Birthday Cakes...

So most of you know that I have made the boys' birthday cakes every year. This year for Brooks I made him a race track cake using some of their matchbox nascars. He was so proud that it was "his" cake... yet depressed when he seen me cutting it up and giving it away. For Braxton's first cake I thought it would be just perfect to make him a monkey cake... since his nickname has kind of stuck... "chunky monkey". I thought they turned out really well and really enjoyed making them.

August-September 2009

Fall is Here...

I realize that it's been over 2 months since my last post yet it seems like just a couple weeks ago that I wrote that post. It's hard to believe how fast the summer came, went, and is now gone and that school is in full-swing. We have been pretty busy the last couple of months - here is some of we have been up to. I am hoping to get many pictures posted soon - however I have a new picture program and have yet to figure out where the pictures are actually saved on my computer.
Craig... has been extremely busy this summer. Not with his work of crop insurance - but with residing our house and making a lot of improvements. If anyone knows where we live... we use to have that beautiful "teal-green" house that about made me puke everytime I walked in the front door. Now it's an awesome khaki color with new doors, soon to be new garage doors, lights, and windows (soon). Craig with the help of his brother and another guys from town have done a FABULOUS job and we have received a lot of compliments. Outside of working hard he had found a little time to play in softball tournaments, a few golf outings, fishing trips, and he is now in Canada on a Moose hunting trip. I am anxious to hear how it went as he is up there with his Dad and my Dad.
Myself... I have been busy running with the boys here and there as well as running myself. I was conned into running a half marathon by my younger sister, Kristal. I am really glad that she did as I never knew I would enjoy running so much. This summer I have ran one 5K, a 10K, a 10 mile, and a half marathon. I will be doing another 10-mile race in less than 2 weeks. This is a time consuming hobby but have managed to find the time in the early mornings or with the help of my husband and family. I am hoping to continue running through the fall and winter and come spring would like to attempt a full-marathon. Something I would like to do once... just to be able to say I did it.
Payton... has started 2nd grade and seems to be enjoying it. He enjoys playing kickball at recess as well as ball tag. He has really become an awesome reader... reading 6 chapter books this summer. He has "aced" his first 2 spelling tests as he hardly needs to even practice. His other subjects seem to come along very well as well. We are so VERY VERY proud of his accomplishments and hope that his brothers pick up on these things this quick too.
Brooks... has started Treasure Box Preschool. He turned 3 in August (and will post pictures of his Race Track birthday cake soon). He has been hesitant on attending preschool, bible school, or even Sunday School... he tends to cry and want nothing to do with anyone or anything unless I stay with him. I am hoping that this phase will end soon. It's not terrible but enough to break my heart. Once he gets into it he seems fine... I wonder if he is just trying to make me feel bad.
Braxton... has turned 1 (Sept 3rd) and is still in the crawling mode. He will stand for what seems like minutes, unattended, yet will only take a step (or two) once in a great while. He is still our chunky monkey weighing in at 27 pounds and was 31 inches tall. Speaking of monkey... he climbs on EVERYTHING. He loves to climb on the stools to look out the window and will pound on them until someone responds on the other side. I have started to stack the little chairs at the dycr table as he climbs on them and then sits on the table and bounces. The bathroom stool at the sick is another one of his favorites. His personality continues to develop and loves to show his "fiesty-ness" every now and then. He says "Mom", "Dadda", and "bubba" for puppy.
I am looking forward to spending some great times in the leaves and searching for the perfect pumpkins this fall.

7 Year Old Little Man...

I can hardly believe that Payton is 7 years old already. I can remember each year and birthday celebrated as if it were just yesterday. Payton is by no means perfect yet to us he is a very mature, well-mannered 7 year old boy who is very respectful for those around him. He is very courteous to his brothers and his friends and loves to stay active. Whether it's playing catch, shooting hoops, golfing, swimming, riding his bike (with/out holding onto his handle bars), fishing, playing football, playing coach pitch... not very often will you see him just hanging out. We enjoy our busy boy and wouldn't trade him for the world. Payton is one who will call his Gma's or Dad on the phone in the middle of the day (for no reason) to see what they are up to and just talk about anything. We love him to pieces and appreciate everything that he has done and given to us.
This year I made Payton a "Golf" cake. The main part of the caked turned out well... it was the golf ball that I was not so happy with. I will be attempting my 10th home-made birthday cake in a couple months and I will possibly be making 2 of them.

Chunky Monkey ~ 9 months old

Not sure what it is but... my boys have all been really pretty healthy. I don't mean "healthy" as in never get sick - I am talking healthy as in good size. I won't complain as all three of them have been really easy going and patient. Braxton went in yesterday for his 9-month well check and weighed in at a whopping 25 pounds and was 30" in length. As you can guess he was in the 100% for both. No fears on his size as his 2 older brothers have thinned out and are skinny and muscular. He started crawling (army crawling) at 8 months and has been on the go ever since. He has managed to have his trip down the stairs (the top 3 steps anyways) and loves pulling over the garbage cans. So when you come over and see them up on step stools or on chairs you know why. He has started crawling on his hands here and there but knows that it's much faster on his fore-arms. His vocabulary is stuck on 2 words... Dadda and Momma. Dadda was his first and seems to be his favorite but when he wants me he tends to say Momma. He got his first 2 bottom teeth the week after Easter and does not have anymore yet... but should be more popping through anytime now (I think). He continues to be our happy chubby baby and we couldn't ask for any more from him. He is so darn lovable and I can't wait to see what else he has to offer us.

Relaxing weekend in the Cities???

I took an adventure last weekend with me and the boys in the Cities. Not sure if it was real relaxing or not - but it was a good time. I went to stay with my sister in Lakeville. She has a super nice house and she was gracious enough to allow 3 boys in it. We kept very very busy so the boys were entertained quite well... and if they weren't... look out. Saturday we took them to the Children's Museum in St. Paul. It was a very nice place that had a ton of different exhibits for the boys to engage in. In the afternoon Kristal took us to her exercise gym (Lifetime Fitness) - which was amazing and we took the boys swimming. Payton is getting to be a strong swimmer and enjoyed the big water slides... Brooks won't be too far behind him as he wants to "swim" by himself. There is only one problem... he does NOT know how to swim. For supper we took the boys to Osaka - a Japanese Steakhouse. There were 8 of us at a table (4 of which we didn't know) and they cooked our food right in front of us... with the addition of entertainment while it was being prepared. The boys looked a little confused at first... but in the end really enjoyed it and thought it was pretty cool. The boys were definitely ready for bed when we got home... and so were we (Kristal and I). Thanks to Kristal for the awesome hospitality and for bringing us around the "Big City". We appreciate it more than you know and LOVE you very much.

Where has the time gone...

I find myself having less and less time on my hands. I guess it's to be expected. I would rather stay super busy than wander around wondering what to do next.
Payton... he is getting closer and closer to the end of 1st grade. He is continuing to amaze us with his math, reading, spelling, music, etc. The last time that I have seen his "AR" (accelerated reader) tests he was testing at 2nd grade 7th month... which is awesome! He is just itching to get outside more and more and play ball with his Dad. He loves playing football, basketball, and baseball. Before we know it he will be going golfing with Gma and Gpa.
Brooks... is working hard at being "good" so he can go to preschool in the fall. We have his signed up to attend Treasure Box one morning a week. He too is wanting to go outside every waking minute and has been working hard at pedaling a bike. He does really well... especially when going down the driveway :) He has "WOW-ed" us with his knowledge of all colors, shapes, and some numbers and letters. He may act like he doesn't know or understand... but I know better... he too is a pretty smart kid.
Braxton... is continuing to do what he does best... GAIN WEIGHT! We had the chance to visit the new children's hospital in Sioux Falls a couple weeks ago for a well check since he has been home and it was amazing. It's just so home-y there. The Dr. and Nurses just loved his rolly polly arms and legs and of course his chubby baby grin. He weighed in at 22 pounds and was 28 1/2 inches. A therapist worked with him to see where he was at with fine motor and gross motor skills and he measured right where he was suppose to - 6 month old. As of last Friday he is now 7 months old and on the move. He doesn't crawl or seem to be close but if he wants to get somewhere he will by rolling or scooting. He loves just playing on the floor. He is still toothless but is loving his baby food as well as learning how to get those goofy puffs in his mouth.
The boys are anxiously awaiting the Easter Bunny... so better get their egg hunts figured out and ready. They are also excited to color easter eggs. Should be a great week.

Payton... sneaking ice cream... look at all those toppings.

Payton & Braxton
My Little Baker Brooks
Braxton.... happy as always.
My Boys... Payton (6-1/2), Brooks (2-1/2), & Braxton (7 mon.)

Braxton - 7 months old

Brooks

Braxton... loving sleeping on his tummy.

Payton... just loving being the big brother.

Our Prince-ss Brooks... Craig would be so proud.

I LOVE MY CHUBBY BABY!!!

Well my Lil Chubby Baby is taking his name well according to his 6 month well check yesterday. He weighed in at a healthy 21.5 pounds and was 28 1/2 inches long (100% for weight & 95% for length). In the last week we have started feeding him cereal and some fruits and veggies. He doesn't seem too fussy as he is reaching for the spoon and pulling it towards his mouth. Braxton has started rolling from his back to his belly and is so close to being able to sit unattended. He loves his brothers dearly as they can always make him laugh. They are so careful with him and love him to pieces as well. (It won't be long and that "true" brotherly love will be showing through). He doesn't seem too fussy as he is reaching for the spoon and pulling it towards his mouth. We always thought that Payton such a content and happy baby... Braxton is even more content... which we all are loving. Days and nights can get pretty chaotic around here so it's nice to be able to set him with his toys and let him play. Here are some pictures that I took yesterday... I should have taken one so you could really see his "chubby-ness". Maybe next post I will have one.

February Update...

Well it's been over 2 weeks since I last posted anything. Guess that's what happens when you have 3 boys that keep you very busy. I wouldn't have it any other way as they all know just how to wrap themselves around my little finger. Here are a some pictures of what the boys have been up to the last month.

Craig and I took the 2 older boys out sledding, on what seemed to be a warm day, however it ended up being pretty chilly out in the open. It was a pretty big hill so they only made the trip down and back up a few times. Craig even thought he needed to try it out. It's the little things like this that bring back all the memories of being a child and sledding down (what seemed to be gigantic hills). While out walking around Payton spotted a deer horn... one that had recently been shedded. Brooks is holding onto it in his picture. Payton was pretty darn proud and couldn't wait to show Gma Bev and Gpa Doug.

Payton has now lost tooth #5. It's funny to see how they eat and chew their food. The tooth fairy has been pretty generous ($1.00 per tooth). As the days, weeks, and years go on it's still hard to believe how fast time goes. I can still remember almost 6 years ago to the day when Payton got his first 2 bottom teeth as well as his first double ear infection. Last Friday when Payton came home from school he told me he was making a card for Dad for Valentine's Day... he tricked me and I found this letter in an envelope on Sunday. He sure knows how to melt my heart. He is a very loving boy and is into writing notes to both Craig and I.

The note says: From Payton... To Mom... I hope you have a good valintine tell all the fun you have. I hope you have a good valinitine. I LOVE YOU!
Leave it to Brooks... he is our ONE AND ONLY. You just never know what you are going to get out of him. Last Saturday, let's just say he was frustrating me so I brought him downstairs to go to the bathroom and left it up to him to put his pj's and diaper (only at bed time) on. He wasn't too impressed with me as he was crying so I went back upstairs. It got awful quiet so in a couple minutes I went back downstairs and this is what I saw. Brooks - lying on the floor in the hallway with powder from his neck to his knees and he looks up at me and says "I have powder all over the place". How does a person not laugh? I turned around and yelled for Craig to come see this. He had to walk around the corner so Brooks wouldn't see him laughing. In case you are wondering we used the nearest toy to cover his 'privates'... in fear that Walmart wouldn't develop this much needed picture. Ahhhh.... you will never have a boring day with Brooks. Here is my CHUBBY BABY... He is so loving and squeezable. He is a very very happy baby and I couldn't get any luckier. He will give smiles, hugs, and laughs any time of the day and I just love him for that. He weighed just over 18 pounds at 5 1/2 months... YIKES!!! He has been an awesome sleeper since about 6 weeks of age sleeping from 8pm until 7am. Along with the awesome sleeper comes an awesome eater... he sees his bottle and he goes crazy. It's too funny. We have not started him on cereal as he seems to be perfectly content with just the formula so we will see what they say at his 6 month well check. We cross our fingers when saying this but he has been super super healthy even though the rest of us have all battled some kind of colds or flu at some time.
His shirt is so right... His Heart belongs to his Mommy... after all he is my chubby baby. I love all of my boys to pieces... but it's so fun to get a "new" love from another child. It's awesome to see the different feelings of trust, love, and security you get from each of your children.
Braxton is so content in whatever it is that he is doing that he won't even fuss when he is getting tired... he just lays his head forward and falls asleep. This has happened more than a handful of times and it's just so darn cute.