Mastering this Love Business

 Being the third born Little L is extremely lucky that I've already mastered this love business. I mean look at that face, what is not to love? It's funny what little babies do to my heart. Sometimes I wonder how I can love someone who has been in my life for such a short period of time but then he flashes his sweet smile and my heart fills up even larger.

 While this sweet little guy was growing in my tummy I had a reoccurring dream about him and my sweet Granny. Each time in my dream she would tell me to drink orange juice.  Sounds funny, I know, but she always told us this for our vitamin C so I listened and never got sick while pregnant. In my dreams she would also tell me how special this new baby is. She would tell me to protect him and he would bring love into our home. I already knew my Granny was an amazing woman, but now I see how right she was, even in my dreams. Little L is special beyond measure. His brothers continue to adore him and smoother him with love daily. His Daddy and I can't seem to get enough of his kisses and attention and usually end up trying to out do each other trying to persuade him to come to us!

 With 3 boys in tow I am always asked if I'm going to try one more time for a girl. My answer is always the same, Landon was my try for a girl and it didn't work. Besides, when you master love and babies I'm pretty sure you need to stop when you hit perfection so here we are done. Landon will forever be my Little L because he is the love who completed our family.

Happy Halloween!

I promise we had a good Halloween and Landon did enjoy it, but he did not enjoy his owl hat. I tried for weeks putting it on his head with cheers and clapping but nothing helped. He went to Trunk or Treat and Trick or Treating without his hat.

 This mean mama thinks it's incredibly darling to see his grumpy little face in the owl costume. The drama of a one year old with hands to the face and all!

 Happy baby without his hat on.

 Sadly, this was my first year that the boys did not match. I decided it was time for Shane to finally get a costume he'd love and nothing themed to match his baby brother. I wanted them to be characters from Harry Potter and Landon could have been the owl but the big boys were not game. Instead we had a ninja and a vampire.

 Trevor was the cutest little vampire I've ever seen! I tried to get him to say "I vant to suck your blooood!" but he
thought I was crazy!

 

 He loved being spooky and scary but I'm thinking he just looks darling!

 He wanted to be a vampire so he could suck people's blood. Scary, I know!

 Trevor loved having a Halloween parade at school and lunch with his friends at his class party. He is still my sweet tooth boy because when asked what his favorite part of Halloween was he responds with "getting lots, and lots, and lots, and lots, and lots of candy!

 The joy in this boys face to finally have the best costume ever, a ninja!! He did crafts in class on Halloween along with a party and parade too. His favorite part about Halloween is the candy too.

Our Halloween traditions were still in full force this year. We had families over for a little Halloween party, Trunk or Treating a Church, Booing various families leaving goodies on their porch, school fun, and trick or treating. Oh and they even Trick or Treated at Dumont! By the time the real Halloween rolled around they were tired and already had enough candy for a lifetime so they didn't last but a few streets trick or treating!

peek-a-boo

This little guy has begun the get into everything-know what I want-screaming at a high pitch-crazy-on the go stage. Little L goes from one place to another trying to find destruction. He isn't remotely as bad as the brother before him but I don't think anyone could live up to Trevor's crazy baby business. I pray his poor wife does not have to go through what I did when he has children! Although Landon is calm he is still a Young and determined to get what he wants which consists of pretty much everything he shouldn't be getting into!

 He loves opening the pantry and finding the various treasures awaiting him in there. On this day he found a coke box which provided him entertainment. I love how babies find joy in the smallest things! He played and crawled around the kitchen as I cooked dinner. Although this was just a few weeks ago so much has changed. He is now a pro at walking with only a few falls as he goes and the weather is finally starting to cool off. Well, cool off to me means under 100!

Little L is the best baby. He loves playing peek-a-boo and giggles when he hides himself with something like this box.

Mommy of boys

When I was pregnant with Shane and found out he was a boy I cried. I cried because I didn't want the nasty stuff that went along with boys. I didn't want snakes, farts, dirt, and pet lizards. I wanted pink and bows with everything sweet. I thought I knew what I wanted but thankful Heavenly Father knew me better.

 I knew I'd love being a mom. I knew they would bring me joy and happiness, but I never realized that my boys would bring me so much love and happiness on this level. Shane is my leader, which goes with being a first born. Other people like to be around him because he is confident and kind. He finds the kid no one wants to play with and makes sure they have a friend. His heart is full of compassion just like his dad.

Shanners made me a mom. He was the first little guy that stole my heart the instant I laid eyes on him. He is the first little guy to call me mommy and give me sticky kisses. Today he makes me proud because he is growing up and growing up to be a wonderful child. Although having little boys means dirt, sports, farts, pee on the seats in the bathroom, and snakes I would not change being a mom of all boys for the world. They make me laugh, feel loved, and make my life complete.

How did this happen?

I don't know how it has happened but my little Trevor has turned into a full grown BIG boy! I feel like life has turned into a blur and going on fast forward!  I should still be watching Mickey Mouse each morning with my little Trevor and holding his chubby little hand but instead we are rushing out the door in the morning going to school making sure homework is done and lunches are packed! 

 Even though Trevor is growing up he is still my lovey. He still takes care of me and wants to make sure I feel loved. I love how Trevor is protective of me. At school there is a running program before school that the boys like to go to. Trevor ran 1 mile the first day and loved it. However, the next day he didn't want to go because he would leave me alone in my classroom. Just like at home he likes to make sure no one is alone.

Mr. T continues to keep me on my toes. He is still grumpy yet fun. Calm yet CRAZY! Right now he loves dried mangoes, cheese balls, games on the iPad, and reading to me. I love my Trevor. He blesses our lives and makes us happy!

First Day

I cannot believe the first day of school has come and gone. We are in full swing of school mode with packing lunches, night time routines, and homework.

 Trevor was born for school, he loves everything about it! He went off with a smile and ready to go. It's different with your second born. He knew what to expect and welcomed the idea of school which made it much easier on this Mommy! Mr. T was proud of his new hair style, new shoes, cool backpack and to eat lunch in the "Noisy Purpose Room" AKA the Multi-Purpose Room!

 

I cannot believe I have a Kindergartner and a second grader!!

  Taking pictures for mom is almost like torture for Shane though. He cannot stand a quick pose and smile for me sometimes!



































Shane is one cool second grader. He finally has a couple missing teeth along with his cool hair he was ready to go. His class is full of his friends from Kindergarten and first grade so he couldn't be more thrilled!

I will have to say Shane is the luckiest second grader around to have Mrs. Hudleson for his teacher. I remember when I was student teaching and I was lucky enough to observe Mrs. Hudleson and my first thought was when I have kids, they WILL be in Mrs. Hudleson's class because she is that good! I'd say she is pretty much the goddess of teaching and Shane loves her!

 Now Mrs. Dahl is just as fabulous of a teacher but for Trevor in Kindergarten. She has a kind heart and the kids adore her. The things she gets her students to do at a Kindergarten level has always amazed me and I'm thrilled to have Trevor in her class and so is he!



It was my first day of school too and I was full of nerves. Nervous for my own kids and then nervous for me! I love being at school with them though. I was able to check on Trevor all day long during my lunch and prep. I love being in the same building as my boys. Trevor and I pass each other in the hallway each day as I go to Specials and he is leaving Specials. I see Shane out on the playground playing at morning recess and I love seeing him playing with his classmates.

I love that Damon can stop by and share the excitement of the first day of school with us.

I do not worry about my boys all day while they are in class. Their teacher are just what they need and I know they are having a great day full of fun and learning!

Saying good-bye and off to class in Kindergarten! Thanks Donna for snapping these pictures for me. This is where my baby grows up and is now a big kid in elementary school!

The look on Trevor's face is him being nervous and unsure of what is going on around him!

                                  We all survived and had a fabulous day. I have a fabulous class that I couldn't be happier with and so do Shane and Trevor. Although we love summer and our endless days of laziness we are glad school is here!



Lazy Days

One of my favorite parts of summer is how carefree and relaxed my entire family feels. Lazy days being together are the highlight of my summer. We only made one trip up to Duck Creek this summer as a family but it was one I will never forget. Memories with my boys are what bring me happiness and joy. Once summer is over these memories are what keep me going in the rush and business of regular life. I know I can do whatever is placed before me because I know soon enough we will be back here ready for some new memories, next summer.

 Being in the wilderness always gives me time to reflex. Maybe I am blessed beyond mesaure. Trevor is on little guy that makes me so happy. Look at his croocked smile and messy hair, how could you not love that!?

 Little boys and their reptiles. The boys kept this thing in a box the entire trip! We ended up taking it home and then having to take it to Mount Charleston a few days after we got home.

 Damon loves taking the boys out on rides. Since we were by ourselves Damon and I couldn't go on rides together and had to take turns with the boys. Having 3 boys I am learning that they love to take care of their mom! You'd never guess I was here because there aren't any pictures but Shane and Trevor loved taking me out on their quad. Trevor is plain scary. He has no control and freaks me out on the back of that thing! Shane is just too sweet. He pretends to act crazy to give me a fun ride but is so gentle about it. He is 7 and already the big "man" taking care of his mom and I couldn't be more happy.

 Bubbles are a must in lazy summer days!

 While these guys go out I can actually read a book or take a nap while Little L is sleeping too.

 Now last summer I camped with a 5 week old. I thought that was crazy but now as I reflect back on it I would much prefer a newborn camping than a 1 year old that doesn't walk! Messy, dirty, nasty baby that loves the dirt! Landon has been dragged around from place to place since he was weeks old. Now I laugh because I'm pretty sure he do not know rest and I have myself to blame for that!

Oh the mud! The boys were thrilled to ride through all the patches and mud from the recent rain storms. As the week went on the boys were becoming more and more daring. Mr. T loved getting me dirty in this mud!

 Landon is such a good baby. He played and played outside with his toys and the dirt!

 Now Shane was getting a little too comfortable on his quad. He was gunning it around corners then slamming on the breaks so he would do a 180! I had to laugh at first but then the mommy in me came out and made him stop.

 Now my least favorite part of being in the wilderness are the snakes. I hate snakes. I can't really look at snakes. These pictures on my screen make me sick. Damon was awful enough to find a snake and pick it up for the boys. The mean boys that they all are decided to scare me and Shane pretended to give me a kiss while putting the snake on my lap. I scream threw the snake. Then, I took my baby and lock them all out of the trailer! I HATE snakes! They kept the awful thing until somehow it fell out of the cup and slithered away. YUCK!

 Ugh, I still get sick looking at this. My baby, Landon, holding a snake. Damon is so mean! Just a little history on Damon and I... before I would marry Damon I made him promise there would be no snakes in the house. He promised, but I guess I should have specified in trailers too!

 Now this moment makes me proud. My baby knows that snakes are evil because he touches it and then tries to throw it away!

Life is grand. I am blessed with lazy summer days with the people I love.