Mother Nature's Farm

A couple Mondays ago, we went to Mother Nature's Farm for FHE. The kids had great time. They did have some fun things for the kids..... but after going to Schnepf Farm for so many years, this farm just didn't compare for me. But it was still fun!

We first ventured to the hayride (a really bumpy hayride) since the tractor was about to leave. I'm pretty sure Caleb was excited to be on the hayride.

The tractor dropped us off at the animal feeding. That is always exciting.

Caleb had no fear of feeding them. Obviously because he's sticking his arm through the fence.

The kids were able to pick a pumpkin and decorate it!!

Mark and I had to hold Caleb up on our knees which, actually, was very difficult. Hence, the funny look on my face.

We've definitely got some short genes in our family. It's all good though.

Our kids definitely had a great time. It was fun being together!!

Our BIG Helper

Elli is such a sweetheart when it comes to helping with Caleb. She got an applesauce out of the fridge for herself and started eating it. Caleb decided he wanted some too, so he followed her and got on her chair. Elli right away started feeding Caleb with no hesitation. She didn't care that he was eating her applesauce. Such a sweetheart.

My little Stinker Caleb

Caleb has been a VERY different baby than our first 2. Braeden and Elli were both very easy babies up until they turned 3 and hit the terrible 3's. When they turned 2, I thought that maybe they would skip being"terrible" forever, but those days didn't happen until 3 for them. Caleb was the PERFECT baby. He would sleep and not cry when we put him to bed, he was always content, even when Braeden & Elli bugged (which was too often), he hardly ever fussed about things. He was AMAZING..... until he hit 1. He turned into a screamer and whiner over the littlest things. Definitely the Terrible 1's for him. But he does have a VERY TENDER side to him. When he's not being picked on, or not hungry or tired, he is the happiest, most content little boy. He has a KILLER smile and will almost ALWAYS smile at me when I look at him. He just has his days of being completely stubborn and naughty.... like today actually.

These pictures were taken a while ago. Elli was crying over something... probably something she didn't get, but wanted. So Caleb went over to her and started kissing her cheek.

And then he played with her face for a little bit and this completely made Elli happy and even forget why she was sad.

Even when he is being annoying, he still gives me a smile when it's all said and done. He has that healing power I need as a mom. He is so forgiving when I am frustrated with him. There are days when I can't handle him because he screams when I leave him for a second to get him more food or he'll throw his body on the ground when he doesn't get what he wants. He KNOWS what he wants and is very smart. He figures things out that I didn't know he was capable of figuring out. He is also very independent in a lot of ways. But we love and adore our little CHUBS. The good DEFINITELY outweighs the bad. He is my little buddy and I love giving those cute cheeks kisses multiple times a day. I am very lucky to be able to stay home and be with him.

On Toros On...

I just have to say this before you read this.... I am TOTALLY past High School. I really went to the greatest high school there is in Mesa. I know many will disagree (insert clearing my throat.... Melissa), but I loved it. And I think it is so cute that Braeden plays flag football and he's a Toro. And he loves it too.

He could hardly wait for his first game on Saturday to come. He woke up really early and couldn't go back to sleep. So he made signs for us to hold while he played. He put our names on the back so we knew which one was ours to hold. When he found out his cousin Caden could come and watch him play, he quickly made one for him too. He's such a funny and cute kid.

What a stud out there!!

He was quarterback for a little bit. He did so well. He threw the ball twice to the same boy who caught the ball and ran for a touchdown both times. (Reggie Bush & Matt Leinart)

Here's video of one of the plays they made. If you look closely and the very end on the left side of the video, Elli is holding up her sign Braeden made for her. What a cute sister!!

I just thought this was cute of him sitting on the sideline waiting for his turn out on the field.

Like in my days of High School Football, the Toros beat the Warriors 24 - 18 (or something like that, I don't remember the score, but they won)

Cute Cousins

I watched my SIL's kids for a couple hours yesterday and got the cutest picture of Elli, Sarah & Logan. They have 6 kids total and they say they are done having kids. Logan is #5 and Sarah is #6. Logan is my little buddy. I want to take him home with me every time I see him. He will come give me hugs and tells me all kinds of stories. For Halloween, he is going to be Cak-can Cook (which means he is going to be Captain Hook) And Sarah will be Tinkerbell. I love her rolly polly body. Squishy babies are my favorite!!

Pretty Girl

Elli felt really pretty when we got her ready for school. She wanted me to take a picture of her.

But what is so funny is that Elli has found her future husband. Her preschool teacher told me that Elli has found a new "friend" and they hold hands and are very cute to each other. When I was asking her about it, she told me that she got him to marry her. Just today when I was picking her up, her "friend" said, "I'll miss you Elli." Then Elli replied, "I will miss you too." Way too cute. Mark wasn't too happy to hear about this though.

Melting your Momma's Heart

Just this morning, I was in our office trying to clean out drawers and get somewhat more organized. Well Caleb came in and grabbed my shirt. He was pulling on me to get down to his level. Sometimes he'll do this and he'll hug me.... which is amazing! Or he'll start running towards me and I'll get down to his level and he'll jump in my arms and hugs me for a second. This time, as I hugged him, he grabbed my face and kissed my lips. Awwww, what a little lover he is. I didn't want to forget this moment. I tried to kiss him again and he turned around and ran off. But I'll take whatever he gives me.

What I've Been Up To Lately....

If you've been wondering what I have been up to these days, here's a video. I'm the last girl chasing the bike and hopping on. It's been a lot of work, but it's easy once you get the hang of it!

Chuck Wicks

Mark and I went to the Chuck Wicks concert out in Queen Creek last week. Chuck is the guy who was on Dancing With The Stars last year and his partner was Julianne Hough (who is his girlfriend) Anyway, it was a really fun concert. And he's not a bad looking guy either.

Before it started

He has a really good CD, I love listening to it.

PS, just a little plug in for Mark's band. They are opening up for Phil Vassar on December 5th

Go here to check out the detail!!

Legally Blonde

The girls on my side of the family went to the play Legally Blonde at Gammage. It was cute, but I don't think I will be going back to see it again. The music wasn't that great, Warren had an amazing voice, but he only sang one song, two guys kissed (wasn't a fan of watching that....sorry to offend anyone, but it's true)

The best part DEFINITELY was the UPS guy. They really did a great job with him. But it was a fun Girl's Night!

FHE

This is what we did for family night one night. Braeden was making his own creation of LEGOs, so we all joined in. But I couldn't help but take pictures of our kids adoring their Dad. They LOVE when he gets home.

Caleb started it all by being this cute. This is what made me get my camera out.

Elli HAD to get in the picture too

Then Braeden joined in.

I love how much our kids LOVE their Dad. It's hard not to when they have a pretty COOL DAD!!

His Favorite Thing

Caleb's new thing now is "watching a movie." If you ask him that question, he grabs a blanket or pillow, runs to the couch and sits with the blanket or pillow on his lap because he wants to watch a movie. It's usually the Baby Einstein movies because those seem to hypnotize him. Even Braeden & Elli still watch those movies. This is perfect for me when I am trying to get ready or clean up, because he usually follows me everywhere I go.

He gets so excited that he plays peek-a-boo while I'm turning on the movie.

And...... awwwwww..... he's mesmerized from the second he hears the music.

But in all reality, it only lasts for about 10-15 minutes. He will get up and walk around. If I'm lucky, he'll stay in the family room for a while. But he's usually destroying something after his 10-15 minute hypnotized mode. But I'll take it!!

A Little Highlight

My sweet sister Kara is my Hair Stylist. She always does a great job. I love it!! This time she did my hair, Elli wanted to join me. I told Mark that if she came with me, she just might come back with highlights. He's not a big fan of that for Elli. Well, Elli came with me and Kara had some left over color. Lucky for Elli! I'm pretty sure that I'm setting myself up for a girl who loves to be pampered. But her hair was so cute!

When Elli was watching me get my hair washed, she told me my hair was purple. She knows that is my favorite color so she was excited for me to have purple hair.

Awwww, see what I mean...... her hair was soooooo cute!! Thanks Kara!!

It's Only Just Begun....

That's right, USC Football Season has started...... thus our Saturdays are filled with football. Luckily my husband isn't a football bum and sits on the couch watching EVERY football game all day on Saturday. It's mainly just USC he watches. He'll catch up on the other games at night.

Caleb with his cousins Eli & Carter. All within 3 months of each other.

Brian & Carter, Mark & Caleb, Brigham & Eli

The kids keeping busy while the Moms chit chat and their Dads watch the game.

FIGHT ON!