Itty Bitty Football and My Big Boy

Ethan just finished playing Itty Bitty Football at our local rec center. It's just for 3 and 4 year olds: they go to stations with their little teams and learn the basic of football and do little scrimmages.

Austin is getting so big. He will be 2 in les than 4 months! I swear I was just barely pregnant with him. He talks like crazy, and is starting to say 3 word sentences. He copies EVERYTHING we say. He also decided he doesn't like sitting in his high chair anymore. He climbs up into our regular kitchen chairs and eats most of his meals there now. He absolutely loves sitting there and grins the whole time because he thinks he's so big.

Summer is Over

Snow is predicted here in Utah this weekend, so I thought I'd take one last picture of the beautiful flowers in my yard before they die for good. Ethan is very excited at the idea of playing in the snow, but I don't think he realizes it means we won't be spending every day at the playground or riding bikes like we used to. My mother-in-law, Karon, helped me plant my flowers at the beginning of the summer and they've grown like crazy, especially all the orange ones. I had a lot of other colors of flowers, but the orange ones grew so tall that they have overshadowed the others. I guess it's about time to pull up the flowers and plant tulips for next spring.

Neighborhood Movie Night

I just love our neighborhood! There are so many families close to our age and our kids ages, and someone is always planning a luncheon, girls night out, golf outing (for the guys, not the girls), party, playdate, etc (well, it's usually Jullian or someone else doing the planning, not me). This weekend, the Rykerts planned a movie night. They projected a movie on their garage door, so while the kids watched and snacked on popcorn and goodies, the adults hung out and talked. It was a lot of fun, thanks Rykerts!

Fall is here... at least in the mountains

Today we went with my parents and my brother Ryan to Provo Canyon to picnic and hang out and enjoy the already changing fall leaves. Every time I am in the mountains I wonder why I don't go there more often. It was beautiful and the weather was perfect! A big open field, lots of food, a football to throw around, and rocks to throw in the stream are all my two boys need to have an amazing time. Make that three boys, because Adam enjoyed those things just as much as Ethan and Austin.

Sorry for all the pictures, I couldn't narrow it down!

I just love this picture of Ethan. Him and my dad were wrestling over the football and he was so happy.

My sister and her friends came by to see us; Austin and Ethan were very happy!

It's so hard to get a decent family shot

Ryan and Adam played with the football a lot

And Austin copied everything they did, of course

We hiked up the side of the mountain a bit. I thought Adam was going to tumble down head first and send himself and Austin to the hospital, but luckily I was just being paranoid (you can't tell in the picture, but it was really steep!).

This last picture doesn't really fit in with the rest, but it was taken today and I must say, Austin is really hitting the toddler stage full force right now. He has tantrums at the drop of a hat. I can't even remember why he threw this particular tantrum. But right before I took this picture he had thrown himself completely on the ground screaming, "No no no no no!" I don't think I'm ready for this stage again.

Sundance

My Aunt Linda from California comes at least once a year to visit us in Utah, and when she comes, she always wants to visit the mountains. I LOVE going for a visit to the mountains, so her visit is always a good excuse to go. Last weekend she was in town and we went to Sundance resort for the afternoon. We ate lunch at the yummy Foundry Grill and then rode the ski lift to the other side of the mountain and back.

I also must say thanks to Mandi for watching my boys... I just wouldn't trust them, especially Austin on the ski lifts.

Zoo Time

This afternoon me, Austin, and Ethan went to Hogle Zoo with my friend Andi and her two boys. The weather was perfect, high 70's, and there was hardly anyone there. Whenever I've taken Ethan to the zoo in the past, it's been a nightmare. He usually complains, whines, and has little interest in the animals. But he was much better this year (despite some whining near the end). Ethan's favorite animal was a tiny baby monkey. Austin was really good, although he was pretty angry a couple times because I wouldn't let him walk around on his cast on the dirty zoo floors. His favorite animal was a big python. And of course, they both loved the carousal and train ride.

Andi and Liam

Happy Birthday Adam!

Today Adam turned 29, beginning the last year of his 20's!

I gave him a Wii, which he's wanted for a long time but thought I would never go for having video games in the house. He loves it! He had the day off today, so he went golfing with his brother Jason and then we went to dinner at Tempanyaki (sp?) tonight.

Here are some reasons I love Adam:

1. He's wonderful, sweet, handsome and a great husband!

2. He loves all kids, especially babies. The boys worship him, especially Austin. When Adam gets up in the morning and when he comes home from work at night, he makes Adam hold him nonstop.

3. He's a very hard worker, and loves his job. How many people can say they love their job?

4. How many husbands out there watch The Hills and The Bachelor with their wives and love it just as much their wives do?

5. He's always convincing me to do things I would probably not do on my own because I'm too practical and cautious with money. (Like our trip to Europe that I said no to because I thought it cost too much, but he made me do it, and of course I was very glad he did)

6. He's so funny and loves to laugh.

Happy Birthday! We love you!

Preschool

Yesterday was Ethan's first day of preschool. Well, it should've been his third, but he was sick the whole first half of the week and missed the first 2 days. He was all better for school yesterday, but still kinda worn out from the sickness. He also has a really hard time being left without me at a new place, so he was very sad when I left him at preschool. By the time I picked him up and we got home he was exhausted and fell asleep on the couch at 4:30. I put him in bed at 6:00 and he slept til 7:30 this morning!! That's a record for him.

This picture is when he fell asleep on the couch after school.

A cute little story about Ethan... just a little while ago I was on the computer checking my e-mail and he was laying on the couch in the office while I did it. Out of nowhere we had this conversation:

Ethan: Mommy, I want to see Jesus.

Me: I know, I do too. Where do you want to see him?

E: Heaven.

Me: Oh. What would you do if you saw him?

E: Be nice. Pick up my toys.

Me: Those are good things to do. What else would you do?

E: Hug him. Give him a kiss.

Me: Me too, you're such a sweet boy Ethan.

E: Mom, what do you think Jesus smells like?

Me: (trying not to laugh) Probably really good.

E: Ok. Mom, I want chips and salsa.

He is such a funny boy, and also says the sweetest, most random, funny things.

Austin is trying to figure out how in the world to maneuver in his big full leg cast. He's figured out how to crawl with it (with his big cast sticking out to the side). But he is still working on the walking. He's taken a couple steps on it, but he just can't figure out how to balance. We found an old push toy of his, and he's been using this to get around whle downstairs.