Halloween...again

I just have to visit Halloween one more time before moving on to Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love seeing all of my nieces and nephews join together with my children making memories they will one day cherish. At this point in their young lives getting good pictures is a challenge, but we always try anyway. So, for posterity...

3 year olds

Don't you just love three year olds? They are constantly exploring, testing their boundaries, learning new things. The other day I was trying to get Logan to help pick up the mess he had made. me "Logan, please put the toys in the bin" Logan "but mama I can't!" Me "why not?" Logan "because I am allergic to picking up". All I could do was laugh. I just love my three year old!

How I Love Halloween

How do I love Halloween, let me count the ways... Theres decorations and costumes and parties and cookies... I could go on! For the first time ever Chris and I decided that rather than force family themed costumes on our opinionated young ones we would let them choose what they wanted to be. The three older boys chose to be Ninjas(so not exciting for mom). Since Gavin isn't old enough to assert a position I chose a costume for him. Chris was the Wizard of Oz, I was Dorothy, and Gavin was the Cowardly Lion. It was great fun!!! Can't wait to design costumes for next year!

Congratulations Jake!

Jake became a cub scout in July, and he is loving every minute of it! At our last pack meeting Jake earned his bobcat, as well as his chess belt loop. I had fun "bobcat-ing" him with face paint, and was touched as he gave me the mothers pin that goes with the bobcat award. I look forward to the many opportunities I will have to work with my boys as they accomplish these important milestones. Congratulations Jake!

Our last first food

A first attempt at solid food is the first of many firsts that mean a baby is growing up. Though he is only 12lbs my baby is now six months old, and the firsts have begun. This set of firsts is our last set, as there are no new siblings intended in the near future (though I suppose you never know). Somehow witnessing a child's first taste of food never gets old. His brothers thought it was hilarious, and Chris and I couldn't help but smile. Gavin has a lot of funny faces!!!

Three kids in school!

My spunky little Logan turned three in July. That means that he got to start pre-school this year. For 4 precious hours a week I have only one child at home. So fun for Gavin and I! Logan LOVES being in school and wearing his "pack pack" like a big boy. I'm sure we are in for a very fun year!

Baby Brother

Poor Gavin!!! He is the youngest of four boys, which means that the older three will always be looking for new ways to tease/torture/humiliate him. Sure, at this age it is kind of cute to dress him up, or yes, put tupper ware on his head, but what will happen when he gets older? No doubt his older brothers will come up with new and inventive ways to make Gavin wish he wasn't youngest of four boys. Maybe I will be wrong, maybe they will all want to be his "best buddy". For his sake let's hope so!

Summer time!

I can't say that we had a particularly exciting summer, but we really did enjoy it. Many a night was spent in the backyard running around, playing games, or picking vegetables from the garden. We will miss eating outside and frolicking in the yard once winter comes. Here are just a few of our summer moments caught on film, or rather forever frozen in the digital world of cyber space.

Jake is a wolf...

No really, he is. Not like Jacob is a werewolf, but like 8 year old cub scouts are wolves, and boy is he excited!!! This is a new adventure that he is thoroughly enjoying. I am sitting back and thinking about how I will be doing scouts for like the next 16 years. WOW! That is a long time. I suppose I should just sit back, relax, and enjoy my little wolf, before he turns into a bear!

Only one child left in diapers!!!

It is hard to believe my little family is growing so fast! School started a few weeks ago. I now have a 3rd grader, a kindergartner, and one starting preschool next month. I have been changing diapers for eight years straight, but the end is in sight! Only the baby is still in diapers. Yea!!! Enjoy my "big Boys" first day of school poses!

OUCH!!!

The week before the boys started school we attended a family reunion in Utah. We stayed in park city, and had a great time(more pictures to follow). The first afternoon we rode the Alpine slide. It was a lot of fun, until I flew off of my sled and rode the tracks on my arms. Oh well, I would do it again! I'm so glad it wasn't one of my kids!

Birthday Boys!

July is the month of birthdays! Our family always has a crazy July as we celebrate the birth of Aunt Lisa, Uncle Matt, Cousin Lizzie, Jake, Logan, Aunt Jenn, Uncle Tom, and Papa Whitmill. What a month! Jake and Logan have back to back birthdays which usually require two party themes, two cakes, etc. Luckily this year my boys were able to reach a consensus and we enjoyed a Toy Story 3 birthday party. Thanks to all for making it a fantastic celebration!!!