An overdue update!

For my birthday this year, we went up to Dulles to the Air and Space Museum! It was really really fun. The kids loved it!

This is Alexis some nights after dinner

It's a wonder...

Hunter is 4 months old today. Happy 4 month B-Day, buddy! He's 19 lbs 4 oz (>95%), 27 inches tall (>90%), and Head Circ at > 50%. The milk is good around here! His ear infection is completely gone. He's a happy, teething, smiley baby most of the time!
Alexis is loving school. She was busy dancing around here this morning to the tune of 'I love school.' She made up the words as she danced around the house. I loved it! She'll be 4 already in less than 1 month!!!
Ethan is enjoying Kindergarten also. He does take his time with his homework and then begs for 'just a few more minutes' of play time before dinner, bath, books, scriptures, prayer, and bedtime! I'm really amazed about 4 out of the 5 days we have them in bed by 7:30pm and most of the nights, they are asleep by 7:45pm!!! Pooped- them AND me!!!! :) I wouldn't trade this time in my life for anything....except maybe to have Chris home more....and out of school! We are doing well though!

Where did the time go...

I can't believe that it's already mid September....fall is here. It's chilly outside and with our windows open, it's chilly inside! Chris and I are very busy working and taking care of the kiddies! Ethan is loving school. He does have homework every night, but it's not much and he's getting better and better at sounding out sounds to letters to read! It's exciting to watch his progress! He already has school pictures tomorrow!!!
Alexis is also really enjoying school. She tells me that 'I know all the answers, mom!' She is very bright and is just soaking up so much information. She is almost keeping up with Ethan and his reading skills! I'm so proud of her. She loves learning.
Hunter is well, just the cutest butterball ever!!! He has slowed way down on his growing....which is a good thing. He weighed 18.9 lbs just last week. He IS getting lots taller though. He can wear 6-9 really well with 12 month a little big! He'll be 4 months old on the 24th!!! I can't believe it!
Chris and I are busy with work and a little play here and there. Life is what you make of it....and we are trying to make it as fun as possible! I am loving the kids' ages right now...it's just so much fun for me to sit back and watch how they interact with one another.

This Morning Sayings...

Dad: Hey Ethan....mom's going to have a birthday tomorrow, and she will be 9!
Ethan: Wow....9! Dad, I'm five. That means mom's 8 for 1 more day!
Dad: YEP!!!
:)
Silly boys!

New family pics

It was about time to get some family pictures taken. Enjoy them.
We have been up to a few fun things lately. Last Saturday, we picked potatoes at our church. The kids thought it was the next best thing to hunting for Easter eggs!!! It was a good time had by all! We also took the kids bowling the day before school started. They had never been and Ethan and Alexis both wanted to stay and play more games when it was time to go! We've been to the park and visiting with family in VA since school has begun.
I am now part time at work, which is less stressful!!!
My aunt passed away just a few weeks ago and so we had her funeral. It was the kids first funeral, I think. Ethan asks occasionally if we are going to visit Mary Lou and I have to remind him that she is in heaven. I know he misses her too. I am SO glad we moved here so that all of our family could get close to her this past year. She is very missed by alot of people, but she is in a much better place now and not suffering.
Well, onto the next thing life brings.... hope all is well! I've actually been beginning to purchase a few small things for Christmas...it'll be here before we know it!

2nd day tiredness!!!

So, Ethan's second day getting off the bus was quite a little adventure! He fell asleep right after leaving the school. He tells me, 'I just needed a little rest of my eyes, mom!' Well, he didn't get off at his stop. The stop is only 2 houses down. I had the garage up and was feeding the baby on a chair in the driveway waiting for him. Well, the bus driver forgot his stop, and he was asleep, so she just kept on going! Oh, talk about a slight panic. I knew everything was ok, though. I quickly called the school, who radioed the bus and yes, Ethan was on the bus and she brought him back. Phew!!! Poor kid. It's a long day of hard play and learning at kindergarten!!!

First day of School....

What a bittersweet moment in my life today. Ethan begins kindergarten and Alexis begins preschool. Ethan was SO excited about his first day of school. He even woke up early...before I woke him up. He went to the bathroom, got dressed and when I peeked around the corner he said, "Hey mom, I woke up all by myself and I'm even dressed!" We had picked his clothes out last night before bed. He got a great night's sleep. Both kids were in bed by 7:30pm (b/c they got up at 7am with no nap). I made chocolate chip muffins ast night for breakfast...the kids favorite! They ate and I was just sitting there enjoying the commotion and running around this morning from the kids. Ethan just kept beaming. His smile was ear to ear. I tried to keep my tears in. He said, "Mom, don't cry. I'll be ok. If you cry, then I might cry!" I just can't believe how big he is. He wears a size 7 now. He is 5 years old. He is starting kindergarten at 'the big school,' riding 'the bus.' What a little man! Oh, to be a little fly on the wall....to listen to him interacting with other kids, to stand up for him if someone is mean to him.... I know that he is protected. Chris gave him and Alexis school blessings last night. It was very powerful! I'm so grateful for our knowledge of the gospel.
I told him to make good choices and have fun and he said, "I will mom." I know that he will. He is such a good boy.
Alexis was also beaming this morning. Her little spirit is so sweet and innocent. She has grown so much since even the beginning of the year. I am excited for her to meet some new friends that aren't 'Ethan's friends.' All the poor kid knows is boys!!! Around the neighborhood, she plays, rides bikes, does everything with 'all the boys' b/c all we have is boys! :) But, she loves it! Daddy and I dropped her off this morning and she said, 'Mom, I want to be with Ethan!'
I just love my kids so much...they are my world. I think being a mom is THE best blessing I could have...even with all the heartache!
Enjoy the pics!









Oh and look who found his thumb this morning and was busy sucking on it.....






The bus came....He got on and waved out of the window...still just a huge smile on his face. I know he will do well and have fun!

AND this little tike is now 3 months....wearing 6-9 month clothes!!!! What a cutie. He found his thumb this morning!!! Heehee! I can't believe how much he looks like Ethan!