No time to look back...

I had all but forgotten about this blog until Malachi asked me about making one of his own.  It reminded me that I "used" to have one... so, here I go... in one final attempt to write down the joys and struggles of raising three beautiful little people. 

Malachi is a handsome ten year old; smarter than I could ever be, and very creative.  If I had to guess, I think he'll be an inventor, a scientist, or an engineer.

Luke is an adorable, sweet five year old; he has just learned to read and is incredibly bright in ways different than his brother.  He is (and hopefully always will be) his own man.  His sweet curls and little lisp always make me smile. 

Madeline is a beautiful, spunky almost three year old; she brings joy to our lives in so many ways.  Her sparkly blue eyes always have a hint of mischief in them.  Having a little lady completes me in ways I never knew needed completing. 

Each of them, in their own way, brings a fullness to my heart.  Sappy, yes.  True, absolutely.  My friend Kim took some very cute pictures of them recently...

First, Miss Mady

 My Lukey Doodle

 And Kai Kai--looking way too grown up.

 My three favorite small people.

We disappeared...

not really, but I all but forgot about updating this.

I really am going to do better at keeping up with it...

Well, much has happened... on December 21st, I delievered a beautiful 9lb 1oz baby girl. We named her Madeline and she is absolutely amazing. I finally get my little princess and I couldn't be happier. She is a perfect little blue eyed, brown haired doll. I am madly. in. love.

The boys? They're wonderful as well...

Malachi is a vibrant 2nd grader, losing teeth (and grossing his mom out) and learning about everything and anything. His scores are consistently off the charts whenever they test for reading, writing, math, etc. He wants to be a scientist or an anchorman. I'd say scientist, but he's got a flare for the dramatic, so it's a toss up.

Luke has blossomed into a hilarious little man. He talks up a storm and says the funniest things. He uses words like "amazing", "beautiful", and "favorite" in the cutest ways--and that's just how he describes his special pillow. He is doing a great job at potty training and totally lights up my days. He's currently obsessed with Thomas the Train and matchbox cars.

I'm still home on maternity leave, enjoying every minute I get to spend with the wee ones... it's been less than winter around here, so we are enjoying days at the park, throwing rocks into the water, and going on lots of walks.

We also found a beautiful german shepherd that seems to be staying... now he just needs a name.

Mady is fussing, so that's all for now :)

She's a little lady!

Well, obviously we've been busy... it's been 2.5 months since I've remembered (or had time) to post. In that time, much has happened. Malachi finished first grade, Luke became a full-fledged little boy and talks up a storm, and I somehow became 20 weeks pregnant with a little GIRL!


A few days ago, we got back from a three day trip to Montana to see some dinosaur bones (Malachi's request) at The Museum of the Rockies. We also visited two cool ghost towns and toured the Lewis and Clark caverns (which scared the crappola out of me). It was a really fun family road trip. Pics will follow... one step at a time though :)

April showers bring May flowers...

It's officially spring feeling in northern Idaho and I'm loving it. Work is super stressful, but it should get better once the "conversion" is complete. The boys are doing great, learning tons and keeping us on our toes. Luke is really talking now, putting together sentences and cracking me up. He has such a funny sense of humor! He is also totally in awe of his big brother. He talks about what Kai Kai is doing more than anything else "Kai Kai school" "Kai Kai coming" "Kai Kai night night"... it's so sweet. I am just trying to make it through the next few weeks, between soccer, school stuff winding down, the conversion at work, and finding out I'm growing another human, I'm exhausted. Turns out we're going to be adding a family member in December :). At first I was beyond shocked as we were not trying for another child right now, but now that it has had a chance to sink in, I'm super excited. Whether we have a boy or a girl, I know our family will be complete.

Where have we been?

Well, we've been a little bit of everywhere... doing scouts snowboarding a ton, riding bikes, hiking, and visiting the indoor water park at Silver Mountain amongst other things. The past week has been spring break, so we've been living it up as much as possible. Malachi took a three day trip with Grammy to Seattle and got to visit the aquarium, the space needle, and the Children's Museum. He had a blast. When he came home, we spent two days at the water park, went to see a 3D movie, went for a long bike ride, and went for a nature hike. It's been an active, busy week. I'll spare the rest and post some pics from the last couple months :)
A cute pic of Kai in his uniform at the Pinewood Derby

The cake we entered in the cake auction for Cub Scouts

And guess who won?

So proud!

Our failed attempt at roller skating

Kai got the hang of it... Luke HATED it!

My mama's boy!

Playing with his favorite thing

Skier Guy!

At Thomas The Tank Live!

My handsome man

So sweet

Lovin the ba ba

Sweet baby boys

at the water park at Silver Mountain


LOVING the water!

Cruising in the lazy river

Goofing with cousin Grayson

Collin and Lukey

Time flies when you're having fun...

So, here it is, mid-February, and once again I haven't updated in awhile. I guess my only excuse is the standard "we've been busy". Early in the month, I flew to Seattle to see a very good friend and go snowboarding sans children and husband. It was a blast to say the least. Chad and Kai have been busy working on their Pinewood Derby race cars, which they have carved out of blocks of wood. I'm pretty impressed, but not impressed enough to want to do one of my own. My cousin Gabe got married yesterday in a beautiful Valentine's Day wedding. I've always thought V-day weddings were cliche, but this one really wasn't. I think it was very fitting. Luke has been on an amazing learning streak lately picking up all kinds of things and showing me how well he understands what we're saying to him. He loves to throw things in the garbage (although I'm pretty sure we're losing things we don't know about) and throw dirty laundry (or clean laundry, he doesn't discriminate) down the stairs.
Some of his favorite words right now are: Gammy (aka Grammy), Dan (for auntie Danielle, I'm sure she loves being called Dan), Kai-Kai, banana (major obsession), book, bath, ball (for balloon or for ball), ba-ba (for his sippy cup), gah (this means water, although we have no idea why) oh and his latest, "check it out". Chad just got him to say it a bunch while I was uploading the pics... so darn cute.

Here are some cute pics from a visit to a construction project, the children's museum and a hike we went on recently...

Kai in his hard hat

Kai driving a backhoe

The wonderful water table


Cousin Grayson dressed up like a fireman

Lukey going for a ride...

The new incredibles

one incredible and one dinosaur?

playing a drum bigger than him

so much plastic food, so little time

Grayson the artist

A winter hike...always reminds me I need some actual hiking boots

Malachi found something he thought was cool...

enjoying the ride

and my favorite...

Where the heck have we been? A January Recap

Well, this may be kind of a jumbled mess... it's been awhile since I've posted, and we've had a lot going on.

Early in the month was cousin Grayson's 3rd birthday--a superfun pool party. I got some cute pics of the boys hanging out in the pool.




As is evidenced by that last picture, Luke is totally walking these days. He is so incredibly cute. He has a way about him that just puts a smile on everyone's face. Perhaps it's because he's always flashing a coy smile of his own. He is getting one of his top molars, which looks very painful but is in great spirits. On Monday, I took him to the dentist to get his teeth sealed because two of them are missing the enamel. This sealant has since fallen off... so we'll be going back.
Luke also had his 15 month well child check up last week. He was 21 lbs 11.5 oz (I think) and 31 inches long. Although I can't remember his head circumference, I know it was in the 94th percentile. Gotta love those big headed babies of mine! He has turned the corner and is now gaining weight, so no more weight checks for us!! That makes me really happy!

Malachi has been involved in Cub Scouts and is doing really well. He just got his bobcat badge (whatever that means) a week ago
and he is also LOVING skiing this winter. He's gotten to go three days so far, including last weekend when we stayed in Sandpoint at a hotel with the extended family and went up both days. Almost immediately, he wanted me to let him go in the terrain park so he could go off some jumps (I politely declined). By Sunday afternoon, he was cruising down the bunny hill, barely falling, and turning beautifully. I hardly had to wait for him. I think next time (good snow permitting) I'll have to give in and take him up the big chair lifts. I am actually really excited to have something that he and I can do together.



So last weekend in Sandpoint, they had a winter festival which everyone really liked. Luker especially liked all the people clapping for the fireworks. I had to take a video it was so damn cute!


Well, I think that is enough of an update for now!