Like Father... Like Son...

 With Father's Day being tomorrow I thought this post was a great time to make a tribute to Nate and  the "weird sleeping position" gene he passed down to our kids. Nate's friends from growing up know this gene all too well, but I remember when we were just barely married I would wake up to Nate in all sorts of strange sleeping positions and was curious to what the heck he was doing. 6 years later, no I know he is just sleeping in weird positions. The "sleeping sitting up" position is the most common and yes I have seen all 3 boys do so. But my recent captures have been Andersen in the "leg crossed" position, both boys in "face down" and the best and most interesting position is "I'm exhausted, I will sleep anywhere!" I love this picture of Jackson crashed at church. He was so tired that I had a hard time waking him up to go to Primary. 

There is no question that these boys love their Daddy! They always want to be right next to him and do exactly what he is doing... even if that is sleeping, they will be right next to him to cuddle!

Look what he learned...

Excuse the naked pictures of my munchkin, but he is so proud of what he just learned to do! It is very common for the kid to run around the house with just his diaper on and no clothes because that is how he prefers it! Andersen's favorite though is running around naked right before we get him in the bath. Just the other day I had taken off his PJ's and changed his soaked diaper from the night before and hadn't gotten him dressed yet when I heard the velcro like noise of the first strap get ripped off. Then seconds later the other strap was undone and this is what I found... A naked bum on my kitchen floor! He kept holding it by the strap and saying "Cheese!" like he already knew I would want to take a picture. He may be a streaker right now, but at least he is modest one by always covering himself for pictures.

Silly Goose!

Andersen has become a very curious kid. He is always looking in every cupboard and drawer for new toys to play with or messes to make. Recently he found the box of Q-tips. Luckily he hasn't had the desire to dump the box all over the bathroom but what he does like to do is run around pretending to clean out his own ears. He thinks he is pretty cool that he found a hole to keep the Q-tip in and that is doesn't fall out while he plays. What a silly goose he is, but I think he is pretty darn cute even with a Q-tip hanging out his ear!

Preschool Graduation

This year of preschool FLEW by! I can't believe we already did graduation for these cute boys. With most of the boys not starting Kindergarten for another year, we decided as neighbors we would put together a little preschool agenda of our own and rotate who teaches each week. We had 7 boys total and Jackson loved every second of it. I can't say I thorough enjoyed it when it was my turn to teach, but Jackson loved when it was my turn so that is what kept me going all year. Looking back now though, it really wasn't that bad considering we only had to each teach around 9 or 10 times with one of those being a holiday/party to plan. I had the Valentine's Party and then with two other moms, we were in charge of graduation. We planned a short and sweet graduation ceremony for the boys and any parents that could come. We held it at our clubhouse in our neighborhood and started with the Pledge of Allegiance. Its awesome to see how far they have come in memorizing that over the school year.

With Jackson receiving the "Teacher's Pet" award, it was fitting that he was the first one to volunteer to hold the flag for the pledge. 

After the Pledge, we watched a slideshow that Nate and I had put to together of all the fun pictures the moms have taken over the year of the field trips and other fun things they did at their homes. I loved watching the slideshow but it left me in denial that my little boy is growing up! After the slideshow we did awards and then took a bunch of pictures. I don't think we got a picture all year long of the 7 of them all smiling or looking at the camera, but I think those are the best pictures for fun memories.

I have grown to love all these little boys so much and have made some good friendships with these moms.

After the slideshow and awards, we ate donuts and juice. This definitely was Andersen's favorite part. Then Nate left for work while we all stayed to let the boys play and the moms talked.

What a fun ending to our school year! I know Jackson misses playing with all his school friends, as do I. I miss all the cute crafts and listening to him share everything that he learned that day. Before I know it Andersen will be going to preschool! He loved playing with Jackson's graduation hat and he even wanted to have snacks on his school rug just like the big boys used to do. With Jackson and his friends having 1 more year until Kindergarten, him and most of the same boys from his class will be going to Riverton High School as a Silver Pup next year.

Woman of Steel {Round 2}

I had so much fun last year doing this Triathlon that I figured I would try it again since the swim was canceled last year. I registered for this back in 2010 so I put off training until the Herriman Rec Center opened up just a few months before. As time got closer the anxiety built hoping this year the swim wouldn't be canceled. Good news, May 21st this year there was NO snow like last year! I was super excited, but more nervous for the swim because that part was still going to be a first for me. 

The morning of, I picked up my registration packet, set up my transition area, got all marked up and then headed over to the pool to get started.

 We all lined up according to swim times so I stood at the end of the 5:00 minute group. I can usually swim a 300 meter in 5:40, but with the time chips outside the gates my swim time was 6:51. I was super nervous but confident in my swim because I feel like that is my strongest area. Once I was actually in the water I started second guessing my strength. Being in the whole moment is completely different than just practicing. Overall I was satisfied with my swim, even if I did get held up by one swimmer that I couldn't pass for one length of the pool. After finishing the 300 meter swim, we ran to the transition area to dry off, get dressed and grab my bike.

 Then it was time to bike 12.4 miles. I have never biked other than last year and that is when the love for biking began. I am no professional on the bike (that's for sure) and I definitely still get scared going fast down hill, but I still managed to finish my bike in 49:28 minutes. Not as fast as I was hoping for, but when you are in the middle of it all you don't really know where your standing in comparison to the other contestants. A huge thanks to our neighbors, Dennis and Tammy Wood, for letting me borrow their bike. Hopefully one day I can get my own!

The last event is the run. I will be honest... I HATE running and I know I am terrible at it. But I guess I love the other 2 so I kind of have to run to finish. Last year we had to run twice, which killed my body, so this year you would think it would be easier for me.... NOPE! I finished 3:00+ minutes slower than last year. I ran this 3.1 miles in 33:10. If only Nikki was running with me like last year. She was the only reason I finished last year under 30 minutes.

Nothing feels better though than crossing that finish line surrounded by friends and loved ones! That's two year in a row I got a little emotional right at the very end.The feeling of self accomplishment is indescribable! Overall my time was 1:34:47. A good 7+ minutes of that was transition time, plus a potty break in between the bike and run. Considering my last year's overall time was 1:35:15, I feel like I maybe did slightly better than last year but its hard to compare without a swim time from last year. I finished 448 out of 739 overall, and 53 out of 89 for my age group. If only I was a better runner! Maybe next time. I am just glad my bosses wife Jenn did it with me again so I at least knew someone. And I am so glad Nate and the boys were there the whole time cheering me on. It always makes such a big difference hearing my boys!

I am so glad I did this triathlon again, but I am so glad it is over too! I am sure I will do another one again just don't know how soon until the next one.

No training wheels attached

On May 24th Jackson learned how to ride his bike with NO training wheels! We've been trying to get him to do it for a few months now, but it wasn't until he wanted to impress the Wagner's across the street that he finally got the confidence to do so. Jackson's buddy Landon has been riding with no training wheels for months now because his broke. He wanted to ride with Jackson and Tate so bad that he just figured it out. With seeing Landon do it, we knew Jackson could too so we took the training wheels off this little red bike so that left him his bigger bike with wheels and the little red one without. He always preferred the red bike until the training wheels came off, and then instantly the green one was his favorite. Well one night while we were out playing I talked Jackson into trying his red bike again. I made sure I was always at his side just in case because he was still hesitant to ride alone. Our neighbors pulled up while we were practicing and gave Jackson a little confidence for being a big boy riding with no training wheels and that is all he needed to ride solo. Ever since he has been riding like a pro! He has had a couple falls but that is because the red bike has been put away and the bigger green bike {minus the training wheels} has become the only bike of choice for him to ride... and it is still slightly too big for him to reach the ground while sitting on the seat. The day after Jackson learned to ride, his buddy Tate didn't want to be left out so he decided he was going to figure out how to ride without training wheels too. Now the 3 hoodlums can ride away from us moms even faster. Man, are we proud Jacks and I love watching you be such a big boy even if you have to wear your "BYU outfit" to ride your bike!

Learning the hard way...

I hesitate to put these pictures up because I don't want my friend/babysitter to feel bad, but a couple weeks ago Andersen decided to be a big boy by walking down cement garage stairs only to realize he wasn't quite ready for that adventure. Rather than turning around like he knows he is supposed to, he tumbled to the bottom of the stairs with his eye taking the fall. It happened about 30 minutes before I got home from work so the top pictures is what his eye looked like just minutes after I got home from work. The pictures in the red pajamas are the morning after. He looked pretty cute with a swollen eye, but not family pictures cute. We were scheduled to do family pictures the day after the fall but decided it was best to cancel and let it heal. If only pictures were a few days later because within less than a week it was back to normal!

Memorial Day

I am way behind on stuff that has happened prior to Memorial day but I wanted to write while it was fresh on my mind. I am not used to spending my Memorial Day weekend visiting grave sites, so this year was special for us. I haven't had to deal with death too much, and other than Nate's Grandpa dying almost 5 years ago, my Grandpa is the only other one. My parents were in town this past weekend for a few different reasons, but my Grandpa's grave I am sure was on the top of the list. After church on Sunday, we all drove up to the Mortuary.This was my first time since his funeral so it was definitely emotional. It seemed like a flood of memories came through my mind and I could only imagine what my Dad was feeling. My Dad has always had a special place in my life and I know he feels the same way about his Dad.

After an emotional embrace with my Dad we stood around the head stone chatting with my Grandma and my Aunt Linda and some of her family while my kids played with my cousin Cody. My Aunt Linda had twins die around 24 weeks twenty-something years ago and they are buried in the same place so we walked over with them until Andersen had had enough.

Days like that remind me to cherish these little moments we have with each other. Andersen definitely enjoyed his visit with Grandpa this past weekend and he even learned to say his name for the first time. I hope my boys will grow up loving their Grandpa as much as I love mine because I know he sure loves them!

 Its hard to take this kid seriously when he comes up with the silliest things! Lately this has been Jackson's favorite outfit... It's called his BYU outfit. Blue shirt, matching blue shorts, his fluorescent green soccer socks, old pass along shoes, and his T-ball hat. He tries to make up his own rules on how many days he can wear it in a row before I get to wash it. Right now we are at 3 days, or at least he thinks so! He will even pack them up in his back pack in between wearing PJ's so they don't get lost or I don't snag them to wash. Who knows where this outfit below came from, but it was hilarious that he had nothing on but his underwear and shoes! I am loving the summer tan lines though already. Funny story: The other night we had gotten home late and Jackson asked if we were going to be watching TV? (This kid loves his cartoons!) I told him no because he needed to get ready for bed and we all were going to go to bed too as soon as Nate was done.Well Nate had to hurry and do something on the computer and I was super tired. Jackson went downstairs with Nate and I stayed upstairs and turned on the TV to watch something so I wouldn't fall asleep waiting for Nate to finish. Not even 5 minutes into whatever I was watching, I was called out by Jackson for watching TV when I just said no TV! It was a classic response out of him... He stood in my doorway while I was on my bed watching TV and the only thing that came out of his mouth while shaking his head in disgust was... "I thought so... I thought so!" I laughed so hard and was totally guilt-ed into turning off the TV. Nothing like a 4 year old calling the shots around here!

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Mother's Day

 I'll be honest, I was hoping my kiddos would have been super, extra sweet to me on Mother's Day this year. With it being one day a year they HAVE to be good, I definitely got my hopes up. Man they were so naughty and grumpy to me all day long! Good think Tina and I celebrated the Saturday before with some pedicures, lunch and shopping. Although they were naughty on Sunday, the disappointment only lasted a short moment though because it seems like they always do something sweet to make up for the disobedience. These "flowers" Jackson gave me one day while we were outside playing with neighbors. Even though they are weeds to us adults, to Jackson he was so proud that he had something to give to me. I personally think they are the best flowers to get because they are free and because they were given with love!

Another thing that put a smile on my face was this cute paper the elder's quorum did for the primary classes while the Mom's got pie to celebrate Mother's Day. It reads:

My mom's name is Jamie

My mom is 19 years old (Love the innocence. Man I am old in Jackson's mind!)

My mom likes to clean (He must think what I do the most of is what I LOVE to do)

My mom has brown eyes (Good job!)

My mom weighs this much: 7 pounds! (That's right Jackson, and don't you forget it!)

My moms birthday is on May

My mom was born in Utah

My mom's favorite food is burritos (who knows where this one came from!)

My mom likes to help me clean my room

My mom is the best at driving (This will forever be proof to Nate!)

If anything this Mother's Day was a day of reflection on how grateful I am for these munchkins making me a Mommy even if they are naughty. Love you boys!

The "spike"

For weeks Jackson was telling everyone that he was going to cut his hair. He was so serious about cutting it off into a "spike". I have always wondered what he would look like with his hair cut off, but when he decided it was time I had to let the idea sink in. Good thing Hollie was booked out a few weeks because it gave me some time to adjust to Jackson's wishes. I totally needed the emotional preparation. After a few weeks of simmering the idea of Jackson having a spike and before I knew it we were at Hollie's for the big day. Here is the before picture!

 Next was spraying it down with water...

 and then the first cut! That is when he instantly panicked and the saddest look was on his face. Hollie had made one little snip and he changed his mind. I could tell he had changed his mind and I knew he didn't want to cut it anymore. After questioning what he wanted he admitted he didn't want it cut anymore and went for the regular trim.

 A few inches later and some thinning shears this was the haircut Jackson wanted. We can finally see his eyes again (at least for a few weeks) so I am happy if he is happy! Maybe we will get the "spike" another time.

Andersen {19 Months}

This post could be a long one if I explained all of these pictures but the condensed version is this kid is hilarious and wanting to be a big boy so bad! He is all about being just like Jackson. Andersen has to wear his hat, brush his teeth, play baseball, and even sit at the big boy table just like his brother. We have started getting more comfortable with the idea of him not eating in his high chair, but he still gets distracted or stands up on the chair which gets him put back in the high chair. We also have started the one nap a day schedule and he hasn't quite adjusted because I have caught him a couple times asleep in his chair. This time he was still chewing an apple every few seconds but his eyes were closed and he was on his way to a deep sleep. Andersen loves to be outside and would play all day outside if I would let him and if the weather would cooperate. He also loves watching Jackson play T-ball. His favorite place to be if its not outside is on the corner of our bathroom counter while Nate and I are getting ready. He is learning new words every day, but still prefers to use the "angry-bird" squeal to get whatever he wants. I still think his favorite word is Daddy because that is the first word he says when he wakes up in the morning and its that last one he says before going to bed. Every night as I am putting him in his crib, Andersen will say in a question "Daddy?". There are times that I will look at Andersen while he is playing and I wonder where the time went. I still think the 2nd child grows up way faster than the first because I feel like I blink and I missed another month of milestones for this little guy. But then I think how much fun he is and how much happiness he has brought into our family and I can't even remember what it was like without him. Love you little Booger!

More times than not I feel like I am constantly the referee between my boys! I feel like I am always seperating, or giving a toy back that one stole from the other, putting one in time out for hitting or spitting, or saying NO a million times for more treats, juice and cartoons. They tend to be really kind to each other for the first hour after they wake up and the last hour before they go to bed. The list can go on, but thank goodness for cute pictures like these ones to remind me how sweet they CAN be to each other when they want to. They always have to be sitting cheek to cheek to watch tv.

 Or reading the same book while Jackson tells the shorten version of the story from memory since he can't read yet.

 They even watch tv the same! Look at them both have their fingers in their mouths with blankies in the other hand.

 Even though these two fight like cats and dogs, I know deep down they love each other. They always have to give each other hugs before going to bed and Jackson loves to sing him primary songs every night before Andersen goes to bed. It is the sweetest thing!

If only I could figure out to get that same behavior more often during the day!

Dentist check up

A couple weeks ago Jackson had his dentist appointment. He got another good check up and was so good throughout the whole appointment. It also helped to have Tangled playing on the TV above. He used to be afraid of the dentist and wouldn't let anyone touch inside his mouth but the last two visits he has done awesome! The last two times the assistant has even been able to do x-rays and prophy all his teeth front and back. Jackson is so good at letting us brush and floss his teeth. He even does a pretty good job brushing them himself. I think this boy has the best looking baby teeth! I am going to be sad when he starts losing his teeth because the picket fence look is so youthful. But all Jackson wants is them to fall out so the tooth fairy will come.

Easter

I think holidays are way more fun now with kids and it just keeps getting better the older our boys gets. Jackson is the best age for the EB and he got so excited knowing he was coming. We spent Saturday night going to dinner with some friends and then afterwards we colored our eggs for the Easter Bunny. Jackson was a pro and knew exactly what to do. Andersen on the other hand decided the magic crayon to draw on the eggs was better to eat than to color with.

 

The sport wraps had to be done by me with boiling water but Jackson got to color or sticker the rest and then pick what color to dye the eggs after he was done coloring.

After eggs were all done and the house cleaned up, Jackson wanted to write the EB a letter so he knew what to do with the eggs. So with my help, I wrote the letter and Jackson told me what to write.

It reads:

Dear Easter Bunny,

Please keep these eggs and hide them. Please can you leave me some Easter presents. I hope you like my eggs and thank you for coming to my house!

Love, Jackson

With all the anticipation, Jackson went to bed with no questions asked. But also with that anticipation comes an early morning! I woke up to Jackson running into my room telling me he didn't even peek as he ran from his room to mine. So cute! He was so excited to go see what the Easter Bunny had brought him. Andersen still wasn't sure what all the hype was about, just knew there was something new and fun for him to discover.

Here are the boys baskets. Both got new Spiderman PJ's, a new shirt for church, some sand toys, a bubble wand, and of course candy.

In addition to their basket goodies, Jackson got some new T-ball stuff that he has wanted so he can practice.

And with the help of Jackson unwrapping Andersen discovered he got this new toy! He loves it but unfortunately the EB got the wrong one. It was not even motorized so it got returned (separate post coming on his new ride!)

Andersen was the first to realize the eggs were hidden in the room and was so excited when he found one. So right after the presents were opened the egg hunt began. Andersen had to be the one carrying the basket to collect all the eggs.

Jackson didn't mind at all because that gave him more hands to reach the harder to find eggs.

I think the egg hunt was by far more fun to watch than presents! These two were so cute and had so much fun!

Next we were off to church where Jackson had his first opportunity to sing with the Primary in front of the congregation. I don't think he knew many of the words to the song, but he loved all the attention.

Then after lunch and naps we made it over to Nana's house where they got spoiled again!

Before the boys started to play with their new toys from Nana we did another hunt but this time it was a real egg hunt. Nana and Grandpa Paul know how to do it right. There was 110 eggs this year stuffed with total of $95 and at least 10lbs of candy that the boys got all to themselves since Uncle Chase didn't come and Uncle Ry and Aunt Leeshie live in Texas unfortunately. 

It wasn't the same without everyone there to share in the competition and to throw real eggs (Alicia... wink, wink!), but the boys loved every second of it and definitely got their fair share of eggs!

And lucky for the Nate and I the kids would trade money for candy any day!

Once all the eggs were accounted for the boys headed back outside to play with their new baseball stuff. Jackson got this awesome net to catch his ball when he wants to practice hitting. Andersen got new baseball stuff as well, so he could play just like brother.

We weren't outside for too long before it started getting cold and dark, so back inside we went. Jackson insisted that we bring their new PJ's so both boys changed into jammies to model them for Nana. The sunglasses were just an added accessory from their Nana baskets. Andersen loves his new sunglasses and still loves wearing them everyday around the house.

These boys sure love their Nana and I know she loves them just as much in return.

What another fun day spent with family reflecting on the real meaning of Easter mixed with presents and yummy food! It doesn't get much better than that.