Brotherly Love

McRae loves to be my big helper and I won't pretend for a second that I don't appreciate it most of the time.  Although, sometimes he thinks he's capable of more than he really is.  For example, he has been carrying John around the house as of late.  From one room to the other.  Makes my heart skip a beat every time I see it.  Especially since John is 50% of McRae's weight.  We've had lots of talks about that and are still working on getting it to sink in.  It mostly happens now when McRae wants John in the other room because John is getting in to his toys or something.  Which happens quite often now that John's been officially crawling for the past two weeks or so.  :)    

Before having kids, I used to think that I had a pretty good understanding of Heavenly Father.  After having McRae, I realized that I really didn't know that much about Him after all...but becoming a parent sure helped to increase my understanding.  Then, after having John, I realized yet again that there is still so much more to know and understand about Him.  I've learned how much love a parent truly has for a child and gained a better appreciation of God's sacrifice in behalf of the world.  (John 3:16)  I've learned how it is possible to love all of your children equally...even if they are completely different from one another.  But perhaps the sweetest lesson that I've come to learn is how much joy a parent receives from seeing their children treat each other with love and respect.  And conversely, I'm sure that discord among siblings fills a parent's heart with sadness.  I remember my mom telling me at one point that the hardest part of being a parent was watching her children argue.  I can't help but think that it's the same way for our Heavenly Father--only magnified a million times.  This thought has opened my eyes and caused me to consider how I treat my fellow man--my brothers and sisters.  Am I adding to Heavenly Father's joy or am I diminishing it?  I'm grateful for this lesson and am determined to bring more joy to my Father's heart.  I love this time of year when opportunities to bring joy to others--and to my Heavenly Father--abound.  

Halloween!

Remember how I said that sometimes I feel sorry for my kids?  Well, Halloween would be a perfect example of why.  And no, it's not because I eat all of their candy!  (Although, normally I would, but this year I restrained myself and didn't even have a SINGLE piece!  This monumental feat is definitely worthy of documentation.  It may never happen again.)  I actually feel sorry for them this because, again, I just don't really make a big deal about Halloween.  I know some people LOVE Halloween.  I'm not a total bah-humbug.  I'm just more of a last-minute-deciding-on-a-cheap-and-easy-costume kinda gal.  And it gets even worse when it comes to picking out my own costume.  I just don't.  Since my kids don't really have opinions on what they want to be yet, you'd think they'd be easy to dress up.  But, just because they don't have opinions about the what part, doesn't mean they don't have opinions at all.  I just don't want to fight about putting them in a costume I spent money on and that they don't want to wear.  Not my idea of fun.  So...we were grateful for the selection of hand-me-down costumes we had to choose from this year.  McRae got to choose which one he wanted and we didn't have to spend any money.  Nice!

Here is our Fireman enjoying some yummy Chili Beans at our ward Trunk-or-Treat and Chili cook off.

And here our firemen is looking pretty cool while waiting for the fun games to start taking place out of the back of ward members trunks.  So fun!

Don't let this tough guy scare ya.  Sure, he looks hard and all, but he's really just a big teddy bear.  I think we were trying for a 50's punk/biker.  We don't really know.  We just slicked his hair back, put him in a onesie and drew a tattoo on his arm.  Simple and super cute! 

On night two of our Halloween celebration, we took to the streets.  Although, one opinionated boy decided he wanted a change of pace.  So, cowboy it was!  We Trick-or-Treated through our neighborhood, although we had a bashful cowboy that night.  We had been practicing a couple of days prior so that he could learn the art of Trick-or-Treating.  We just experimented with any door inside our house.  He would knock, we would answer and he would say the words.  Then we'd place a little treat in his hand.  So, he was super excited about going out, but when the time came to say the magic words, he wasn't too sure about it. 

This night we decided to add some dog tags to complete the look of our little guy.  Oh, and we cut the sleeves on the onesie to make him look a little more rugged.

The three most handsome trick-or-treaters I saw this year!

Some of us were pretty happy about our night's work.  It was a pretty good haul.  And remember, I didn't touch a single piece!  ;) 

McRae's 3rd Birthday

Holding up three small fingers with his birthday loot

 It's true.  Our "baby" boy turned 3 (a couple of months ago, I might add).  I can hardly believe it and yet it seems like he's been my best friend my entire life.  I know that's so cliche, but there's just no better way to say it.  He forever changed me.  He made me a mother.  Nobody has ever helped make my faults so blatantly obvious and then given me the desire to improve quite like he has.  And he hasn't relented that responsibility either.  In the least bit.  Although, at three years old, it's not quite as cute as it was as a baby.  Ahhhh, three.  Such a *magical* age (insert sarcasm).  In other words...three-year-olds are really just two-year-olds with a vengeance.  You see, at two they are testing you but they don't really know better just yet.  At three, they're testing you AND they definitely know better!  There were a couple of weeks where I was seriously doubting that we were both going to survive this age.  I knew at least one of us would, I just wasn't sure which one of us it would be.  :)  Really, though...for as much as this boy tests and stretches me, he absolutely melts me.  All it takes is one glance at his little body fast asleep and I instantly gain the courage, stamina and patience that it takes to mother a 3-year-old boy.  And...I'm so grateful for the opportunity to do it.  Especially grateful that I get to do it with him.  My heart can hardly contain the love I have for this boy.

 His "sharp-tooth" cake 

Sometimes I feel sorry for my kids.  Sorry for the fact that they got a mother who doesn't make pretty table runners and birthday banners or throw elaborate parties for them.  I guess I just don't have the energy.  Or maybe I'm a simpleton...or the fact that, hello!, they're only 3 and really aren't that hard to impress!  I guess I just enjoy saving myself the time and stress.  But, I do try to make them feel special and loved...on their birthday and everyday.  So, when McRae said he wanted a dinosaur cake, I was glad to oblige.  I'm sure this wouldn't win any awards, but the smile on my sweet boy's face was the only award I needed.  We're still singing our own little rendition of Bill Cosby's "Dad is great!  He gives us the chocolate cake!" song around here.  Although, our song goes like this..."Mom is great!  She makes us a dinosaur cake!"  (Ok...by "we", I mostly mean "I"...but McRae was singing it for a while, too.  Promise!  He's just not still singing it all that often.) 

We spent the day at home with the whole family and tried to do things that McRae really enjoys doing.  We had his favorite for lunch (cheese crisps) and really just let him call the shots.  Later in the day, we headed up to Nana and Papa's house so he could stay the weekend with them.  Brian made us wait to open presents until we got to Nana's.  I think that was harder for me than it was for McRae! 

 Singing to our birthday boy.  He didn't quite get the "blowing out the candles" part.  I think he got one and I helped him with the other two.

 Now we've got this party started!

McRae admiring his new "sharp-tooth" dinosaur.

"Maybe more animals."  That was his answer when we would ask him, "What do you think is in this box?"  And he was right most of the time!

For this birthday, McRae mostly scored on clothes (because he's growing like crazy these days), new shoes,  a couple of books, a movie, and he added more animals to his Schleich collection.  The kid is still crazy about animals.

Notable things about McRae's 3rd year of life:

• He added a brother who he adores!  Although, now that his brother is mobile, McRae is having to learn more about sharing.  :)
• I don't think he's gained more than a pound this year but he's probably grown 3 inches!
• Officially potty-trained.
• Puzzle master.
• Loves rhyming.
• Loves learning and singing new songs.  Good little singer, too.
• Can count and say ABC's.  Still working on letter and number recognition.
• Learned to ride his bike (with training wheels).
• Still loves books.
• Memory like a steel trap.  
• Still loves horses and cows but has branched out to all animals.  Loves the zoo.
• Still a cowboy...loves his hat and boots.
• Can quote "Lion King" from start to finish.

I'm sure there are a million other things that I am missing, but these are just some of the things I can think of now that I don't want to forget.

McRae...you are the sweetest, orneriest, and silliest boy all rolled into one.  We sure love you and are so glad you're our son!  
  

Another Brother!

Remember how I said I loved my family?  And that when siblings get married it's like gaining another sibling?  Well, the boys and I left our White Mountain Fall Break a few days early so we could make it back in time for Kensey and Ian's wedding, and in essence, gain another brother!  Such a beautiful day and we are so excited for these two!  We think they both got pretty lucky.  ;)  Ian's grandfather is a sealer in the Mesa temple and was able to perform the service.  Now, they just need to work on finishing up with school and moving a little closer!  Can't wait to take some trips with these two.  Lots of fun, I tell ya!  

Fall Break

I feel like a broken record.  I just LOVE my family.  Can't say that enough.  Anytime we get together it is just non-stop fun.  I learn so much from them and am so thankful that we all get along.  I used to think that that's just how it was.  That when you got married you gained a whole new family, because that's how it has been whenever one of my siblings has married.  Not only did we gain, come to know and love a new sibling but we gained and know their parents and siblings as well.  I thought that was just how it was supposed to be.  As time has passed, I've learned that all aren't so lucky.  Truly sad.  I really am blessed to be a part of this wonderful family.

When Becca offered her parents' cabin as the location for our family Fall Break gathering, we jumped at the chance.  It is located in the beautiful White Mountains where I have many fond childhood memories.  I was worried that the beautiful scenery which I have grown to love would've been wiped out by this summer's wildfires.  (The cabin was evacuated at one point because the threat was pretty severe.)  Much to my surprise,  the forestry immediately surrounding the cabin was still standing...and as beautiful as ever!

Mom and boys at Greenspeak.  You can see some of the beautiful fall foliage starting to change colors in the background.  Running down Greenspeak was a blast.  And the impromptu snow fight made it even better.  I think all the nephews learned not to mess with Aunt Christina.  Seriously...unbelievably athletic...and such a great aim!  

Just a close up of my handsomes...goofy grin and all.  

It was a fun week filled with relaxation, some scheduled family fun, some family work projects, some good exercise, good eating, and great discussion!  Never a dull moment!  Everyone was able to join in on the fun except for Phil and Brian (who stayed behind like responsible adults for school and work).  Thanks to all who helped me with the kiddos and allowed for such a wonderful time!    

Probably goes without saying that this was one of McRae's favorite activities of the week.  Well, this and throwing rocks in the pond.  He is still talking about the horse Jester!

Just another shot of our cowboy.  Getting ready to rope that steer.  

 Our big boy being safe.  Thanks Uncle Steve.  He's always thinking about safety!  :)

Small of the smallest of the gang enjoying Tangled on the iPad.

 I know I'm terribly biased, but he's just a beautiful baby.  So full of joy!

Getting some love from Uncle Steve.  Check out those eyes!  His eyelashes are enough to make any girl's eyes green with envy.