Sometimes you feel like updating your blog. . .

. . . sometimes you don't.  Having a very independent third child will do that to you.  So now that we have a handle on things we are about to embark on a two kids playing a sport at the same time.  So don't get used to seeing blogs posts from us.  I'm not big on words so I'll let the pictures do the talking.  Just know we are doing well and I am blessed with very smart, active little boys and a husband who can hang with the best of them.

Where does the time go?

Charles has started kindergarden, Thomas is almost 3 and William is 8 months old.  We are busy as ever.  Charles is going to start baseball soon, Thomas must be watched at all times, and William is thinking about crawling.  As of late Chad and Tracy have been working on putting in a backyard.  We've done a lot but it still looks like dirt and rocks.  Enjoy some pictures from the last 6 or 7 months.  

Happy Birthday Hooch

Yesterday my oldest baby turned 5.  He is such a sweet, helpful son.  I think the best thing is how good of a big brother he is.  Being the oldest is tough but he does a great job.  We love you Charles and hope you had a great birthday.

Baby boy number 3

The short story:

38+ weeks mommy

the two cute brothers

new baby William- born on 5/12/12, 9 lbs 1 oz.

Happy Birthday Thomas

Thomas turned two last week. Two is probably the hardest age because then they are officially not a baby anymore; not like he has been acting like a baby much lately. I don't know if it is just Thomas, the fact that he is a second born or a combination of the two factors but Thomas seemed to grow up quicker than Charles. He wants to do so much more on his own but yet he is very attached to Mom. Hopefully that won't pose as a problem when baby number three arrives (still not 100% sure on a name). Thomas is full of fire but loves to "hold you." Thomas rarely listens well but he doesn't ever get into too much mischief. Thomas loves to dance, play with bubbles and be outside. Happy birthday Thomas. We love you. -Mom, Dad and Charles

Christmas 2011

Yes, we know that Christmas was six weeks ago, but that doesn't mean that we can't still make some type of record of its occurrence. We were very blessed this year to be able to have our first Christmas in our new home as well as being able to spend time with our families.

We have very simple outside Christmas decorations, which will probably have to change if we want to fall into line with the rest of the neighborhood. We looked for some lawn decorations, but just couldn't come to terms with spending so much money on Christmas decorations. We even checked the stores after Christmas to see if we could find anything on sale, but decided that we really didn't need any Christmas flamingos.

We went to Apple Hill to cut down our tree. It seemed like the tree farm had a lot more expensive trees than more budget friendly trees, but we took our time and found one that we liked. It didn't look that big in the forrest, but when we got it home it measure at 10.5 feet. To avoid having a "Christmas Vacation" experience, we cut some off the top and bottom so that it would fit in the living room. Even still, with the star on top there was only about 1/2 inch from the top of the star to the ceiling.

At Disneyland, Tracy found this ornament holder decoration in a random shop in New Orleans Square. It was a nice addition to our inside Christmas decorations and provides a nice display for the new ornaments from grandma.

We also had breakfast with Santa. Not that Santa actually sat and ate breakfast with us, but we had breakfast and then found Santa waiting in another room. Thomas didn't really want to sit on Santa's lap so mommy held him. And no, we didn't forget to take a picture of Charles with Santa, he opted to stay far away. Not even the prospect of getting a candy cane would get him to even walk up next to Santa.

Charles did enjoy making an ornament after the breakfast. Thomas was a bit too young to participate so he just made silly faces. He thinks he is so cute.

On Christmas Eve, Tracy's parents brought the boys presents (a Toy Story and Cars chairs) and they wasted little time using them. They got to watch a movie and decided that the new chairs needed to be on the couch.

We decided that we would be a little more creative with our Santa treat this year. We figured that Santa probably gets tired of eating so many cookies so we made rice krispie treats with m&ms. There is also a cookie just in case he brought an elf with him. Also, we thought chocolate milk would be a nice alternative.

Santa did not disappoint with presents. Thomas got this Batman tricycle that makes sounds and plays music.

Santa thought that it was about time for Charles to get a bike so that he could start to learn how to ride one. Charles is a bit lazy and likes to get rides in strollers and wagons instead of riding his scooter or walking. Hopefully he will enjoy riding his bike.

Looks like Santa enjoyed the treats, especially the chocolate milk.

It was fun to watch the boys open presents. There were a few things that Charles really wanted (okay, more than a few) and when he opened those things his excitement was off the charts. His favorite ride at Disneyland was the Toy Story Mania ride. He loves this game and asks to play it all the time.

Thomas is at a good age for presents. We were actually worried that he was going to get into the presents early, but he did a good job of staying away. He was excited about all of his presents and couldn't wait to play with all his new toys.

Charles loves legos and was excited that both he and his brother got new legos. It was funny (or frustrating) that Charles wanted to play with Thomas' toys and Thomas wanted to play with Charles' toys. Maybe next year we will just buy community toys for them to share.

After presents we had breakfast. Everyone got to have their favorite. Charles is really into Frosted Flakes, so that is what he chose.

Thomas loves chocolate milk and powdered donuts.

Tracy loves Pillsbury Orange Rolls (sorry no picture, but we did have them). We can always tell when Thomas has had a powdered donut by his powdery lips.

Ready to go to church and then to see all the grandmas and grandpas.