Nature Walk

On Thursday afternoon we took the boys on a nature walk.  We told them we needed to find 10 different plants and 10 different animals/insects.   We thought the wood pecker was the coolest thing.  Jeremy spotted it and said, "There's a bird over there with red on his head."  Sure enough.

When is Jeremy going to be potty trained?

Many of you know that we have been trying to get Jeremy potty trained for over 6 months.  We have tried everything we can think including bribery with candy and even toys.  We also tried making him clean himself up, after which I had to really clean him and then clean the tub.  For the longest time when we change his poopy diaper, we have been saying, 

"Jeremy!  When are you going to go poo poo in the toilet?"

each time he joyfully replied, 

"Tomorrow!"

Today while Lane was changing his diaper, like always, he asked,

"When are you going to go poo poo in the toilet?!!"

Jeremy:  "When you're sixty-five!"

Lane and I couldn't help laughing hysterically.  Where does he get this stuff?!  I certainly hope he doesn't wait until he's 38 to use the toilet regularly.  

Jeremy's First Day of School

Jeremy started pre-school on Monday.  He was excited about starting school until he woke up.  When he woke up he was nervous.  I distracted him by telling him "you get to wear your Yoda shirt and your favorite socks!"  We had woke up a little late so he's eating his toast in the car.

Once we got to school he was really nervous.  He did not want me taking his picture.  When I picked him up he was so happy and excited!  He had a great day!

This morning he didn't want to go to school at all!  He was crying by the time he left.  I was asking myself, "Am I doing the right thing?  Should I just let him stay home another year?"  Then I realized, He is really happy when I pick him up.  He has tons of fun.  Anyone who knows Jeremy knows that he is strong willed.  Like any personality, it has it's good points and bad.  I can't imagine him not putting up this battle a year from now or even after that.  We'll see.  Hopefully that will not be the case.

What do you think?

Today, in remembering 911, I have been thinking a lot about my baby brother who is serving for the second time in Iraq.  I'm so grateful for him and all soldiers for their willingness to fight for our freedom and our safety.  Those are two things WORTH fighting for!  There is a lot I could say but I'd rather let you listen to two of my favorite songs.  They say it better than I could.  So click on the two links below to hear.

A special note to my baby brother-  I love you!  I"m thinking about you!  I miss you!  Thank you for being a warrior for us!  ~Sarah

Have you forgotten?

I'm proud to be an American

Just got back from Costco...

I walked into the kitchen and then back to check on Tyler.  He was having oh so much fun climbing on the big boxes.  I grabbed the camera and of course Riley wanted to be part of it.

Riley had his first soccer game last Saturday.  He had so much fun!  A few times he started doing "tricks" on the field.  When I say trick I mean things like summer salts on the run.  It just made me laugh.

Riley is all about following rules and making good choices.  He also takes it upon himself to be, what we call, the hall monitor.  Lately he's been correcting Jeremy a lot, much too our dismay because it's in excess.  We can see the school playground from our driveway.  As we were pulling in it today Riley informed Jeremy that

 "You have to swing on your bum, not your stomach!!"  (FYI- Since Riley just started kindergarten, they've been going over the rules at school alot.)  

Jeremy:  Nooo-oo

Riley:  Yes you do Jeremy.

Lane:  Riley stop correcting Jeremy.  Nobody likes that!

Riley:  (raising his voice exclaims) THERE ARE RULES!!!

Lane and I were just laughing because it's so classic Riley!  It still makes me laugh just thinking about it!

Project Hotty

What is that?  I waited a year to find out.  Lane and Dave, one of our really good friends, had been planning a surprise for a year.  They always referred to it as project hotty.  During the last year they would occasionally ask each other ambiguous questions in front of us, probably attempting to spike our curiosity.  Yesterday was the day!  Lane took care of everything including the babysitter.  I just had to dress up and be ready by 12:30.  Then Dave, Farrah, Lane and myself went to Portland for this...

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was!  I have never been to an opera of any kind.  I have seen the movie for Phantom of the opera and I loved it.  I also love the cd.  Let me just say that it surpassed all my expectations!  It was amazing!!!  If you haven't gone to see it, next time they're in town, GO!  

After the opera we ate dinner at a wonderful place called Mama Mia.  The whole thing was fabulous!!  I had the best date with my husband.  I can't wait to go see another opera!

Tyler Then and Now

This was Tyler's new born picture.

This is Tyler today!

His Birthday is today!

I can't believe he's one year old!

Below is  Tyler while we sang Happy Birthday to him. 

He is so darn cute.  The old time we sang he had a huge grin on his face while he looked back and forth at all of us.

If I had one word to describe Tyler it would have to be CHEERFUL!!  He is such a happy sweet baby.  For the first six months of his life, he didn't even cry once a day.  Even when he did cry it was like for 30 seconds.  

Tyler is always smiling and laughing.  He's such a cuddle bug too.  I think Jeremy and myself get the most hugs and kisses.  Whenever Jeremy is upset, he crawls over to him, kisses him and pats him on the head.

I love his dimples, his cheeks, his eyes, his smile, his angel kiss birthmark on his for, I love that he loves his brothers so much, I love that he's a Mama's boy, I love that he can always make me smile because his smile is so contagious!!!  I LOVE TYLER!  I love him so completely!  This year has gone by so fast.  Sometimes I can't wait until he gets older and we get to see all the new things he does and watch his personality develop, and then I'm sad.  I know I will miss these days so much.  I have a bad habit of thinking when Lane is done with school..... 

 I am really trying to live in the moment and relish every second of it!  I love my Tyler!  I love Riley and Jeremy!  I love my husband!  I love my life!!!

Happy Birthday Tyler!

This evening I gave Jeremy a lemon wedge, which he loves.  Then he says to me, 

"I like the flavor of this!  It has good flavor!"  I was very surprised by the words he chose.  It was so cute.  He thanked me for the next hour for giving him that lemon.  He loves lemons.  

As we were getting out of the car Jeremy looks at Tyler and says,

"I see his Cutes!"

Tyler looks so old, to me, in this picture.

Riley's 1st Day of School

I can't believe I have a child that's old enough to be in Kindergarten.  Time flies!  Riley was so excited.  He had a good day.

Whirlwind Week

Last Wednesday we woke up in the morning and Lane mentioned that he thought there might be a family reunion over the weekend.  That was indeed the case.  We packed up and headed to Utah a few hours later.  I am not usually that spontaneous, I tend to be a planner, but it was so much fun and we were glad that we went.  We got back late last night.  There were lots of pictures taken, only they weren't on our camera.  So there will be pictures and stories to come.

Murase Park

If you have never been to this park, you have to go!  It is GREAT!  It's in Wilsonville.  We absolutely love it.  It's unlike any park we have ever been to and it far surpassed any expectations that I had.  Our boys had a blast and we had a blast watching them!