Ashten lately

I took these videos of Ashten the other day.  She "talks" like this all the time - squealing and kind of sucking air in and making a weird sound. 

And she is getting really close to crawling. When laying on her tummy, she will often push up on her knees or feet and kind of rock back and forth. I don't think it will be long now. If she really wants something just out of her reach, she can usually roll or push herself on her stomach enough to get it.

I have no doubt at all that my dad loves my boys SO much.  However, since he himself had all daughters, I think his granddaughters hold a special place in his heart!

(Ashten is saying "I love my grandpa THIS MUCH"!)

Roller skating

Last week I took the boys roller skating as kind of one last fun thing before school started.  I took them to a skating rink that had a class to teach little kids how to roller skate.  They had a blast and kept asking about going back.  Brayden and Logan had never been before, but they were doing pretty good by the end.  Preston only skated for maybe 15 minutes and then he got hungry and whiny.  Oh well, I should've known better to bring snacks and water.

Brayden - a big 7-year-old now

My Brayden is 7 today -- I can't believe it!!  It really doesn't seem like it's been that long.

Brayden really likes Legos, playing in the sandbox, panthers/big cats and dinosaurs, watching TV and reading.  He is such a good boy and a very good big brother.  There are times where all 3 boys will be playing and they start fighting over something.  Brayden will often give up something he wants to someone else just to make peace and be able to keep playing.  I have noticed him do it several times and it's just another reminder of how grown-up he is getting!

This summer, he learned to ride his bike, did the zip line at the family reunion and spent some time alone with his grandparents. He is getting so big and getting to try so many new things as he gets older. It's fun to watch him grow!!

On Sunday, we celebrated his birthday a little early with our families.  He wanted a cowboy-themed party, so I made a cake with a lasso on it!  I think he liked it.  He got some fun presents, including a new watch, a How to Train your Dragon toy and a paper airplane book.  Almost everyone from both sides of our family who lives around here was able to make it and we had a good time!

 

This morning, we had a treat for breakfast - donuts!!  We even put candles in Brayden's donut and sang to him.

Happy birthday Brayden!!

First day of school 2010

Brayden and Logan went back to school today.  Brayden started 2nd grade and Logan started kindergarten.  They will both be gone all day - and I will miss them both so much!!

They were both so excited to get to wear their new shirts that I let them pick out for the 1st day of school and go to school today.  Brayden got a new watch at his birthday party yesterday and all morning he kept telling me what time it was and asking if it was time to go yet.  I finally told him "you tell me when it's 8:35 and then we'll go".  He did! (which was nice since I was busy and running late and needed to get moving)  When we got to school, Logan didn't want me to get out and walk him to his class, so I told him today would be the only day I would.  He's already embarrassed of me?!?!  I actually think it was more that he wanted to feel extra big and walk to his class all by himself.  I told him I would walk a ways behind him and see if he could do it on his own, which was a compromise for us.  If it were up to me, I would've walked him to class, held his hand, took tons of pictures and gave him a big hug and kiss goodbye. 

I love watching the boys grow up and mature and do new things, but part of me wants to hang onto them and keep them small.  First days of school are hard for me in a way -- I'm torn between happiness and sadness.  So now I am home with just the younger two, which is so weird!!  It is nice to not hear the fighting all day and to get to spend some one-on-one time with Preston, but it's kind of quiet around here. 

I tell you what though, the day Ashten goes to school, I bet I'll be a blubbering mess!  Thank goodness that isn't for 5 years.

Ashten - 5 months

This little girl is 5 months old today.  Growing like a weed! 

She is rolling all over the place now.  No more leaving her on our bed and walking away or even leaving her on the floor next to something she could get into.  She is still fairly picky about who she'll laugh and smile for, but she's getting better.  She loves to be outside, especially laying in the grass watching her brothers play or swinging!  She is a good sleeper nowadays.  She sleeps about 11-12 hours per night and then takes 2-3 naps a day, usually around 1-2 hours.  I can't complain!!  She is such a joy to have in our family!!

Saturday morning walk

This past Saturday was such a nice day.  I mean, mid 60's at 10 am!  We haven't had a cool day like that in awhile.  I thought it'd be a perfect day for a bike ride/walk to the park.  It was!  No one fought.  No one cried.  No one crashed on their bike.  Chris and I actually got to walk together for a little while and talk.  Perfect!

A guest post

Hi, my name is Sequoia.  I have hijacked this blog to give my own take on this family.  I'm here to set the record straight, to tell it like I see it. 

This is Chris.  He's my master and buddy.  He can just whistle to me and I know what he is saying.  We have a secret language, us two.  If I don't obey, he gets really mad and doesn't talk to me for awhile, so I do my best to always do what he tells me.  I don't like it when he gives attention to other people, especially other dogs.  If I see him talking to someone else or even looking at another dog, I quickly run over and sit in front of his legs so he remembers me.  I like to follow him around wherever he is.  If he's inside watching TV, I like to be laying on the couch with him. If he's outside mowing the grass, I like to walk behind him.  As far as I can see, this is the guy I was put on this earth to protect.  I must be around him at all times if I am to protect him, right?

This is Brayden.  He's nice, but we don't really do that much together.  If he's outside playing in the sandbox, I like to sit right next to the sandbox in the grass and doze off watch him.  I like to be around him, especially when we're outside together. 

This is Logan.  He's my favorite of the boys.  He pets me a lot and brings me food sometimes.  He gives me treats sometimes too.  He calls me "Se-key" and rubs my belly.  I will follow him around if Chris isn't home.

This is Preston.  He's okay, not my favorite, but definitely not my least favorite either.  We just kind of let each other be.  He sometimes locks me up in my kennel if I'm licking him in the face too much (can I help it if his face is right at my tongue-level?)  But he is also the messiest eater outside, so I get to lick up the most crumbs from his spot after he's done eating!

You may notice there are a couple of people missing.  Ashten, the new baby, is fine.  I leave her alone and she leaves me alone.  We have a deal (which I hope she doesn't forget once she starts crawling and walking).  Now that she's here, I have to be extra quiet when I go up to bed and when I wake up in the morning, but that part is not too bad.

And then there's Gloria.  I don't like her much.  If she's the only one around, I'll obey her, but otherwise, I'll listen to almost anyone else.  Gloria kicks me off the couch when I'm laying there so sleepy and comfy.  Gloria makes me go outside even when it's snowing and raining sometimes.  She does have some good qualities, she is the one who feeds me most days, but I don't think that's an act of love on her part.  I think she does it so she can cross it off her to-do list for the day.

As part of this family, my job is to protect everyone and watch over them at all times.  How can I be expected to protect them if I'm outside and they are all inside?  Good question if you ask me!

This is me begging to come inside to lay on the comfy couch and sleep the day away be on guard and protect my family from harm.

This is me watching my family from a distance - I'm always on watch with my ears up!

Signing off......Sequoia

Leg warmers!

I have to say, dressing a girl is a lot more fun than dressing a boy!  All the colors and styles.....

For example, these fun leg warmers.....

I plan to pair these with dresses or long-sleeved onesies this winter for an easy, lounging around at home, comfy outfit!

Ashten's 1st trip to the zoo

Can you believe we haven't been to the zoo since last Halloween?  And we have a membership, so it's not like we have to pay each time we go!!  It's been too long for sure!  This was actually the first time we'd been to the zoo since Ashten was born - see how happy she is?!?!

We stopped for a photo op on the hippos.  A nice lady offered to take a picture of all of us.

When we got to the lions, the boys named one of them Aslan (can you tell we've watched Narnia recently?)

Chris favorite animal to see this time was the tiger.  It was right up next to the glass and it was really cool!

My favorite animal to see is always the bears.  This silly one is sleeping in a tree!!

Logan's best bear face!

Chris and the boys rode the train while I fed Ashten.  It worked out well.

Chris had to carry a boy or two here and there throughout the zoo so their legs "wouldn't fall off!"

Ashten's asleep - she's seen enough.  Time to go home!

I'm so happy we got this time to get out and do something as a family - Chris goes back to school in a few days and Brayden and Logan aren't far behind.  Pretty soon it will just be me, Preston and Ashten around here during the days, what on earth are we going to do with ourselves?  I am grateful though, most families don't get to have the dad home all summer, ti's a nice chance to reconnect as a family!