I'm a Cub Scout Now

We have officially entered the world of Cub Scouts.
If my math is correct this is something we will be doing for the next 10+ years.
Because I am a good mom I didn't get a picture of Tallon receiving his book and scarf but I did get a couple of pics do document the night.

So it begins;)

Van's Personal Photo Shoot

Photos courtesy of Tallon Hansen Photography

State of the art props

Specializing in close ups

Catches the smallest details

Even get a picture with the photographer himself

To book your own session contact Tallon @ igotmadskill.photography@hotmail.com

Look Mom!

I'm a Farm Cow

Have no idea why wearing Van's oneies makes him a farm cow, but whatever works.

It So Be Pretty Fun

Today was one of those "off" days at our house. Don't really know why, it just was. I cleaned the house while Tyler cleaned the truck, and finally the boys decided to play and stop fighting.
We'd had all we could stand, we couldn't stand no more, so we loaded up the toys and went for some family fun time.
Tallon had his 50, Tyler borrowed his dad's 250, and the 3 little ones and I had the Ranger. We went up Dry Creek and it was just what our little family needed.
Tallon did AWESOME! I have never seen him trail ride before and I was shocked. Man he has skills. The boys died when Tyler came upstairs in his riding gear. We couldn't believe that they had never seen him suited up before. And I was reminded how good looking he his in something other than Wranglers.
My view for most of the day

Tallon tipped over 2 times throughout the day. This was a really bad spot in the trail and he almost made it. He jumped right back on and off we went.

Seriously how cute are they

My adorable riding crew.

Lunch break

Van once again in his car seat (we really do let him out of the blasted thing every now and then)

Good looking bunch

I think Van's dirty face sums up just how much fun we had!

Sweet Baby Van

I can't believe that Van is 4 months old. Time is just flying by. I love "this" stage. The sweet snuggles, the melt your heart giggles, and the "I like my mom and no one else" bonding that we share.

Some 4 month highlights:

Weight - 12 lbs 2 oz

Length- 24 1/2 inches

Happy and full of smiles

Giggles when taking his clothes off

Loves sucking on his big toe

Still wakes up at night to eat

Sleeps with mom when dad is gone (shh don't tell)

Eats every 3-4 hours

Totally spoiled

Rolls from his tummy to back, but only for Daddy

Adores his big brothers

Lost his hair on top, it is coming back strawberry blond

Still has red hair on the back

LOVES his Binky

Truly is the happiest baby

How we just love him!

Labor Day with Friends

Once in a while life hands us a "True Friend".

I have been blessed with 3 such individuals.

Alecia is one of them.

She and I became friends at Ricks College when we were roommates.

We learned a lot about each other and ourselves the 2 years we lived together.

We developed a friendship that I cherish.

She heard Tallon was getting baptized and made arrangements to spend the weekend with us.

She made the 5 hour trip with 2 little boys all by herself.

Now that is love.

My parents had their camper up Grover Park so we spent our nights up there letting the kids get dirty and catching up on life.

We had a great time.

The bummer of the deal was that I didn't get a picture with just her and I, and I didn't get one of all our kids together.

So when she comes next weekend (hint hint) we will make sure to do that:)
P.S. the cot and everything is still set up and we are ready for you anytime (another hint hint)!

Man I'm Tired

Some days I feel more tired than others. I never know what makes the difference but this last bit of tired I know the reason.
29 quarts of pears...

1 adorable baby who still feels the need to wake me up and spend some quality one on one time during the night...

chokecherry syrup and crab apple jelly, yum...

29 quarts of peaches, oh so pretty this year...

along with daycare kids all day, football practice and games, hubby leaving town so I am running solo, taekwondo, piano lessons, chasing baby sisters volleyball games, 2 fun cousins spend the weekend with us, and just plain living life.
Truth is, I wouldn't change this tired, I feel like I have gotten sooooo much accomplished:)

One more time

This morning Tyler left, once again, to work in Kemmerer.

He will be gone 4-6 weeks depending on how everything goes.

I only had 1 week to get ready for him to be gone.

It wasn't enough time emotionally.

He had only been home 4 weeks and we were really loving it. The boys especially. The help in the evenings was so needed. The time he got to spend with Van and giving me a break was heaven. And the little one on one ice cream sessions with the boys were sooo fun.

Well, at least it is only for a few weeks this time instead of a few months, and he will been home on the weekends.

And today is Monday which means preschool for the boys.

Orrin did awesome!

He was dressed and ready before 8 and watching for the bus.

He got on with the teacher and was all smiles.

Vivin cried again.

It broke my heart again.

And to be right honest, I don't know if I will be able to strap him in again crying like he does.

It was all my heart could take today.

Football Begins

We get done with one sport just to start another!
Tallon has been begging to play Flag Football.

Literally begging.

I was worried about adding "one more thing" to our schedule but after tonight I am glad that I did.
Tallon was AWESOME!!!!
He has been "training" with Kellen for some time now and wow.
It is fun to see your child excel at something and the smiles just made my night.
Just a fun highlight reel of the first game.

His team came out on top. 7-0. Tallon came away with 3 interceptions (running one back for a touchdown to bad they don't count in flag football rules) and some awesome flag pulling. It is going to be a fun 5 weeks.

Twins first day of Preschool

This morning the twins started preschool!!

Ahhhh!

I have been looking forward to this day for a few months now. The new friends they would make, the new adventures they would have, the 2 1/2 hours of peace.
But the closer it came the sadder I got.

2 1/2 hours without my babies, what if the kids were mean, and what if they needed me!?
Yeah I know pathetic.
The truth be told, I was worried about how the boys were going to react.
Orrin I figured would cry but then enjoy the day with no big problems. That is just his personality.
Vivin is a bit more timid with new things. It was for him that I was most worried. I knew this day was going to be hard for him and that fact broke my heart.
We woke up early, had breakfast, and then it was time for pictures.
Orrin all smiles and ready to go

Vivin, we'll just say that Vivin didn't share Orrin's enthusiasm

Each is truly their own

Vivin slowly warming up

Waiting and watching for the bus

Vivin finally smiled!! There might be hope

Orrin saw the bus pull up and he took off running. He nearly took out his teacher when he gave her a running hug.

Vivin was excited to see the bus but was very content to have me carry him out. Once it was time to get on the bus both boys became very timid. I carried Vivin on first and had to hold him down while I strapped him in. I carried Orrin on and he cried for bit but as soon as he saw other kids he settled down and tried to help Vivin. (this pic breaks my heart, poor viv was so upset)

This was the first time I have ever put my kids on a bus and had to walk away. As the bus pulled away and rounded the corner I could still hear Vivin screaming.

I cried.

I came in the house and called Tyler and cried. My heart broke for Viv.

I waited 30 mins before I called the CDC to see how things were going. They said that Orrin was doing great and once they convinced Vivin to get off the bus he had warmed up.
It was a really long 2 1/2 hours. But when the bus pulled up to drop them off, they were both all smiles! They were waving and yelling for me to see them on the bus. What a wonderful sight.

We hugged and they both told me all about their day. Orrin had more to say than Vivin but that was okay.
They next thing we did was call our daddy

Orrin is excited to go back.

Vivin, ...well Vivin says that he isn't going back. He did it once and feels that he doesn't need to do it again.

Everything considered, I think it was a successful day.