No naps are great fun (ya right)! Lance has been gone every night this week and that has been alittle rough for us but somehow we are managing. I am trying to raise these boys right and most of the time I am losing my temper. Keaton commented that I needed to "chill out mom!" I couldn't believe my ears when he said that. Andrew is getting pretty pushy. He loves to push people. I am trying to stop that and help him out but he has become our little bully. How do you stop your child from doing that? I always told myself I would never let my child be one of those kids that pushed people. What's a mom suppose to do.
My visiting teachers came over this morning. It was nice to have some adult conversation. I am so thankful for faithful visiting teachers. Do you know how important that calling is? I really gained my testimony of that on my mission.
So there you have it! Our little update for now. We are surviving and staying cool. Thanks for your phone calls and little notes in the mail. I have really loved them!

Keaton is 4, part one

My dear sweet Keaton,

Seems just like yesterday when they layed you on my chest for the very first time. I had been patiently awaiting your safe arrival and you were finally here. Words can't describe how I felt the moment I heard you cry and the moment I touched you to see if you were still alive. After Madalynn's passing, my heart was very sad for another baby and I knew right away that I had to give it another shot. I worried non-stop through my whole pregnancy with you, wondering if you were going to be alright and if you were really going to stay with us.
I knew when they placed you in my arms for the first time that you were mine and all mine. I went into labor about 11:30 on July 14th. It was your Uncle Justin's birthday and we were pretty sure you would probably share the same special day. Well it didn't happen. My labor with you was very nice and very easy. I had no complications and after only pushing for 5 minutes you were born. You were so beautiful. You were fat! That is for sure. The doctor and the nurses were guessing you were an 8 pound baby for sure. When they put you on the scale it said you were 9 lbs. 9 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long. We couldn't believe it! You were a very big and healthy boy.

You were so wide awake and alert. You were ready to face the world.
Everyone came that day and the next to hold you and to see you. We were all so excited you were here. Your dad was the happiest I had ever seen him. He had a son and he was a very proud dad.
You were not an easy baby. You loved to scream and in fact you would scream for so long every day that I was sure your vocal cords would just burst, but they didn't. They kept on screaming and yelling for awhile and then all of a sudden you just stopped. I remember rushing to the phone to call the doctor to tell him something was wrong and his response was, "Have you ever considered this is what a normal baby is like?" Your crying stopped and you were such a happy baby from then on out. We had a rough road but we made it and we are better because of it. The Lord knew me and he knew you and we have both been blessed because of our experiences together.
Are you really 4 years old? My baby is growing up. Sometimes I just want to freeze time and save it in a bottle so when times are hard we can open it back up and re-live those sweet, tender moments.
So here's to you sweet boy, we have had 4 wonderful years. It only gets better from here on out. I hope and pray you know how much I love you. I know you have seen me lose my temper, walk away from huge meeses, seen me cry, but most of all I want you to know that life is sweet. Life has blessed me with all that I have ever wanted. It started when you came into my life.
I hope that as you continue to grow and experience things on your own that you can come to me anytime you need me. I am and always will be here for you.
Here is your first 4 years in a glance.

Keaton's first year :


Keaton's 2nd year:


Keaton's 3rd year:


Happy Birthday sweet boy!I hope you know how much I love you!

Uncle Justin is 28

My brother Justin turned 28 today. There are only 3 children in our family and I am the oldest, then my brother Justin and then my youngest sister Rachel was last in line. I LOVE my brother Justin! He is the best brother, a great friend and the world's BEST Uncle anyone could ask for. My boys absolutely love this guy! I was the first missionary to serve in our family. After about a month in the field I got a call one night from my brother Justin and I was able to be involved and hear him open his mission call. I was so homesick that night. I sure wished I could have been there in person, but I was there on the phone. I was so happy to have been a part of that special moment. He was called to serve in San Antonio, Texas, by the way. From then on, we were the best missionary pen pals that ever were. Justin, can I just tell you how much I loved reading your letters! They were so inspiring and made me want to be as sucessful as you were.
Now he lives just down the road from us and we see him almost every other day seems like. He is such a special part of our lives.

For his birthday today we all took him out to eat at Red Robin for lunch. It was nice to have most of our family together. We were short one person, my brother-in-law Jason. It was the first time my kids had been to Red Robin. They instantly became obsessed with the arcade games and grandpa let them play a few while we were waiting to be seated.




HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTIN! WE LOVE YOU!!!!

i'm 30

Yes, it is true. I am now 30 years old. I can't believe it either. Doesn't it seem like the older we get the faster time flies? Well I think so. So I am offically old. Many of you have told me that 30 is the new 20. I sure hope you are right. I am ready to feel and look young again.
Thanks to everyone who called, sent cards wrote me fantastic emails. I loved them all! My good friends Brenda and Carey took me out to eat at the Olive Garden. Thanks girls! It was fun to be with you! Thanks Lance, for watching all the kids while we went and had some "girl time." It was nice to have a break.
My boys, thanks for loving me regardless of my many flaws. I love you for that. You have taught me a great lesson of forgiveness.
So here is to another good year.

4th of July

This year was really quite. During the day, Lance was gone to a car show with some friends and I was at home busy cooking and watching kids. So pretty much a normal day. Then our family came over around 5 for some ribs and potatoes, some swimming and fireworks. We had a great feast. Thanks everyone who brought something! It really helped me out.
We let the kids stay up late to see the fireworks. They didn't get to bed until 11p.m.. It was way too late, we won't be doing that again. They had been excited about this ever since we saw they firework tents set up. They each went down and bought some of their own and just loved that.
My brother-in-law Jason was in Yellowstone 2 weeks ago and bought some illegal fireworks while there, so he brought them to light up. Since everyone around us was doing them we decided it would be ok seeing that the police would have a hard time identifying who was doing them because everyone was.




Our neighbors that moved in over the field from us, we call them, the pool nazis, anyways, we waited until them came and went to start them. Since she calls the cops on literally everyone who steps foot in the pool we thought she would call the cops on us for having illegal fireworks. Well we decided to do one or two while they were there. The first try was awesome. It was huge and incredibly loud. We LOVED it! Then the second one came and the tube that it sits in blew up so the firework didn't go up but out sending sparks into the dry brush that was near our home. Jason walked away and behind him we could see some flames starting. Yes, a litte fire started so everyone rushed over to put it out. Sorry I didn't that one on camera. We were all sitting worried that we were going to be busted that the neighborhood was going to light up. But thankfully it was put out.
So we questioned whether to do the rest of not and we continued to do them and they were awesome!!! Thanks Jason for brining those. They sure made our night.
After we were done we just sat in the street watching everyone else's fireworks. They were great! It was a good show!
We hope your 4th was good too. Here are some pictures from our evening.

2 Months

Owen was alittle late on his 2 month check up but here are his stats as of yesterday.
Weight: 12 lbs. 14 oz.(65%)
Length: 24 1/4 in. (80%)
Head: 40 cm (45%)

He is healthy and doing well. We love him so much. He is sleeping anywhere from 5-8 hours each night. Here is what I have learned about him so far.....
~he hates to be left alone
~he loves it when someone is talking to him. He likes to feel a part of everything
~he hates naps, even though he needs them
~a binky can calm him down
~he loves to be swaddled at night
~he smiles all the time
~he is starting to coo at us. The boys love it!
~he likes his diaper changed
~LOVES bathtime
~still on acid reflux medication
~lavender oil can help soothe him in the evenings

WE LOVE OUR LITTLE OWEN! THANKS FOR COMING TO OUR FAMILY!!!!!

Mom, look at me grow

I just had to post this. I was taking some pictures this morning of Owen. He is growing so fast. I can't believe my baby is more than 2 months. Time flys so fast doesn't it? I love squeezing these cute little chubby checks! Owen, mamma loves you!