Silly boys

Derek, Will, and Nate are a riot. I am so disappointed when I meet people and they make negative comments about our boys. Actually we have a lot of fun with our boys and more often than not, our boys are smiling. Actually when we get negative comments the boys are smiling. Hmmm. Our boys are busy and lots of work but welcome to parenthood people. Being a parent means you are responsible and not selfish. Kids are lots of work but the payoff is unreal. The kisses, the snuggles, and the sweetness are wonderful. When Derek says thank you Mommy and gives me a hug... my heart melts each time. Kids are a blessing not a burden. Kids are a gift from the Lord.

Yes I am quite opinionated about the topic and not ashamed of it. I want the world to know how much I love these boys and wouldn't change a thing! Having a wonderful husband to share this all with is key! I love my life.

Will is a creeper

Big news... Will is moving. It started a few days ago when he was angry. He rolled into a ball and propelled forward. Now it is a happy movement. He moves on all fours and also using his head to move forward. He can go several feet this way. Now to get pics of it all.

Picking blueberries

Finding Shade

It was hot over the weekend so we went to Magnes to find shade. Derek loved running in the woods. The babies enjoyed the scene from the stroller. We went down to the creek to enjoy the water. Derek loved throwing rocks and splashing. It was a blast.

Happy birthday Great-Geema

My Grandma (my Mom's Mom) turns 89 today. I have been blessed with incredible role models and my Grandma is one of them. Grandma raised 11 kids. She (and my equally fun Grandpa) not only provided for their physical needs but emotionally as well. My Mom had a great childhood. There was lots of love to go around- even in a large family. There was also lots of laughter. How did Grandma do it all? She got up early to make breakfast and pack lunches for everyone. She must have always been cooking for such a large crew. Her sacrifice and selflessness are so evident to all of us. She is a great balance of fun and seriousness.

Now she has over 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren that she dotes on. Grandma always sends birthday cards and anniversary cards to all of us. She must have a special pact with the postal service because they always arrive on the exact day. Grandma's calendar is filled each day with people to send cards to. Grandma also has the most beautiful handwriting. I was very honored that she addressed all my wedding invitations. When you call Grandma you get the news on the whole family. She is so proud of us all that she wants everyone to know the latest info!

In one month my Will and Nate get to meet their Great-Geema. I am counting the days. I want them to meet one of my heros. I want them to see and feel the love she has for them. Grandma you are my hero. I love you so much. You bless all who know you.

Our own spray park

Derek loves the spray parks so much that I decided we needed our own mini-spray park. One of my favorite parts of summer as a kid was running through my Dad's sprinklers. He wasn't really a fan of the time we made the side lawn a slip and slide but it did recover.

I set up a few sprinklers. D just wanted to wear a t-shirt. No full nudity for this kiddo. He giggled and jumped through them. He had a blast. He even chased Mommy with the sprinklers. I had to run to protect the camera of course. Actually I put the camera down and ran through them too!

Finger painting

Derek loves art time. He loves to draw with Daddy. I have been reticent to have him start finger-painting. I know I know.. I am weird. He has been painting at school and so I have waited. So finally, I bought the finger paints and let him at it. Will was napping and Nate enjoyed watching. D started with each color on a finger and then dug in. I showed him how to stamp his whole hand. He of course loved it. He also loved washing his hands clean at the end (my kid alright). I love that they are are washable paints and he really didn't even make a mess. Lesson to Mommy- more art time.

We are sad!

Auntie Alli left today. She gave us the coolest gift.. 3 weeks of her time. We had so much fun playing and not having to rush to get everything in. Al became part of our normal routine which makes it harder to let her go home... We tried locking her in the guest bedroom but that didn't work. I think I may cry the hardest missing all the help. Al helped in so many ways.. with a smile on her face. D will miss his soccer buddy, favorite reader, and fun Auntie Alli. Mike and I will miss our favorite settlers player.

D was very sad this morning. When he asked for about the 10th time this morning where Alli was, I said on a big airplane. D doesn't understand time so he asked if she would be back for lunch with Daddy. Poor kid. The countdown is on until we go to WI on Sept. 4. Again it should be interesting. D asked several times today to drive to see Geema, Bumpa, and Auntie Alli. This is the part about living so far from WI that hurts.

Will and Nate are sitting!

Will (in white) and Nate are working hard to sit up (D likes to say he is working hard at whatever he is doing). They each can go about 10 seconds before falling over. They look adorable trying. I love the silly grins.

Zoo

We wanted to do one last fun thing before Al left. The weather forcast was 80 and sunny. We got to the zoo and it was 55 and rain. Hmmm. I am glad I have a van full of extra clothes and blanket. We ended up having fun.

I overcame my fear of petting zoos and took D in to pet the goats. I had a goat eat my dress as a toddler at the petting zoo and am quite leery of them since. D loved it and we both survived :) The bambinos were great. We all staying warm enough and were able to enjoy the animals.

Kites

MIke bought fun kites for at the beach. We ended up not having time at the coast so we went to the park on Sunday. D was a riot to watch. He isn't quite ready...

Fun faces

Family pics

We took advantage of the fun setting to take pics. Now maybe we can try to get everybody to smile!

The boy in a dress

While we were playing at the beach, D got wet in the surf. It was too cold to stay in his wet clothes and his extra clothes were in the car so we improvised. D wore a dress - or my t-shirt. His long-sleeved shirt was still dry so it went over the top. He looked silly but still had fun playing in the sand.

The coast

We went to the coast for the day! It was a bit chilly but we had a blast. D loved the sand and running in the water with Alli. The boys chilled in their cabana. We finished it off with a great lunch of fish and chips.

Spray Park

On a nice sunny day we went to the spray park. D wasn't sure he wanted to go in the water and spend most of the time at the playground. Of course 5 minutes before we need to leave, he runs in the water and loves it!

Fun vests

We found these cute vests at Target. D got police, construction, and army. He is enjoying them... and making Auntie Alli wear them too!

We are coming to WI-- in September. I wrote the wrong month! We will be in WI from Sept 4-11. We want to see lots of our loved ones!

Ice cream truck

I grew up without ice cream trucks that came to our house. I know I was very deprived. So now as an adult I can hear the tinkly music a long way off. I have been very excited to share the ice cream truck experience with Derek. Well last week it was very hot (or that may be the excuse of the moment). In the middle of the afternoon I heard the wonderful music. I grabbed D and ran for the door. D loved the ice cream (of course). Now D hears the ice cream truck music all day. He must have better ears than I do or it may be wishful thinking. Now we are having the lesson of-- if the truck comes we don't get ice cream every time!

Fun at the park

We walked to the park to play in the sand. D loved playing with L and with Alli. Snack time may have been the best part!

Mommy and her boys

I love my sweet boys. It is also nice to get all 3 in the picture!

Soccer lessons

Auntie Alli was teaching D. They were working on bouncing the ball off their knee. D was a riot to watch. Basically it worked best to put the ball on your knee and move your knee!

Rice Cereal

Will and Nate tried rice cereal to celebrate July 4th. Will ate several bites. He seemed to enjoy it and screamed loudly if we waited too long to give him another bite. Nate is not quite ready for it. Each bite he pushed back out. We will wait a while to try again for Nate.

We tried rice cereal several days later and both are uninterested. Solids are on a holding pattern for now.


In other big news, we booked tickets to come to WI!!! We are coming July 4-11 and are so excited to see everyone!

Auntie Alli is here!

Auntie Alli is visiting for 3 weeks!! We are so excited to spend a great month with her!

Brothers