Summer's in full swing

Caden is in heaven when summer time comes. He absolutely loves being outside and would live out there if I let him. We bought this little play pool last summer and I must say, it was definitely worth the $40 we paid for it. I can't believe it hasn't popped yet. Caden absolutely loves it. I tried to take Keegan in it, but he wasn't very happy with water being splashed on his face by Caden.



This little guy cracks me up. I love that he enjoys water so much and it definitely makes the day more enjoyable for both of us!!

Another Year...

I'm another year older today and I don't really feel it. Well, actually some days I do feel old, but not today! My birthday started yesterday when Jay decided to give me my present. Last night I was cutting cake for Caden when Jay came in room with this goofy grin on his face. Well, behind his back he was holding this.... The Blackberry Pearl that I have been wanting.. I was in shock - especially since I know how much Verizon charges for these phones. He said it was between the phone and a new Coach purse and he didn't see the purse as an investment like he did the phone (such a practical man!). I absolutely love my phone. He activated everything last night so that I would be able to use it today! Thanks babe - I love it! You are the absolute best ever!!!
Here's the cake Caden and I made. I thought it would be a fun Mommy/Son activity. He decorated so nicely. He loved licking the spoon and eating the frosting - the only part he'll eat..
Today we went on a trip to Mesa to play and visit with a friend. Here is Caden at the church building across the street from the Temple. The grass there was absolutely beautiful and Caden took full advantage. He had a blast running everywhere trying to get the birdies.
His oh so famous CHEESE smile.. It cracks me up every time I see it.
The park across the street from the Temple was irrigated, but Caden enjoyed throwing rocks into the water and climbing on this rock structure.
I was trying to take a picture of Keegan and I, but it didn't work out very well.
There's my little man sleeping soundly. He loves this Baby Bjorn thing (thanks Jami - you are truly a life saver!!) This kid absolutely hates his car seat. The second he is put in it he starts crying. Car rides are so much fun now!!
Still trying to get a picture of Keegan and I. After playing at the park we met up with Kristina and had lunch at Burger King. Caden was in heaven playing and I loved it because there were no other kids there. We had the play thing all to ourselves. It was so nice -Caden just ran all over the place and I didn't have to worry about any other kids pushing or hitting him (this happens quite a bit to us!)

All in all, I've had such a great birthday. I can't believe how fast time flies. But this past year has given me so much. I have the best husband in the world. He is so good to me and I wouldn't be the person I am today without him. I have the two most beautiful boys ever and they have taught me so much about myself and life. I couldn't imagine a better life for me or my family!!

Green Water

Bath time is one of my favorite times of the day. Caden has always been a huge fan of the bath and has warmed Keegan up to enjoying it too. Meredith told us about these fun tablets that you can put in the bath to change the water color and ever since, Caden has been hooked. Here he has green water or as he describes it, like Chick (he learned colors from watching Cars). They also enjoy a bit of foam that we spray everywhere and Caden makes sure Keegan gets foam all over him too.
Caden thought it would be fun to share his Mickey Mouse Clubhouse too with Keegan. I love it because just sits there smiling while Caden and do whatever we want to him. Poor kid.
Here's Caden loving the foam with his sweet cheese face.
And my smiling baby. He's so sweet. I love that smile!

He loves me!!!

Jay has been working extremely hard lately and a wife really shouldn't be complaining. He has a job which he loves and it pays the bills. But when the hours are 4 am to 7 pm, it begins to take it's toll. On Thursday night Jay was telling me that he had to work late again on Friday and wasn't sure he when he would be home. I did my typical whine and complained a bit about how much he had been working, but told him I understood. (How can I complain when he has over 20 hours of overtime on his paycheck.) So, I told him it was fine, I was just moody (PMS here I come!!!) and to just work hard and get it done so that he didn't have to do any on the weekend. Well, Friday night he got home just after 10 pm (mind you his day started around 3:30 am) so he was exhausted and I was half awake when he came in. Well, when I got up at 3:30 the next morning to feed Keegan, I found a collection of goodies stacked up on the counter with the sweetest note. It made my heart melt (even if I was half awake!) He is so sweet and can always cheer me up - even if it's with some simple tulips, Dr Pepper and chocolate (he totally understands PMS!!!). What a sweet husband! I guess he can work a few more hours of overtime without hearing complaints from me!!

Reminiscing!!

This one looked quite fun, so I thought I would give it a try:

20 Years Ago...

1. I was 7 and in Mrs. Watanabe's first grade class.

2. I just started playing soccer (cause I wanted to be like Josh & Jeff.

3. Was the only girl on my T-ball team.

10 Years Ago...

1. I was a Junior at Centennial High School.

2. I was playing club soccer and high school soccer and softball.

3. I worked at Cold Stone Creamery (and now I can't eat their ice cream, it makes me sick!)

5 Years Ago...

1. I was attending Grand Canyon University.

2. Getting ready to graduate from college and get a "grown-up" job

3. Just finished my last season of college soccer!! - I miss those days :(

3 Years Ago...

1. I was getting ready to celebrate my 1 year wedding anniversary.

2. I just found out I was pregnant with Caden!!

3. Our family dog, Auggie died.

1 Year Ago...

1. I was living in Surprise

2. I had just started working full time at Northwest PT.

So Far This Year...

1. I had a beautiful baby boy!

2. Shaved my 3 week old baby's head (it's tradition, I did it with Caden too!! - I hate when they start to have patches of hair everywhere.)

Yesterday I...

1. Played soccer

2. Went to a boring seminar for work

3. Played with bubble guns with Caden

Today I...

1. Had Ritters ice cream for lunch

2. Worked

3. Am taking the boys to McDonalds for dinner since Daddy is working late.

Tomorrow I will...

1. Go wedding dress shopping with my sister -Congrats Sis!!!

2. Do laundry and clean the house

3. Go birthday shopping for my sister and new sister in-law, Ruby.

In The Next Year I Will...

1. Enroll Caden in pre-school

2. Celebrate my 4 year Anniversary & turn 27 (Holy cow I'm getting old!)

3. Help my sister plan her wedding!!

Way to go Ali!!!

Jay and I are huge fans of the biggest loser this season - mostly because we actually know Bettie Sue and Ali. They have been good friends with Jay's family for quite some time now. We are so proud of both of them and all their hard work. I know I couldn't have done what they did. Ali - you rock!! We couldn't have picked a better person to be the first woman Biggest Loser!!

He's 2 months

My little guy is growing up so fast. I can't believe he's 2 months already. He's so adorable and looks more and more like Caden every day. His personality on the other hand, is totally different. He does not like to sweat, but he loves to be warm. He is a pig and can eat like you wouldn't believe. I have to force him to wait at least 3 hours between feedings otherwise he makes himself sick. He finally enjoys the bath, but only if Caden is bathing with him. He lets Caden put foam all over him (as in picture above) and doesn't mind when Caden pours water on him to get the foam off. He loves to listen to people talk and can fall asleep listening to my voice. He has to be rocked to sleep and loves to be cuddled. He's such a sweet boy and watching him and Caden together makes my heart melt. I love watching them grow closer each and every day.

Throw Up!!!!

I'm not a big throw up person. I never have been. I've been thankful enough to never endure morning sickness with either of my pregnancies. However, Caden was blessed to be a huge throw up kid. He has been throwing up ever since he was born. I'm not just talking about the occasional spit up here and there as a baby. I'm talking about full on upchuck of the entire bottle. It didn't matter how little I fed him or how often, he would throw up no matter what.. This little behavior has continued on past the formula feedings and on to "big people" food. He can make himself throw up at the drop of a hat. No matter what food or drink it is, my sweet little boy can get it to come back up.. It's usually associated with him having to do something he doesn't want to do like going to bed or taking a nap. He makes himself so upset that he throws up. So, in the last 2 years I've cleaned up throw up at least once a week, if not more often. I've gotten used to washing sheets in the middle of the night and scrubbing my carpet quite often (thank goodness for leather couches!). However, throwing up at church was not something I thought I would ever have to deal with. Caden loves church (we call it Jesus' House) and he loves the idea of going to Jesus' House on Sundays. However, nursery is a different story. He likes to play with the kids and seems fine when I leave him, but then I get a visit from the nursery leader in Sunday School saying, "Don't be alarmed, but your son threw up!" Nice!! After getting home and having yet another talk about throwing up I decided to take a picture of the lovely dress shirt and tie that were the lucky recipients of some yummy snacks!! I guess I should be thankful that the bathroom floor took the brunt of it. Oh the joys of parenting!!

Family Pictures

Ever two years or so my Mom has our family pictures taken since our family changes so much. This year we added two spouses and one baby! Jessica did a great job taking the pics and I know they are going to come out beautifully. Here are a few candids that I managed to snap while we were there.. Awe, I love him....

Me and my hubby looking all HOT together!!!

Here's all the grandkids. The are so cute. Lily is getting so big, she was like a little Mommy to Keegan. Great job Lily!!

For some reason, Big Al is always able to calm my kids. They just love him! He's the best Dad and Grandpa ever!!!

Caden and Big Al are very much alike. They like to explore and check things out while everyone else is having their pictures taken! I love how much Caden admires his Big Al!!

Jessica, thanks for taking our pictures and getting all 17 of us to smile!! I can't wait to see the professional ones! I know they are going to be great!!

Park Adventure

Yesterday Jay had to work late (and by late I mean until after midnight!) so I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to take the boys to the park out here in Surprise with a lake and some ducks.. Caden absolutely loved it. After some yummy Taco Bell, we wandered around and fed the ducks some random bread we found on the ground along with some cinnamon twists from Taco Bell. I must say, they like cinnamon twists!! Unfortunately, the playground was closed for some reason so we didn't stay long - but it was fun and we will definitely have to go back soon (after the playground is fixed of course!) And where else would I find my 2 year old but in a tree.. Maybe that's why we call him Monkey Man. He loves to climb, especially trees.. He tried to climb the chain link fence that was around the playground area - poor guy - he really wanted to play!

Caden and Ty found something better than the playground to entertain them - the fabulous drain pipe. Who knows what's lurking inside there - I'm just grateful for the little bars to block the entrance - otherwise there would be a 2 year old inside there for sure..

He's ticklish!!

I can't tell you how excited I am to have a ticklish little boy. Caden is very ticklish and I love it, so needless to say I was hoping this one would be too. Sure enough, we were playing the other day and I was rubbing on his belly and near his collar bone area and he just started cracking up. I love it.. It took me a while, but I finally got a picture to capture the moment! I just love my ticklish boys!

My little criminal

Every other Friday night Jay and I have "date night" with the boys at Fry's Marketplace. Pathetic, I know. But it's better than the Saturday morning crowds and we usually hit dinner before hand. Well, at our Fry's they have little cars on the front of the shopping carts for kids to play in while parents shop. These are a big hit in our house so getting the "car cart" is a must. The only problem with these fabulous car carts is that my sticky fingered 2 year old can reach anything on the low shelves and put it in the car with him. I am usually pretty good about catching everything he grabs and manage to put it back before we leave. So, we are standing in the check out aisle putting everything up by the register when I see him grab a candy bar. I sternly ask him to put it back and after much hesitation he puts the chocolate bar back. I figured the situation was over - that is until we got out in the parking lot and I went to grab him out of the little car. There was my innocent 2 year old gnawing at a stick of Rolo's with it opened smack in the middle and chocolate all over his face. I was so in shock I didn't know what to do. After contemplating for a while and putting the other little man in his seat, I decided that he needed to learn a very valuable lesson. He's a smart 2 year old and I wasn't about to go thru this again. So I grabbed the Rolo's that were thrown on the ground and my little guy and we headed into the store. I asked the sweet old man at the door where we could go to pay for something that was taken from the store. At first I think he thought I was joking because he kind of laughed. Realizing I was dead serious he pointed to the little coffee counter and said I could pay for it there. We walk up to this coffee counter and I tell the maybe 17 year old kid that my son needs to pay for this chocolate that he stole. This poor kid was in shock! I'm sure he was thinking - I'm so glad you aren't my mom!! I made Caden say sorry to the kid and when we got outside of the store, I made him throw the chocolate in the trash. Needless to say the drive home was interesting. We had a nice long talk about stealing and taking things that don't belong to us or that we don't buy first. I made him sit in the naughty spot when we got home and decided I needed a photograph for my son's first crime! I never thought I would have to go over this with my 2 year old. Hopefully he learned something today cause I don't want to have that talk again.