Happenings around here...

Just hanging around the house last night....

At this point he did let go for a second....he is going to be my "risk taker".

Just has never done this one....learned from his little bro!

Clayton's Birthday Party

Aunt Dana made the cake! It was so cute.


Enjoying his cake



The partygoers....


All smiles.

Carsten

for those who can't view videos

a sideways video...sorry

Justin is a frog.

And...Justin being a Froggie.....

Clayton is learning to walk. He is so darn adorable....

This morning both boys were playing contently in the living room (5 feet from me)...I turned around to find Clayton with a big grin on his face and happy as ever.

the parade

Nellie (Todd's Mom) and little Nellie came to visit this past weekend. We went to the parade on Saturday. Here is Patty, Nellie, Todd, Little Nellie, and Justin (or his yellow hat)



I was getting a bit tired of holding Clayton, so my friends Dad took him....Clayton's not too sure about him...but stayed with him for a long time



Justin sat with Todd the whole time...didn't want to be up front getting candy...

My little helper

Yesterday I watched Reese and Carsten for an hour or so. Reese was designated "Clayton sitter"...self appointed. He loved it. Clayton loves both boys so much. They come up and play with him and love to make him giggle and laugh.

end of week 3-swimming

We ended our 3rd week of swim lessons. Justin still doesn't like to get in, but his new teacher takes him and hold him and makes him be in the water...no sitting on the steps. So, she looked at me yesterday and asked if she could just "dunk" him. I said sure with a nod. So, this is a bit later. He was a trooper. Last night in the tub he was dipping his ear in and getting the back of his head wet like he did at lessons...good signs. Maybe he trusts this teacher more? Here is a video, compliments of Aunt Dana.

End of Phase I - Swim lessons

Well, we finished our 2 weeks of swim lessons...today was the best day yet...no screaming to get into water...still takes time to lure Justin in...but after 15 minutes in pool, they got to go outside and play....

Hot Days..

So, it is hotter than it has been...I guess we have are getting used to our new weather already. We don't have AC..maybe next year...so today it hit 83 in the house by the evening...not really bad when I think I used to set the AC in CA to 79 on the HOT days....I can't complain. And, Todd was in the attic getting stuff down and putting away...it was probably 100 up there...

Here they are tonight enjoying the evening. Just hanging out playing. Clayton can now can hold on well enough to not fall down...

Swin lesson - day 2

Yes, that would be MY son leaching onto the instructor. Refused to get dressed this morning knowing we were going to lessons. Finally got him dressed....showed him his treat if he got in the water....so thought we would make it today. NOPE....had to drag him to the waters edge...hand him to instructor and he screamed the rest of the 1/2 hour lesson. She held him and took him to deeper, then her helper took him and sat with him on the steps trying to get him to kick, etc...nothing! He saw me and wanted "mommy"....finally I went over and tried to get him in....nothing....reminded him of the thomas prize and he put a foot in (the timer went off and we had to get out)....so, we will try again tomorrow.

Daddy's Helper

We finally had to add child safety locks to some stuff in the kitchen...Clayton is now getting into everything!

Boys, Boys, and more Boys

Reese and Carsten spent the afternoon with us and the evening...we had fun...there was a band...

And art studio:

Carsten, the Birthday Boy!

And later, the three amigo's playing with the tonka trucks!

Next time we will do a sleepover....they had so much fun...

Clayton

Let's build a fort!

Aunt Dana was here today watching the boys while I had a Dr. appt....they made a fort under the kitchen table, covered it with a blanket or two and had a fun time! We are excited to have Reese and Carsten over tomorrow...need to think up something fun as tomorrow is Carsten's Birthday....

Justin's Thomas room

We finished his room last weekend...added the decals (removable) this past week. He loves his trains.....when Reese and Carsten came to visit...first thing was "Reese, Carsten, wanna see my trains"....too cute!

Remembering Mom

Today marks Mom being gone 2 years. This picture taken about 3 years ago....Mom, Dad, Justin, and I went to the coast for the day. Her favorite place....today we are going to the Ocean for Dinner and to just be there....something about it...

I miss her so much! I miss that she didn't get to meet Clayton and watch her grandbabies grow up....I miss that she isn't just a phone call away...she always made everything better...

Mom - We miss you and Love you!

Busted!

Clayton loves to get 'into" things...the pantry is a favorite...so if we leave the doors open and he catches his eye to it...beware he is on it....busted getting into my Ziploc loot! Crazy kid!