Happy Birthday Big Boy!

It's official--little J is now 2 years old! I can't even believe it! He is one amazing little one. He is quite the talker--his fav. phrase is I ____too Momma. K will say, "I love cars." J will then say, "I love cars too Momma." I am so impressed by his ability to pick up the English language--the words, patterns, pronouns etc.
The birthday boy has been singing the Happy Birthday song all day! It's been a week of celebrations (pics to come). Our family loves celebrating week long birthdays (me especially)!

Little J has a talent of melting all my stresses away. Both Big J and I are drawn to him when we do feel the pressures of the world. A big hug from him is therapeutic. This is a gift he gives us.

He adores his big bro. He follows him and wants to do/say exactly what K says. The other day they were Batman w/ their blankets (babies as little J calls them). Things he has learned from big bro--new happy phrase "Awesome Momma!" new mad phrase "Get out of here!" (Really should a just 2 year old be able to say that?!) He has also learned to climb WAY too many things, ride his tricycle way too fast down the driveway, and how to play hide and go seek.
Here's to your little one--you enrich our lives daily and bring us so much sunshine!

Summer Memories

Here are some highlights from the summer (thanks Jen for the idea!) The boys had so much fun doing the summer reading program (and so did their nerdy teacher/mom!) They got to go to the Rascals Game!
Here they are checking out the game! They didn't watch much. K was running around and J was obsessed with this lady who sat in front of us--she had a rose tattoo on her ankle. J kept running up to her and touching her tattoo--I'm serious, he did it like 10 times! Good thing the lady was so sweet about it!

My boys at Michaels--I KNOW how much you love that store Melynie! We do too. The boys doing what they like to do--play fighting!

4th of July proudly waving their flags.

The action shot.

Our kids LOVE petting zoos!

Our neighborhood had a parade for the kiddos. The boys were so excited to decorate their stroller and scooter.
We picked rasberries earlier in the summer. K was a great little helper. Little J not so much(: Sad to say that our rasberry jam is almost gone...until next year.

We spent many hours in our backyard--the two favorite activities--swinging and playing in the sandbox. It's amazing to me that my boys can play w/ sand for hours(if only they wouldn't chuck it in eachother's hair).

Swinging w/ Dadda. I adore this pic!

K's Bday!

K is now 4! He requested a Cardinal's cake, so I made him baseball cupcakes and sugar cookie baseball mitts.Think 2 active boys PLUS cookies, cupcakes, frosting and icecream=one crazy house!

We surprised him with what he had been asking/begging for--a rocket bike! J and I wrapped it all up with streamers and balloons and put it on the front porch. J set up the video camera,then rang the doorbell and hid behind the bushes. K got to answer it. He was so excited to see a surprise bday present! I was just as excited when he opened it up and said with 4 year-old-enthusiam "Yeah, a rocket bike!"

Little guy had a tough time w/ K's bday--he just didn't seem to understand why K was getting all these presents. While K was riding his bike for the first time, little J was throwing a MAJOR tantrum--crying, screaming, knocking down the garbage can...it'll be good footage to show him when he's older!! (;

K, we love you dearly!! You bring so much to our family--you have a talent of being so likeable, you are ALWAYS running and active, you have an amazing creative side with your paintings and bedtime stories. You have a zest for life that is contagious!! Happy 4th Bday!

The Split Second of Perfection

Calling all moms--do you remember premomhood (is that a word?!) where you pictured what life will be like as a mom--calm, peaceful, perfect? Then, you became a mom....not exactly calm, peaceful and perfect. When I do have those perfect moments I embrace them and write them down so I remember them in the crazy, not-so-perfect moments of mommyhood.
Here's one of 'em:
Last week I was with my boys in the kitchen. They both were coloring--working on their amazing art projects and I was sweeping the kitchen. Unprompted K started humming "Love at Home." I joined in. Then, my 21 month old semi-music genius started humming it too. Yes, here I am, the mother humming and sweeping in the kitchen w/ my two angels who were humming and creating works of art. Don't forget we were humming "LOVE AT HOME."

I actually started to laugh at how perfect it was--it lasted 2 min. tops--but it was still perfect.
One of the many reasons why I became a mother. Dreams do come true (I won't go into details about the screaming and unsharing of crayons that happened after...)

Utah Trip Pics

I so struggle posting our Utah trips---we do so much and see so many people, I never know where to start. This is just a snapshot into our trip--there is no rhyme or reason to the pics, other than they were wonderful memories and I love the pics!

At Nana's house--we had quite fun decorating eggs! The masterpieces--I have such an artistic family!

K's favorite pastime at Nana's. Being thrown into the air by his uncles! He is a "Springy Tingey!"

Football at Jason's parent's house--way to go Marty, even in a suit!

CuddleTime--Jonas w/ Aunt JoJo

K w/ his Uncle Jason and Aunt Kristina--one of my all time fav. pics!

My beautiful nieces at Jason's Gpa's Bday.

The cousins all trying to play the piano.

Happy Boy!

Jas w/ his little bro Jeremy. The first shot they acted all tough so I MADE them smile

It was wonderful to see many of our loved ones. More pics to come!

Jesus Has a Phone

You know how kids always want to have the deepest discussions when it's bedtime right? Keat follows that exactly. So oftentimes he gets to stay up another 5 minutes--he wins, but we do too. It's my favorite time of day w/ him--although, he often requests dad. (very often)

Tonight was one of those special moments. K said his prayer. He blessed for us to go to the gym again. He also asked that Jesus would not get hurt and that people would be nice to Him. My sweet boy.

After the prayer, he asked if he could talk to Jesus. I told Him that he could talk to Jesus and Heavenly Father anytime he wanted to by praying. He said, "No, Mom I want to call Jesus on the phone." Try explaining that to a 3 year old. He insisted, "Momma, Jesus has a phone. Jesus has a phone." It makes me smile just typing this (:

Salt Lake Temple

The Salt Lake Temple--beautiful isn't it?

Me and my boys--Keaters posing!

My three boys.


K and more posing --you'd never guess that I did this as a child too! (;




Where it all began--this temple on Dec. 28, 2001.