The Monkey House

This morning I heard a commotion in Brady's room at 6:30 am. This is what I walked into:

Please note that the big boys do not have diapers, underwear or any type of pants on. Evidently, they both had to poop when they got up. And, they did so all by themselves. Yes, this is good, and an improvement, but there is one thing the boys have not mastered. WIPING!! I'm not sure Nate even attempted to wipe. Eli attempted but he must have become frustrated w/ the process because he very quickly let me know that he had thrown the WHOLE roll of toilet paper in the potty. Sure enough, there was an entire roll drenched and ruined that I had to fish out. Great way to start your Saturday morning.

Today it is quite cold outside, so playing outside is just really not an option, so I decided to take them to a place called The Monkey House. It's in Fort Smith. It is a big building w/ about 7-8 huge blow up jumpy/bouncy/sliding things. The boys absolutely love it. They are out like a light right now too. It requires lots of energy, which is awesome for nap time.

The not so sweet picture via text

Last Saturday night, Amber and Daniel came over to watch our children so Andy and I could have a much needed "date night". Basically, just go out to eat w/out screaming children. Never thought just running to Cheddars for a quick dinner and back home could be so enjoyable. While out to eat, I received a text message from my sister-in-law, Amber. The text was a picture of just Eli, or so I thought. I have a small phone w/ not a very big screen on it, so I was only able to see the top part when it first came to me. After scrolling down, check out what I saw.... I laughed so much! I absolutely loved it. Thank you Amber and Daniel for allowing us to get away - and keeping the kids safe! I foresee a senior yearbook ad picture!!

Transformers

Eli and Nate are completely eaten up with all things Transformers. They know more about Transformers than I know about...well, I dont really know alot about anything...anywho...you smell what I'm steppin' in. They know every Transformer's name, who built them or where they came from, and most importantly, if they are good or bad. Everyone and everything is categorized in one of 2 ways these days. You are either good or bad. There is no grey area with them. Here is a video to prove their obsession...Note: They are talking about Energon Cubes...for those of you not so Transformer savvy, that is a Transformer's energy source and most all episodes are evolved around getting more of them.

New work trailer / toy

Due to the size of our property, we decided we needed some sort of trailer to hook up to the four wheeler to do yard work and various chores. Turns out its a pretty good toy for all. Including the dogs....

Some pics....

Long time no post...

Yeah, I admit, I'm not the greatest blogger. With 3 kids 3 and under, a full time job (that involves being on the computer all day), it is hard to find the time and the will to get on the computer when I get home. I do however need to be better at it. I have basically not documented anything of my sweet, sweet Brady's first year of life. I kind of feel a little guilty for getting on to my mother for not having much footage of me and my life compared to my sister, but it is true...it is just different w/ the 2nd or in my case 3rd child.

Well, Brady turned one on March 16th. We had a small birthday party for him at our house. We did all the usuals of opening presents and letting him have at his own birthday cake. Which - surprisingly, and I say surprisingly because of the chubbage that is my child, he didnt really dig in at all. We had to basically put his hand in the cake to make him eat any of it.

This year has been quite busy. It has been pretty difficult balancing everything. But it has also been a lot of fun. The hardest part is having 2 kids on one level and another at a totally different one. Brady is still not walking - so playing outside really isnt an option yet. The boys would rather be outside than anything else. (Although, it is just now getting warm enough outside to do this.)

Another thing I have been trying to balance is getting myself back into shape. It is unanimously decided that there will not be any more children, so there is no reason not to lose the weight I had gained through all the baby having. I have to this day now lost 67.5 lbs. My initial goal is 80 lbs. Once I hit that, I may decide I need to lose more. But that's what I'm going for right now.

The best way to probably sum up the past year would probably be through pictures. So...

Santa at my work. Brady did not dig Santa.

Nate.

Eli.

This was the pic on our Christmas card.

Nate broke his foot jumping off our bed.

Brady's first Christmas. He had fun.

The big boys helped me make Christmas cookies.

Our annual Christmas pic at Joyce's house.

Sweet Brady bear.

The boys are obsessed w/ Transformers. These are guns on his arms if you cant tell.

One nite this winter me and the big boys stayed a nite in a hotel w/ a pool.

Eli and Nate - pretty good snow this year.

Annual family snow pic.

Randy from the Christmas story.

Nate's new big boy bed for his birthday.

Eli's new big boy bed for his birthday.

Nate hamming it up at his birthday party.

Eli turns 3!