Pumpkin Man!!!

Just down the street from our home is a fruit stand/pumpkin patch. They have all kinds of fun "natural" decorations there and at Halloween time...they do the "Pumpkin Man"! This is when the owner dresses up in overalls and a flannel shirt with a hollowed out Jack-O-Lantern on his head! He sits in the corner and the kids talk to him...some are VERY suprised when he TALKS BACK!!! Yes...some kids go running to their mommy's and hide behind their legs but do my boys? Of course not...they are too adventurous and curious for that nonsense!! I think at their age...I would be scared out of my mind but Tyce runs up to him and "helps" him up off the haystack and talks to him. Kaze just looks and looks and does a little talking of his own! The kids even get to put the pumpkin on their head. I missed my picture op this year but yes...Tyce did put the pumpkin head on! After the "show"...the kids pick a pumpkin from the pile of wonderful pumpkins! We will soon have a family home evening and decorate our pumpkins. Tyce want to open his up and feel the goop inside. He says that "this year...I will touch the yucky stuff"! We had nice weather and it was a good day!



The "Pumpkin Man"



Taking off his head...



See...he is just a "real" man!

All That's New...

I think it is time for an update!!! Our year is just flying by and it is making me a little sad to be honest. Kaze just began his 11th month on this earth and Tyce is dangerously close to 4 years old. I am beginning to realize just how fast their childhood is going to go and I am just trying to soak in the memories of them as my babies. The next few months are bound to be crazy busy with a 1 year old birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, a 4 year old birthday and Christmas...ALL in 3 months! I remember when Tyce turned a year old...I had been planning his party for months! Well...Kaze's has snuck up on me so fast that now I am scrambling! I have two very important things decided though...It will be dinosaur themed and it will be in our backyard!!! I am so excited to have a child with a birthday that will more than likely be outside every year! Poor Tyce...we are stuck inside for his until he has sledding parties! This year...he has decided Chucky Cheeze (smiling on the outside and saying PLEASE NOOOOOOO on the inside). That place is pure craziness. But it is HIS birthday.

Another bit of exciting news...Tyce started preschool a couple weeks ago and is doing so well. He loves it. He is making friends, learning how to write his name (he can already spell it). Yes...I am bragging. He has memorized two books. The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss and Are You My Mother (can't remember the author)...but it is a very long book. He does really well. He has his first Primary Program for church coming up in a little over a week and already has his line memorized. I just hope he remembers it when he gets up there. No worries though...his teacher will be able to help him if need be. He is a good boy and makes me very proud! I love him to bits. I am so lucky to have him!







And Kaze! Well...he is still not walking. He is close but just won't get the nerve to really go for it. I am anxious for him to walk because he is still putting everything in his mouth. Now...I realize this may not be the case with Kaze but when Tyce started walking...the putting stuff in your mouth thing stopped because he wasn't right there on the floor anymore. So...here is hoping because I am pretty sure he ate a part of a dead grasshopper at the park yesterday. I try not to think of it but it is seriously grossing me out...even right now. Yuck! Kaze has 8 teeth and I am sure more are coming. He is starting to copy our sounds like HO HO HO!!! (santa of course) and HOO HOO HAA HAA (a monkey). He is quick to smile and loves the camera. He is just a joy and I love him very much!







Mark and I are really good! Mark is working, which is a blessing in this economy! I have been applying for a part time seasonal job to get us some extra Christmas money but so far...nothing much is happening. I have applied a few places but there are a lot of people out there needing jobs...anything! So...I will be patient. I have already decided that I want to have a "Homemade Christmas" this year. It will be fun! I want to re-do the boys' rooms in an outdoorsie theme and will make their comforters and re-paint their names that are hanging in there. New sheets (I will buy those...I am NOT making fitted sheets). I think it may be a good idea to also do something more geared to the true meaning of Christmas and bring into it the gifts the three wisemen presented to Jesus at his birth. The three gifts represented something needed, something spiritual and something wanted. And of course...Santa will also pay a visit and leave a stocking full of goodies and a gift. I think a stocking and 4 gifts for each child is plenty. They get so much from grandparents, etc. And with Tyce's birthday a couple days before Christmas...it can become a bit overkill as far as gifts are concerned. So...maybe it is time to tone it down on our part. We'll see!

We still LOVE where we live and have the most amazing neighbors who have been teaching me to be an expert Canner and we have put up peaches and spaghetti sauce with pears and grapes to come! We are in a routine that allows for a clean house and family dinners and plenty of time for everything else. I am just happy right now! Life is good and I am blessed!

Day 2 and 3 of the Washington Trip!

Day 2 was fun! We went to Danielle's house after a relaxing morning at Grandma's house. Danielle did my hair, which turned out way cute and we had a yummy dinner. Then I went to the Pub for my high school reunion. It was really fun to see some people I haven't "talked" to for years. Many of them I have kept in touch with through facebook and myspace. But there is no substitue for one on one...actually talking! It was fun and 1am is quite a change for me and I was definately tired all day on Day 3.

Day 3. We went to the park for some visits with friends and then home for naps. Then it was off to Grandma Gerry's house for a visit with family that I miss very much! My Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Bill were there as well as Aunt Mina Jo and Uncle Dave. My sister and Cousins Amy and Ryanne! The boys loved the attention and Grandma loved seeing the boys play! Tommorow we are going to Church with Grandma Lenk and then some good time with my mom! More pics to come!



Johanna is one of the most stunning women I know...beautiful and sweet to boot!



Me and my best girl Ali! I love her!



Cory Lake and myself...I have known this guy since Kindergarden.



Cory, Me and Nicole!



The Kluse's...one of the cutest couples ever! I can't wait to meet their new baby boy!



1am sister love!




Puppies!!



12:30am...I happened by the first place Mark and I went on a date! Good memories!

Day 1 of the Washington Trip...

I will be recording our time in Washington mainly to give my hubby a picture show every few day! Today was a great and busy day and we still managed to get everyone napped for ever nap and bathed and fed all throughout the day! So...here is our day in pictures...

After Kaze's morning nap...we went to see Aunt Danielle for a minute because we had some time before our picnic in the park with Jessie, Lindsay and our SIX boys! We went to Howard Amon park and played on their awsome playground and in the splash pool. The boys had a lot of fun and it was so great to see Jessie and Lindsay again...it had been years! Kaze even ate a good chunk of dirt...YUM! Apparently, he didn't want his applesauce :)





After the park...we drove to Ritzville to meet my mom, who is currently working in Spokane, to play at whatever park we could find and have a meal together. We found a cute little park that happened to be next to the community pool. So, of course, we went swimming or should I say we had planned on TYCE and KAZE to swim. All was well until Tyce jumped off of the diving board one time and one of his water wings came off. He was fine and staying above water but couldn't get to the side of the pool himself so since I was holding Kaze...Grandma Janet jumped in FULLY CLOTHED to save the day. Tyce thought that was pretty funny and said that his grandma was silly to go swimming with her clothes on. He was unphased though. He wanted the water wing back on and wanted to do more "tricks" on the diving board...so...away we went. We just checked the water wings more often after that!

It was a good day and the boys were good and exhausted after a good day and a good meal with Grandma Janet and Grandpa Mike!

We'll see what tomorrow brings! The plan is for a quiet day at home until after naptime and then off to Aunt Danielle's house for some dinner...homemade playdough and of course...she is going to cut/color and style my hair! I love that my sister is a cosmotologist!! It should be fun. The boys will stay with her for the night and after I put Kaze to bed...I will go to the first part of my 10 year high school reunion...a night out with friends. Ali will be my date since Mark had to stay home on this trip! Should be fun...or interesting? We'll see!

To all the "Dad's" in my life...

This is for the men in my life who are such great Dads!

Mark, he is the best Dad I could ever ask for for my boys! He is Tyce's best friend and even though Kaze is a mamma's boy to his core...Mark keeps trying, every day to be that great Dad for him too when others might have just given up by now! He is just as involved in their rearing as I am and is my parenting partner 100% of the time!

My Dad, we haven't always seen eye to eye (which father/daughter have?) but we have built a relationship that I cherish. He loves his grandsons and after having two daughters of his own...I am not suprised! He finally got boys! Although we live 9 hours apart, he has managed to steal Tyce's heart and I am so grateful for that! I look forward to seeing what relationship grows between him and Kaze as well! I am so pleased that he is so involved in our lives! Thanks Dad...I love you!

My Step-Dad, Lonnie...what can I say? I lived with him for about 15 years I think and never once did I feel like anything but his daughter...his own flesh and blood. He never treated me differently than he did his "biological" kids. He will never know what that meant to me! I have called him Dad since before I remember...I am pretty sure it wasn't a consious decision...just something that felt comfortable. We aren't as close anymore since I moved so far away but he will always be my other Dad! That love hasn't deminished a bit!

So...to all the Dad's in my life...HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!



A tender moment between Mark and Tyce...They are best friends!



Mark meeting Kaze for the first time!



My Dad and his grandsons!



My Step-Dad, Lonnie with his grandsons!

My Kaze!!

This post is just for and about Kaze!









He is the sweetist baby that ever lived
His favorite person is his Mommy
He loves his snuggle blankets I made him
He loves his binki
He laughes at his brother and smiles really big for everyone (even his Dad!)
He loves being outside!
He loves to eat and is enjoying the exploration of finger food and juice in a sippy cup
He loves to spit his food out after I put it in his mouth (this is very naughty)
He loves his johnny jumper
He loves animals and gets so excited about kittys
He loves a good car ride
He takes three naps a day and sleeps 11-12 hours at night! YES!!!
He was swaddled until he was 7 months old
He can sit up on his own
He is starting to try and stand while holding onto things and is getting up on his hands and knees...he will be moving soon!
Carrying and Giving birth to him was one of the greatest joys of my life!
He has a temper. When he has had enough, he has had enough!
He was expensive! LOL!! And worth MUCH more than that.

Kaze came to our family at just the perfect time. Not the most convenient time, but the perfect time. I look at my boys and thank God for his infinate wisdom in allowing me to be a mom to both my boys. Kaze has been such an easy baby. He has been healthy and I am so grateful for that. I love him so much and am sad to see him grow up but happy and excited to see who he will become!

My Tyce!!!

This post is just for and about Tyce!




This boy is just plain sweet (when he chooses to be)!! I love him SO very much and I can't imagine starting out this adventure of Motherhood with any other child but him.

He is FULL of energy.
He loves to pick me flowers
He loves hugs and kisses
He loves to make up stories and to read books
He loves "cuddle time" in his bed at bedtime
He loves to play with his friends and shares really well
He is good at taking turns
His daddy is his best friend
He is a wonderful big brother (he loves it so much, he is asking for another baby...a girl this time)!
He loves to box on the Nintendo Wii
He loves our garden and is taking pride in watering and weeding it
He loves cartoons, luckilly, educational ones
He loves to learn how to cook and will do anything in the kitchen that I allow him to do! (Yes Dad and Denise, I have learned enough to teach him...you would be proud!! I am even teaching him to cook from scratch)!
His favorite foods are fruit
He takes pride in buying things with his OWN money that he has earned
He loves bike rides
He LIVES in just his undies!
CANNOT WAIT TO GO TO SCHOOL!!!

Yes, despite all the tantrums that come with being 3...I love this boy!