A taste of Christmas

My Christmas gift from my sweat heart

I didn't ask for it, but we always talked about getting one. Money is tight in our home, so some offered us a piano, well Cody took a look at it(not in good shape), so that started him looking. He ran across a craiglist ad for one $40 for a piano. He got advice and that is how we got a piano. It does need to be tuned and the back need fabric, all can be fixed. It is a beautiful piece of furniture that I hope some of my boys will play.

Santa

So this year Blaze had a chance to sit on Santa's lap two times. Did he sit on his lap, no. But he did talk to him.
I don't think I ever had any of my boys sit on Santa's lap. Oh well, we had fun. Yes Santa has a fire hat, and the other Santa was a Texan.

Our Thanksgiving

We spent our Thanksgiving down in Houston with my Brother Mike and His family. It was a relaxing time and we had prefect weather. I did attempt the black friday sales, I will not ever go to Toys-r-us again, not worth the effort or amount of time in lines. But cody had a good time staying up with me and laughing about the whole thing.

Riley and Ethan. They rode their bikes every day. Riley is wearing my brother's racing helmet.

Happy Halloween

We had a good Halloween. Riley though would tell you different he had a fever, and only went around the block. Blaze loved that everyone was giving him candy. A two year olds dream.

Fall

So the weather decided to clear up enough so I could take Blaze to the Dallas arboretum. Love how they have all the fall stuff out.




He wanted me to take his picture. As soon as a I did he said" By mom" off he went running.



Him Kissing a pumpkin, he is so hard to take pictures off, never wants to look at the camera or still still for long.

Riley's 9th Birthday

So my son Riley had a birthday. He turned 9. Cody and Jacob had a campout on his birthday, so I took Riley and Dylan to the Melissa football game. On Saturday I took three of my boys to the Peterbilt open house. Something every boy would love. We got to see how trucks we're made and all the Fancy show trucks. It was cool. The had so much for the kids to do and it was all free. Well it helped that Cody's dad worked there. We got home around 3, rested. Cody got home at 5 p.m. from camping. At 5:30 we took off to Chuck-E-Cheese for the birthday boy. It was supper loud and crazy, but hey this is for kids. They had a blast.





sorry I didn't add more pictures, blogger is not responding well for me.

Blaze was dancing today with his friends.

Dallas Zoo

Blaze asleep on the way home.

So on Friday Cody and I decided to take Blaze to the zoo. I watch kids but on Fridays I only have two extra, so no problem. Cody took the day off work. We rode the dart train straight to the zoo. Kids love trains. My sister Michelle joined us with her daughter Tava. It was a lot of fun. I think Blaze enjoyed the gorilla's the most. He didn't want to leave. He kept running back to the gorilla spot. They kept watching each other. So cute. We also got to watch them feed the Elephants. Blaze thought the statue of the alligator was interesting. It was a nice day and the weather was prefect.
On the way home Blaze fell asleep on the train.


Blaze with the alligator, good thing it's not real, ha ha


Blaze and me with the gorilla



Avery and Blaze checking out the gorilla



Jungle man



All the kids watching the Elephant.

82nd birthday

My Grandparents we're in town for a couple of weeks visiting from Arizonia. It just so happens to be that my Grandpa had a birthday coming up. The big 82nd. We love our Grandpa. My family came over for dinner and cake.



This Kerrie and Libby




Blaze is always near the cake. He just loves the frosting.

Telling me something??

So my days are now filled with three toddlers and a 7 month old. So this evening I was getting things all set for school for the next day when I found Blaze doing this.





I think he needs some time being a baby. Or he really missed out having this when he was a baby. Anyways he is too cute for words.

Summer Time

Self portrait



Cody cooking with his dutch oven

Boys on the fourth of July (flag ceremony)

Cody playing Golf at camp

Dlyan at camp


My cute Blaze.


Jacob getting his arrow of light

With only two weeks until school starts I thought I'd recap our summer. It has gone by way too fast, that's good and bad. Good that the kids will be in school, bad that I can't sleep in anymore.

Mostly my kids have been playing with their friends and riding their bikes. Trips to the pool on hot days. Each boy got a chance to go to my parents house for a week to two weeks. They love going to work with them, since they work at a golf course. It's amazing how you miss that child when they are gone, and the noise level goes down. Dylan had scout camp and Cody went with him. They had a fun time. Dylan earned 7 merit badges, with 5 almost finish. A total of 12. He is two merit badges away from his Eagle, way to go Dylan. Now it's Jacob turn. It will keep going on like this in out home until Blaze is finished.Next summer all three boys will have some form of camp. Helps us fill the summer up. Cody promised each boy when they get the Eagle he will take them out of the US. We will see how that goes, since Dylan will be done next year. I think it should be when the graduate, or turn 16.

Summer time also brings trips to the dentist, with Jacob needing some minor surgery to fix something in his mouth. I'm glad they are healthy and raley see the doctor. Which reminds me I'm over due to take Blaze for his two year check up.



Dylan will be going in 8th grade, Jacob in 5th and Riley in 3rd. So three boys at 3 different school's. Should be interesting. Three more years left for Blaze. I'm enjoying every moment with him.

Keep enjoying your summer. Make memories happen.

A camping we will go

So this weekend we went camping with a group of church friends. It was hot, humid and full of crawling creatures. But, we made it through the night and had a great time swimming in the lake.

We did come across three snakes, two copperhead and a rat snake. Tried to kill the copperhead but it got a way and climbed the tree. So I'm so glad that I live in a home and have ac. Blaze had a hard time going to sleep. He thought that the tent was a cool place to play, so he was really a grump the next day. All my boys like going camping, me well one night is good for me. Maybe if it was cooler I could go longer. I do enjoy being with my family. These are the moments we will share together.

Thanks for sharing the weekend with us( the Gustaveson's, the Stentzel's, the Broderick's, the Vehar's, the Lewis's, and the Whetten's.) Amy you are a true tropper. It was fun, next time let's plan for the fall.

Father's Day and Birthday's

Today we celebrate father's day and two birthday's. On June 21st Jacob was born on father's day 11 years ago. He has a kind spirit and adds a lot of love to our happy home. Blaze was also born on June 21st two years ago. I love it when I come home from an activity and he runs up to me with a great big hug, as if he hadn't seen me in a long time.

Cody is blessed to have two boys to celebrate Father's Day.

We had a BBQ on friday to celebrate these wonderful things. Blaze was excited to get a Tonka truck and a bubble lawn mower. Jacob received a wii mario cart game and a star wars lego. In all they are happy campers. Cody got "Clothes" the thing guys don't want to receive. Oh well, we love him.

Happy Father's day to all those days, and Happy birthday to my two boys!!!!!

well its offical

My son Dylan is now a teenager.Yikes!!! He turns 13 today. I can't believe my little guy is now getting so big on me(soon he will be taller then the both of us). I'm so proud of my little man(can I still call him taht?). He has always been a big help to Cody and I. When we lived in CA and I was suffering from major headaches he would play quietly with his cars so I could rest(at one years old). When my contractions started with Jacob he was so concerned that he stayed by me until we dropped him off at his grandparents. I remember when he was in kindergarten he told his teacher "My mom won't be here, she hasn't taken a shower yet".lol. I did make it, shower and all. And now when his brother Blaze was born he step in to help me when I was recovering and took great care of his brother.
He is a great babysitter. We can count on him every Friday night, even if it means changing a stinky diaper. Well once he did call to say " Mom, Blaze really has a bad diaper!" my reply "What am I to do?" He did change it. One day he is going to be a great father, all of this pre-training.

I know he will be a great missionary and has already been a great brother. He is truly an example of love. He takes everything seriously and shows respect.

Of course he has is flaws, but don't we all.

He is truly growing up before our eyes.

So "Happy Birthday Dylan"

Look what I came upon

So I left Blaze reading in his room. I kept asking him what he was doing, because it was really quiet. After awhile he stopped answering me, so I had to find out why he was so quiet and this is what I found....
Yes He has destin all over him. After 3 shampoo rinse it is still in his hair, I hope bye Sunday it is all washed out. That stuff is hard to get out.

Been to busy to blog

The last couple of weeks have been flying by way to fast for me. School is winding down for the boys which means I have to come up with things to keep them busy. Dylan has alot of things planned. Leaves Jacob and Riley. Any suggestions?

Celebrated two birthdays. Mine and Codys. Took Cody to his favorite restuarant. Genghis Grill. My parents took me to cheesecake factory, yummy. As we get older birthdays don't seem to be the same as when you we're younger. Oh well. Cody got camping stuff and I got a magnet board.

Celebrated Easter with family.

When I have time I'll post some pictures.

Hope everyone is safe and healthy.

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McGraw farm

Riley is good with animals.


This is Dave, we love him. He can be goofy but he has a kind heart.

Cody took the boys over to our neighbors home to see their new baby goats. Spring brings new life. They were born just yesterday, or that morning before my boys got to them. They say this is the best time to hold them, because in two weeks they will be to fast to catch.