Friday, July 25, 2008

Cheerios, Bikes, and Firecrackers

Ryan has been feeling left out at meal times. He's not the least bit interested in baby food, but he really wants to put something in his mouth. Our compromise has been Cheerios. He is entertained forever by them; trying to pick them up, throwing them on the floor, smacking the tray and watching them go flying. The only problem is that he hasn't quite figured out how to eat them yet. The majority of the time they end up on his chin. Which is why I present: Exhibit A















Nick has been riding Abby's bike for a while now, so Grandma Jojo found him a bike. Most mornings he's out riding it in his pj's before breakfast!







Abby found some bubble wrap in Grandma's garage and came up with this idea. The kids thought it was a blast!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

A little help

Okay, maybe a ton of help. If your blog needs help too, click on the new link: Lee lou blogs
This whole blogging thing has been such a great thing for our extended family and friends. It's great to be able to share this exciting time in our kids lives. Thanks to you all for your comments and interest in our family.

Monday, July 21, 2008

House Guests

We had some friends stay with us a few days last week. They were in the process of moving, so they brought their cat and kittens with them. Abby was in HEAVEN!!!






They have an adorable little blonde girl. So......Nick was in HEAVEN too!!

Safety vs. Fun



I have so many great memories of being a kid in the summer! Catching fireflies, climbing trees, swimming all day, etc. One of those is of jumping on trampolines with sprinklers under them. I now view life as a mom and see all the potential accidents and ER visits. Lately I have found myself trying find "safe" fun. I've come to the conclusion that fun isn't always safe and that part of the fun is the danger. I put aside my mommy ways and this is the result. I'll just make sure that I've got my $25 ER copay in my wallet.

Summer Fun

Lately it seems that our bed has been taken over by our children. All this summer fun sure is wearinig them out.
Josh and I got the kids ready for bed and then sent them out to catch fireflies. My camera has a fireworks setting. I was attempting to get a cool shot of the fireflies. I'll settle for a cool shot of our kids!


Josh and I thought it would be fun to hook this trailer to the four-wheeler. It was a great idea!! Until he dumpted all of the boys into the creek!!






This is a classic Nick look.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008


Abby has been learning like a sponge lately. She is so excited about kindergarten! A few days ago, I sat down with her during the boys' nap and thought I would "introduce" tieing a shoe. Within five minutes she had it down. Then she asked what else she needed to know for school. So I put her phone number and address in large print up in her room. The next morning I asked if she knew our phone number. The kid rattled it AND our address off like she'd known it all her life. I asked how she had learned it so fast and she says "I see it in my head like a picture, so I just read it out of my memory." Abby's going GREEN. She's been on my case to recycle, so now that we have a recycling bin from the city, she walks around the house checking things for the symbol and the correct numbers.


Nick's up to his normal antics. Since Josh's sisters have been in town, Nick has been witness to his fair share of boys peeing. This does have it's advantages. Now he says "I wanta squirt like my cousins and Daddy". LOVELY! Anyway, the other day he was determined to go on the big boy potty, so after standing there forever with no success, I sent him out in the yard without his diaper on. I told him to come tell me when something happened. After a few minutes he comes running up and tells me he went "poo poo". I explained that it was called "pee pee", but he just kept arguing with me. So I asked him to show me. There it was lying in the yard. He was right, it was "poo poo".



Ryan is trying to get his two front teeth at the moment. In case you're wondering that will make six. Anyway, it has made him quite the "Momma's boy". He's still very much on the move. Today I put him down in the living room right by the hallway and within about five minutes , he had rolled/scooted his way to the front door. He has learned to be aware of Nick's location at all times....smart kid.









Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Ryan, Ryan, and more Ryan

Ryan loves to jump while I work in the kitchen. However, I can only put him in there when Nick's not around.





The onsie he's wearing says, "Good looks run in the family".



A belly laugh.




Ryan is determined to move. Here he is getting his back end off the ground.




Grant's Farm

Summer is hard for Chub-a lubs. Ask Ryan, he'll tell you all about it.

Nick cooling off with a snow cone.

Abby managed to keep her white shirt white all day! Definitely not a trait from my DNA.

Abby petting a skink named Gino. The kids were so focused on the skink that they never noticed the man holding it only had one arm.


Ryan gave out on us about half way through. How adorable!!


The kids feeding the kids.




Feeding the baby goats was quite different than when I was a kid. Back then there was a lot more shirt eating, children screaming, and knocking around. Kids these days have it way too easy!!! Feeding the goats at Grant's Farm is supposed to be a painful and terrifying experience.



This, That, and The Other

Summer so far has been lots of fun!! We kicked it off with my family at Country Days in Farmington. The kids enjoyed the parade and are still enjoying the mounds of candy.
Josh's sisters and their families have been here since the first part of June and so we've enjoyed our time with them. The kids are having lots of fun in Grandma and Grandpa's new pool. We've also been busy with Ryan's teething(his new nickname is fussy butt!) and all three have had Hand, Foot, and Mouth. But, for the most part we've been having lots of fun!!
Nick picking up candy at the Country Days Parade.


Ryan watching the parade on Grandma Jojo's lap.



Nick getting ready to go swimming.


So. . . . Abby didn't want her picture taken.


Nick and Abby swimming with Papa Doug.


Enjoying soda at the family reunion.