House party!!

It's been not quite a week, the excitement is still high and the to-do list piles higher. Last Tuesday we closed on our house. We had a big party to celebrate. We didn't buy just any house. We bought our house; the one we have been renting for just over a year. We don't have to move, the boys keep their friends, we keep our neighbors and we don't have to pack and unpack all our things. We have been busy making it ours and have lots of plans. It's been nine years coming, but we are finally homeowners!!! Or rather, our bank owns our home, but it's still good!! :) our next door neighbors came over to celebrate with us. They brought ice cream and we had a sundae bar. Plus, we know many of you across the country were celebrating with us too!!

It's the little things

When we moved to Colorado I was not quite halfway through my pregnancy with Salem. Salem's room doubled as the guest room and Jude's nap room as well. It was full. Last week we finally made some room and I got my piano set up. I've missed it. But not as much as I now miss the missing sheet music! Jude has been known to eat paper on occasion. Hmmm...

Three soggy muffins

The boys are in their second week of swim lessons. IMHO, Jude is the best swimmer, but they are all making great progress in their own ways. I grabbed this pic before class started. It's so fun to watch the three of them together. Drew and Ty are in the same class, but Jude's class has only three students and he has daddy with him. I think the extra attention for him has helped his incredible progress. I have super cute videos in my phone, but don't know how to add them this way. Bummer.

Amazing athletes

Drew and Ty are in a sports class at the local rec. They get an overview of all different sports and learn to exercise and run obstacle courses. It's quite amusing to watch them run with a lacrosse stick, or try to dribble a soccer ball. If you want some great entertainment come join us in the bleachers for a class! It always ends with a rousing game of Mr. Fox. Ty was hesitant at first, but now he joins in better and they both have a great time.

Hot air balloons

I have had a fascination with hot air balloons for a very long time. Someday I really hope to ride in one. The library brought in a team of pilots to educate kids on how they work, how they fly, inflate and take care of the balloons. After the session we were able to watch them inflate a balloon and get really close to it. The propane torch was louder than expected and scared the boys, but we still all had fun. And I still hope to ride in one some day!

Zippity do dah!

I'm so proud of this little snoopy lover. I'm told that when I was little I pronounced his name as "shoot-me". This lil guy does the same. Not consistently, but it's either that or NOOpy! Both ways are cute. He also loves Elmo, or "Emmo". He loves to sing the turtle song, just to make the bubbles pop!

Library books

Here is my Drewby enjoying his library books. He was so excited that I found some books to teach him about airplanes, helicopters, and how they work. This boy has a million and one questions about everything. Now we can answer a few of them!!

Knocked over

As with any kids, birthdays are a big event. They are asked about repeatedly as they await the big day. These muffins are no different. Except for Ty. He wants his birthday picked up. Conversation went something like this: Ty: Mommy, when is my birthday?
M: in October
T: but I want it picked up!
M: what do you mean Ty?
T: I want it picked up!
M:(clueless at this point) Ty, we will celebrate your birthday in October.
T: but I don't want my birthday knocked over.
M:(now understanding and unable to hold back the laughter) oh Ty! Your birthday isn't knocked over. It's in the month of October...(sparing you the lengthy explanation)... So when October comes, we will celebrate your birthday just like we did for your brothers. Will that be ok?
Ty: but I don't want it knocked over! I want it picked up!
Clearly one, two, three and four explanations have not been enough as he is still bothered by this. A couple days will pass and I'll think we are ok and then out of the blue... "Mommy, is my birthday picked up yet?"

Jousting

The boys were oblivious to the intent and purpose of the activity-maybe this is a good thing. But we took them to see a real match last week. The shrapnel of crushed wood excited them! They each got a piece of wood autographed, but wouldn't get close for a good photo. I guess that armor can be intimidating. We also saw bears performing tricks and watched the mutton busting competition. Maybe next year we can get Drew to try it!!

Fourth of July parade

I love watching the boys faces during the parade, more than I enjoy the parade itself. Their amazement and awe won't always be so fun to watch, so I took full advantage! We watched the fireworks from our roof this year, and again, I watched the boys just as much!