Camping, Jared's B-day, and Santa's Village

We went camping with Kratz and Montague families. We had such a good time and the boys loved to be around older kids. I think that I have learned that I cannot sleep on the ground when I am pregnant now (man I'm old) because this time I was in bed for 2 days with back and siatic nerve problems. It was worth it...I would do it again for the boys. Nathan loved to play with Mike's shovel.

Jared adores Sam Montague. It was nice to give me a break, so I didn't have to hold him all of the time. With Matt working in the Young Men's the boys really like to rough house and play with them. A couple of the YM watched Nathan and Jared so I could go to a church activity, and Matt could play basketball. Nathan couldn't stop talking about his new friends.

Kids playing football.

I love this picture because you can see Nathan looking at Scott's feet trying to copy him.

Jared observing from the sideline. He stayed pretty close to either Sam or I.

Let's just say we didn't catch anything, but the boys just loved throwing out the line and reeling it in.

I love this picture of Jared concentrating so hard on what Livi is doing.

I think someone hijacked some pictures because the Montague's brought their dog Boomer, and I know that I took pictures because I am an animal lover like my boys. They loved to watch him fetch the stick from the lake and would hang out with him and pet her. A couple of times Boomer wanted off his leash to play with the kids and woudl start to bark a little. Nathan got so worried because Boomer had no friends and started to cry. What a tender-hearted boy.

Jared's B-day cake. Probably the reason that I was so sick after camping was because we had to rush home. Then, I had to get everything ready for Jared's party including this cake. I just had overdone it.

Jared loves Chuck E Cheese and probably asks to go about 5-10 times daily. He loves the basketball game and will stay their the entire time. In his prayers, he always mentions that he is grateful for Chuck E Cheese, hoops, baskets, and balls. What a sweet boy.

Nathan playing his favorite fireman game at Chuck E Cheese.

If you notice it is a #1 candle. My brother in-law pointed it out. If he wouldn't have said anything, I don't know that I would have noticed. Jared turned two and his dizzy, pregnant mother messed it up...it just makes these times more memorable.

Jared loves Elmo. Love this picture of my brown eyed boy.

Nathan snuggling with a puppy dog and watching some TV.

Santa's Village

Nathan was not shy around the goat at all. He would just go right up and pet it. The goat tried to jump on him once. That's my country boy.

 

I was not pleased when Matt took a photo of me at Santa's Village. You can just start to see that my tummy is a little bump.

I was sick, sick, sick and missed the boys seeing Santa the ward Christmas party. Yep...that's my Jared. Jared kept saying that he wanted a soccer ball from Santa when I asked him.

Last year, he would not even get close to Santa. When you asked Nathan what he wanted, he said, "Air compressor and hose, monkey wrench, finger paint, and bike." We went to CO for Christmas, and my brother David wrapped up a compressor hose and air gauge. Nathan was so excited to get it, and he plays with it all the time when he dresses up as a fireman, which is everyday.

Primary singing at the ward Christmas party. Nathan on the front left. This is the first time to see him sing in front of people because we missed his primary program. I was at home and sick...let's just say I cried many tears that night, not seeing some firsts of my boys.

November Happenings

 "Camping" at Breckenridge Park. It was kind of chilly and the boys were getting over colds, so we just decided to eat there and let them play at the park. We came home and put up our tent in the living room. It is impossible to get Nathan and Jared to wear jackets let alone coats. I finally convinced Nathan to wear his coat, but Jared just sat on my lap while I wrapped my coat around him. We enjoyed foil dinners, hot dogs, chips, fruit, and smores.

We went to Houston for Thanksgiving and really enjoyed our time with Kayla and her family. The boys loved to play with their kids and loved all of their toys.

The beloved basketball hoop at Kayla and Randy's house.

 

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY TO NATHAN

Nathan loved his sports bounce house and was so excited to have family and friends come over. He kept asking me while I was decorating the cake if his friends were here yet. We enjoyed queso, chips, pop, cake, and cupcakes. My parents always let us choose what we wanted them to make for breakfast and dinner for our birthday, so I kept that tradition. Nathan wanted pancakes with strawberries, syrup, and cool whip for breakfast and pizza for dinner. I told him that we were having pizza for lunch, and he still wanted to have it for dinner. Thank goodness we had leftovers, and it became the easiest dinner ever.

Jared saying, "Cheese."

Nathan anxiously awaiting the candy to fall from the pinata.

The Candy Mob.

Nathan was so excited about his birthday cake. Last year he wanted a blue fire truck cake, and for almost a year now he has been asking for a green fire truck cake. This was my first cake to decorate with the tips and everything. It was fun, but it definitely took more time than I thought. You cannot really see the ladder in the picture. When I finished the cake and had Nathan look at it. He pointed out right away that it was missing a siren. That's my boy he knows his fire trucks. I didn't have time to put on the red siren, so it is missing. I also made 24 strawberry cupcakes and decorated them. Let's just say that Matt and I were very busy that morning.

After all that playing time, we were all exhausted and enjoyed a nap together. This is one of my favorite parts of the day...when both boys nap with me. Most the time they are both as close to me as possible. This could be a tricky transition when baby comes, but I wouldn't miss this time with them for anything.

We decorated the tree together as a family. The boys loved putting up the ornaments and only a few got broken. We have to put all of the Christmas balls up high because Jared thinks they are toys. He loves balls.

Jared cuddling with his giant size Elmo and little cookie monster. Jared loves Elmo and cookie monster.

We added to Nathan's firefighter costume. Can you tell what we have added?...yep the mask.

Halloween Prep

Pumpkin painting.

Jared was done painting in a few minutes but....

Nathan could have painted all day long. He used up all the paint on his one pumpkin. That a boy!

FHE game night for carving our bigger pumkin.

That's right get those hands dirty boys.

This was a very fond memory for me as a child, and I have scrapbook pictures from every year showing us carving pumpkins. What fun to pass these traditions on to my children.

Nathan helped carve, but he mainly told me what shape he wanted me to carve out.

Wow...they all look exhausted and not too happy.

Happy Halloween. My fire fighter Nathan and Handy Manny Jared. They loved to trick or treat in our neighborhood. Nathan would take Jared's hand and lead him to the doorbell. Nathan would ring the bell and say trick or treat and thank you. Jared would only say it if prompted. They did great and loved it.

Nathan and Jared outside eating a drumstick together.

Sonogram picture of baby #3, which we think is a girl. What a great profile picture.

Nathan and Jared liked to push each other on their lawn mower. I was a little concerned for their well being as they would fly by, but they were having such a good time.

Nathan making a picture frame and then glueing his colored noodles that we made. What a blast.

Missed this picture of the firetruck from our Nauvoo trip. This was in Liberty. What a good lucking group.