So Long Training Wheels!

The boys and I took a walk in this beautiful fall weather we are enjoying and I noticed how well Hank was riding his bike and how easily he touches the ground now. I suggested we take his training wheels off and he was a little hesitant at first. We've tried this a couple times before but he was too nervous and afraid of falling. I reassured him that I would be right next to him and wouldn't let him crash, so he agreed. After approximately 30 seconds he was cruising around the neighborhood so fast you never would have guessed we just took his training wheels off. Max was clapping and saying "Good job Hank". Hank can't wait to surprise Randy with his new skills when he gets home from work today.

Focus and Concentration!

Look at that confidence!

KIOP!

"Kiop" is the sound Hank makes during his Tae Kwon Do routine and is the sound he made as he smashed this board in half with his foot during his latest belt test. Hank didn't hesitate once during his test and completed every task Master Augustine asked of him. He is now a Blue Dragon. Nice work Hank-man!

Nothing much going on around here. Hank is looking forward to a field trip to the pumpkin patch this week and a play date with his buddy Crew. Max is talking like crazy all of the sudden. My favorite phrase of his is "Hey....what you doin'?" If you're lucky he's called you and personally asked that question. Randy's been busy selling policies, playing with the kiddies and helping a elderly widow change the oil in her tractor. I've been easing my anxiety over my nephew Jack's spinal surgery by baking like a mad woman. I think I've made approximately 20 dozen cookies this week. I'm so grateful the surgery went so well and he's on the mend. This morning the boys and I had some fun with the camera while we waited for Randy to wake up. Here are the highlights...

Bob the builder, I love how he wears his hard hat backwards.

He's trying to be cross eyed...his eyes aren't like that normally, I promise!

Perfect shot of the snotty nose and chipped teeth!

He totally looks like me when I run...future cross country star?

Max had to join in of course.


and my favorite action shot...

It makes me giggle every time I see it!


Again...we've been really busy, as you can see! This photo shoot went on for an hour. My kids love the camera, what can I say.

So It Begins...

I knew this day would come, however I wasn't prepared for it to come so quick. Hank is officially too cool for his mom, or worse yet, EMBARRASSED of me. The above picture was taken at Rusty and Collette's wedding this summer and I have it displayed in our living room. Today Hank opened the cabinet where the picture is, and asked me...

"Mom, can we delete this picture?"
"I love that picture Hank, why would you want to delete it?" (Notice how he chooses to use the word delete instead of take down, or move...he really wants it destroyed!)

"It's not cool mom, I don't want Nicole to see it."

My heart broke a little, not going to lie. The only thing giving me comfort is looking at the joy on his face in the picture. He wasn't too cool 3 months ago!

Poor Hank

After a rough night of numerous trips to the toilet with stomach trouble, Hank decided he wanted to sleep in the bathroom. I found Hank like this 5 minutes after his last bout with the stomach flu and couldn't resist the photo op.

This is when the sickness began...on a field trip with his preschool. I took this picture of him with his head on my lap during our tour of Wheeler Farm. We were on a tractor ride when his nausea took over and he threw up all over the trailer. It's the first time I've ever seen him throw up and it was heart breaking. He continued to throw up for the next few days, telling his cousin Dyson "I have a throw up problem". There is nothing worse than having a sick kid. I'm so glad he's on the mend.

He had several friends helping him feel better...we have Jeff Hardy on the left, Griffy, Little Bear (courtesy of Bear Hollow Preschool), and Lionheart.

Mino's Day!

Here is a full recap of Max's birthday activities, complete with about 50 pictures (you wouldn't expect any less from me right?)

Requirements for a successful 2nd birthday...

1. Lots of unwrapping presents

2. New tee-ball equipment

3. New truck, equipped with sippy cup holder and musical steering wheel.

4. Falling out of new truck (not really a requirement but I do you expect anything else from Maxi?)

5. Lunch with Isabel, Grandma Jackie and mom at Kneaders. I can't fail to mention the 5 dollar sucker he's eating! Good thing it was his birthday.

6. Enjoying a football shaped sugar cookie at Kneaders...yummy!

7. Having Hank home from Blanding a day early! Hank's sweatshirt says "watch your back" and he is looking the part.

8. Looking adorable with brother and your twiner "hawks".

9. Not cooperating with my photo shoot!

10. Enduring 5,000 kisses from me! He likes it...really.


11. Curious George cake and sugar cookies thanks to Flour Girls and Dough Boys Bakery.

12. Dancing with Elmo!

13. Being the MC for his own party...thanks to new keyboard and mic.


14. Jack came to the party, even after a long day at Primary Children's Hospital. Max loves all his cousins but he seems to be utterly obsessed with Jack at the moment. So glad he came!


15. A wrestling match with Dyson and Hank.

16. Singing Happy Birthday with the whole family.

17. Making a wish.



18. Customary photos with the grandparents. Grandpa Curt was REALLY happy!

Max wouldn't cooperate in any more pictures but thank you so much to everyone who made an effort to see him on his birthday. I am blown away by all the love that surrounds this little boy! I am so blessed and grateful to be his mother.

Happy Birthday Max!

Two years ago today this beautiful boy came into our lives. He is such an amazing boy full of spunk and personality. Here are some of the things that make Max unique:

• He is a very active kid and with that comes many injuries. He insists we kiss every owie, wherever it may be.
  
• He loves to jam out to 311 with me in the car. He says "up" when the volume is too low and he asks me "you ready?" when a good part of the song is about to come on.

• He will drop whatever he's doing when he hears music, whether it's at home, Costco, the mall, or the grocery store, and break into his classic Mino dance. Basically waving his arms in the air and bouncing his knees, while shaking his head.
• He LOVES to help Randy and I. If he hears the shower turning off, he runs to our bathroom to hand Randy his towel. He is the best at unloading the dishwasher and always willing to hand Hank his sippy cups.

• He has recently started talking much more, but the words he says best are.."sucka" (sucker), "cookie", "cream" (ice cream), and candy. He has a serious sweet tooth like his mama.
• He also has a love for healthier food and is willing to try anything, something his brother has never done.
• He can rock a mean somersault. It won't be long before he's doing a full on front flip!
  

• He has to do everything himself "I'na doit" is a phrase I hear multiple times throughout the day. Another quality very different from his brother!
• He prefers jumping to walking any day of the week and not just on the trampoline...EVERYWHERE!
• Every time he sees a dog he has to say "doggie..woof woof". He acts like it's the first time he's ever seen a dog each time he sees one.

• He's still loving those fingers of his and after a long nights sleep...lets just say it's a smell only a mother could love!
• He loves to cuddle and watch t.v. preferably Curious George and Phineas and Ferb.
  

• He runs around the house with his gel and asks for a "hawk" meaning mohawk. He makes sure Hank has a hawk and daddy has a hawk too.
• If you ask him "where's son, angel, sweet heart, mino-head, buddy, and Max" he points to his chest with pride!
• He ADORES his brother Hank and has been lost without him the last few days. He copies everything Hank does.

Happy Birthday Max-a-Mino clap clap clap clap clap! He's so cool he has his own cheer.

We love you so much buddy!

Hank Moves to Blanding and My Current Obsession

Hank and Randy took off to Blanding for their annual 4-wheeling excursion with Grandpa Griff this weekend. James and Jimmy came this year and Hank was pumped to share his love of San Juan County. Max was heart broken when Randy and Hank left but I was there to comfort him. Max and I had some quality bonding time at the mall, hanging out with Sarah and Jack, and Grandma and Grandpa. It's so fun for me to have some one on one time with Mino. I enjoyed every minute of our weekend alone because I know next year, he'll probably be heading down to Blanding with the boys and I'll be ALONE! I need a girl ASAP! Kudos to Randy for attempting to take some pictures, I know it's not that convenient when you are busy having fun.

Jimmy and Hank are sporting the sweet shades and a signature peace sign from Hanksta.

Grandpa Griff and Heed! That helmet is massive. SAFETY FIRST!

Randy, James and Jimmy headed home today but Ranch Guy 5 (aka Hank) hadn't had nearly enough 4-wheeling and stayed with Grandpa for a marathon ride. I almost shed a tear when Randy told me Hank wasn't coming home today. I miss him, and so does Max. Luckily he'll be home in time for Max's birthday party on Monday night. His dream is to move to Blanding. Sorry buddy, not happening but I'm so glad he loves hanging out with his grandpa.

I have been totally slacking on the blog lately, why you ask?

I'm too busy reading her blog. Her name is Jenna, she's from Florida, and I am fascinated by her blog. She loves food, yoga, and running and has such passion for living a healthy life. She takes pictures of everything she eats, which is genius and totally interesting. She has so many meal ideas and has made me excited about food again. She recommended my next obsession...

She practices yoga daily, and recommended trying one of Dave Farmar's podcasts. So, I'm a little behind with the whole technology thing and had no idea what a podcast was all about. I now have access to a new class everyday, which is FREE and taught by a yoga instructor who has been Baron Baptiste's assistant for the past 5 years. It is amazing! You have to have a pretty strong base and knowledge of yoga or you might get a little lost. I have been missing instruction in my practice but it's so hard to get to a class. This will definitely help me progress, I'm stoked!