Memorial Day Weekend...

Clay got Friday and Monday off of work this past weekend and it was so nice to have him home!

Friday we did a bunch of yard work in the morning and of course made a trip to Target in the afternoon! We ended the night with a movie night...we watched Star Wars Episode 2! I love that the boys will always run upstairs and come back with some characters or a sword or something as they watch a movie! They played with their Star Wars toys the entire movie!!

Saturday morning we headed over to the local high school track for some exercise! It was a beautiful morning and the kids were so busy running around the track they wouldnt even sit in the stroller! In the afternoon we headed down to Lacey for an impromptu party! The weather was decent enough that the boys could swim at grandma and grandpas pool! We soaked up the sun and the boys had fun going from the pool to the hot tub to the pool, etc.! Jack is getting more and more confident in the water (thanks to his swimming lessons) and Brody is fearless! They had a blast!

Clay sporting Brodys hat... 

 Craig with Brodys hat...

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Craig bought some 'toys' for his kids and so after we were done in the water we headed next door to try them out! The 4-wheelers were kid sized and the boys LOVED riding around the yard in them! Clay was even brave and tested out the dirt bike and survived!!

 Clay with Jack

 Clay with Brody

 Brody and me...I only went around a couple of times and pretty slow at that...gotta protect the baby!

 Luke and Jack

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On Monday morning we took it slow. We thought we would go for a walk and let the kids ride their bikes, but it didnt last too long. We are losing patience with Brody...he will not pedal his bike for the life of him and I have run out of options! Clay came up with this idea to pull the bike...so much better than leaning over to push it! I really thought Brody was going to 'get it' but that hasnt happened yet. One day it will just click, right?!

That night we had a bbq with our friends! The kids ran around crazy while the adults talked! At one point Brody came downstairs with no underwear or pants on. Not typical of him! After we had a good laugh, we ventured upstairs to find his clothes! Jenna and I had to take an updated picture...here we are at almost 34 weeks! I cant believe we are at the end!!

So glad we were able to enjoy our long weekend (without rain)! We are so grateful for those who have and do serve this country to provide the freedoms that we enjoy.

Jacks Tooth...

Last week Jack walked over to me and said he wanted to show me his loose tooth. I thought he was making it up joking because, in my mind he is too young to have a loose tooth, but sure enough it was wiggly. I could even see the permanent tooth trying to make its way up. Crazy! When did my boy get so big?? Have to say that I got a little emotional. I didnt cry but I think I must have been in shock a little! He is growing up! 

I thought I could be brave and just pull it out, but I got scared. Clay suggested we tie a string around the tooth and then a door...I didnt think that was the best plan. So we waited. After a couple of days, lots of wiggling the tooth, and a few tears from Jack (didnt feel so good when he took a bite of his food and got his tooth), it looked like it was ready. We were brushing the kids teeth and Clay took a flosser and just worked it right out! Jack was so excited! He made an envelope for the tooth fairy and stuck it under his pillow! Thankfully she remembered (and had some spare change laying around) and brought 4 quarters! Tooth Fairy pays pretty well these days!!!

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Just a random picture of Jack blowing bubbles on the porch the other night!

Brody...

Oh this boy! He is one cute boy, but he is such a stinker! Sometimes I look at him and cant believe how big he is! He isnt a baby anymore that is for sure! He is growing and learning and it is so fun to see! But he still gets frustrated and throws one mean fit. The screaming is what gets me every time...I seriously think he is the loudest screamer EVER. Not cool. But as he learns to express himself he is slowly getting better! 

When he sees me pull out my camera or phone to take a picture he automatically says "cheese" and then runs over to see it! I guess I have trained him well!

He has been a stinker lately with his naps. Some days he will nap and others he wont. When he doesnt nap he is a disaster by the afternoon and a lot of times will fall asleep around 4 or 5 which is just as bad. He will sleep in later (if Jack doesnt wake him up) if he goes to bed later but then he doesnt want to take a nap. The other day the boys were eating lunch and I looked over and Brody was almost out. I was afraid he was going to fall off the chair! Poor kid was so tired!

The other night (this has actually happened twice now) we had put the boys down and were downstairs watching tv. Probably around 9:30 Clay heard something so he muted the tv and looked back to find Brody. He was on the ground with his blanket just barely sticking out around the corner. The picture doesnt do justice to how proud he was! It took all I had in my not to laugh out loud. He was so proud of himself and had a huge grin on his face! The other time he came down he just quietly walked in and pulled up a chair and sat down!

He is really struggling with potty training. Well, I take that back, he can go potty, but he does not EVER want to go sit on the toilet and go. He clearly has to go (dancing around and grabbing himself) but when you ask him if he needs to go or tell him to go sit on the toilet he refuses. So frustrating. I am out of ideas. The worst is when he poops just a little in his underwear. So sick of cleaning out his underwear and I cant count how many pairs we have just thrown out! Heres hoping that something changes in the next couple of months!!!!

Mothers Day...

This Mothers Day was wonderful! I got to sleep in (all I really needed), Clay got me flowers, and he cooked a yummy dinner! Jack made me a picture at preschool and both of the boys made stuff at church! I feel pretty spoiled! I am lucky to be a mom to these 2 boys!

I have said this before, but motherhood is not easy for me. I often feel like I am falling short. I know that being a mom is what I should be doing, and I honestly would not want to be doing anything else, but it is hard. I struggle a lot and lose my patience more than I should. But lucky for me, my boys dont remember and they love me unconditionally. I have to remind myself often to slow down and enjoy this time!

Quotes like this keep my priorities in line and help me focus on what is most important.

Flowers and chocolate!

What jack made at preschool! So funny that he drew a picture of us bowling...we have only gone a couple of times, ever. Even so, I love it!

And here I am at 30 weeks. I am actually 32 weeks now so this is a little old. I am feeling pretty good. I really cant complain! I have pains and am starting to get uncomfortable more and more, but things seem to be going well. I get Braxton Hicks all.the.time but I guess that is normal. I am starting to realize this is happening sooner than later and it is all starting to set in! Lots to do before this little boy makes his grand entrance!

Owen Beach...

Today was a beautiful day! We decided we couldnt just sit around all day so we ventured out to a local 'beach!' Apparently every other Washingtonian had the same idea because the traffic was bad and we had plenty of  company! But we enjoyed ourselves and the gorgeous weather! The beach was rocky and Jack kept taking off his sandals and then crying because his feet hurt and wouldnt put his sandals back on. He also complained (pretty much from the time we got there) that he needed a snack. But once we got them down to the water to throw rocks they were happy! Brody could have stayed there all day just throwing rocks into the water! But after a while we relocated to the grass and the kids and Clay kicked the soccer ball around. It was so cute watching the boys play! It is days like this that make all the rain worth it!!

 I think he was trying to figure out why there were so many rocks and not so much sand!!

 The boys were watching Clay fly the kite...not incredibly windy but he did get it in the air!

 Jack was pouting about his feet hurting from the rocks!

 Throwing rocks.

 Proof that I was there too!

I know this is blurry but I love his face!

Projects...

I havent had a whole lot of motivation lately to do the many projects I would like to do. Just a few random ones here and there.

Our table is square and apparently it is impossible to find square tablecloths. Clay has not been happy that our boys (Brody in particular) have been scratching up his table so he requested a tablecloth. Well after lots of searching I just decided to make one. I didnt get the best material (it was cute though) and ended up lining it and having to buy twice as much fabric as I had initially thought. Oh well, I do like it and other than having to wash it all the time it has worked quite well! Next time I think I will just buy a rectangular tablecloth and shorten it!

Just a few applique onesies for a friend who just had a baby (giraffe and bird patterns found here).

A couple of Baprons (tutorial found here) for a different friend who also had a baby recently! Its a good thing I am not having a girl...I love how these turned out!! Hopefully they work just as nicely!

I made this chevron blanket for the baby. I do love how it turned out but it was a lot of work and I am not sure I would make another one! Lots of sewing and cutting. I had to work up the motivation to finish it! But I am glad it is done and cant wait to snuggle the baby in it! (Tutorial found here)

Swimming...

Jack just completed his first session (for this year) of swimming! He has 2 more sessions (going through June) to go! I wanted to get him signed up before the baby comes so he wont be doing lessons in the summer. 

His teacher was great! He only had 2 little girls with him, so it was a lot smaller than when he did it last summer, which was so nice! It probably took him about a week to warm up to the water, but after that he had no fear in the 'small' pool where he could stand! He earned another sticker for his certificate and was able to pass off his floats! He got really good at searching for the rings at the bottom of the pool (and going all the way under the water)! They started working on glides/torpedoes towards the end of the session and this past week spent most of their time in the 'big' pool! He is still unsure about the 'big' pool and is sure he cant swim in it, but I think it will just come with time! They started working on kicking their legs and keeping their legs straight and feet pointed. It was killing me to watch him bending his legs so much but I guess that is just the former gymnast in me! He will get it!

Happenings...

Things have slowed down a bit for us lately. 

We have gone up to Seattle a few times. We met a friend for dinner one night and went to a Mariners game on another night. We got to go up and see Clays office! The kids loved looking out the window at all of the boats and construction!

The weather has its ups and downs! It is slowly getting warmer and we are trying to take advantage of it when we do actually see the sun around here!! Clay got out the water table a week or so ago and Brody has been in heaven! If you look in the picture you can find his 'iguana' that he takes with him everywhere. I know I have said this before but that thing really creeps me out and I honestly dont know why he is so attached to it!

We even decided to grill some Costco hot dogs and have a picnic in the backyard one night!!

The boys are always carrying around some sort of weapon. Not sure that I am totally ok with it, but it can be kind of cute when Brody hits his pose and I love to hear them make their 'fighting' noises. They are such boys! The other night Clay told me I had to go see Brody, who was asleep in his bed! Of course I had to take a picture! A little protection never hurt anyone!!