Oh, and Did I Mention?

That Kellan is now officially crawling??? For about a week and a half now. We are in the "I'm a mobile baby that can follow my brother around everywhere and drive my mom nuts" phase:) He is pulling himself up on everything he can, crawling, more able to play with Kade, AND he is eating a lot more solid foods with no issues. It seems like he should still be my little baby but he is now about 7.5 months old and one year is creeping up on us fast! Here's a crazy crawling baby picture of him trying to get me:)

He is also using more and more sounds and words. His newest one is "mama" but he has said "dad" or "dada" or "papa", he also follows the dog around saying,"gog-gog-gog-gog-gog." He is such a fun little lovie and just a little light like his big brother.

Curly Cue

Due to 3 weeks of croup, bronchitis, fevers, migraines, asthma attacks, breathing treatments, antibiotics and whatnot, there is currently a lack of anything exciting in our lives. SO, I just thought that I should talk about what has been on my mind most recently and confess my love for Kade's hair. He is almost 3 and has had one hair cut and is coming up on another one, but I just cannot force myself to do it. I have always been completely obsessed with it, even when it was just his fuzzies:) So, I thought I would just chronicle his hair growth, whether you care or not, it makes me happy:)

Baby Kade:
Just starting to grow at 14 months(note the one small curl:)

18 months:

Two Years:

Pre-Hair Cut:

Post:

And my favorite new pictures of it now:

So, am I crazy? To cut or not to cut? That is the question. I am so scared that the curls will go away!

Discuss:)

Giving Thanks

I have said many times that our current situation is hard and it can be very easy to dwell more on the bad than the blessings. With Thanksgiving around the corner and all of the commercials and different updates that people are doing on their Facebook's, I just think about it more and more and remember that though this year has been difficult, I HAVE been blessed beyond measure.

I have my life and my health. I have my children who have their lives and health. I have my husband who works so hard, is always helpful to every single person who might need anything even though is in constant pain. I have my dad who, seemingly, has nine lives and though he has several health problems, he stays positive and really lifts me up when I'm feeling sad. I have my mom who helps so much when I need it. I have my sister who I look up to so much for her strength and motivation and knowledge. I don't think I could've gotten through Kade or Kellan's births without her and Duane working as a team. I couldn't have gotten through Kade's newborn stages as well as we did. I couldn't get through most of the challanges I face without her to talk to and her guidance. I'm thankful for all my siblings and extended family. I am so thankful to have such a huge, widespread family. I am thankful for the roof over my head, my working vehicles, the friends that have stuck around and enriched my life. I am thankful for my faith and the gospel. I am thankful for the lessons learned daily. I know this too shall pass and this few years of struggle will be all worth it for the 50+ years of bliss.

I found this video and just love it and how greatful it makes me feel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tuwid8_O8dk

My two little blessings

Plan Toys Airport Giveaway

Another fun and ADORABLE giveaway from Intheknowmom.net!

I LOVE Plan Toys so sooo much. They have so much cute and educational and downright fun things!

This weeks giveaway is the Plan Toys Airport. Kade would looove it!

GIVEAWAY!

Back to School, Back to School...

Sorry, couldn't help the Billy Madison reference:)

This is a Duane post.

This has been a really tough past 4 years that we have been married. We have experienced the recession first hand with lots of lay-offs and, the past 2 years, dealing with the work injury has been a particular challange. The last year has been the most challanging, stressful, emotional and trying year so far. Most of you know, Duane fell at work December 11, 2007 and has had 2 surgeries on his meniscus in the past year. He still has severe limiting pain and his orthopedic surgeon is positive he needs more surgery. With the lovely workman's compensation insurance not approving physical therapy or another MRI to see exactly what is causing the current pain, we have just been stuck in limbo. Knowing that we have this time off for Duane to get back to school has been really difficult given his phyical condition, he hasn't known what to go back to school for that is not physical or taxing on his body. For several months, we have been fighting with the insurance company to approve physical therapy and there is just no way that it is going to happen, so Duane decided to look at some different faster options on getting a degree doing something that would not depend on his phyical ability.

After looking at several options, Duane took a tour at Heald College and looked at the different programs and decided that he really wanted to get into the IT Networking Program. After 12-18 months, he will have his AA in Computer Networking, which is fabulous considering this occupation is something that will never become obsolete, because of our dependence on technology. Everyone keeps saying,"Aren't the private colleges so pricey?!" It is, its $12,000, but he's already received a $4000 scholarship, we qualify for the FAFSA and Duane's dad was injured in active duty and receives money through the VA and so he is eligible for the GI Bill, which will pay for the remainder of his tuition.

He is attending full-time and I am working part time to help out so our lives are a little like passing ships at the moment, but this has been so good for him and will be great for us and our family.

I am just so grateful for the opportunities that have risen for us recently and I never thought that I would EVER feel this way, but I am so very thankful for our current trials that we are struggling through and have still managed to remain best friends, very much in love, and co-partners in our marriage and parenting. That's not to say it hasn't been a struggle, because it has, but I am just exceedingly grateful for everything that makes us stronger at this point.

I have several pictures of the kids to post, but I don't have time right now, so a random post will happen as soon as I upload the photos:)

WeeSqueak Shoes(giveaway)

The other day when we went to a family fun type place, I saw(heard) a little baby girl wearing these shoes and immediately came home and researched and lo and behold! My favorite mommy site, Intheknowmom, features them with a giveaway! For those mommies who like to stay informed and find the best for their little ones, this site is fabulous!

Check it out ladies...GIVEAWAY!

All Because Two People Fell In Love...

Today is our 4 Year Anniversary. We have been through so much and had some amazing hi's and hard low's. All in all, we have two beautiful, happy, smily, smart, crazy boys that our world revolves around, lots and lots of love and hugs and kisses and laughs. I have really been trying my hardest to focus on all things we have versus what we lack and when I count my blessings, we have so so much.

Halloween

Just some quick shots of the boys for Halloween. My little cowboys:) I have to say, I always love having 2 boys, but during the holiday season it is even better. November is the month of Thanksgiving and I have really been trying my hardest to focus on things we have been blessed with versus the things we lack and every single picture that I take of my kids just melts my heart and reminds me of the ridiculous amount of love and blessings I have in my life.



Kade's preschool Halloween party...he decorated a monster cupcake

Halloween night...the bounty:)

They were not too keen on taking this one...none of us were really, but its us:)

I got this costume on ebay and I had forgotten to change my address on there when I won it, so we thought it wasn't going to make it to us in time for Halloween but it came 2 days before and I was so excited I just had to put it on him:)

I Feel Like I'm Falling For Fall:)

Sidenote: We LOVE Noggin:)

I love Fall. I love everything that it includes, like the shift from 100 degree weather to 75 degree weather, the change in the leaves, bundling the kids up, the pumpkin patch, Halloween, Thanksgiving, family, etc. So, we went to the pumpkin patch today with my brother, Shawn, his kids, my sister, Minnarie and her kids. I got some cute cute pictures and of course, have got to share them with all of you:)

all of the cousins. they were trying to get together, but it didn't work lol

p.s. he wears this vest everywhere. hes obsessed with police officers right now and so, he is a sheriff. im just happy he's not wearing a helmet lol

this was zoomed in and i didn't know it, but i think the boys' faces are so stinkin adorable i just had to post it:)uncle shawn:)

Also, we went to the ward trunk or treat and Kade was a cowboy(Kellan's slept:). He isn't too keen on picture taking these days, so I only got a few but he's so cute, it doesn't really matter is he's even looking at the camera:)

picture strike

peanut butter cup boy:)

We are now on the activity commitee, so Duane's aunt came and brought Duane's nephew, Brody and watched the kids for us while we served food and did other activity related things

I got Kellan a cowboy costume that I am waiting for in the mail, so I am super excited for that, but meanwhile, I decided to put Kade's old pirate costume on him and WOW am I in love with this little baby!!!

School Days

This past week we've had some stormy days and one of my favorite things is bundling up my boys in soft sweaters and warm clothes. I know that I love that feeling of being nice and warm, so I'm sure the feeling is universal. I just took a couple pictures on Kade's way out of the door to school the last couple days and they are just quick snaps but I love this little boy sooo much. It just makes me crazy to realize that he is such a big boy going to school.

no news is good news right?

I really have nothing in particular to blog about today. Just updating all you lovely people that like to know how we are doing.

Duane is still in pain and waiting for workman's comp to approve something, physical therapy or an MRI for more surgery. So, we hired a lawyer that was recommended by our bishop, who is a lawyer himself.

Kade is in school and learning so so much. He knows his days of the week, months of the year, can count to 13 and count backwards from 10, learned red, green, and yellow lights and what they mean, comes up with funny phrases and new songs every day. He is almost fully potty trained, except for nights. Well, this week, he has been having quite a few accident actually, but he was doing great for 3 weeks. It'll get better again. Just a bad week:) He is still as obsessed with baseball as ever but has realized that there are times when he just cannot where his helmet/hat/mitt everywhere we go, e.g. church, school, birthday parties, the library, etc. We go to library storytime every Tuesday and he really enjoys the songs and stories and getting new books every week. He is in swim lessons and can now swim across the pool with no floatation aids or help from the teacher, with hsi face down in the water blowing bubbles. He is such a little sponge right now and we are just really enjoying every single moment that we get to watch him grow.

Kellan is 5 months now and is the size of a 9 month old.He weighs 20 lbs. He is in 12 month clothing and is sitting up by himself(for the past month), rolling, starting to clap, dance, and scoot backwards on his belly. I love this age sooo much and really really missed it with Kade being such a big boy. He melts our hearts with every smile, every move he makes really:) It's so fun to witness all the developmental milestones and things and little clues to his future personality. He is such a little light, just like his brother.

Dad is doing well. His doctor eliminated 2 of the 3 blood pressure medications he was on and commended him for his hard work. We just had his brother from Carson City and his wife come visit us and it made Dad insanely happy to have them here. I am really glad that Kade is growing up with knowing his extended family, as I didn't really get that opportunity.

As for me, the home is a challange as we have moved and it is almost twice the size as the house in Lathrop. I also work (as much as I can with all the crazy that exists in my life) for my sister's swim school. I do the office work, coach the swim team, and try to help out as much as I can wherever she needs me. I babysit my nephews on Mon/Wed and my best friend's daughter on Tues, which I love having all of them. Friday's are my days with the kids, just spending time. I try not to make any plans because I really want to make it their special day with mommy.

So that's our lives these days. Happy healthy kids and Dad, happy Mama and Papa and we're just trying to get through everything that life throws at us. Here are some pictures of the baby loves to hoold you over:)

Oh, and did I mention that Kade is the most loving, affectionate big brother EVER. He has never once been aggressive or mean. I absolutely LOVE it:)

Cousins, Cousins Everywhere!

The beautiful thing about living in Tracy again is that we are super close to my sister and her boys. They come over quite often I love having our children grow up together and be best buds. Here are some pictures I shot of them the other day playing in the backyard.

Also, my mom and brothers, and friends. So, when we want to have a family get together, its as simple as that. My brother, Shawn, is in the Navy and is being stationed in Japan so while he is underway my sister-in-law and her 3 kids moved up here from San Diego for the next year. We love having them so close and plan to spend a lot more time with them. So, they have twin girls who turned 4 this week and we had a little mini-birthday party for them at my sisters house. It was so fun to get the majority of my mom's grandchildren together, we were only missing 2 out of the 11.

Kellan was asleep for this picture:)

And yes, I said those girls are turning 4 and Kade is as tall as them, its true:)

And kids aren't kids without a picture like this

Also, Uncle Beau makes himself a target for situations like these...

If you remember this time of year last year, we went to a Childrens' Hospital charity event called Color the Skies. http://lacyboo.blogspot.com/2008/08/color-skies.html

Well, this year we went again and having two kids, I found it very difficult to break out the camera, but I did get a couple shots of Kade and his cousin Brody in the jumphouse:)

And looking at that other post is so so funny because Kade was such a little guy! OH how I love my sweet big boy:)

So, all in all, it was a fun-tatsic weekend with lots of family. We have it pretty good to be that close with all of our loved ones.