Sunday, October 26, 2008

Oh and I forgot to mention...

Austin is trying to roll over and has started grabbing for toys!! He's getting so big! That's all. :)

Very long overdue I know...

Ok so I've been soo super busy lately and haven't had a chance to do any updating so this post is gonna be large!! We've been up to a lot lately, starting with welcoming my brother's ship home from the Persian Gulf. After 7 long months, we welcomed it (along with hundreds of other eager family and friends) at the Everett Naval Base on October 12th. It was extremely exciting seeing the ship come in with all the sailors lining the edge in their dress blues. Very emotional not only for yourself but to see other waiting for their moms, dads, husbands, etc. filled with excitement. Our family got interviewed by the news and that was exciting as well. We waited for hours down on the pier for Justin to arrive and step off the ship but it was well worth it! Since Justin was home that meant we got to also see our nephew Colton for a week and the boys had such a blast together! Their first day included trouble as you can see in the pics! Hayden and Colton are truly two peas in a pod. While he was here with us we took a trip over the mountain to Crooked River and hit up the pumpkin patch over there. It was definitely the best one I've ever seen complete with pumpkin patch, hay ship fort, corn maze, pumpkin cannons, zoo train, pony rides, petting zoo, feeding horses, hay rides, and lots of vendors with yummy food! It was a blast. We also celebrated Colton's 1st Birthday a couple weeks early with a party for him. He absolutely loved his cake!! He had it all over his face and it was so funny watching him dig in. It was fun to be able to celebrate with him since we don't see him much with him living so far away. We enjoyed our time with him and can't wait to see him again! Once we were back home we hit up the local pumpkin patch we always go to as well and got 4 pumpkins that we carved. Hayden got his hands dirty pulling out the guts to the pumpkin. Last year he wouldn't even get close to it! Another reason for our busyness is we have taken in watching our friends little sweet girl Ellie 4 days a week. Her and Austin are just over 2 months apart and are having lots of fun having stare downs and smiling at each other. It actually has turned out to be quite easy watching her and having my boys. She is such a little sweetheart and so easy. It's kind of nice having another girl around! Other news includes Austin turning 3 months on the 15th. He's just getting so big and so fun!! He's very observant of all that's going on around him now days and loves to be talked too. I seriously cannot get enough of his laughing and talking! He has finally started to sleep all night as well so that has been a great change!! I recently got the boys pictures taken and I will post them on here as soon as I scan them onto the computer. It was quite a challenge getting Hayden to cooperate (as it always is getting pictures taken with him) but they turned out really cute. So our life has been pretty full lately but I'm loving every second of it. I couldn't be happier than I am having 3 perfect men to share my every day with!! Here are some pics from what I've told you about...



Waiting for Justin's ship to arrive

Ship has pulled in finally and all the guys are on the edge.


The moment my brother was waiting for, to hold his son!! Colton fell asleep just before Justin got off.


Nothing but trouble together!!


My big sweet boy!


Colton loving his 1st Birthday cake!!


Opening presents with daddy and cousin Hayden helping of course!


Papa with all his grandboys camping out in Grandma's living room


Daddy and Hayden at Central Oregon Pumpkin Patch in the hay maze


The slide in the middle of the corn maze


The boys getting a ride in wagon


Hayden picking out the perfect pumpkin


Austin's got his picked!

My brother and nephew, my kids, and I


Austin and Ellie playing


Grandpa's Pumpkin Patch back at home and our perfect little family






Helping get the "guts" out



My cute little sweet Austin!!























Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Happy 3rd Birthday Hayden!!!

Wow! 3 years ago today right now (9am) I was getting ready to head to the hospital because my water had broke! I cannot believe that my baby Hayden (well not a baby anymore) is 3 years old today!! Ryan and I have never felt so much love since having Hayden and Austin. Hayden is getting so big! Most people think he is a 4 yr. old because of how tall he is. So to celebrate Hayden's birthday we had a party this last Sunday with some close friends and family and had the greatest time. It was really exciting because the last 2 years Hayden had no interest in opening his presents and this year he was trying to open before his guests even arrived! He was very excited about them all. One of his gifts from Ryan, Austin, and I was a power wheels quad. He LOVED it!!! It was so funny to watch his reaction. By the end of the night he was maneuvering it perfectly. We also did a pinata at his party. He was fascinated by it! Every swing either he or his friends took he would turn to everyone and say "wow." We all cracked up at him! The party was a success and I know Hayden appreciated it all. So thank you to all who came and celebrated! Here are a few pics from the party:


Playing in his bounce house with Josh
His "wow" reaction to hitting the pinata!
I'm pretty sure this was a "I'm cool" move
Riding his quad for the first time