Resolution #1

I have wanted to get into photography for a few years now and this year I am finally going to do it. Here are a few pictures from my first photo shoot. Her Mom needed me to babysit for a few hours, so it was the perfect opportunity to play with my camera. The shoot was cut short due to Ryan and Jackson waking up from their naps, but I think I got a few good ones. Isn't she beautiful? Carmendy is also my new model for my hair bows too.

Bows and Worms

I started selling bows and well........... since I don't have a girl....Jackson had to model them for me. Click on the luluchic link on the side of my blog for more pictures if you are interested.

He wasn't very excited about it, so I had to bribe him with candy. The funny thing was that I caught him playing in the bag of bows this morning and trying to put them on. He does make a very cute little girl.














While Jackson is modeling bows, Ryan is bringing me worms. He loves to search for worms and bring them to me as "presents".

No worries....He is all boy too! About 5 minutes after I took this picture, his jeans were wet up to his knees from jumping in puddles with his brother.

Just a few things I don't want to forget.........

Ryan: Chloe is my girlfriend. She follows directions.
Me: She would probably like a boy that follows directions too. ( a Mom can try right?)

Last Sunday he came in our bathroom before church asking for big enormous spikey hair like the big boys at church. My baby is definitely growing up fast!

He also gets to pick out a small toy at the end of church as a reward for being good. Two weeks in a row he has picked out a bracelet for me. They are meant for little girls, so I could barely get them on my wrist. Nate keeps teasing me that I am going to have a whole arm full if I don't stop making a big deal about it. I told him to pick something out for himself today, but he still picked a heart bracelet for me. I couldn't even get that one on, so he gave it to another little girl at church. I have been wearing the bracelets to remind me to have more patience with him.

We watched Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs last Friday night and when the music came on for the credits, Ryan said," Mommy, it's making me move." He couldn't stop dancing.

Is Daddy a doctor yet?

I may have already posted this story, but now I have a few pics to go with it. A few months ago Ryan asked me in a very frustrated voice while kicking his foot on the ground if Daddy was a doctor yet?

Me: Not yet

Ryan: I don't want him to be a doctor.

Me: Why not?

Ryan: Because I want him to be here with us!

He says that HE wants to be the doctor. He loves to play doctor with Jackson.

The boys try to get Daddy's attention while he is studying by putting their fingers under the door.
We just repainted the office, so Nate's coyote is laying on the guest bed in Jackson's room. Jackson is a little afraid of dogs, but he loves to pet the coyote as long as we are right next to him. He is peeking into his room to see the "doggie." Check out the left foot of his pj's. They were Ryan's and it just shows how much shorter Jackson is than Ryan was at the same age. I finally took him in for his 18 month checkup and he is still in the 25% for height and now 75% for weight. That boy loves his food! Nate says Jackson reminds him of John Daly with his chubby face and long blonde hair. He completes the look by carrying his ball and golf club all over the house.

Jackson has started reminding us to pray at dinner every night. As soon as Nate and I sit down to eat, he folds his arms with a big smile on his face.

Just a cute pic of Ryan sharing his yogurt with Jackson.
This one just makes me laugh

One of the things I love about Ryan being in a big boy bed is getting to snuggle with him for a few minutes before bed. Apparently he is pretty fond of it too.

Me: Ryan, who do you want to lay with you tonight?
Ryan: Mommy (9 out of 10 times it is Mommy)
Daddy: Why can't Daddy lay with you tonight?
Ryan: Daddy you already laid with me for a LONG LONG time?
Daddy: When did I lay with you?
Ryan: When Mommy was at Santa's Wonderland

I guess he is making up for lost time:) I enjoyed the break from the nightly routine, but I did miss kissing them goodnight. Even though it is the hardest job in the world, I am so thankful that I get to stay at home with my boys.

Jackson Update

I love kisses from my sweet Jackson....I think this one turned into a bite though!
He has become quite the little dare devil. He likes to jump from the ottoman to the coach. He thinks it is funny when he face plants on the coach or the floor.
Playing peek a boo
He is getting 5 teeth all at once, but is still such a happy little boy!
He has started telling on his brother. He points at Ryan and cries Ry Ry and I know he has either pushed him over or taken one of his toys.
He has also started folding his arms and shaking his head no when he doesn't want to do something. What a little stinker face!
He has also started folding his arms to pray with us.
and then there are the tantrums....thankfully there have only been a few
but this one made me laugh...he had to look up to see if I was watching him:)

Ryan Update

Ryan graduated from Nursery to Primary last Sunday. That means no more toys and snacks and having to sit in a chair and pay attention to a lesson. They said he did really well. I think preschool has really helped him prepare for the move. I think I might have to peek in next week just to see it for myself.

Holding Conner's little sister Carmendy.....he really wants a little sister and always asks to hold baby girls. I think he will be a lot more help the next time around.(not an announcement)
Who needs a tee? This kid can hit it across the yard almost every time. I can't wait to put him in soccer this fall.
He still LOVES to be outside and can swing on the rocket by himself. Thanks again Mom and Dad for the swing set. It is going to be a great spring!!!
He loves to do art projects. He does a lot of them at school which is fine with me. I am not a huge fan of the mess. I decided to pull this one out today, since it was 20 degrees outside.

I love this little boy to pieces, but he challenges my patience every single day. He has a very strong will and when he wants to do something..well he just does it no matter what the punishment is. He rarely follows directions and it drives me up the wall! I don't know if it is just the age or his personality, but I am hoping he will grow out of it very soon!!!! I told him he was really going to be in trouble when Jackson can talk and tell me what he is doing to him. He thought about it for a second and then said, " I won't take his toys or push him when he can talk." I can only hope that is true!

More fun in St. George

We played a round of golf with Nate's Dad while we were in St. George. I haven't played since I was pregnant with Ryan. It took me a few holes to warm up, but I finally got my drive back. The course was beautiful with amazing views of the mountains.

I think we each lost about 4 balls on this hole before making it on the green.
We took Ryan ice skating for the first time too. He couldn't wait for the zamboni to finish, so he could get back out on the ice. I hadn't been ice skating since high school and I think it had been longer than that for Nate.

We went to Walmart on Christmas eve for a stocking stuffer run and a lady collapsed right behind me in line. I had to call 911 and Nate's Dad came to help her while we waited for the ambulance to get there. It turned out her blood pressure was through the roof, so they took her to the hospital. They sent a fire truck too and one of the firemen gave Ryan a fire hat.