Pinks and Blues

I have decided something. Since having Kate, I have entered the Other Side of the Store. The Pink Side. The Blue Side is fairly unintimidating and straightforward. There are bears and dinosaurs and the occasional train. There is no such thing as "Accessories." The Pink Side scares me. There are headbands. Bows. Tights. Sashes. It's... there are no words. Sometimes I long for the simplicity that came with my little boys. So in an effort to recapture that- I pulled out a few blue outfits for Kate to wear. To be fair- I did add a blue bow.

But whoever said that girls only had to wear pink? I like blue. And I think it's pretty against her skin.

Cherries

This is my favorite outfit (despite the stupid collar). And I wanted a picture of Kate in it before she grew out of it.

I also like this one. It has cherries too. I don't know why- but I think they are so cute on Katie. Please excuse my unmade bed.

Big Tub

Kate has officially graduated from the sink and is now bathing in the bigger girl bath tub. It's inflatable and is quite possibly one of the best things that is out there for baby baths! I love it. I've had it for all three of my kids- it's like having a tiny swimming pool in your bathroom. Kate likes it too. It gives her room to stretch and kick. It's her favorite place to sit and laugh- I guess something strikes her as funny in the bathtub.

First Soccer Game

Ty had his first official soccer game. His team is the Blue Lightning and he tells us it's because they are all so fast. They won their first game and Ty even scored a goal! He was also the first one that had to be carried off the field crying... he got run over. The coach took pity on him and carried him off before he could think about retaliating.

He had so much fun- and thanks Grandpa JB for picking up socks and shin guards for him!

Three Months. When the Crap did that Happen?!

Katie is three months old and thinks she's much older than that. She has amazing head and body control for someone so young (I think). I pulled out the little Bumbo chair for her- and she will sit in it as long as you are sitting next to her. This is apparently NOT one of those toys you can leave her in happily for any amount of time. But that's okay. It's supposed to help her get even stronger. She just is so intense when she's batting at the little toy on the tray. She's gotten to the point that she sits and stares at her hands. She'll ball them up into little fists and stare at them. Then when they move- it's like it startles her- she gets this surprised look on her face and the process starts all over.

She laughed the other day too. It's just crazy- I know I've said it before and I'll probably say it again- but she's just growing so quickly. I remember sitting in the hospital bed at about 2:30 in the morning one day and looking over at her in her little plastic bed. She was such a tiny peanut. Now she's trying to sit and roll over. She coos and laughs. It's nuts.

Soccer Camp

I signed Ty up for soccer this year. Mostly because Real Salt Lake was doing their soccer camp this year- and I thought it would be so much fun! Shaun was a little dubious- but I think that's because he never played... He has no idea how much fun it is!!

I took Ty over on Saturday morning and they did drills and scrimmaged. Sigh. I'm a real soccer mom now. Not that there's anything wrong with that... though it puts me in the mind to buy a minivan and buy a pair of pink fuzzy slippers that I can wear around the grocery store...

Again Ryan was bummed that he was too small to be out where Ty was (I see a theme developing here)- but I let him kick the balls into the goal for a few minutes when they were done.

First Friend Party

My little boy is growing up. He was invited to his first friend party. I'm good friends with Alyssa's mom, so I got to come and help/watch. The kids had so much fun!It was pretty comical though- going and picking out a present for Alyssa. She is (obviously) a girl and as such- we had to go down the pink aisle at the store in order to find her a present. Her mom told me that she likes Polly Pockets- so I held one up for Ty to see. He got the most disgusted look on his face and he told me "No. Alyssa does NOT like that. I'm going to get her a game." Which he did. I had no idea he was so opinionated.

Rainy Day Picnic

I hate it when summer ends. Everybody is so used to being outside and playing all day that when you have to come inside because of rain or cold... no one knows what to do. My boys were driving me nuts on the first rainy day of the fall. So I planted them in front of the TV (I know- I'm such an awesome mom) on a blanket with a bowl full of snacks and a drink. They sat there all afternoon and watched a movie.

Look! Hair!

I had to publish a post with proof that Kate's hair is actually growing back in. People thought I was nuts when I shaved it off- but it's coming in thick and kind of nice for baby hair.

I also want to point out the collar on Kate's shirt. Whoever invented the collar for a baby girl shirt should be shot. They are stupid. They never stay down so it's always covering up half her face. And it's not like anybody has enough time in the day to sit and iron a baby's shirt. Anyway- that's my rant for the day...

Play-Thingy

I don't know what these things are called. But I'm sure glad we have one. We bought this little play yard thing when we had Ryan and he hated it. But Kate loves it! I don't know if it's the music or the bright lights or the fact that her brothers keep trying to climb under it with her- but whatever it is or if it's a combination- she loves it! It keeps her entertained for a few minutes so that I can get dinner going or kids into the tub. It's awesome.

I'm not entirely sure of the draw for the boys to climb under it... I can't really think it's that exciting- but here's picture evidence to the contrary.

First Day of School

Ty is back in preschool this year. Shaun and I decided to hold him back from Kindergarten because of his late birthday- he may think we're lame now- but hopefully when he's driving and dating when all of his friends do- maybe he'll think we're smart. He's bummed that he's not going into the Big Kid's school with dad and his friends from preschool last year- but hopefully he'll get over that.

This year, we went with a preschool here in town called Snuggle Bunny. It's expensive for the area- but they push the kids so it should be a good thing. Ty was raring to go the first day of school- he got up super early and had the rest of us up too so that he wouldn't be late.

When we got to the school- they had so many fun things sitting out for the kids to do while the teachers sat and talked to the parents (orientation and that kind of fun thing), and when it came time to go- Ryan totally balked. He was NOT going to leave! He went and held Ty's hand and kept saying, "No Mama No! Me stay here with Ty!" It was so sad!! I kept telling him that Ty would be home soon and that we'd play. He totally wasn't buying it.
This is Ty with his friend, Alyssa. They were getting ready to paint before we left. It looked like a lot of fun and I am so appreciative that teachers go through the effort to make it fun for the kids. I think the early learning environments set the tone for the rest of their school years- and it's important for them to have a good time.

Kate is...

Two months old. How crazy is that!? When did this happen? It doesn't seem fair to me that she's growing as fast as she is. I want to slow things down and enjoy them. Until then... she's growing like a weed!

Kate is just about average for her height and weight- something new to us. We've only ever had massive babies- so she's still pretty small to us. She's eating really well and is such a sweet natured little girl. We are all totally enthralled and in love with her. I know I know- I sound totally cheezy- but it's true. She smiles all the time and I think we're about to hear a laugh soon.

She has the prettiest set of blue eyes and her hair is coming in white- she still looks bald because it's almost transparent!

Tis the Season for... Canning

I have a newfound hobby that I LOVE! I love to can. Maybe not the actual process (though there is something satisfying about it too), but I LOVE it when I'm all done and there are all these jars of food/jams/whatever that are ready for my family to eat just sitting on my shelf.

This year, I was introduced to a Huckleberry. Huckleberries grow wild in the mountains that surround the Bear Lake Valley, and the people here are absolutely NUTS about them. I'd never had one before- but since I'm up for new experiences, I went with some girlfriends when they went Huckleberry picking. And I discovered why people are so crazy about them! They are tiny little things that look like a blueberry (I can't believe I never got a picture) and they grow in patches on the North side of mountain slopes. I spent a few evenings picking berries and then brought them home and made Raspberry Huckleberry jam... which is AWESOME if I say so myself. I canned 16 pints of Raspberry Huckleberry jam and 12 pints of Raspberry jam.

I also went Chokecherry picking and juiced them for some syrup that I'll attempt later this fall... I'll let you know how that goes and if it's any good!

Lake Cleveland

I'm not sure if I'm spelling that right. Anyway- to the south of Declo there is a mountain range that holds lots of camping sites and a small ski hill up on Mt. Harrison. Our family has been up there previously- but only once when Ty was just a baby. We decided to go have another look and it gave us something a little bit different to do.

There is a gorgeous lake toward the top where we stopped to throw rocks and take a few pictures. The boys didn't care much for pictures, but we literally had to drag them away from the rocks that they were chucking into the water. We spent the better part of the afternoon there- Kate took a nap and Shaun and I watched the boys. It was very peaceful- it's nice when there is something to distract the boys from fighting with each other! :)

Cassia County Fair and Rodeo

We never miss the Cassia County fair and rodeo. We have been every year since Shaun and I have been married- and I think it's one of my favorite things that we do during the summer. We all look forward to it. The boys' favorite is going around earlier in the week and looking at all the different animals. Last year most of them cowed Ryan- but this year, he was pretty eager to stay with Ty and see and pet as many as he could. He liked the lambs best. Ty was pretty impressed with the turkeys this year.

Kate was awesome- and was mostly content to sit in her little stroller and wander the fair. It was pretty hot and sunny, so she was covered most of the day. She was stoked to be able to just sit in the shade when it came time for lunch.
And probably THE reason that Shaun keeps us all coming back each year is for a Maple Bar. He usually eats his weight in maple bars by the time the week is over. And it looks like it's something he's passed onto his second child. Ryan chowed down on the doughnuts every time he saw one!
We also went to the rodeo on Saturday night- which is my favorite part of the week. I love rodeos- I think they are so much fun! Ty got to pick out a treat for the night and he chose cotton candy- he worked on it most of the night and kept commenting on how good it was. Ryan tasted it and wigged at the texture- he wouldn't touch it the rest of the evening. Kate did really well- she slept through about half of it, and sat in my arms for the rest of it. She didn't fuss or cry- which made things so much easier. There were some fireworks- which Ryan buried his head in Shaun's coat for the duration- but overall- we all had a lot of fun.

Ross Park

I found out this summer about a little water park up in Pocatello called Ross Park. Feeling adventurous one day- we ventured up to it and the kids had so much fun! We went back a couple of times! One of these times was when we were visiting Shaun's parents in Declo- Pokey is only about an hour away so we went on a Wednesday afternoon with Shaun's brother Chase and his wife (Dani) and daughter (Deja). I don't know about Deja- she is just a few months old- but my boys had a blast! There is this little splash pad in the middle of a very shallow pool for the little ones to play on, there is a lazy river, a BIG water slide and a swimming pool. I never could talk Ty into going on the big slide- but he was more than content to play on the smaller ones with Ryan.

I think Ryan is peeing in this picture... Makes you want to jump right in doesn't it?
This is cute Deja with her grandma Tami.

Lake Days

Living in Montpelier totally has it's advantages- we live about a half an hour away from the beach at Bear Lake and we moms take the kids regularly during the summer. It's what makes living through Montpelier winters bearable! The boys LOVE it when I tell them it's going to be a lake day- we'll pack snacks and drinks, sand toys, an umbrella and chairs and there is NO stopping us!

If you've never been to Bear Lake- the water gets deep very gradually so there is plenty of shallow water for the kids to play in. They search for shells, dig holes, build sandcastles and go swimming. It's so much fun!

Raspberry Days

Every year, Bear Lake holds what is called "Raspberry Days" over in Garden City (about a half an hour away from Montpelier). It's not much- a few food booths and a bunch of crafters- but it is pretty fun. Up until this point I have not had a lot to do with it- but I went over this year with a girlfriend (Clover), Ty and Kate (Shaun would only take one kid today). I bought a new cookbook and a hat for Kate. Then Ty and I shared a snow cone- have you ever tried the ones where they put ice cream in the bottom of it!? It's awesome!

Kate slept the whole time. Except to get up and eat a bottle when we had our snow cones. She's such a hard baby...

Kate

It seems odd to me that you can add a new person to your family and that you can love them all at once and so completely. It seems like we have always had Kate- because I can't imagine life without her anymore.

Kate is a month old in these pictures and is the sweetest little baby girl there ever was. I don't mean to brag or anything- it's just true. She loves to sleep on dad's chest (not that he's complaining- he loves his babies) and she is so content when her brothers are holding her. She sleeps well. She eats well. She doesn't fuss and I haven't heard her cry yet. I'm sure it's coming- maybe she's just saving it for something that really bugs her.
Kate also has a zillion nick-names. Katie-pie, Katie-bug, Cake, Cakearoons, Kate, Katie... The list goes on. She may never really know her name.
And I have to admit- I love having a baby that is small enough to fit into the Newborn size clothes. My boys were both such monster sized babies that they started off in 3-6 month clothes. This one has room in the newborn size! It's nuts!! Do you think there is any way that I can just keep her this way for a couple of years? Is there a request form that I need to fill out?

Hot Hot Hot

The late days of summer in Bear Lake are always HOT! So in an effort to keep my boys cool- I bought them a little swimming pool for the backyard. They love it and have so much fun splashing around- it keeps them entertained for hours!!

Ryan's Birthday

Ryan is officially two (both on paper and in spirit if you know what I mean). His birthday fell on a Sunday this year and we decided to spend it up at grandma and grandpa's house up in Declo. Jacki was gracious enough to let me take over her kitchen so I could make a birthday cake and have a small party on Sunday evening for Ryan. Ryan's most favorite thing lately is baseball. He loves to watch it on TV, he likes to play it in the yard, he likes to play it in the house and all of his clothes have to have a ball on it. So it made sense to give him a baseball themed birthday cake. And while I am a decent cook when it comes to baking- I am not overly skilled in the decorating department- so I had to get a little creative.

It wasn't much, but Ryan was pretty excited. He kept reaching for the ball and didn't want to waste time with a candle.

Of course- once he figured out that it was cake there on the counter- he went a little hog wild. Ryan is the best eater in the world, and that's with actual food. Give the kid some cake and he didn't stop until the plate was entirely cleaned off!

Naturally- we gave him a baseball mitt and he was so excited to have one of his very own. He keeps stealing Ty's- so to in an effort to keep what little peace we do get in our house- it just made good sense. He wouldn't take it off either- so his brother had to help him open up the rest of his presents.
We are so lucky to have Ryan in our family and in our home. We took for granted how much he means to us and how much we really do love him- until recently that is. Ryan is good natured and sweet. He loves to help Mama- he is the first to bring me Kate's binky or throw a diaper in the garbage. He saves me a million steps each day. He loves his brother. He loves his sister. He loves to talk and to run. We've had to come up with our own little Ryan dictionary so that we can understand what he's saying.

Bucket = Grandma

Jooo = Binky

Towel = Blanket

GaGaaa = Mickey Mouse

Cake = Kate

Voom = Car

Pick = Chocolate Milk

So many of these things have become second nature to the way we talk- it's a wonder that anybody can even understand us anymore!!

Anyway- we love you Ryan and hope you had a very happy birthday!!

Fishin'

Our boys have never been fishing before- sad thought to some of you I'm sure. I guess we just haven't made the time to go and do it. Mostly because I'm terrified that the boys' true nature will show itself once again and they'll both end up in the water with the fish rather than the fish ending up on dry land with us. Call me crazy.

But this summer, Shaun's uncle Kent was determined to help out our deprived boys and let them come fishing in his backyard in Declo. They had so much fun! It took a couple of days and some serious fishing artillery- but in the end it paid off- and Ty caught a fish. He was so excited- until he had to hold it. Then the braveness started to wear off.

Ryan never would hold still long enough to do anything other than throw his pole into the water. He was more interested in throwing rocks and getting his toes wet than anything else. Still though- I think he had fun. Thanks Kent for your help!!

4th of July

We spent the 4th of July down in Utah this year. We kept things pretty low key and just lit fireworks off at my parents house. Ty is a total pyromaniac and kept trying to talk Grandpa into letting him set things off all by himself. I'm not totally surprised to say that it worked- he did indeed let off a lot of fireworks by himself. It's like an ad for the fire department... on what NOT to do. Luckily all was well and Ty had a lot of fun. It was kind of a toss up- who was enjoying themselves more- Ty or grandpa.

Ryan on the other hand- hated the whole thing. He sat in Grandma's lap and held a blanket over his head the whole time. When we did manage to talk him into watching a tank- he burst into tears and quickly covered his head again. He did not like the "hot" (his word for firework).

Kate was a champ- she just snuggled up in my arms and slept through the whole thing.