Fall leaves

Today we took our annual trip up to the mountains to see the aspens. Last year we went but didn't take many pictures cause I was pregnant and felt like crap. This year was much better :) We had alot of fun.

Family photo

Such a cutie

Our BOB can go anywhere!

Sleepy boys after our hike

Happy 5 years

Today is mine and hubby's 5 year anniversary. These have been the hardest but most rewarding years of my life. I am so thankful for the husband God gave me. He's loyal, compassionate, hard-working, intelligent, talented, and a great father. I'm also glad that God gave me him to go through what we have in the last 6 months. It's been so hard but we have grown closer through it.

26 months and 6 months

Things Kyle says: When asked if he pooped he said, "no way".

When Eli was crying in the car I heard him saying, "don't cry brother, it's okay brother".
And he is very into everything being "funny", especially "Kyle funny". He says his name all the time now too.
I don't know his exact height but I know he's gotten taller. He is 27.4lb. He is in size 2T clothes and size 7 shoes, size 4 diapers. He has been waking early like 6am every day when it is still so dark. But I'm an early riser so I don't mind it. He is napping better in his big boy bed but some days I practically have to hold him down for a few minutes just to get him still and fall asleep, but that's not new...he's always hated to nap, LOL.

Eli has done SO much this last month. He is constantly ON THE MOVE. He sits like a pro and crawls everywhere...But he's been doing that for about a month now. Everyone comments on how big he is. He's 16lbs and I'm guessing about 28 in. He's so big we're going to have to move him to his big boy car seat early because his infant seat only goes to 29in. He is still a very happy baby though he's been teething lately so he's been more fussy. He is also eating solids now. He's had cereal, squash, pears, and bananas.

Kyle and Eli are interacting more now which is really fun.

25 months and 5 months

Kyle is 25 months now. He is 25lbs and 36in. He's in 2T clothes and size 7 shoes and size 4 diapers. He can go 1 and 2 in the potty but Mommy isn't ready for potty training just yet. He takes one 2-3 hr nap a day and sleeps 10 hours at night. His new thing is to wake up at 6:30am which mommy and daddy don't like too much...but he's adjusting well to his big boy bed so that's nice.
He loves Mater from Cars and McQueen. He likes firetrucks and airplanes. The cute things he says now are, "I gotchoo Momma" or Odju (Hold you) Momma" He is also starting to say 4-word sentences. Instead of "no", it's "nope". He is also very attached to his blankies (he has 2 we rotate). And always asks for the "cween (clean) blankie). He also sleeps with a quilt I made him and lots of stuffed animals; a blue dog, a monkey backpack, a Mater pillow, a big doggie, and a sock monkey. But I don't blame him, he sleeps on a twin mattress which is big so he wants to feel safe.
Eli is 16lbs and 27in long...He HUGE! He wears 6 -9 month clothes and size 3 diapers...but he actually has to wear Kyle's at night LOL.
He rolls both ways and is starting to sit up now. He loves the walker and exersaucer, and just started oatmeal cereal this week! He takes 3 naps a day and drinks 4-5 bottles. He is the happiest baby ever and is such a blessing. It's nice to have a happy baby around when his brother is in the difficult "terrible two's" stage.

I hate change

This year I've decided to admit something to myself...I hate change. I'm just going to admit it. Anytime change happens it causes me stress. I'm thankful that God has helped my body not freak out so much when change and stress happens which makes dealing with change much easier but I still don't like it. Since having Eli I respond to stress with anxiety and it's no fun. Some people cry when they are stressed, some people get mad...I get anxious.
Right now things are stressful because we're remodeling our kitchen. Being without a kitchen and having to wash dishes in my bathroom sink makes me appreciate having a new kitchen all the more. The other thing I've learned this weekend is Kyle is so my child...he hates change too. He's much more sensitive to it than I ever realized. The last couple days have been hard on him. If there is no way to stop change from happening then I just have to help him learn how to deal with it better and provide him as much stability as I can.
How do you deal with change? How do you help your kids be more resilient to changes in their life?

Remodeling UPDATED!

This is picture of our house before we bought it...It is no longer yellow though. We've always loved our house...so NOT southwestern which is the style here...but so what we wanted...a cute little cottage.

We always knew we would remodel.

The previous owners obviously LOVED yellow...it was the style in the 60's when it was built

Here are the computer renderings of the plans...though the colors are not accurate.

Pretty cool huh?? We are having it done by 5 Day Kitchens...after pictures to come...Remodeling starts Friday!

And Finally the After Pictures!!!!

First new appliances we have ever bought. New french-door fridge!

I love the color of our floor.

And this is my favorite part of the kitchen! The perfect place to show off my sunflower plate

Vacation pictures

2 Years and 4 months

I know this is very later but between Kyle's party and going to Hawaii, I'm just getting caught up on things. The boys are getting big, especially Eli. I don't have stats till their appt. in 2 weeks, but here is a progression of pics I think is hilarious...I will say this ended up with Eli bonking his head on the chair but he was just fine...brotherly love...

23 months and 3 months

Sorry this is a little late...Both the boys are getting so big...I'm really trying to enjoy the time I do have with them.

Eli started smiling this month and is really close to laughing. He also rolls to his side but not quite to his tummy. They say you aren't to pushy about getting your 2nd baby to reach his milestones...but I still am...I enjoy trying to help him learn to roll over and to grab things...I guess I'm just not as anxious for him to do it...I know he'll do it in his time and I'm excited when he does something new. He is also sleeping through the night most nights and is just such a happy baby almost all the time. He is such a joy. I'm so thankful that he loves to snuggle. The other night I was rocking him after his bottle and he just layed on my chest and talked and cooed...it was the cutes thing...it was one of those moments where you love being a mom. He loves to grab on to anything soft and particularly likes the teddy lovie he's holding in the picture below.

My smiling happy boy

He totally knows how to smize (smile with his eyes)...tyra banks would be proud

So snuggly

Kyle is getting big and doing so many things...this month we discovered finger paint and had a blast with that. He also went bowling for the first time and even beat my score! He is very active...so active he recently figured out how to climb out of his crib...but more on that in his 2 year old update. He likes to help Eli roll over when they are playing on the floor...it's quite funny. Little brothers put up with alot. I also think we've hit the "terrible two's"...he has quite the strong will which we are working to mold and screams whenever he is told "no". Some days are quite tiring but I know it's all worth it. He is also very into "cars" particularly Mater, whom he calls, "Nonner" and sat through the entire Cars 2 movie last week. He also love trucks...like Semi-trucks...his dad frequently takes him to the people bridge that goes over the freeway to watch the trucks go by. He also likes to read books and loves any that make noise or he can flip the windows open. His new favorite is Green Eggs and Ham.

Body painting in the baby pool

Doesn't everyone drink starbucks in the tub??



First time bowling