Sammy Update

I've got a bunch of random pictures of Sam that need a home.  My little boy is growing up!  Every day I'm reminded of what a hilarious, loving, bipolar little human he is.

Buckle up for a crazy Sammy-boy experience.

We have been experiencing some absolutely gorgeous fall weather.  We were able to take in several park days before the weather turned cold.  Sam amazed me this particular day with his climbing skills.

He's so strong!

It's pretty amazing how adventurous he is considering he's the biggest mamas boy who ever lived.

He loves to be with his cousins.  They truly are his best friends.

It wouldn't be an outing with Tucker and Jack without a trip to Rubio's and Rita's.

It's just what we do.  You can actually see the employees shudder when we walk in the front door.  These three have a tendency to get a little loud...and messy!

He was amazed with all the princess toys Lennon got for her birthday.

 I could hear them giggling from downstairs.  They were yelling at people outside and thought it was hilarious.  They get along so well.

His buddy Wyatt sadly just moved very unexpectantly.  I planned on dedicating an entire post to the Schaefer Family but somehow missed taking a picture with Natalie before she left.  I'm so bummed about it but I'm more bummed they had to move.  They became such dear friends of ours.  It's so weird not having them next door.  I'm hoping they miss us so much they have to move back!

Sam was on a quest to find a green ninja costume at the Halloween store.  BAM!  He can't wait for Halloween.  Don't let his tough ninja outfit fool you though.

He's still a pretty big cry baby.

He has some mad scooter skills though.  "Hey mom, check out my new move!!"

He won't let a moment pass where he can perform his finisher.  If you happen to be laying on your back on the floor, prepare to be finished!

He takes his shirt off and says he's in "beast mode".

Even this beast, still has time to kiss his mama.

We've got other big news.  We took the front off his bed to make it easier for him to get in and out of since he's.....POTTY TRAINED!!  For real this time.

The whole pee thing came easy.  After all, he was partially potty trained 6 months ago.  We struggled getting him to go number 2 in the toilet though.  Failure wasn't an option this time around.  I tried everything.  Bribing, cold showers after an accident, watching movies on the toilet, and even you tubing kids pooping on the potty didn't work.

Since our playroom has the magical ability to generate poop in nearly every kid who visits I thought why not put the potty up there.  So gross, I know but it worked.  He finally did it!!

Then I convinced him the little potty was disgusting and he moved to the big toilet. Every time he goes, he insists the entire family look at his efforts.  It's a small price to pay for no more accidents and no more freaking diapers.  It feels pretty damn good.  I'm not even a little sad this is my last round of potty training as a parent.

This last picture captures Sam's personality so well.  He has his sweet little baby but also a weapon nearby.  There is no doubt this adorable little creature keeps me on my toes.  I love his little mug so much.

School Pictures

Oh man, the kids just came home with thier school pictures and I'm in love!

Feast your eyes on some seriously handsome boys.

Max 1st grade

Hank 4th grade

I can't get over how grown up they look.  Every year we get new school pictures, I love to look at past school years and compare.  Where does the time go?  It seems just like yesterday Hank and Max were little preschoolers with Miss Molly.  Those days are long gone.  They'll be men before I know it!

Caramel Apples With Grandma

Halloween is right around the corner and that means it's time for caramel apples with Grandma!  My mom really upped her game this year.  The beauty of the activity is my mom does all the prep work before we get there.  My kids were able to just jump in and get decorating.

Max took his apple decorating very seriously.  I think he made double the amount of apples everyone else did.

Hank got pretty good at the apple coating process.

These cuties were caramel apple making pros.

The little ones were content watching a show...oh and eating the toppings for the apples.

Hank loves kisses. 

Here are the beautiful fruits of our labor.  Mighty impressive, I must say.  They were as delicious as they looked.  I should know since I ate about 6 of them.

After about a ton of sugar, the kids had fun trying on Grandma's wig for her Halloween costume.

I always wanted a little girl!

Fall Break in Sand Hollow

We made a last minute decision to head down south for Fall Break this year.  Randy was already in Cedar City working, so I loaded up the kids and we headed down.  They were so pumped for vacation.  The Crystal Inn in Cedar is apparently all these kids need.

The next morning we headed to Sand Hollow with the boat.  It was considerably cooler than the last time we visited but just as beautiful.

It felt so great to be out on the water again.  We just couldn't winterize the boat yet!

We found ourselves a sweet beach to set up camp and the boys were perfectly content just playing in the sand and water.

Randy was ready to get on the boat but he had no takers.

I laid out on the back of the boat while these crazy boys splashed and had mud fights.  Only a mom of 3 boys could take a little nap during all that chaos.  It felt amazing.  Although it got close to 80 degrees the water was freezing so I was a little hesitant to jump in.

So was Sam.

Ok, this dirty boy was ready to tube it up!

I had a blast whipping this boys around the lake.  Sam got tired so I laid him down on the boat and then really gave the boys a ride.

There was plenty of tubing and wake boarding but we decided to call it a day a little early so we could check into our luxurious accommodations at the Travel Lodge in Hurricane.  We showered up and had dinner at a local restaurant called Baristas.  Hank just kept eating and eating and eating and when we got back to the motel he threw it all up.  Oh and Max fell into the dresser and cut his ear.

Good times, good times.  Never a dull moment, I tell you.  The kids slept really good and were anxious to get back to the lake the next day.

Day 2

Sam crashed the minute we got on the boat.  It was really cold, so we bundled up in blankets and secured our spot on the beach before we ventured out on the water.

More tubing fun!

All three of us had to pee and I didn't dare get in the freezing water so Max went first.  His reaction was priceless.  He sat in the water, stone faced and through chattering teeth said "It's not cold at all".  We laughed so hard.  I couldn't be a wimp in front of my boys so I jumped in too.  It took my breath away.  So damn cold!

However the water was calm and glass-like so I couldn't resist getting my board on.

I felt so strong and confident out there, I didn't even notice how cold I was.  I finally came in so Randy could have a turn.  It was only fair.

My sexy man has still got it.  I love watching him.  I'm so grateful we are both healthy and strong enough to do the things we love to do.  I feel like it's so important for our kids to see.

Up next, Maxi on the ski tube.

He was cracking us up with his dance moves.  Such a nut.

 

Hank and Sam were on flag duty and couldn't have posed better for this pic.  What cuties!

We stopped for a brief minute so Max could put on his gloves.  He's such a stud.

Sam was finally ready to tube with his bros.  They take such good care of him.  I love our cute little beach behind them.

After spending the majority of our day on the lake the kids were ready for some beach time.  Max was in his happy place.

Of course a mud fight of epic proportions started.

And of course Sam started crying.

Once he started rolling around in the sand, he was instantly better.

Max will probably have sand in his hair for a month!

The amount of sand on these boys was rather impressive.

If you look close at this pic you can see a giant sand clump thrown by Randy and a white rock thrown by Hank, perfectly colliding in mid air.  I'm quite proud of this action shot.

Let me tell you how fun it was to clean off the sand on Sam.  It's too bad he didn't get potty trained before this trip.  He had the wettest, sandiest diaper you've ever seen.  That couldn't have felt good.  We stayed until almost dark and then headed back to the motel.  Randy picked up Dominos and after we ate the boys zonked soon after.  It was such a fun day!

Day 3

Nothing like a Travel Lodge continental breakfast to get you up and at em.  I can't lie, I was feeling slightly exhausted at this point of the trip.  We rallied and headed back lake.

Our perfect little beach was waiting for us.  It seemed considerably colder this day but I knew this would be my last wake boarding session of the season so I strapped on my board one more time.

I'm so glad I did.  The water was perfection.  I just realized there are more pictures of me wake boarding than anything else!  I guess I can post what I want.  I'm the one writing this blog after all!  We had a great last day on the lake.  I was a little over taking pictures.  The kids were tired around 4 so we packed up and headed back to Hurricane.  After we got all cleaned up we headed to St. George for some Red Robin.  The kids love that place so they didn't mind waiting 45 minutes for a table.

We were all feeling a little slap happy.  Hank and Max were having an epic spelling battle.  They were laughing so hard.  

The amount of potty humor at our table would blow your mind!  I was just happy they were getting along.  Sometimes I look at this family and can't believe their mine.  I am so lucky to have these crazy, hilarious boys in my life.  It is definitely loud and chaotic most of the time but it's my loud and chaotic life and it couldn't be more perfect.  This little break was exactly what we needed.  These are the moments that make life worth living.  I cherish the time I can be with them so very much.