Random Happenings

So, a regular occurrence at our house is having a LOUD thud hit our window. I used to think it was the boys tossing balls or toys up and accidentally hitting the window. Until I'd look around and realize the boys are with me. So we have learned that when that thud hits the window it's a bird or two. It's honestly SAD. Not once, not twice but multiple times each week we have birds hit our windows. We've had some land and die (sadly) on our table out on the patio. Or we've had some lay there for several minutes then get up and fly away. It always gives me the shiver...ahhh

Well, this morning Uncle Riley (The Wildlife Biologist) happened to be there when two birds hit the window. So out he went to the patio and he swooped up the bird lying there and brought it in to show the kids. My boys ended up becoming brave enough to pet the little birdie.

Then there is Krista's daughter brave enough to hold the little chipper bird until it took a little snip at her finger and off she let it fly!

 

Once silly morning my kids had found all their babies...

I  love their imagination and how well they play together. I hope as cheesy as it sounds that they will remember how good of friends they were as kids.

Four kids on Ben's first birthday.

My favorite chubby clean baby. I realized an entire year went by and I haven't taken a chubby bath picture. Sad!

I love him!

We had our first snow storm of the year! The boys were in HEAVEN! Let's just say Jake was THRILLED he got to play in the snow when Alayna had to run off to the school bus. Look how cute Caleb is waving to me! I love this happy child.

They played all morning long.

Bring on the winter...baking, sewing and playing inside doing puzzles, games, reading. Oh, I really do like how life slows down. Love it! (But don't get me wrong I do want blue skies and sunshine!)

A few hours in the life of my boys...

So these picts are from several days ago, but they are still hilarious to me. These boys decided that after doing their jobs of vacuuming that they would make an obstacle course. It was hilarious video of them running, jumping, rolling and making their way around the vacuum hose.

 

I found Ben stuck in the bathroom. I was just glad the toilet was closed! Honestly, how did he get himself there. The funny thing was he wasn't even crying. I just realized he was missing and then I found him. I was tempted to have him stay there a little longer, but I did rescue him after I took a few photos.

 

He managed to work his way up to the toilet...and enjoy some delicious toilet paper for an appetizer before lunch.

 

Caleb is in a little neighborhood (old ward) preschool. He loves it. The moms take turns teaching a few days a month and it's so fun. I had a BLAST coming up with some activities.

This was the letter M sticker worksheet.

The other day Jared took Jake to get his first library card, since he turned 5. Well, apparently there is no age limit any more so Caleb also came home with his own. He was hilarious though because apparently Jared gave the boys quite the lecture about WHERE the library books are allowed to be in our home. Because Caleb came running inside and showed me this receipt and said, "It says NO library books can go in your room. They MUST stay downstairs on the bookshelf!" It was priceless. I of course took video of him telling me all about him getting his very own "Cwedit Cawd" So funny.

Ben has discovered our back deck. And since the weather has been so great he's been playing out there nearly every day! He walks along EVERYTHING because he's learned quickly his knees don't like to crawl on the rough tile.

He also cruises walking behind his little push toy. It's adorable to see him go racing by!

By Benny! The other boys doing what they do best. Playing imaginatively...doing who knows what, but it's either, playing house "Dad and Big Brother" or "Santa" or "Disneyland" or "Vacation" - I just love these boys. Honestly, my mornings are so enjoyable with them!!!

My Boys - How much have you Loved in your life?

Pretty much I love these boys. I'm so lucky to have three darling boys. I'm just cruising through some pictures and I realize with Alayna in school she misses out on several photo moments...I need to change that! Because lately, she has just blossomed to the most darling obedient little girl. Jared and I both are just loving her. When she's full of sleep and food, she is the BEST 7 year old ever. Honestly, I feel so blessed from day to day to be surrounded by the best kids and hubby. The other thing I've thought about is how our hearts as parents just grow bigger for each child. It's amazing how our love doesn't change or diminish or love your other children less, it just GROWS bigger and bigger. I've loved growing and maturing and watching myself be so filled with love for the people around me. I've been reading a book over the weekend (on the flight to Seattle) Toss the Guilt and Find the Joy, from Merrilee Boyack. She mentioned in the book this question...
"How much have you LOVED in your life?" I realized how sometimes I get distracted on the less important things...(to-do lists, my personal high-expectations, clothing, status, being cool, friends, cool cars, hobbies, etc...ugh...it sounds like highs school...the list could go on and on...forever) And while I get stuck in this place I realize (yet again another wonderful moment shared with me from my darling visiting teacher...)"Put down the mirrior and pick up the magnifying glass" That way we stop worrying about ourselves and look for how we can love, serve or bless others around you.
I've loved these two thoughts this week, because honestly, I needed to be reminded that these are those moments in life where I need to focus on how much I have and how much am I actually LOVING (people and all my blessings) in my life. I realized real quickly that loving comes from looking upon others, giving of myself to lift and care for them. It also starts by enjoying those super simple moments in life....and this is easy to see when you spend time with your kids...enjoying them!

Mr. Slowman

I guess I'm starting to realize that boys like toys...I mean, my boys turn everyday toys into BIG BOY toys...pretty much it's adorable. Caleb rides his hot wheel like he's a wild man. It's honestly one of my favorite things to see him be crazy and ride bikes. He plows in to his orange cones and loves to see how far they fly.

Then there is Jake. He's on his way to being another crazy kid too. He recently has started calling his bike is Motorcycle. He insists on always wearing his sunglasses and finger gloves while riding his motorcycle.

Cool Man.

Here is a serious biker in the making.

Caleb's famous hot wheel pose. Just for the record Caleb calls his motorcycle...a MiterSickle. We laugh in hysterics, because it sounds so darling!

Let me introduce you to our newest member of the family....Mr. Slowman. Yeah, the kids are CRAZY outside and so I've become a little more nervous over time of the street we live on. So to help out those fast drivers, we put this Mr. Slowman out and help remind those drives to SLOW DOWN and look out for all the crazy kids on this street!

My favorite Jacob. Seriously, he's adorable.