Winter Wonderland

It's so nice of Bryce to make Gus feel less dogly.
The white blur just above his head is a snowball, I think it's going to make contact.

Bryce is in just the right spot to protect Keaton, you can see the snowball just behind Bryce's hood.

In our house one must always be aware of a shot to the groin (my children know more words for this area than I could have ever dreamed-I'm so proud.)

I love the expression on this face-

Gus is like a spring in the snow-he absolutely loves it.

He had had enough of being in the middle of the action, he found a quiet spot where the snowballs aren't flying.

What could be better than a spot in the shade under a tree to enjoy a refreshing beverage.

Ahhhh...

Look at the priceless present I got. If I would have tried to tie a bow on his head he would have headed for the hills. He must have been a very good boy he got everything he wished for. His #1 on the list was a Texas Longhorns football jersey (hard to imagine, I know). Not only did Santa bring him a jersey but put D. Fox on the back. Devon held it up and was so excited but when he looked at the name expecting the current quarterbacks name he excitedly squeeked, "who's D.Fox-hey that's me".
This is the look of utter joy (believe it or not). There's not much in Keatons world that compares to a new dirtbike.
Will there ever be anything better than a cardboard box?

This year Bryce woke to a very small wrapped package strategically placed next to Devons mound o' goodies. He was quite concerned he had been naughty. He asked if he argued to much or did something bad. I tried to reassure him by explaining sometimes the greatest gifts come in the smallest packages...car keys, diamonds, etc. but he was having none of it. Once he opened his ONE package left by Santa he didn't say a word just ran off to the garage. It turned out in the box was a picture of the mountain bike he had been wishing and hoping for along with a couple of rocks. We had led him to believe this was a present to large for Santa so he would have to spend his Christmas money on it for himself. It may have been a little evil for Santa to mess with his head like that but it was SOOOOO much fun.

We instructed these two hooligans they were not to come out of their rooms until 7am (Bryce wakes up at 5am 4 out of 7 days a week). 7:02 they came running into our room only to be told they could go watch cartoons,"but there is to be NO touching" 7:20 I went out to join them and watch the agony and torture of waiting. They didn't seem to understand that we still had to wait for Keaton to wake up and since it was sure to be a long day for him-it was best to let sleeping dogs lie. Finally just before 8 they got the go ahead to rip poor Keaton out of bed. It took him a good 15 minutes to warm up and decide it was all for good reasons that he was standing in the family room expected to open presents.

...Fun Until Someone Pokes An Eye Out

So one evening I found myself alone (this doesn't happen very often), when I came out of our room to check on my people I heard a lot of stiffled giggling. Travis had pulled Bryce's mattress off his bed and was sending them down the stairs. I watched quietly, but when the mattress started to buckle at the bottom threatening to launch them through the wall I had to put the kabosh on the whole adventure. They understood, but I've heard Bryce say it was really fun
"until the police (me) showed up." Sorry the video is sideways I couldn't figure out how to turn it but I think you can get the jist.

Visit to Santa

Devon cannot be talked into something that he doesn't want to do. As his mother I know this-but as my son he knows I don't give up easily. After several attempts to bribe and guilt into talking to Santa so I could just get the three of them in a picture, Devon wouldn't even go into the enclosed area Santa was inhabiting at the mall. He was a good 100 feet away and a little jumpy if I went anywhere near him. Devon has sat on Santas lap 1 time in his 7 years and it was when he was 2 1/2 and he didn't say much yet so he just didn't have much of a choice.
Keaton, on the other hand, would have sat in his lap all day and thrown full hearted hugs around his neck any chance he got. His eyes were so big and he was completely in love. My sweet Bryce totally humored me and walked up with Keaton because you never know how a little one is going to react.

Christmas Photo Op...

Getting my boys (all of them) to pose for something like a Christmas card is utter torture. If I don't get my picture in 2 minutes or less I have a mess on my hands-complaining, whining, crying and COMPLAINING!!
Even the dog was bored. 2 shots in he was uncontrollably yawning. What is up with that?

SOOO close...

AHHH and we have one that I'll have to live with.

Fancy Feast

Apparantly I am a little partial to my own children. Lined up on either side of darling Devon are many 2nd graders celebrating Thanksgiving with a special feast. After an hour I had lots of adorable Devon pictures and not a single one of anyone else-OOPS.
Oh look random children but the focus is still on Devon-eating! I would have killed anyone who took a thousand pictures of me eating.

The Little Fox Turns 4!!

He can hardly wait to get his hands on these motorcycles. He fits right into the Fox family. I must spend too much time around motorcyle exhaust while pregnant.
He was so gentle with the 'Curious George' wrapping paper, any other wrapping paper was just tossed to the side.

Happy Halloweeny!!!

Devon (ninja) and his favorite cousin (and buddy)Kyle (clone) went out without the overpowering big kids-Devon had to be talked into going beyond the first 10 houses-he doesn't love candy,not a trait he got from his mother. He loved handing out the candy though, go figure.
Bryce (whoopie cushion) and Josh (quite obviously a Smurf-I didn't even know kids knew the Smurfs) These two joined a dozen other kids from the 'hood and got to go without parents for the first year. They're such good kids and they loved it!

This is my little lion with a mighty ROAR!

Gus kept trying to eat the lion, little does he know next year this costume is to be modified and he will be wearing the mane.

Aren't they precious???

Fall Fun

This little boy is part chimpanze, part capuchin monkey (get where I'm going with this?...) He was determined to hang from these limbs.


This is the beautiful view off our patio- it's an even more glorious view when you can spy the monkey hanging from the limbs.

Ohhh the determination. I won't tell him it weighs more than he does.

This is an example of "pumpkin rolling gone array"

Any excuse to show off his pumpkins...

This picture is just priceless, I missed the moment just before when it was balanced on Keatons head.

Titans Update!!!!

The last two games have been not go good and the kids had pretty bad feelings going into today...BUT they beet the Kuna Rhino's 34-0 ( I must add the last two years the Rhino's have squashed us). And another thing...Bryce ran a touchdown that he made look way to easy. It was fantastic!!!! They still have a chance for the playoffs-keep your fingers crossed!

A Fridgid 83 Degrees

While I was enjoying the first day below 90 degrees in what seems like forever, my young one seems to believe it's a little chilly.
I found him ransacking the front coat closet working on getting that second mitten on, I helped him with the one mitten and he was out the door holding his arms saying, "BRRRR"

Dressed like this he then went to the bus stop with me to get Devon, the kids all ran to hug him and no one seemed to think it was odd that he was bundled up-I guess it's just Keaton.

Travis Has A New Riding Buddy

Keaton is so much like Devon in so many ways, but it took him a while to warm up to the running motorcycle. He loved them not running, but suddenly we have a little monster. With Travis home the two of them have carved a track in the grass in the backyard. Travis says this is how he "excercises Gus". Anything to justify playing with his toys.
When he actually gets a hold of the throttle even Travis looks a little scared.

2-4-6-8-Who do we appreciate????? TITANS, TITANS!

This is Bryce's third year of optomist football, and this year his BFF Sam was moved to his team and it is so much fun. We were a little worried it may bring out some over competetive, cocky behavior but they play such different positions its been great! This is before the game. Nice smelling, nice looking, and clean.
They played Wood River today, not the best of games 24-0 but my little darling had the most exciting play of the game and I was out of my chair jumping up and down really glad I didn't have to pee or it would have definately been a problem.

If anyone would have told me I was going to be a football mom I would have laughed at them, and thought they were smokin' something illegal. I love it! I love it even when they aren't winning. I love getting ready for the game, I am officially one of those maniac moms. It is only going to get worse next year when my Devon starts-STAND BACK!!!!

This is after the game, can't tell these two were on the losing team. They love to play and couldn't wait to get home to play some more football in the yard. I had to threaten these two I would kiss them and call out names if they didn't pose for me. Poor Sam already thinks Travis and I are clinically crazy and probably didn't know if he should be scared, Bryce on the other hand knows I am not above humiliating him if I don't get my way. So thanks boys, you both look SOOOOO CUTE!!

Back To School

YIKES!!!! He's off to middle school. He's been so anxious to get started it was at times more than I could take. He and a bunch of boys planned to meet at 7:15 to ride bikes to school together. I think they left at 7:02. I shut the door watched him ride into the sunrise and cried and cried and cried and cried.
Cant you hear him, "Come on, mom it's 6:50 they might be waiting for me." You have to truly know Bryce to know his entire life runs on 5 minute increments.

This is Devon all smiles before the storm hit. He was so excited to start 2nd grade, then he switched classes and a few other little tweaks and the child broke into a million pieces. This is my happy go lucky kid. He gets frustrated with his brothers and his stubborn parents at times but his world is 99% a happy one. He favors his dad's personality when it comes to getting his way, but even during a stand off you can force a smile out of this dimpled, freckled face. On September 1st around 7:30 pm this came to a screeching halt. He cried for 5 days straight. His teacher called, we begged and pleaded to know what was wrong, promised all sorts of wonderful things (he is still reminding me of things I said I would do or make if he would have a good day, week apparently anything-it's all a blur) He expressed he was scared he was going to be kidnapped repeatedly (unfortunately the local news over the summer that I was watching was a horror flick for my child-OOPS). He said he was afraid he was going to get into trouble (this is not a troublesome child), his 1st grade teacher laughed at this and reminded him there was not a single occasion of trouble in her class. We were desperate. Going into the second week was a little shakey, but by the end of the week he was all smiles. THANK GOD!!!! It was literally killing me! His teacher, Mrs. Luther, even called me and reported she had seen dimples two days straight. I owe Mrs. Luther and his 1st grade teacher Mrs. Stegge at least a 10 pound box of chocolates easily-what caring, wonderful teachers!!

Now as we head out the door we have this sweet, freckled face once again. My heart is working better and all is well.