Puppy dog eyes

How am I supposed to resist these sad eyes?  I don't even remember what he was sad about but he looked so dang cute I had to take a picture.  

And yes that is still Monkey (read about him here or here), he still loves that ratty little thing so much, especially the tail.  

Bows

Here's my little lady sporting one of her new bows.  She has more bows than I know what to do with.  Yes, she wears one every day.  I try to change them up, but I have my favorites.  And I really do enjoy making them.  I know I get a little obnoxious with them sometimes, but man are they cute.   Girl stuff is so fun!

Love

Man does this little boy LOVE his little sister.  He spends half his day right in her face starring, talking, and singing with her.  He is such an amazing little person.  He is so sweet and caring, boy do I love these kids.

New Tricks

Here is some of Zackary's new tricks.  Flipping on the trampoline.  I must say, I was quite impressed when I saw it for the first time.  Well, to be honest the first time was from our ottoman to our couch, I know scary right?  Needless to say, I better get this kid in gymnastics soon!

3 Months

Our Chloe girl is 3 months old.  And wow is she one amazing baby girl.  She might be the best baby.  I can say the boys were easy babies, but I can really say Chloe is EASY.  She is such a blessing to our family.

She is sleeping great, usually about and 8 hour stretch at the beginning of the night then a 4 hour block.  She goes to bed between 7:30-8:30 and we usually get up between 2-4 for her first feeding.  She wakes up so happy and ready to talk and squeal.  She loves watching her brothers play, she even tolerates them constantly in her face.  She also loves having conversations with us.  Man, I love this girl. 

I had to have a full body shot.  She is getting so big.  Gotta love all the little chub.

Bellies and Bows

I love, love, love little bows on girls.  So of course mine will always have one in...at least as long as she will tolerate them.  Chloe has discovered her hands and her clothes.  She is always grabbing her dresses and pulling them up to show off her yummy little belly.  And she is starting to chew on her hands and fingers.  Bring on the drool!

4 Generations

We celebrated Grandma Mina's 82rd birthday today.  The family headed out for a yummy lunch and good company.  And here you have it.  4 generations all sitting together.  I am so lucky to have my grandmother so close and that I got to have her all growing up.  Now she gets to meet my beautiful family.  This doesn't happen very often and I am so lucky to have 2 wonderful grandmothers to share my babies with.
Happy Birthday Grams! I love you!

Our family

This is our family from Zackary's perspective. In order of birthdays.

Today

Today is a sucky day.  I'm going to be totally honest.  Every year on THIS day, I can say it sucks.  Regardless of what happens I HATE this day...  12 years ago today I lost my older brother Jason.  There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him and what he would have been like, or what we would be doing together with our families.  Or how my kids could have had more cousins and I could have more wonderful little nieces and nephews running around.  How my parents could have more little grand kids to love on.

Yes, I understand I'm assuming a lot that could have been.  Maybe he would not have wanted kids or he wouldn't be doing what I imagined, but dang it, why didn't we get to see what he could have done or who he could have been as a grown man.  It makes me sad that my children will never get to meet him.  I know my 'why' questions won't ever get answered (at least not now).  And dang it I have lots.  Why did he have to suffer?  Why so young?    

Why? Why? Why?

I MISS HIM.

I hate that he is gone, I hate that I remember this day 12 years ago like it was yesterday.  How sad my entire family was (and still is), what we did for the next couple of days after.  How I had to hear my  parents cry so hard and be so sad.
Time does heal, but it is always difficult for us.  I can't even begin to imagine how my parents felt.  I know that it is even more painful for them.  I however am so thankful that they have healed together and made their marriage work through everything they went through.

I thank God everyday for the great things He has given me, health, family, friends, etc.  I pray that we never have to go through something like this again.  I am so thankful for the family I have and how incredibly wonderful they all are.  I try to cherish everyday, even the difficult ones and remember how great things in my life are.
This all has made me a better person, much more understanding, and more appreciative of the good things.

Jason I love you and miss you so much...

Lizard Habitat

We are really trying to get creative this summer, entertaining inside is a bit more challenging.  Today Aaron and the boys made a lizard habitat for all !the toy lizards.  They hunted a box, rocks, and some other supplies, made grass and water out of construction paper and viola!  Hours of entertainment.

Recycling

Today Aaron was asked to make an airport.  Zackary requested that it be like the one he plays with at Nana's house.  Including a terminal, runway, hanger, and tower.  So Aaron went at it.  This is what the final product was.  I was quite impressed.  I would have just made a runway, maybe a hanger.  It provided hours of fun.  Boxes, duct tape, and creativity make for great toys.

Lounging

Cute little Otis taking a little nap.  As if he needs one, he pretty much sleeps all day.
I love when he sleeps on his back, it always makes me laugh.  

Perfect Pink Piggies

All things girly lately at our house.  Yes, I did it.  I painted her little piggies pink and they are oh so yummy.  I love it!  Don't worry, the paint is for kids and is non-toxic and odorless and she is not eating her toes.    

My beautiful, happy little girl!

Jail Bird

Zackary spent the night in his little jail tent.  He made it the entire night.  I love bedroom camp outs.  I'm sure this is just the beginning of house camping with 2 boys.

Jewelry

Is this the sweetest little bangle bracelet or what?  Oma and Opa got it for Chloe when she was born.  It says Jesus Loves Me and it is engraved with her name and birthday.  It is too cute and it already fits.  She wore it for the first time today.  You are never too young for jewelry. 

Car wash

I must say I'm pretty proud of my awesome handmade car wash.  I'm not sure why we spend so much money on toys when you can use a box out of the recycling bin, an old towel, and duct tape to make a totally awesome toy that provided hours of entertainment for 2 little boys.  

6 AM

This is what a 2 year old does when everyone else is sleeping at 6am.  Here is the little trail Aaron found as he came down the stairs.
Here is the wide open pantry he was rummaging through (please excuse the mess, I can't keep the pantry organized of my life depended on it).

He got a bowl of trail mix and a bowl of craisans.  Lane is really into bowls of food right now.  He picks his own bowl for everything he eats lately.

At least he was productive and fed the dog.  He didn't make too big of a mess.

Oh, then he got into the refrigerator and got his own glass of milk.  Yes, he poured it himself.  He is 2!  Mr. Independent himself that was supposed to be playing quietly upstairs while the rest of us lazy butts couldn't get out of bed.

I really need to get out of bed in the morning!