Graduating Class of 2008

Tonight was Haden and Grant's pre-school graduation. The boys did their parts perfect and were just so cute up there! Haden was very into the songs and did great! Grant was into the actions, and everything around him but would not sing. So like Grant :) ! But when it came time to their parts they made us proud! Grant has a friend in his class name Peyton, and she is so much like him. They both LOVE animals and have great imaginations! They stood by each other in the program and would go off into their own world. It is so funny to watch them and see someone so much like our Grant :) Haden has a girl in his class named Katie, who couldn't be there tonight (so he got to do her part as well), but they are friends and he really likes her :) It is crazy to think that we are moving on to new chapters in our lives. Here are videos of tonight, there are a few, some I took side ways (I didn't even think about it until afterwards) and I am so sorry! Also some may be a bit shaky, and that is because Delaney kept pulling on the string of the camera, sorry about that as well! You can at least hear them :)

Here is Haden's First Part (he opened the program, and got the part after my Mom found out that one of the girls couldn't be there) 'We're so glad that you have come, now we're ready to have some fun. We're going to show you some of what we know, so hold onto your seats and enjoy the show':

Grant's Class singing the 'Ants go Marching':

Grant's part (my camera didn't record quick enough, so I missed part of it, dang) But he did so Great! And marched right up there and said it without any problems 'Jumping Jack starts with J, he exercises everyday':

Haden's Class singing:

That night, right before the program, a girl was not able to show up. So my Mom asked Haden to step in with their class to help sing the song and wear that girl's visor. He wasn't so sure about it, but when it came time, he jumped right in and helped out!

Haden's Second Part (the closing of the program) He did awesome, we were so proud of him 'Now you know what we learned all year, it's time to graduate so let's give a cheer':

Grant Graduating

Grammy- If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Grant-To my house. Grammy-Why would you go to your house? Grant-'cause I can play there. Grammy-What was your favorite thing we did in pre-school? Grant-Caterpillars :

Haden Graduating

Grammy-What was your favorite thing we made in pre-school? Haden-A zig zag. Grammy-If you were a Dad what do you think is the most important thing to play with your kids? Haden-Hopscotch:

Here is the Graduation song! These kids did great, we couldn't be more proud!!!

Mom THANK YOU so much for everything! You have been the best pre-school teacher we could have ever possible asked for. The boys have LOVED having you as their teacher. You have taught them and helped them to grow in so many ways. We are so grateful to you for all that you have done for our boys and our family this past year! We love you so very much!! Here are the pictures I took of tonight as well!

Graduation 2008

Kindergarten here I come!

Haden and I went and registered him for Kindergarten today. He was so excited going there, we got everything we needed filled out and he is set to go! We wait to hear back what track we are on (it is year round school), but he is all set! As we were leaving he started to do what he does best, worry! He started to worry about his pre-school friends and where they were going, so we talked about how they would either keep going to pre-school because they are not old enough for Kindergarten, or they would be going to a school just like he was. He worried about how he was going to make new friends and who would they be, so we talked about how there will be lots of kids for him to make friends with. And that he is so good at being a friend that he will probably have lots of friends. He worried that he wouldn't know their names and how would he remember them all, so we talked about how good he is at remembering and how he can introduce himself to get to know their names. He will worry about it until he actually gets into school and gets in the routine of it all. We got home and I said to Jeff (who came home for lunch so that I could take Haden over just the two of us) how do we have a kid old enough to go to kindergarten?! It feels like just a short while ago we started our family and we already have one going to school, so crazy! I am so emotional over him going but just keeping it super positive and happy when talking to Haden (or ever around him, because he listens more that we know). It will be such a great thing for him to go and grow and become more of his own person doing his own thing. For now we are looking forward to the pre-school swim party, and the boys' graduation. Then we have the summer and then can start worrying about the school thing!

Memorial Day!

We just hung out at home in the morning, and it was nice and relaxing! Then we got our swimming stuff together, and headed out the door. We went over to my parents house and had a BBQ and then did some major swimming. The kids had a BLAST! including Delaney, who splashed and kicked and played until she crashed. The pool wasn't too cold, but wasn't completely warm either, but it didn't stop Delaney or the other kids! Thanks Mom and Dad for putting it on, we had so much fun!! Here are the pictures from today, as well as a video of Delaney splashing in the water:

Memorial Weekend

Also the other day Haden got to go hiking with my Mom, Uncle Mak, Uncle Nate and his cousin Ethan. He had a blast! From what they told me it was a long hike, but the boys did great! Haden was so proud that he accomplished it and talks about it all the time. Thanks so much for taking him with you guys! I got some pictures from my Mom, that she had taken from on the hike:

Hiking

Cole's Birthday Dinner!

We had all the grandparents over for Cole's birthday dinner. Since we ended up with all 4 kids running fevers and things last Sunday, we had to cancel it and push it back to today. We got to have all of the grandparents there and the kids LOVED it! Delaney was tired and did not want anyone but me, which is normal but with her being tired it was worse than normal! He was spoiled, Thank You all so much for everything, we so appreciate it! He is in heaven with all of his gifts and was so happy to have everyone there! Here are some pictures from tonight as well as from his actual Birthday!

Cole's 2nd Birthday

Clean Up, Clean Up!

This is Grant's new way of cleaning up :) We have them put the toys on the stairs (or sometimes in a basket, depending on if we have one downstairs or not) and then when the downstairs is cleaned up we take them up to the loft where all the toys are. Well Grant has started to make a 'path' up the stairs as he cleans up. He says it is so he can find his way to the toys. It takes much longer because he does it all the way up the stairs, but it is too funny. He has done it a couple of times now and I just had to take a picture of it. The things these kids come up with are quite funny to me!

Happy Birthday Coleman Ray!!!

(You can click on the picture to make it bigger)

Happy 2nd Birthday Coleman Ray!!!!

~May 17th, 2006~

I look back at the last 2 years and I have to say you have brought so much into our little family. You are so sweet, so fun, so loving and so full of Energy!! I know that our family would not be complete without you and we are so lucky to have such a special spirit in our home.

We love you so much!!

Here is the video I did for Cole last year if you haven't seen it or want to watch it again (it is over 7 minutes long, just to warn you). Just click on the link that says 'Cole's First Year'.


Cole's First Year

Yogurt for painting?

Something Coleman taught me today! He used it for painting or 'color' as he said, as he smeared it on the table as well has his face. The boys asked why he does this, Haden even followed the question with 'he isn't a baby anymore, isn't he going to be 2?' Yeah but it isn't that he is a baby, it is that he is Coleman! He is totally his own person and comes up with his own things. We often question why he does somethings, but usually the answer is 'Because he is Coleman'. You clean him up and send him on his way, and smile because looking at that face you can't help but do that at times! The boys love yogurt and it is one way Haden actually eats fruit! So it is a great thing to have. In the picture of all 3 Haden had me retake the picture multiple times so that the cherries on his container show. He was so proud he had the cherries and wants to try them now, so we may just have to go buy some to have him do that! I LOVE these kiddos, they are so much fun and brighten my day!

Happy Mother's Day!!

I want to wish every Mother out there a Happy Mother's Day!

What a special day of the year to be recognized for all that you have done and do for those you care the most about.

Motherhood
The dearest gifts that heaven holds, The very finest, too, Were made into one pattern that was perfect, sweet, and true; The Angels smiled, well-pleased, and said: "Compared to all the others, This pattern is so wonderful Let's use it just for Mothers!" And through the years, a Mother Has been all that's sweet and good For there's one bit of God and love, In all true Motherhood.
~ Helen Steiner Rice ~

I want to wish my wonderful Mother-In-Law, Trudy a Happy Mother's Day. I am so grateful to you for raising such an amazing son! Thank you! You are such an example to me and have done so much to help our family throughout the years. Thank you for being who you are! Thank you for being the wonderful Grandma you are to our kids. We love you and appreciate you so much!!!



Happy Mothers Day to my Mom, Sandee! You have been such a great example to me in what a Mom is and what I need and should do for my kids and my family. Thank you for always being a listening ear and giving me advice when I so need it. I am grateful to you and all that you have done for me throughout my life. The example you are to me and to my family. You are an awesome Mom, Mother-in-Law and most importantly a Grammy. We love you so much!!!! And appreciate all you do for us!

I hope you all have a Wonderful Mother's Day, as every Mother deserves to!! I love you all!!

You Live and Learn!

Have you ever tried something and regretted it in a way, but were glad you tried? Well that is how we feel with attempting a puppy. Haden is our lover of animals and cannot keep his hands off of them. We thought he would be okay, he is on allergy medicine anyway for all the other seasonal allergies he has, but that is not the case. As often as I have him wash up when he is done playing, he still is itching and getting small hives on his face. We are going to have to give this dog back :( We all love him, but Haden's health comes first! We will, however, not make Haden think this is his fault at ALL, he doesn't need to carry that guilt with him (and he will, it is his personality). So we are going to have to come up with something. But hey, maybe down the road sometime we can get one, we will have to see. But I just thought I would let you all know that we tried it and it isn't going to work. I am so sad and want to cry having to tell them we can't, but what can you do?! We just know now to not even look into another one until they are much older, if at all.

Welcome Our New Addition.......

Marley (we actually are probably not sticking to this name, as he doesn't even respond to it, because he had one name and then the last owner changed it. So any suggestions are welcome)!!! He is a 4 month old, Lab Mix, and full of energy. We are excited to add him to our family! We got him after Jeff got off work tonight, and the kids couldn't be happier. We told them we had a surprise and when we pulled up to the place we met the guy at, the boys asked what we were doing. We told them that we were getting a puppy, and they said yay! Without much enthusiasm. So Jeff and I said that's it, are you excited?! I don't think it quite clicked or they thought we were kidding or something, because when they realized it, they were SO excited! Jeff checked him out and we decided that we wanted him. So we took him over to Adri and Trent's to show him off, and then we headed back out to the park to let the boys get to know him and let him get some of his energy out for the ride home. Haden and Grant took turns holding the leash, and did really good. I was wondering how the boys would react, because they are just getting used to my brother, Mak's, dog. But they LOVE him, and have pretty much no fear of him. It is so fun to watch them with him! This was not a thing we thought we were going to do for a long time, but we saw this puppy on craigslist and it just made us excited. So we decided to just go for it! And I am so glad that we did, he is so cute, so fun and going to be a great addition to our family. As soon as we got home, while Marley stayed in his crate. Then we all went outside and wrestled, played fetch and had fun with him. They kids them got cleaned up and went to bed, Jeff then took him on a walk/run. Something I look forward to doing with him, is going on walks with the family and with him. It will be lots of fun and the kids are going to love ending our day that way! Here are some more pictures of the kids with him:

New Addition

9 Months Have Gone By Too Quickly!

Delaney is 9 months old today! Time has gone by so fast!

She is still doing her 'seal' crawl but gets around great. She pulls up to everything, but is still figuring out how to get down once she gets up :) She is such a sweet girl who loves her brothers. She loves to tease them as much as play with them. She loves giving kisses and is still a Mama's Girl. She is truly a blessing in our lives and we are so grateful that she has joined our family. We love you so much Delaney!

Frogs, Flowers, Oh My!

My Mom had a frog for pre-school for part of her curriculum but didn't want to keep it once that part was over, so we took it home today. Haden and Grant were so excited and absolutely THRILLED that we got to take him home. They love having him as a pet! He is quite a funny frog, and just cute and little. Cole even has gotten into him and they have been spending a lot of time in the kitchen (where is tank is at) talking to him and just watching him.

On a different note, we have started to grow some flowers in these little pots. They had them in the target dollar section (who can beat a dollar?) and the boys were so excited to start growing them. It is a lot of fun and we have to water and check them each day. They have started to grow and the boys were so happy about it. It makes me appreciate the little things that much more!

He is trying my patience :)

It has definitely been 'one of those days' with Cole. He usually doesn't get into too much, well because we have made it so there isn't much for him to get into. He was on one this morning, and was playing in the blinds and pulling and bending them. He continued to empty the diapers out of the box and got made when I would clean them back up. He fed Delaney peanut butter (she isn't allergic to it, thank heavens, but we just found that out) while I was out of the kitchen. I was so grateful for naps to come around, and kept hoping that once he woke up he would be in a much better mood. Well he wasn't up even 5 minutes when he found a crayon, Haden had left out, and he colored on the fridge, the garbage can and the floor. I had to just laugh, because really it is the best way to handle these situations with him. He sits on time out but that doesn't always work for him, so we just do what we can with him. He always acts so innocent and dang cute when you catch him. I mean how can you get mad at that face?! Then to top things off he figured out if he pulls this basket over to the door, and flips it upside down to stand on it, he can unlock the front door! So we are going to have to get a lock type thing for up high where he can't get to it. Then once I stopped him from doing that, he was in the kitchen with this basket grabbing things off the counter. So know the basket is on the counter where he can't reach it! ACK!!! I know that tomorrow is another day and I am praying it is better than today :) Or I am running away by myself on Saturday, totally kidding, well maybe a little bit!