Surprise!

Matt and I got an unexpected surprise this past January...We're pregnant!? "What?! Really?!" I was in shock when I saw the positive pregnancy test.  Should I cry or start freaking out with excitement?  When Matt got home from work, I told him the news with little to no expression on my face, still not sure how to feel about it all.  He was equally shocked and then immediately smiled and said that this was great news.  I was so relieved that he felt excited and confident about it.  At that moment I could feel the same. Allow me to briefly explain the reason for my initial feelings.  Just a few months prior Matt and I made the firm decision to wait another year before trying to have another baby.  We immediately started planning out a year of fun family and "adult only" vacations.  It was going to be a great year of relaxation and enjoying our two little boys.  Well apparently our plan was not God's plan for us.  I definitely have my doubts about what I am capable of handling, but God must know that I am capable and that's what brings me peace about having 3 little ones at home for two full years before Rylan goes off to school.  This may be the toughest couple years of my life, but I know that I'll look back someday and truly cherish those moments when my kids were little. It's going to be an adventure!

A Quiet Christmas

This Christmas season has been a busy one, but not necessarily busy celebrating the birth of our Savior unfortunately.  We have been distracted by our big bathroom/nursery/laundry room remodel.  In fact, our bathroom tiler stayed at our house tiling until 10pm on Christmas Eve eve.  I felt really bad about that and tried slipping him drinks and plates full of food to make up for it.  Let me just state that he stayed on his own free will (although that doesn't make me feel any better).  The workers thankfully didn't work on Christmas Eve or Christmas day so it turned out to be a nice, quiet holiday. We had a perfect Christmas Eve dinner with Matt's cousin and his girlfriend, Wade and Hannah. I served a non-traditional tri-tip dinner, per Matt's request of course, and was able to dress up the meal with a delicious mushroom and chèvre cheese tart and traditional scalloped potatoes.  I should have taken a picture of that meal so I could repeat it every Christmas from here on out.  Hannah brought her juicer and squeezed up some delicious drink concoctions.  It was a healthy and pretty accompaniment to a yummy meal.  We ended the night with a few games of Rummikub.  We spent Christmas day alone as a little family.  Although I prefer large family gatherings for holidays, I really enjoyed having a quiet Christmas with my boys.  I doubt Christmas will ever be that quiet again.  Christmas morning was the typical feel good, eat breakfast, listen to Christmas music, and open presents event.  Matt was slightly disappointed that I actually took him seriously when he asked me multiple time prior to Christmas, "We aren't getting each other presents, right?".  Apparently I shouldn't have taken him seriously.  It was all part of his way of surprising me in a big way on Christmas day.  He came to me with a brand new fancy washer and dryer.  So it was an epic fail on my part.  I'll never believe him again when he tells me not to give gifts.  Lastly, we headed to the park to try and fly kites. We failed at getting the kites up.  Is it possible that it was too windy to fly a kite?  I'll never forget Matt's frustration, and me dying of laughter watching him, as he tried getting our kites to fly.  Neither one would fly and both saw their end as they plummeted full speed to the ground and then got swept away full force into the fences.  We dumped them in the trash on our way out.  It was hilarious!  All in all, it was a great Christmas.  I wasn't good about taking pictures this year since we were in the midst of so much construction in our home.  Here are a few of my blurry mobile uploads.

Colby's 1st Birthday

How can this be?  How can my little baby possibly be 1 already? As it did with Rylan, the first year has flown too fast.  Rylan's first birthday bash was big and it was a lot of work.  More than I would have liked.  So I promised myself that I would never fall victim to the "He'll never turn 1 again" and exhaust myself and our wallet with a big party for a such a tiny tot who isn't even aware that it's his birthday.  Lesson learned.  With that said, we celebrated Colby's birthday with a modest trip to Chic Fil A for lunch and a peppermint shake.  Colby devoured his meal and of course slurped that shake right down without a problem.  Happy birthday to my happy boy!

Halloween 2012

I know I said this last year and I'll probably say it every year for as long as we live in this neighborhood, but the Terraces is like straight out of a Halloween movie during Halloween.  Hundreds of kids of all ages and parents walk the streets trick or treating.  Many neighbors decorate their homes to the max, play scary goblins, and some even serve hotdogs and popcorn from their front yard.  I love that it feels so safe too. This year has been all about the superheros for Rylan.  He had to choose between his Iron Man and Spiderman suits for the big day. He chose Iron Man and played the part well.  I found it only appropriate to choose the lion costume for Cobly's Halloween outfit, seeing as he plays the best lion I've ever seen.  He was by far the cutest lion on the block.

Our Family

Grow Baby Grow!

The boys recently had their well check ups, Rylan's 3 year and Colby's 9 month. Colby seems to be following in his older brother's growth pattern and they are both around 80th% in height and 70% in weight.  Grow baby grow!  I shed a few crocodile tears while looking through these pictures of my babies.  I would freeze time if I could.  Rylan and Colby are so much fun and I thank my Heavenly Father every day and night for the boys in my life.  

 Colby, at birth

Colby, 9 months

 Rylan, 2 yrs and 3 mos

Rylan, 3 years

  

Rylan Turns 3

Rylan's birthday was full of fun this year.  He started the day off by taking a donut run with Dad.  This is how Rylan would start the day everyday if it were up to him.  He sure loves his sugar.  When they came home, he was surprised with a Spiderman bike.  His reaction was awesome!  Next we hosted preschool and the letter of the week just happened to be the letter "B".  We took advantage and enjoyed a Big Birthday Boy party to end the afternoon of learning and playing.  Later that evening, Matt's family came over for some birthday dessert.  I think Rylan felt pretty special on his big day. Mom's mission accomplished!