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!

Snowy days and Christmas comin and goin...

Here is a picture from off my deck from last Thursday...
we've had about 60 inches of snow so far this month.

In it's usual blurred fashion, Christmas has come and gone. After some much needed cleaning, my house is almost back to normal. The boys both were spoiled as usual. With Christmases at four houses, it's hard not to be. Gotta love the grandparents! Well, I guess I forgot to upload the pictures, so they'll have to wait.

Matching Cuties and Scout Christmas Caroling

Matching in their cute Christmas jammies, reading a book.



And a couple from the scouts' Christmas Caroling. Kai was quite a ham!

Denver Pics and Belated Thanksgiving... a little slow, I know.

We spent Thanksgiving at my sister's house and had a wonderful dinner. Afterward, we went to visit GiGi for what would turn out to be our last time.

Luke and Daddy on Turkey Day at my sister's house.

Cousin Collin-Ballin enjoying a toothbrush-snack

Uncle Clay tormenting Kai

The day after Thanksgiving we have a parade, fireworks and lighting ceremony, one of my favorite days in CDA....

Brrr... it was cold, Luke and Papa all bundled up

Kai enjoying his hot chocolate

Kai on Papa's shoulders watching the fireworks

It was a little foggy, so the fireworks were hard to see, but still nice.

And a couple random ones from the mall spaceship, every boy's favorite



Lucas and I went with my sister, nephew and dad to Denver for two days this week for my Aunt Barb's funeral. It was a hard trip, both for the reason we went and because Lucas decided sleep was overrated and kept me up most of the night. The silver lining, if there is one is that was great to get to see my aunts, uncles and cousins. Luke absolutely adored my Aunt Patty's girls and Aunt Ruth's boys... I wish we lived closer to them.




Papa pulling double duty

I guess that about catches me up for now...

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

No matter how much I try to hang on to status quo, it never works. And it drives me crazy. Just when I think I'm cruising along, making progress, all is well, God throws a wrench in my plans. I feel like I got a major wrench recently. This past month, we have had four deaths in our family. And honestly, I don't know what to say about all of it other than I am very sad. That's about all I can say right now. I know the whole "circle of life" mumbo jumbo but honestly right now, I am too raw to care. I like my loved ones right here, with me. Selfish, definitely. Honest, yeah. Some changes just don't feel like they're for the good. After the latest news came, I felt like I wanted to become a hermit and just hold my boys in my arms forever so that I wouldn't miss a moment of their lives just incase I'm taken before I'm old and grey. It makes my stomach turn to think about. I am going to stop now... I feel tears a'wellin.
Going to go kiss my babies... Goodnight.

love letters to my babies

Dear Malachi,

Being your mom has been the biggest blessing in my life. God had a plan when he brought you to me. I call you "the eternal optimist" because for you, the glass is never half-empty. Your inventions and creations amaze me. Your sense of humor always makes me laugh... even when you don't get the idea of a "punch line". You are such a kind and caring brother to Lucas and I love watching the two of you together. I hope you two always take care of each other. I often wonder if I am smart enough to be the mom of such a gifted child. All the times I crammed for tests and didn't really "learn" things will be coming back to bite me as you grow up. When you were a baby, I used to sing "You light up my life"; and I guess that sums it up. Thank you for loving me so incredibly much and for being such a kind-hearted boy.

All my love,

Mama


Dear Lucas,

Today I woke you up and took you out at 6am to shop and you were in a good mood. Then you played with Grammy while I worked and although you were exhausted, you were still in a great mood. When I came to get you around 1:00 in the afternoon, after missing your first morning nap on top of getting up three hours early, you were still all smiles. You are my sweet, happy, cuddly little man. Not only are you happy, but your happiness is contagious. Everyone around you can't help but smile when they see your handsome little face. I am so blessed to have you as my son. I can't wait until you can tell me all of your hopes and dreams and share with me all of the facets of your personality. I can't imagine life without you. I love watching how much joy you bring to Malachi and your daddy as well. I prayed and prayed that someday I would have you, and I am so incredibly thankful that you are here with us. You have been such a blessing in our lives. The song I sing to you is "You're just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off of you". I love you baby boy!


All my love,

Mama