Biking

This morning Cory woke up early to hit the mountain-bike trail at Alum Creek with a friend. When he got home he was covered in dirt and cuts and said that he had a great time! It took Ethan a little bit to warm up to him because he pointed out to Cory that he was "all dirty."



A few moments later Cory was hugging Ethan and the conversation went like this:

Ethan: "Dad...(pause)....you need to get training wheels."
Cory: "Why?"
Ethan: "So you won't fall down again."



Oh, our little Ethan. We all got a good laugh out of that.

All Boy!!!

So another week has come and gone and yet again I decided to take on another big project while Cory was out of town (I don't know why I do that....I think I do it to surprise him--and I rarely disappoint!!) Anyway, this week Briggs came up to me and asked if we could paint their room. I have been wanting to do it for a while now as it was quite an uninspiring place to be. So we sat down together and and got out my paint chips and after Briggs rattled off 5 or 6 colors that he wanted his room to be we settled on...BLUE!!  We went to Home Depot and began the project (this past Wednesday). We painted and did a lot of work while Ethan took his naps.

Here Briggs is helping me do the prep work.  He took all the outlet covers off and did a great job moving things out of the room.

Pretty Blahhh...They do have a closet door but if you remember a while back when I had to break down the door from the basement to the kitchen because I was locked downstairs--Anyway, now that Brooklyn is mobile we needed a door down there so this one fit.  Until we get the door fixed in the kitchen, the boys closet door will have to suffice.

Pre-paint

I also decided that I was tired of being so unorganized.  I scoured Craigs list and found this toy bin for $20 (verses $60 in the store) and I also found a great rubbermaid bookcase on craigs list for $25.  I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to have all the cars, airplanes, animals, swords, etc in one location!!  I love it!!  The boys also enjoyed sorting all their toys.  

Here is the blue color and the bookcase.  A place for the puzzles, games, helmets, train bin and much more!!

Briggs decided that he wanted some more colors so we decided to do a big green square above each of their beds.  Here he is helping me.

Then we taped off and added a red frame.  (that was a pain) but it turned out really cute.

I asked the boys what they wanted on their walls.  Briggs hands-down wanted sports.  Ethan on the other hand wanted race cars (that boy and his cars).  I didn't have any race cars but I did have some cast iron cars and old pictures and we made an automobile wall for him.  He also wanted the tennis racket up like Briggs so I relented and he was so happy!

Silly boys...

Ethan trying to give her kisses and she wants nothing to do with him.  (as usual when he tries to show her affection.  The girl knows what she wants!!)

Ethan boy...

Big Helper Briggs

It is now Saturday and here is the finished product.

Quite pleased!

Driveway Play

To my husband who is out of town this week; here are a few cute pictures of what Brooklyn was doing tonight in the driveway. It was hilarious to watch her as she had never done this before! She enjoyed crawling around, discovering bugs, the water in the curb, and playing with leaves.


Seeing her out there made the 90 degree HOT and VERY HUMID weather totally worth it. That, and eating frozen grapes and playing catch with Briggs. It was a fun evening! Wish you were here!

Two weeks in pictures...

Well, it's been a busy few weeks. The last few times I've talked to my mom on the phone she has mentioned that she keeps checking our blog for updated pictures and has been disappointed, so, here you are mother dear :) the last few weeks and what the we've been up to:

What a fun family night we had last Saturday as we started out the evening going out to pizza, then went down to Creekside and rode a paddleboat while the boys fed ducks as we went along.  Then we went out for ice cream (this family loves their deserts in general, but especially ice cream!!)  We had a great time and made some great memories!!

These are a little out of order but Brooklyn sure likes ice cream too.  She sat quietly with Cory the whole time just opening her mouth like a little bird to be fed and would only squawk if he didn't deliver fast enough.  It was pretty cute!

Briggs enjoying a twist cone!

Ethan too...when all was said and done the ice cream had run completely down his arms, onto his shorts and down his leg and under his sandals.  I tell you...kids will be kids.

Ethan's toes are on the right.  He likes to wear his flip-flops on the wrong feet (at least it doesn't seem to bother him in the least bit--I think it is funny)

Me enjoying my husband paddling--someone has to kick back and enjoy!!

Actually I did quite a bit of paddling!!

Feeding the ducks.  We saw lots of little baby ducklings and we even saw a snake that had just eaten dinner because it looked like a whole mouse was in it's stomach (I left that picture out for you Judy) but it was pretty cool.  The boys especially liked that!

Surprisingly enough Brooklyn didn't mind too much wearing that suffocating life-jacket.  They definitely need to rethink the baby jacket in my opinion.  Thankfully she was enthralled with the ride.

The boys feeding ducks from the paddleboat.

Guess who's legs these are?  And they aren't mine!!  Though mine probably do look like that-anyway I couldn't resist a picture.  Boy those legs are yummy!! 

Cory is doing an elephant sound here....

And Brooklyn thought it was hilarious!!  She loves books and loves animal sounds.  It always makes her smile!

Slip-n-sliding for three hours a week ago with our neighbors.  The kids had a blast.  Well, I should say that Briggs and Brooklyn had no qualms about jumping in but Ethan on the other hand is more content to merely get his feet "damp."  It was nice though to just hang out and enjoy good company.

Brooklyn and neighbor boy Felix, who are one day apart in age.  Felix wanted nothing to do with the water.

Brooklyn loves to be in the mix of things, whether it is the slip-n-slide or whether the boys are wrestling with daddy.  She is a fun girl!!  I think her expression sums up her excitement!

The boys on the last day of soccer with their awards!!

In true Ethan fashion (with grass in his hair) he is such a silly boy.  He did a pretty good job this year.  Unfortunately most of the two-year olds on Cory's team had attention spans of a fly and were often more interested in each other, their parents, eating snacks, the dirt, or the airplanes, than they were in the game.  It was fun to watch him when he did get in there and chase after the person kicking the ball (that is, instead of kicking the ball himself)!!  But he is only two and I'm sure he will do much better next season!!

Briggs just finished his last game of soccer a week ago and really had a great season!  He dramatically improved and was a valuable player.  He definitely is our little athlete in the family.  

We had dinner with our friends the Blackers, who are moving this week to Arizona (fingers crossed for them :) and we are so sad to see them go.  It has been so much fun getting to know them. 

Cory with the kiddos enjoying some Pez candy!

On a sunday bike ride with our friends from the ward.  The kids had a great time.  Briggs and Ethan absolutely love their boys (ages 9 and 7) and those boys love Briggs and Ethan.  So it makes for a fun time!

Brooklyn just plain tuckered out.  Ethan loving life!!

Cute Brooklyn

Our blue-eyed Ethan boy!

Silly Briggs!!

These next pictures are in succession as I was about to run out the door to take Briggs to pre-school I looked over to see the boys over by Brooklyn's high chair and ethan declares, "Brooklyn's asleep!" and boy was she ever.  She even has banana on her face.  I sure love this little girl!  (phase 1)

(phase 2)

(phase 3)

(final resting spot-she only got about a ten minute nap--poor girl, all she wanted to do was sleep :)  I hated to wake her up!

Briggs with his teachers Novella and Jane.  He loved pre-school and had a great year!  

Briggs with his class.  Our little boy is growing up!