Halloween!

So I am a little late! We were not going to dress the boys up and go trick or treating because we (andrew and I) are not big fans of the whole Halloween ordeal. I think the biggest factor was that the Vols were on during that time. Our neighbor gave him a hard time so with that and the thought of potty training chocolate in mind we threw them in their costumes (same as last year) and headed out to conquer the court.

Don't they look like they are going to play catch with the pumpkins? We had to convince Gavin to leave the pumpkin at home. Once they got the hang of it they were good. At first, they weren't too sure about it. The candy is coming in handy because Drew is peeing in the potty first thing in the morning. Gavin isn't interested in anything but Drew sharing his chocolate after he goes. He has gone once but isn't wanting anything to do with it now. I am in no hurry to clean up all those messages. They aren't even 2 1/2 yet!

Here is J. on the excursion. I wonder what we will torture him with next year? Probably the same costume the boys wore this year:) Yes, we are cheap!

Well, I have a hungry baby and two munchkins that are done with mommy being on the computer. I hope someday the boys will find their princess so they won't be a frog forever!

Happy Monday

It is just after 11 and I have worked out this morning, taken a shower and given one, fixed breakfast, fixed Andrew's lunch, emptied the dishwasher, stripped the sheets off the boys bed (that was also why the shower was needed this morning),vacuumed the whole house, washed the sheets and put them back on their bed, and just finished reading my 20 emails and my favorite blogs-again I will repeat all before 11:00. I forgot I also nursed the baby and gave some love to all the boys who seemed to have needed a little extra this morning. It is amazing what you can get done when you are up at 5. Anyway, I was going to post pictures of trick or treating but realized the visit to the pumpkin patch should come first.

It was a beautiful day and the boys were really good. The were not big fans of the actual pumpkin patch but they had a good time climbing the hay pyramid and in the corn maze. They were not big fans of the animals either. I know next year will be a whole new ball game.

J. was suppose to be sleeping but I think there was too much going on. I am so glad Daddy got to go because there was no way I was going to attempt it by myself. I may feel like super mom after all that I have gotten done this morning but I know my limits and my kryptonite. Did I mention the boys enjoyed the cookies too? They also downed the real juice mommy always dilutes it at least 50%! This was the real VBS juice! What is it called like TANG or something? I am sure the florescent orange color is all the vitamins in it!

This is one of the few pictures we have of all three boys. Two year olds and infants don't always mix. Our biggest problem is they love him too much!

Trick or treat photos to come! J. is awake and hungry again and I guess I just blogged all before 11:30! All I have left on my to do list is read my Bible study while the boys nap. What a productive Mon.!

Has it Really Been Two Weeks?

Has it really been that long since I have blogged? It seems like yesterday, forever ago! At lot has gone on since we took our trip around the Olympic Peninsula. Andrew has been to Japan and back, and we have had several outings, some cold weather and I don't know where all my time goes!

I thought I would show some pictures of our adventure. We dropped off Miss Lori at the Seattle Airport and Drew cried all the way to the "big boat. " He didn't want Miss Lori to leave. We then took the Ferry to Bremerton. The boys thought it was cool that we were in a car on a boat. It was an hour ride so we went up to the top. To have a look.

Then we drove onto and stayed the night in Port Townsend. The boys were throwing rocks into the water (San Juan de Fuca-careful how you say that!) . Something they are really good at and love to do.

This was a great little town but it is a place where we said we would love to go back without kids. It had some really neat restaurants and shops and it was not the kind of place that really welcomes 2 year olds and a 3 month old. If fact, a lot of the hotels said no children under 12.

We then drove on and went to the Olympic National Forest and made a little hike. The weather was beautiful and we could see all the way to Canada. Before children, Andrew and I went to CA and drove quite a bit of highway 1o1. We got on it again clear up at the top in WA. We would love to drive the rest of it someday but we made some progress on this trip. The picture of the boys throwing rocks is on the coast so it is the actual ocean- J's first view!

this was a picture of us at the Quinault Lodge next to Lake Quinault and the Olympic Rain Forest. Who knew there was a Rain forest in WA. We live in the dessert then we went to Seattle where it rains a ton and then to an actual Rain Forest. It was a really nice lodge. Andrew laughs but it is what I would call roughing it. No TV and only a claw foot tub. Anyway, it was really awesome weather and we had a great time.

Then we took the Hike to Irely Lake. As I said before, I think it was the longest mile of my life. I love Drew's expression and the fact that Gavin is pointing at the 30 mi. hike. Then, even though Andrew was ready to head home, I insisted that we stay the night in Seattle and head to the zoo. The boys were looking so forward to that, in fact that was the topic of conversation between them. Drew, " I go to the Zoo". Gavin, "No, Dew go to zoo." They had the same conversation about motorcycles. I love the look J is giving the Camera. I think he enjoyed the zoo too.

Maybe we can talk Andrew into posting about China? We are going to the pumpkin patch Thurs. barring sickness or bad weather. So, more recent pictures are to come! Have a good one!

What were we thinking?

We were literally climbing the walls and had to get away. I (Denise) had a dear friend from TN visiting. Lori had never been to Seattle so she landed there and we had a weekend (well, I had one night and 2 days) seeing the sights. The next weekend we took her back and we (meaning J and I) had another long weekend as a family. We drove the Olympic Peninsula. What were we thinking taking 3 little ones? I don't know how many times we said this would be a great place to come again without kids! There will be more of a post sometime about our trip but I thought I would post J's first laugh. He would only laugh for Lori and he finally laughed for me the other day. Here is his second laugh, we got the first but the older boys were there and all you can really hear is their laughter. I miss you already, Lori!

3 Months!

As I promised it is an all about James post. We have been calling him J and the boys have picked up on it too, so J is easier to type than James anyway.

J is about 15 pounds we are guessing and he is eating a sleeping superbly. It is hard to believe that at this point with the boys we were moving into our house. Anyway, he is very good natured and loves to smile and be talked to. He loves faces and things to look at. We are also having issues because he will crane his neck and try to watch TV. It seems no matter where we turn him he tries to watch. He gets his last feeding at 9 and he sleeps until 6. He takes several naps and sleeps very will during those naps during the day. He is an awesome example of what Babywise can do.

He also loves to "talk" he is still trying to laugh out loud and it just won't come out. He has not rolled over, but until the last couple of days he went through a phase of hating tummy time. He enjoyed it today and I got some great shots after his bath while the older boys slept. I am not sure how to use all the settings on our camera. I am a point and shoot kind of girl and the lighting was not right for that so black and white will have to do.

Here is another one I got before the big boys woke up from their nap. Yes, that is a Mohawk and you can really see how much hair he has. It is so light sometimes in pictures he looks bald. I just got done scrubbing his forehead in the tub so it is still a little red and peeling. The picture does not do his beautiful big blue eyes justice but only seeing him in person would I guess.

I love the rolls. Don't you wish people said that about adult pudge rolls? I am sure I will think of a million other things to write about but I have two two year olds climbing on me and asking for snack-they woke up from nap early. J. and I are going on an excursion tomorrow to Seattle. It is my first time traveling with just one and Daddy's first time alone with 2 (or any for that matter) all on his lonesome over night. I am not sure which one of us needs more prayer. Let's hope it goes well so I can get away more often!

I will tell you more about what we are doing in Seattle later when I have pictures because the pleading for snacks is getting louder, but sweet because a please is being added to the plea. I am also being slapped in the face with the smell of poop, the story of my life right now!

It has been a very blessed and happy 3months getting to know you, J!

What Am I Doing?

I think I ask myself that question a couple of times a day along with "what do I need to get done today" and "where does all my time go"? I know the answer most of the time for instance it is not even 9:30 and I have already changed 6 diapers 3 poop and 3 "no poopy just pee-pee" as Gavin would say. We are also starting things up at church so there is all the prep and stuff that goes along with that. James will be 12 weeks next week so I will post more about him at that time. He is a great baby and I am so pleased to get to know him more and more each day. It also helps that he is sleeping at least 8 hours every night-that makes us all happy! Anyway, sorry for lack of pictures and stories-there are too many to choose from because it has been too long. Goodbye for now!

G-man!

So it is Gavin's turn. Gavin is a very active little boy. He is always on the go. He is very concerned about his brothers and very thoughtful. He is also very obedient. With him all you have to do is raise your voice and he will stop and do what you say. I think the biggest problem we are having is that he loves his little brother too much!

Because he is so physical he also is always getting hurt. He falls constantly and if something could get hurt it will probably be him. Just when one ouchie clears up he seems to get another one. With his porcelain skin every little bump and bruise shows too. In fact, we were at the pool the other day with some friends and his foot fell in one of the drains. He was fine, just startled. The life guard said she had never seen anyone do that, leave it to Gavin. He still loves to wrestle and be close to his family.

He is also so strong. Yes, he climbed up by himself, but Daddy was there for support.

He is starting to talk more, it is just not very clear and sometimes he needs a translator. I am amazed how observant he is. The garage door, air conditioning, and the washing machine all sound the same and every time one of them comes on he says it is daddy (the garage door). The other day he said it is "just the air conditioning" when it came on because that is what I always tell him when it is the air.

He has the most contagious laughter and he laughs often at his brother or when he is tickled. He is such a sweet little boy with a huge heart.