Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Shout Out to My Maya


I was thinking today how I rarely post about my sweet Maya. The poor girl is at school ALL day and misses out on so much. Then when she is home for the couple of hours before bedtime, they are so rushed with music lessons, t-ball practice (just started this week for Kenyon), family bike rides, quick stops at the park, dinner, baths/showers, homework, dad leaves for school and kids go to bed. I hardly take time to take pictures during this packed 3 hours. Then after she is asleep in bed I start to feel sad for all of the time I am away from her. (Remind me of this post in the middle of the summer when I am wishing they were back in school!)

All of this got me to thinking that I needed to do a quick post in honor of that girl who keeps us constantly laughing. She has lots of sassitude that as long as it is not being used in a mean way is so awesome. She can bust a move like no other 7 year old. Owen can only say "Mom," "Dad" and "Aya" for a reason - she is the sweetest big sister ever. Devin will go to her with owies because she can mother him back to happiness quickly. Although her and Kenyon have been beating the tar out of each other lately, I love to see them give big hugs to each other when they get home from school. She is always telling Kenyon he is "keeping it real" and the other day she told him he was "keeping it really real."

Her Primary Teacher and PE Teacher (who happens to live on our street) are continuously filling us in on her latest funnies. She made a Super Bowl bet with her PE Teacher where she would have to sing "Last Christmas I Gave You My Heart" in front of her class if her team lost and then she cheered they would lose so she would get to sing. At church she makes up these crazy dance moves to answer questions and they have all kinds of dance parties in there. I often worry about what she tells all of these teachers since her imagination is wild, but I hope they have quickly discovered that is just our Maya. She is full of it - stories, drama and love. Sure love that girl!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Dirt

So thankful for lots of dirt in our backyard that keeps these boys busy for hours...


and if they get hungry it provides a snack too!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Yummy!

Not sure if the peace and quiet in the car was worth the mess he made with the M&M cookie...

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Towers

This kid is seriously obsessed with building towers in the middle of the kitchen floor!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

One!

How does he go from this squishy little thing...


to this big boy in just one year!


Owen has brought so much happiness to our family. The kids maul him all day long to get him to laugh or say "hi" (his favorite new word). He started out as a fussy, fussy baby, but after a couple of months (and acid reflux meds) he has become the happiest baby around. He is our first thumb-sucker and I am sure that has to do with him being our best sleeper. We never have to get up with him at night to find those dang pacifiers.

This bundle of joy brought with him lots of new adventures (including child birth, recovery from child birth, nursing and so much more), but we wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. He has such a sweet spirit about him that attracts even strangers to him. He used to be a Mommy's boy, but I am worried he is becoming a Daddy's boy like the rest of them. Can't I be just one of the kids' favorites?! I guess it has to do with me being the full-time mom/disciplinarian, while dad comes home and gets just a couple of hours of fun with them. As soon as Owen hears the garage door open, he is crawling to the door to get some Daddy love... just the way it should be!


All of the kids loved the new pirate water table!


Aunt Midori is so creative and got him the "Owen" book. We had checked it out at the library, but didn't own it. Thanks!


Loving his Giraffe pillow pet from Grandma and Grandpa!


Happy Birthday Owee!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Those chickens!

"Mom, I got too close to the chickens and they pecked my finger right here!" (If only I could have captured the sad face that went along with it.)

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Wicked!

Last night we went to opening night of the musical Wicked. It was supposed to be my mom, dad, sister-in-law Camille and I. When my dad couldn't go last minute, Jer jumped at the chance to go (not being sarcastic - he really does like Broadway musicals!) It was an amazing show and I followed it so much better than I did when we went 5 years ago. Fun night!



Park Days

Since we took away Devin's pacifier a while back, he has started talking nonstop. One of his favorite questions is "Daddy home park?" So as soon as dad gets home, we all hop on bikes (or in bike trailers) and head to the park!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentine's

We had a lovely Valentine's today. Started off the day by "heart-attacking" the breakfast table. The kids kept saying "This is the best day ever!" (who wouldn't love eating candy at 7:00 am?!)


Then we ate heart pancakes and they wore their cute Valentine's shirts from Grandma Bev (forgot to take pictures).

I was able to help out in Kenyon's classroom for his super fun party.


Tonight we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows in our backyard before sending Jeremy off to school for the night.

One mystery still remains... Who is Jeremy's secret admirer that left this note on his truck:


Shall the prankster come forward or keep letting him believe that even after 10 years of being out of his game, he's still got game?! Happy Valentine's Jeremy!

Typical Day

Each day after lunch, Kenyon and Devin wait on the porch for the bus to pick Kenyon up for school. On this day, Maya was home sick so she joined them. I love to watch them sitting there and hear their conversations about bugs, weeds, rocks or whatever else they are spotting.


Meanwhile, Owen (or the family garbage disposal, as we call him), eats (and eats and eats and eats!) and hams it up for the camera.




Then after Kenyon leaves, I put the babies to bed and enjoy 2 hours of complete peace and quiet. This is the life!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

MLK Day

Back on Civil Rights Day we attended the Martin Luther King Jr celebration in downtown Mesa. I was surprised by how long the parade was this year. My friend Beth and her daughter Victoria joined us. The kids were squirmy waiting, but once it started they were very entertained and had a great time!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

The Faces of Devin

This is what happens when Devin steals my camera... reminds me of his Aunt Tiffany!











Hiking

A few weeks ago my brother Riley's family came into town. We ventured on a family hike one morning.

It wasn't necessarily an appropriate trail for a stroller, but Jeremy made it one...


Lots of memories were made!

All in a day's work

One day Jeremy locked his keys in his truck...


with the 2 year old in the truck holding the keys (I love that Owen is in the reflection with a look of concern).

Good thing Daddy knows how to break and enter!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Partners in Crime