Huge Update

Okay, I've just updated a ton here. I'm still behind. But, at least I've put a dent in it. I really can't believe how busy we are. This whole 4 kids thing really keeps me hopping. I love it though.

Tractor Obsession

Tanner is completely obsessed with tractors. Wherever we go, he always manages to spot all the tractors. He enthusiastically points them out to us. He's not content until we completely acknowledge the "cool" tractor that he is trying to show us. I'm thinking some little guy is going to end up with quite a few tractor things for his birthday and Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, it was like Christmas here the other night when one of the neighbor boys came over with a huge garbage sack full of tractors and dump trucks the he had outgrown. Tanner was in heaven. He played with them non-stop until bedtime. He couldn't part with one of the dump trucks before bed. He insisted on sleeping with it. Fortunatley he has a queen size bed he sleeps in, so there was plenty of room for his dump truck to sleep right by him. He even made sure that I also tucked in his dump truck and said "good night, sleep good, I love you" to it just like we always say to him. (Picture is from last summer as our house was being built).

EIGHT Years and counting!

Way back in June--the fifteenth to be exact--Jeff and I hit the 8 year mark. We didn't really even have a chance to celebrate as we were traveling to AZ for the family reunion that day. Our first year of marriage was a lot of fun. The other pictures are from Hawaii. We are so glad we got to do a few fun trips before we started having kids. Now we just dream of going to Hawaii. I'm hoping we'll make it there for my 40th birthday (we were there for my 25th birthday).

Braeden needs to be BUSY!

Braeden took two sessions of swim lessons this summer. He progressed a lot! We could really see his confidence grow. We hope he can keep it up through the winter.

I realized a little bit into the summer, that he was getting pretty bored. I knew that he needed structured activities that involved other kids. I would love to tote my kids around to museums, zoos, and various attractions; however, with a baby and a crazy 2 year old, it usually doesn't happen. So, I knew I needed to figure something out quickly. We've noticed that when Braeden gets bored, he really starts acting out. So, I put him in tennis lessons--which he loved. Sadly I forgot my camera on the last day of class. So, I didn't even get any pictures. It worked out well, because Tanner and Carter could play at the park where the lessons were held. Braeden also did a Summer Kid Camp which was a lot of fun for him--just up his alley.

Braeden is really growing up. We can't believe he just started first grade. He's loving school. Even though I have to admit I miss him a bit, it's been great for him.

Never knew I loved grass so much

I never really appreciated grass until we lived without it for almost a year. Oh the dirt and the messes. My boys didn't seem to miss grass, but I did. Now we have it--as of a few weeks ago. We're really happy with how it turned out. It was a lot of work to lay all the sod, but worth it to see such instant results!

Way back in July...

I love those days when Jeff is able to take a day off of work for no particular reason, just to be home. It was one of those days, so Jeff took the boys (the oldest 3) up the canyon to scout out camping spots (for the camping trip we took 2 weeks ago). They had a fun time playing at the lake they discovered. I got a lot accomplished at home while Coleman napped. I'm not used to such a quiet house. Every once in a while it's nice to have a really quiet house, I think it might drive me nuts if it was quiet like that all the time.

"Teach Carter 'bout Jesus"

Tanner's such a little character. He seriously cracks me up. He's such a sweetheart. A week or two ago, he and I were outside in on a nice summer evening. We looked at the stars and we sang "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" together. Then he said "I love you so much" to me. Then, we joked around back and forth doing the whole "I love you more...no...I love you more" thing. He was just so little and sweet about it. He's such a fun little guy. He's still got a fiesty little temper at times and can throw some spectacular two-year old tantrums. But, he's growing up a lot.

Lately Tanner has randomly been telling Jeff and I to "teach Carter 'bout Jesus". He does it at the most random moments like as he's telling Jeff goodbye as he goes to work or as he's heading down the sidewalk on his trike (which he LOVES so much). It cracks us up. And, yes we are trying to teach Carter and all of our boys about Jesus Christ and his love for each one of us. We're not sure what made Tanner start saying this, but it's pretty cute.

Car Races

My dad's company sponsors a race car. So, he got tickets for our whole family to go. The boys thought it was awesome. Braeden, Carter, my dad, and Jeff all got to ride in the pace car on the track. I think Braeden was the most excited. He loved every minute of it. Coleman slept through most of it.

Where to start???

I'm so behind I don't even know where to start...

Coleman's almost six months now!!! Wow, how time flies. He's such a fun baby. A few of his favorite activities:
-playing in his saucer
-being held
-going for walks
-being outside
-playing with his feet
-rolling over onto his tummy (gets frustrated though because he has a hard time getting back on his back)
-hanging out in his Bumbo while I do dishes or make dinner
-loves bath time
-loves to sleep
-loves his binkie still

A few of his least favorite things:
-eating baby food--just spits it out
-taking a bottle
-getting kept up past his naptime or bedtime