Easter Best

Is there anything sweeter...

...than a baby sleeping on your shoulder?

I can't think of one.single.thing.

This little guy has us smitten.

Gaga.

Crazy in love.

We would do anything to make him smile.

He knows this, and demands attention at all hours of the day.

We give it, even when the dishes have been piling up for days, the garage is a mess, there are pictures to edit, a neglected family blog, exercise to do, laundry to be put away, and meals to prepare.

Sometimes we wish we could do those other things that need our attention, but getting smiles and slobbery kisses from him is just too big a temptation to pass up 99% of the time.

So yes, our house is messy, and there are things left undone.

But he is our last...and we are soaking it up.

Hi Dad!

We are in Portland right now while dad is home studying for finals.
We miss you honey! Good luck on your test tomorrow! :)

(I was taking some maternity pics and while the mom to be was changing I threw my kids together for this pic. I just realized that this is the only picture I have of all 4 of my kids together! WHAT?!?! This must be remedied!)

Graffiti Thug

This is one of those "Keeping it Real" posts.

You are going to see things-that are not pretty, not clean, and NOT CUTE!

They were made by a cute little guy, so it counts.

My 2 year old is a Graffiti Thug.

As an artist, I can appreciate the talent of some good graffiti on the side of a building.

As a photographer, I really appreciate some well placed graffiti on an abandoned train car.

As a mother, I do not, under any circumstance, no matter how well done, do I appreciate graffiti on my walls.

My kids are well aware of this.

But like I said, my 2 year old is a thug.

He has no respect for the law.

He laughs in the face of danger.

He gets a thrill out of the fear of being caught.

It's a real adrenaline rush for him, I tell ya.

Well for the last month or so, I have yelled and screamed, talked gently face to face with him, given time-outs, spanked hands, threw away the majority of markers in the house...all to no avail.

Usually I make him clean it up, but lately I've just let it sit on the wall-

One because he LIKES to clean it up and...

Two because once it is clean, he looks at it like a blank canvas.

Today he really had a hay day when he found not one, but two markers.

He really out did himself-his gang leader is probably really proud.

I'm sure my little boy is about to be promoted to head thug.

I went around with my camera today and just snapped a few of the places you will find this kid's tags...

So I'm pretty sure every wall in our house has some sort of art work on it at this point...

Which is why I think he decided to start on the appliances today.

Luckily this was dry erase marker...it came off really easily...he was not happy with me for cleaning it off so quickly.

He threw a bit of a fit.

What else can you expect from a thug?

It looks like this Saturday the whole family gets to get in on a community service project of cleaning up the graffiti that this little thug has adorned our walls with.

He sure is a cute little thug.

He felt left out...

Since my little Oli-bug was asleep in the car the other day and didn't get any pics up, he was a little sad...okay so that is a lie!

Oliver sad?

Only when his mom isn't holding him or isn't within reaching distance!

Look at this kid! He is a happy go lucky, adorable, fun to kiss on little monkey man and I just love him to absolute pieces!

Wouldn't you?

A Day with the Boys at the Ranch

We went to feed the horses today, and while we were there I took Bekah's 7 year old pictures.

Well I couldn't leave my handsome guys out! Oliver was asleep in the car...
Love this little Valentine!
Those dimples on this little stink pot are his saving grace!
Only looking at me this time because I promised him candy...
Topher and his beautiful eyes...wow, takes my breath away. Every. Time.

Love these cute little pills.

Oliver-January in Review

This little guy was stealing hearts and taking names this January...

• Got to meet a lot of his cousins, aunts and uncles while in Utah at Grandma Mona's
• Went to a his very first 'second Christmas' at Grandma Julie's
• Started Grinning and Giggling on purpose
• Gives sucking face kisses
• Sleeps like an angel in his swing
• No more colic!!!

Things he loves right now;

• His mom
• The rest of his family too...especially his big brother who is always by his side
• Nursing
• Dancing
• Laughing
• The shower

Things that make him just plain mad;

• Putting him down
• Trying to feed him anything but mama's milk
• Getting out of the shower
• Getting dressed
• Being ignored

Porter-January in Review

This little guy had a fun January, and gave his mom and dad some more gray hairs.

• In Utah for New Years with Grandma Mona
• Went to Portland for 'second Christmas' with Grandma Julie
• Got a new fridge and play food for his kitchen
• Got his first Build-a-Bear that he named 'Bear Bear'
• Painted his mom and dads room and laundry with finger nail polish
• Colored on every surface of the house.
• Spilled many boxes of cereal and crackers
• Spilled even more cups of juice, soda, milk and other like liquids.

His favorite things right now;

• His baby brother
• Playing Kitchen
• Watching Diego and Dora, the Goofy Movie and Lilo & Stitch
• Saying naughty things like; "Beat it Doofus!"
• Making Messes
• Torturing his older brother
• Saying the word NO
• Staying up late
• Eating just about anything-as long as it's on his terms

Some things he's not a fan of right now;

• Behaving
• Eating at meal times
• Not getting his way
• Going to bed

Topher-January in Review

Topher had a fun January:

• In Utah at Grandma Mona's for New Years
• A trip to Portland for a 'second Christmas' at Grandma Julie's
• Got his alphabet crown in Pre-School (he knows all of his ABC's and the sounds they make)
• Starting to read simple words

His favorite things right now are;

• Playing his DS-Mario Party is his favorite
• Playing the Wii
• Staring at the TV, no matter what is on
• Going to school
• Eating Peanut Butter & Honey Sandwiches
• Being crazy and loud
• Talking back to his mom
• Giving hugs and kisses

His least favorite things right now are;

• Not being able to be attached to some sort of screen
• Cleaning his room
• Listening to his mom without having a 45 minute discussion of why he needs to listen to his mom
• Being quiet

Bekah January in Review

January was a great month for Bekah!

• In Utah for New Years celebrations with Grandma Mona and family
• Turned 7 on the 12th!
• Got a big doll house and lots of fun presents
• Had a great birthday party with all of her friends and lots of 'Tangled' stuff
• Took a weekend trip to Portland to see Grandma Julie and got a whole 'second Christmas!'
• Started Second Grade
• Still doing great in Piano and really loving it
• Still loving Ballet and Tap

There were sad times too...she had a hard time when her beloved Guinea Pig Emily escaped.

Her favorite things right now are;

• Reading EVERYTHING! Her favorites right now are American Girls & the Roald Dahl books she got for Christmas
• Playing Farm Frenzy on her DS
• Playing Jumpstart and Webkinz on the computer
• Eating Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
• Making cards for everyone
• Playing the piano for family nights
• Taking pictures

Things she does not like;

• Watching Diego or Dora over and over again with her brothers
• Writing long papers for school