my three little men: week 32

Ivan's figured out a new trick this week. While sitting on the floor, he can scoot himself backwards. A lot of times I'll put him on the floor while cooking dinner and he just starts scooting himself away from me. He'll normally end up in a corner. He's also scooting around on his tummy, but no actual crawling yet. We've never had to deal with stairs and a mobile baby, so that should be a new adventure.

I also think he's working on teeth this week. I have yet to feel any bumps. so this could drag on a for a while. The lack of teeth aren't keeping him from eating. He eats a lot of the same things that we eat. He'll chow down on baby food too, but I think he prefers the real stuff. He just really excited about it.

He's also saying "mama." Still not to me, but he repeats it pretty well. Jason been working on "dada" but he's not quite there.

We didn't have any big adventures yet this week, but did get several house projects done. We came home from vacation to a mailbox about a foot from the ground. Replacing it quickly got bumped to the top of the list.

We also celebrated "the day the sailboats died" at our house this week. I've planned to remove them since the first time I saw them, but it just hadn't happened yet. Until this week! They are gone, and soon the shutter and trim are being re-painted. I can't wait. Also, our back deck got extra spiffy last night with some outdoor lighting! Thank you pick your plum.

We ended our week today by celebrating Jason's 31st birthday. The rain put a damper on all our plans...literally. But I think we are going to make our hiking happen tomorrow instead. We do have steak, potatoes and rolls on the menu for this evening. Amos helped me make the birthday brownies and they both picked out a present for Dad at the store.

I did a terrible job on this laid-back, yet productive week taking pictures, so that's it for now.

 

Posted with Blogsy

father's day 2015

I asked Jason where he wanted to eat for Father's Day and that he was charge. He asked me to repeat that last part. My husband is so funny!

The boys made the classic "Dad Rocks" rock that has been floating around. They did very well making it, and barely kept it a surprise. After talking about Father's Day, Amos was very sure that there should be a Kid's day too. Little does he know that every day is Kids' day. He will one day, though.

Here they are! Best.Dad.Ever - for these three. And we've been soaking up all our time with him. Lots of super hero playing. Lots of hiking. Lots more icecream than normal. And some of this.

Yes, I do feed my son. Promise.

We forgoed the after lunch - everyone is about to have a melt down - meal and opted for dinner instead. At the Pig Restaurant. Amos can't help himself.

Look, I was there too!

 

Posted with Blogsy

my three little men: week 31

The rain and thunderstorm predictions changed our weekend plans from time at the lake to going to Kansas and just hanging out with family. My parents hometown was celebrating their Flag Day. Which meant a very small parade and bounce houses. It doesn't take much for us to have a good time!

Once the rain cleared off, we went swimming and "Grammy and Gramps Pool." The pool has a great baby pool and the kids even were brave enough to jump off the diving board. Not to mention us mom's getting a tan.

I heard yelling from the living room and came in to find this.

On Monday, I celebrated a belated Mother's Day with my mom and sisters. Our husbands stayed home and watched kids, while we hit the road for Silver Dollar City without kids! Rides were on the adgenda. Although I love going with the kids, I need a couple trips without them to really experience all the rides. It rained off and on while we were there, and being a Monday, it wasn't too busy. Even with the rain, we were able to ride all the big rides, and some several times! No one brought it a camera to document the trip, but we did get this sweet Old Time Photo. A keepsake for sure.

Grammy and Aunt Audrey stayed the night, and we spent another morning bouncy with cousins! Bounce houses never get old. Because I've either been pregnant or had a newborn strapped to me the past time we've visisted, I went all out this time and got my workout in for the day.

Jason worked the second half the week, so the boys and I have been chilling at home. With the rain keeping us inside, it was the perfect time to bust out some early birthday presents from Grandma Musgrave. Amos has been a new character everyday. He loves dressing up and fully takes on each character.

This is what Ivan thinks about him. Speaking of Ivan, he's hit such a nice groove. He's sleeping great, eating great and the cutest thing I've ever seen. He likes to snuggle and enjoys a good laugh. He loves watching his hands. And he's gotten good a picking up little things - like puffs. He loves puffs. Still no crawling, but he does try so hard.

 

His brothers are the best at making him laugh. He just laughs and laughs at them.

While Jason was busy working, I got busy too, crossing off some tasks off my summer to-do list. I painted over a our water spots on the ceiling - the boring job. And then I painted our front door green - the fun job!! I've imagined our door this color almost since move in day, so once it was done, it looked like it had always been like that. I love it!

I have plans for some outside painting too, but I've got to wait for some sunny skies for that!

 

Posted with Blogsy

st. louis vacation 2015

This was the first year that we went on a family vacation. We've been on vacation with my family, but we didn't have to do all the organizing and booking. We invited our friends to go along. We had already vacation with the Eden's once before. Back in 2010 when we camped and climb Mt. Elbert together. This vacation had a little different feel to it. Plus we have since added 5 children to the mix. No mountains or tents this time. We were living it up in a quaint little house in St. Louis with our own pool.

We had decided to break up the drive with lunch and park time in Lebanon. Our family met us there for extra fun! We had a fairly quiet and uneventful trip. That's how we like it. Ivan snoozed off and on and the boys kept themselves fairly busy with the toys I had packed. I did have to make some illegal visits to the back seat to grab a few things. Silas was our "are we there yet?" asker.

When we pulled up to our house Amos was so glad that we had made it to St. Louis. From then on, our house's name was St. Louis. I breathed a sigh of relieft that the house was as nice as it looked on the pictures. We had lots of room to spread out, but one room was all decorated in Buzz Lightyear so we decided to try all three boys -Amos, Silas and Scout sleeping in there.

The kids had no trouble keeping themselves entertained. Between time in the pool and a new place they were having a ball. The hosts left a bunch of age appropriate toys - including a Buzz Lightyear replica.

We ate breakfast and dinner in, and lunch out. A little more work, but a nice way to save money! After all the kiddos were down for the night, then the real party started! Ha ha! We did have a couple rousing games of checkers and finished both nights with a game of spades. And it needs to be mentioned that the Ladies were the ULTIMATE spade champions.

The first morning there, we all loaded up in one car (to save $15 is parking) and headed to the zoo!

The Reptile house was a good first choice! They had such variety of snakes. I think the boys could have watched them all day.

Silas was rockin it the whole time in his frog hat! He fit right in.

We got to see the lions pretty close up, but it turns out that Tuesday must be their cleaning day. Several of the exhibts were being cleaned as we happened by.

 

Ivan was a trooper the whole day. He napped most of it, in spite of the heat.

We hit up Imo's Pizza for lunch. It was nice and cooll and we were all starving!

Almost everyone came back and took a nap from our morning adventures. Rachel and I used this time to relax in the pool. Without kiddos hanging on us! Everyone joined us later! The pool was a BIG hit.

Scout had no fear! He kept finding bigger and bigger things to jump over!

 

No good vacation would be complete without an after dinner trip for icecream! Drewe Ted's was close enough to walk. So we did!

YUM!

The next morning, we loaded everything up before heading to the City Museum! Conviently, there was an amazing donut place a block away. The dads and kids walked down to pick some up for everyone.

We's heard that the City Musuem was awesome, but didn't quite know what to expect! It did not disappoint. The boys had to warm up to things a little, but before long, they were climbing all over the place.

Ivan hung out on my back so we didn't do much climbing. But we did get to do more with him there than in a stroller. We went down into the Cavarans with the boys and did a little exploring.

After grabbing a quick lunch, we hit the road hoping for some naps on our way to Elephant Rock. Jason had wanted to take the boys there for a while. It was 4 hours from home and only 1 1/2 hours from St. Louis, so it made sense to tack it on to this trip!

We were a little afraid it might be a little much, but the boys loved climbing the rocks.

I'm glad that we didn't trek home from there. Instead we drove another 2 1/2 hours to Nana and Papa's and stopped there for the night. We love playing with our cousins1

Especially when it involves costumes!

We headed home that afternoon! We had such a great time! Our first family vacation was a big success! I see many more of these in our future.

 

Posted with Blogsy