Our New Addition Has Arrived- Part 1

We are so excited and we couldn't be more proud. Our long awaited new-additions have arrived safely. They are already such an important part of our family.







I can't even describe to you the shrilling screams that we had piercing through our house last week. The UPS dude seriously made 3 little boys so happy. After three months of being back ordered, the go karts that we bought for Ethan and Blake finally made their way into our garage that is already over-flowing with toys on wheels. Merry Christmas! They have been a lot of fun but we have had to learn the hard way that there are at least two important rules. 1- go slow over even the smallest bumps because the karts are so close to the ground. 2- keep your feet inside the vehicle at all times. If you try and use your feet as brakes by dragging them, you might break your toes like Ethan's friend did a couple of days ago. We look forward to good times with these babies!!!

ps- this Christmas gift idea originated because we have listened to Blake ask us to help him make a go kart (that is the way it is spelled, by the way) for almost 2 years. Every night we went through the same scenario- "I want to give you a hug and a kiss and tell you something." What do you think that something was? Go Kart! I thought that this would end the requests so we could move on to something else. We were wondering what would replace this obsession. I guess we shouldn't have been too surprised when this crazy kid popped this question: "How much would it cost to build a motorcycle?" Seriously.

Things I Love...

Just a few things that make me smile...


...Keaton going through the "orifice" stage. You know, the "where should I put this corn kernal/pebble/berry" stage. This particular day he got the mini chess pieces and chose his ears to place them in.


...the trampoline. It has been so fun for the kids! They add balloons, balls, bean bags to their games and have tons of fun with each other and friends. Keaton is getting good at doing bummers and landing back on his feet.


...hearing Ethan play the piano. He does so well! This is him playing a couple of jazz pieces at the Jazz Festival at UNLV.


...watching my kids play sports. I especially love Ethan's great attitude. He is just as happy with one of his teammates scoring as he is if he scores (okay, he's a bit more pumped about his own points). He accepts our encouragement and "good job" remarks even after a loss (and this season there have been a lot of them!)


...kids getting creative together. Blake and Keaton are playing in the Christmas tree box with life jackets and that orange pool basketball net. That kept them busy for quite a while!

I am cleaning out my email and I found some pictures that friends have sent me. Some may be repeats, others are new to the blog. The following are from August 2008.


Swim party at our house in August. The kids were getting ready to race.




Blakers in the kid's race at the Mt. Charleston Hill Climb


Ethan in the same kid's race.

Lovin' My Big Bros

Keaton loves creamy tomato soup, just like Ethan.


In a pair of Blaker's shorts.


Ethan's soccer shorts.

Keaton loves to play with the big boys. He asks where they are every day...and answers his own questions every time. School! He can't wait to play with Blake and eat lunch with him. He tries to sooth his older brothers when they are hurt by saying "it's okay" in a very sympathetic voice. Keaton is also one of his brothers' biggest fans by encouraging them and saying "Good job. I'm proud of you." He has been dressing in their clothes by himself- I think it's a good predictor that he has some neat shoes to fill as he grows up behind some pretty awesome brothers.

Christmas Break

I was so sorry to see Christmas break come to an end. It's so nice to let the kids just be kids (okay, they still had to endure my designated reading and writing time each day) but then there was nothing but playing with friends and family. I now know what size of bowling shoe to get for the whole family- we became regulars there as we went 3 different times (twice with the Threshers!). We had such fabulous weather! The parks became our friends- imagine me riding my bike with trailer and two older kids on bikes by my side to the park down the street...belly and all. (My mom is going to kill me when she reads that.) I couldn't help but wonder if the people in the cars at the intersections were staring/laughing. One day Ethan spent 6 hours at the park! Joanna and Chris came to Vegas and spent time with many adoring nephews! We hiked, partied (Chris' birthday was the 31st), bbq'ed with the U football game, shopped, and went to Golden Spoon. I'm grateful for an awesome family and great friends!

After I finished saying the prayer at church, I was walking back to Darren and the boys when Keaton pipes up loud and clear and says: "Good job mom! You did it!"

Then he put his hand up and waited for a high-five.

Usually I feel bad for other people trying to listen and sit by us at the same time. Today Keaton got some chuckles...

Christmas 2008

I could hear a little pitter patter early in the morning on Christmas. Ethan was up at 3:15 and we told him to go back to bed. "Should I wake everyone else up for the presents?" Uh, no. Seriously, come back at 9:00. We were lucky to make it to 6:30- actually we made the two older boys lay in bed with us until 7:00 so that Keaton could sleep a little longer. It didn't take long to blaze through the presents...From the Jolly Guy Ethan got Guitar Hero, Blake got Mario Kart for the Wii, and Keaton got a tool set. Man, that Santa is one talented craftsman. Darren and I gave Keaton a trampoline for the backyard and Blake and Ethan got electric go karts. Unfortunately, the go karts are back ordered so we had to wrap some hot wheel cars and explain. Besides these things, our house is flanked in nerf guns and darts, remote control cars, and lots of balls...thanks to grams and gramps and other family members. We had a great day of just being together. This time of year is so addicting!