My Bull

Went to a party with a sexy bull last. Had a great time. I love Halloween (and my sexy bull)!

Firsts

I know it seems I have been blogging a lot about Gavin lately. I figure it is because he is still at the age of constant firsts( plus he doesn't talk back yet, so I am usually happy with him). He makes a new discovery nearly everyday, and it is so much fun to watch Him! All of the little things that I don't give a second thought to are an adventure to him. Its refreshing to stop and take a look at the world through his sweet innocent eyes. Today's first? Dilly bars!








Nicole

More looks than before

Whenever I go places with my four boys we get plenty of looks. We often get comments, "are they all yours?". "four boys". I suppose we are pretty used to it. So, how do you get even more looks and questions? Take five boys to the zoo. My nephew Hunter fit right in!


Nicole

More cub scout fun!

The rain gutter regatta. Basically it is the boating equivalent of the pinewood derby. Our pack held their rain gutter regatta this past month. Now that I am a den leader I felt I should also be participating. Of course, if I was going to make a boat, and Jake was going to make a boat, how likely was it that I could get away with Bray and Logan not making a boat? Not likely at all! Chris was a great sport as the four of us sat down to make boats, none of us having the slightest idea of what we were doing. In the end Brayden, Logan, and I had fun designing boats that were cute, but didn't float very well. Unlike the pinewood derby, Jake (with help from Chris) designed a boat that proved to be unbeatable! We had a great night together. Boys really are a lot of fun!

Three cheers for Gavin!

Gavin was born five weeks prematurely. It seems he is always playing catch up. He is small for his age, in fact his weight still hasn't made the charts. At 18 months he just started walking. He isn't really talking yet. Despite all of this, he is a confident and hilarious child. He has all of us trained! Whenever he "goes for a walk", be it down the street or just across the family room, he stops and waits for us to cheer. When he does something he finds funny, he gives a darling little laugh, and then waits for us to do the same. Whenever there is clapping or cheering, Gavin believes it is for him and responds accordingly. I hope he never loses this part of his personality. He is so much fun!






Nicole

What?!

What is that? I was asking myself the same question when I walked outside the other day to retrieve my oldest two from the neighbors. Did we have a massive snake? A Prarie dog or some other kind of animal in the yard? I decided to question the boys and see if they had noticed anything. Upon questioning I found my answer. The boys had dug the hole themselves. Why? That's what I wanted to know! The nonchalant response: "we were practicing our golf, and needed a first hole". I guess I should feel lucky that I caught them at the first hole rather than the ninth or eighteenth!

Congratulation Jake!

I am really having a great time working with Jake in cub scouts. One of the perks for him is that I am always aware of what he should be doing to progress, and we work on it together. This past month Jake received his religious knot, the boy scouts achievement in religious recognition. It was a great experience watching Jake strengthen his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are proud of him and his willingness to share his testimony with others




Nicole

My Littlest Man

I never thought i would be that super sensitive super sentimental kind of mom. When the school year starts I nearly shout for Joy! A vacation sans children, Hallelujah!!! I never pictured myself feeling so sad to see my youngest child growing up. Gavin is nearly eighteen months old. He is walking, and doing some talking, and throwing fits. As wonderful as I think it all is (yes, even the fits, I think being strong willed is an important trait), I ache inside knowing that my baby isn't

going to be a baby much longer. See that naughty twinkle in his eye?

First day of school

Well, it's that time of the year again. Mom is giddy, the kids are grumpy. It is time to go back to school! Though I know they hate it, I am glad my boys let me get a few photos. I let them choose the poses, hence the car pic and long faces. I hope it will be a school year to remember! I am so proud of my little men!

Summer fun

For me, one of the summers highlights was spending time with my Mom and Dad. I was able to help them cater a couple of weddings, which meant for very long, but rewarding weekends. I am so amazed by my parents. They continue to teach me so many things. They are an incredible example of love and compassion. They are quick to serve others, especially me! They endure physical trials with grace, never complaining or losing hope. Every time I see my parents together, I am reminded just how much they love each other. I feel so blessed to have parents who not only love each other, but have always made it clear to their children how in love they are. Thanks Mom and Dad! I love you!



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The boys both had a fantastic 2010-2011 school year. These are just a few of the special moments that I captures via cell phone. I am sure they will always remember Mrs. Kaplan and Mrs. Wenze, and all of the fun they had. What a blessing it is to have great teachers!






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Lily's baptism

My niece Lily was baptized this summer. I had the privilege of being her photographer in her beautiful white dress. It was a special occasion for me because lily chose to be baptized in the white dress my mother had made for me when I was baptized, also at the age of eight. The cousins sang, and it was a wonderful evening. Congratulations Lily, for taking this


step toward your future.




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Another school year gone!

It was hard for me to believe that another school year had come and gone, now we are three weeks into the new school year and I am trying to catch up. We enjoyed all of the end of the year activities. Jake and Brayden especially enjoyed field day, who wouldn't! Logan participated in an end of the year preschool program, were he helped to celebrate the graduation of three cousins who will be going to kindergarten next year. We are so proud of all of our boys. It is hard to believe how fast the time is flying. We are loving (almost) every minute of it!


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A special visit!

As many if you may remember, Chris spent several weeks in India a few years back for work. This past weekend we had the opportunity to have one of the great people he met there come for a visit. Nanda instantly felt like one of the family. She didn't even run away screaming when my four children, along with their eight cousins, came over to hang out. We went bowling, had a party, when to Garden of the Gods, and of course cooked and enjoyed lots of great Indian food. Gavin especially enjoyed the afternoon that Nanda decided to share her chocolate bar.


We feel so lucky to have such an amazing friend! Thanks to our friends and family for helping to welcome Nanda to Colorado!






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Cub scouts!

I suppose I should have been expecting the call when it came. A mother of four boys should plan on spending many years of her life as a cub scout leader. Lucky me, my years have begun! I was called to be the bears den leader just in time for Jake to become a bear. We will have lots of fun together. In this less Than great picture we are both sporting our cub scout attire, as Jake receives his wolf. We are very proud of Him for achieving this goal. We love you Jake!


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Time for a change

I woke up last Friday morning and decided I was in need of a change. I called my sister and just a few hours later I was a whole new me! It was especially funny to watch the reactions of my family and friends when they saw me. Thanks Mandi, I love it!











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First Haircut

Jake only made it to six months, I think Brayden was 10 months, Logan around 9 months, and Gavin held out the longest, 11 months old for His first haircut. Looking back I realize how shaggy he looked, but I just didn't want him to look so old. Now that his hair is cut he looks more like a little boy than a baby. Thanks to Aunt Manda for doing the honors, sorry he screamed the whole time!