Busy Summer

I think it's safe to say that Leah and I miss our quiet time together while the boys were still in school. Things have been so busy that there are very few days where we can all just stay at home and hang out. But through it all, she goes with the flow and is ok with being drug all over the metro area.

I've tried to come up with some activities at home to keep the boys entertained. I will say that this is the hardest and least relaxing summer I've had. Our days consist of getting up, feeding Leah, going to swim practice, feeding Leah, going to golf or various appointments or running errands, feeding Leah, making dinner, getting the boys to bed, feeding Leah, putting Leah to bed, and then finally crashing myself. We did manage to make homemade ice cream one day-we selected mint cookies and cream. Since we are without Blue Bell this summer, we're having to resort to making our own ice cream - but it's not quite the same. 

Greg and I went to the U2 concert earlier this month. I've rarely had the desire to attend concerts - but I love U2 and we had also seen them in Las Vegas a few years ago. It was a great show.

Nana and Grandad visited for the boys' birthday. They also got to experience a swim meet. It was a cold one.

Leah was pretty enthralled with the activity and Grandad helped her stay nice and cozy.

The boys were warm as long as they were in the pool.

Papa and Grandma with all of their grandkids. I think they all had a good time at the boys' family birthday party.

Various Leah pictures:

Leah usually does not like being laid down in someone's arms - she likes to be up and looking at the action. Greg and I were mean one night and kept laying her back in his arms and then standing her up again in order to watch her many faces.

Mad

Sad

Happy

The boys set up a mobile lemonade stand during their last swim meet. I think they made about $10 and spent about half of it at the concession stand. It was pretty funny and ingenious of them - but they need to work on not fighting in front of the customers.

Father's Day picture - Greg is lucky to have 3 great kids and they are blessed to have such a wonderful dad.

I think this is one of my most favorite pictures ever.

Videos of talking Leah:

Sweetest little girl ever!

Nine Year Old Boys

How did this happen? I can't believe that my baby boys have turned 9 years old. The time has absolutely flown by. They have changed and grown so much, especially in the past year. I remember when they started kindergarten and seeing the 4th and 5th graders and thinking how huge those kids looked - now my boys will be in the 4th grade and will be one of the big kids. There is no "little boy" left in them - they are almost in that pre-teen bracket, which completely blows my mind. 

Their relationship has not changed all that much. They are still either the best of friends of worst of enemies. I hear Luke scream "RYAN" at least 5 times a day and Ryan call Luke a variety of not very nice names. But if you wait a few minutes, they will peacefully play with their animals or legos together, or turn a box into some random joint creation. 

And as any mom with at least 2 boys know - when you put 2 together all sorts of silliness and craziness comes out (they totally feed off of each other-I don't think it's the same kind of experience with just 1 boy).They are all boy all the time - lots of 9 year old potty humor, silly/stupid jokes. as many pranks as they can think of, and lots and lots of rough house/wrestling.  They are great at entertaining and irritating each other.

Ryan feeds off of human interaction. He thinks that he must be entertained at all times by someone other than himself. But Ryan also has a kind heart and truly cares about how others feel when the situation warrants it. He is loving and crazy and emotional all at the same time.

Luke is his own person at all times. He is fiercely independent and is content with hanging out with only himself or with others. He's laid back and extremely creative and messy. He reminds us of Pig Pen from Peanuts - there is always a path of destruction in his wake. Luke is super inquisitive and has a thirst for knowledge and justice. He can be really fun to talk to about world events.

 For their birthday this year we took them and a few of their friends to a mini golf/go-cart place.

Luke will be a terrifying driver when he turns 16. He was all over the road and spent more of his time screaming at the other drivers than watching the road-resulting in him crashing out twice. But he also had a blast-he is always enjoying the moment to its fullest.

Ryan will be in charge of the car when he gets his licence.  He is cautious and observant - as he is in most things, Ryan is a hard worker and takes his responsibilities seriously.

This was also year 2 of a Minecraft theme. I made a cake for them last year, but opted for cookies and easy cupcakes this year. Luke made homemade Creeper flags to put on the cupcakes.  Overall, the boys and their friends had a blast. The party location was in north Denver, so Greg and I drove the boys (7 total) - it took us a few hours for our ears to quit ringing from all of the noise.

They really do grow up so fast!

Newborn boys - small enough to fit in the same hospital bassinet.

 1 Year old boys - such big chunks at this point.

Their personalities really started to shine at 2.

3 and into everything

They were such good friends when they were 4.

Getting ready for kindergarten at 5, seemed like only yesterday.

Crazy boys at 6.

Losing their little boyness at 7.

Really starting to grow up and be more independent at 8.

9!!!!!!

4 Months

Our sweet little Leah is 4 months old. She is the most delightful baby-full of smiles and happiness. Leah hasn't grown/plumped up quite as quickly as her brothers had at this point (Luke was at least 20 pounds at 6 months), but she definitely has some baby chubbiness on her.  Leah has continued with her laid back demeanor. She is good to go wherever the family is headed and content to stay at home if that is the plan instead. When she is fussy, it is usually little protest cries that she'll call out to let you know that she wants something - full blown crying is few and far between.

Leah is starting to really love her Lamby. She likes to have it with her when she takes a nap and often hangs on to it when she is in her carseat.

First trip to the pool!

She has a bit more growing to do before she'll fit in her floaty.

Leah loves a bath, so she is intrigued with the water. Not a huge fan yet, but she wasn't afraid either.

My chore helper.

Curious little girl. She has brought so much more joy to our lives.