Landen is 3!

Landen is now a big 3 year old. His party was pretty low key - just the family, simple and sweet. For weeks he was telling me he wanted a train cake, and Thomas the train party. So, I had the train cake all planned and was literally headed out the door to buy all the stuff for it. It was my last chance to run to the store before his birthday and he tells me in near tears, "I don't want a train cake, I want a monster cake!" I said, "what!"? "I want a monster, a yellow monster, but not a scary one, a silly one" So we had a monster cake and a train table cloth. He was very happy!

He was bashful but pleased when we sang Happy Birthday to him.

He got a little police staion for his cars.

And a coloring book and money from Grandparents! Thank you!

Happy birthday sweet boy!

A Fall Favorite

Since living in Michigan, visiting cider mills has become one of our favorite things to do in the fall. There are plenty to choose from, and folks around here love comparing them all and giving their opinion on which is their favorite. We still have several to visit before we can nail down our favorite but this one was high on the list. Not only did we enjoy fresh doughnuts and apple cider, but there were lots of fun activities for the kids. And the weather was beautiful that day!!








The kids spent a lot of time in the corn box

Jared LOVED the animals - even the plastic cows! His favorite were the pigs. He laughed and screamed and bounced, it was non stop smiles - I missed the picture though.

Jumping on the hay bails

We took a hay ride up to the pumpkin patch (field) and the boys each picked their own.

I love fall!

Look Who's Walking!

First Day of School

Ah, the first day of school. I love the first day of school. A new beginning, a fresh start, a day filled with excitement, anticipation, wonders, and hopes. All those feelings are still with me, even as a mom. I'm excited for them to experience a new school and new teachers, I anticipate the friendships they will make, wonder what they will excell in, and hope they find joy in whole experience.

Landen is the most excited one in this picture. I have to break the news to him about every 5 minutes that he's not going to school this year. Poor guy.

Dallin - 2nd grader

Isaac - Kindergartener

New to us this year is riding the bus! I must say, seeing them drive away tugged at my heart strings. I'm glad they have each other - if not, I don't think I would have been able to restrain myself, as I did this morning, from following the bus to school.

I was a little surprised at the whole heart tugging thing. I thought I would be fine, but walking home I found myself thinking, "gosh that bus driver sure pulled away in a hurry, I hope they found a seat ok, I wonder if they got a seat together, if not I wonder who they're sitting by, will they talk to them...?" And now as they does goes on, I'm wondering what they're doing, how they're feeling, did they do ok at lunch, did they finish their lunch, did they sit by themselves ...? Ah, it will be nice to have the first day over with.

Last week of Summer

Another summer past and gone. I must say, this one was funfilled and created many memories for us. I was hoping to cram a little more in this last week of summer, but we ended up just going out once. The rest of the time we were at home, working and playing. Which ended to be a nice ending to a great summer.



We found a great spray park and had fun with some friends there. Jared was all over it!



Playing in the sand box at the park



We planted grass in our back yard and side yard. Grass had been taken out while putting new basement windows in. The boys helped pick out all the rocks and weeds. There's something about working as a family together on a project for your home. It just felt good! Hopefully soon you will be looking at a picture of our nice green grass!

Just some random pictures at home.

Jared - enjoying himself in this little container. I'm not sure how he managed to get himself in there, probably just fell.

My middle ones fell asleep during story time after a long day.

Me and Dallin, trying really hard not to smile




Landen continues to sing the day away, which I love. This time he let me get a video of him. My favorite is the "yum yum yum"

Happy Birthday Jared!

Jared is 1



and he is on the go!!

I made caterpillar cupcakes

He wondered about it

He felt it

He samshed it

and he finally tasted it!

Only a couple bites though. He was more interested in smashing it.






The older boys however devoured it!

Present time!

It's a pair of pants! Yeah!

I love pleasing a 1 yr. old. Don't you wish this satisfaction would last!

Happy Birthday Jared! We love you!!

Vacation!

We had a fabulous time in Southern California where we attended a King family reunion. We were there for one week. Thanks to my parents we stayed in some very nice condos right on the ocean. We played at the beach, went to Lego Land and Sea World. I'm still trying to decide what my favorite part was. Unfortunately, Nate got sick very Tuesday night and was in bed till Friday morning. He still got to do some of Legoland, some of the beach, and all of Sea World so we were grateful for that!





Here are some pictures I got at the condos, just hang'n out with family.





Dallin loves it when Grandpa throws him in the pool.

Mae is with her dad waiting her turn to play with Grandpa.

Aunt Becca with Landen

Jared had a lot of fun bouncing on this innertube. He was really cute.

The boys! Brandon, Carter, Mom holding Austin, Landen, Dallin, Isaac, Jared.

Landen, Carter, Austin

Isaac begged all day while we were at Sea World for a Shamu whale. He was very excited to get one at the end of the day. It still hasn't left his sight.

Our view from the condo