Two Little Monkeys

My favorite picture from our TWO minute photo shoot! This monkey was the only thing that got Keaton to sit still! He didn't like the fur on his neck but it worked.

Hugs for Champ

I came across this picture of Riley cuddling with Champ and had to share! I don't have very many recent pictures of this boy! I need to take him on a little photo shoot!

Cat in the Hat

For Dr. Seuss birthday, Lauryn dressed up like the cat!

Self Training

I think Keaton would like some privacy. HaHa! He's been self potty training himself this week and only comes to me when he's ready for his treat, which are miniature fruit flavored marshmallows.

Cake Pops

I feel like I need to apologize for my lack of blog posts over the last couple of months, but I'm not going to because the reason why is...KEATON. I'm figuring out, that if I entertain him all day while his siblings are at school, we're both in better moods. My to do list gets bigger...but Keaton is happier.

Anyway this must be blogged.......CAKE POPS!

I made these cake pops for a friend's birthday, and I can't get over how fun and cute they are. I just had to share them!

Keaton 18 Months

This AdoRabLe child is a walking disaster. Every moment Keaton is awake he's one step ahead of me destroying everything in his path. He's already familiar with time-outs and I'm impressed how long he sits against the wall, of course, giving me the evil eye. I love it! He makes the cutest facial expression when he's in trouble. I find myself looking away because I'm cracking up. I just can't help myself. I thought Riley was a handful...

First Tooth

I can't believe Lauryn lost her first tooth! It was hysterical watching her baggie up her teeny tiny tooth for the Tooth Fairy.

Jacobs Ladder

My new obsession is Jacobs ladder. I currently use this interesting machine twice a week on the days I don't run. I'm up to 15 minutes and it kicks my trash. After the ladder, I finish up with the elliptical or bike. My goal is to climb this bad boy for 30 minutes. I ran outside this morning, which was very refreshing, but froze my ears, legs, and buns off. I'm sick of running on the treadmill...spring please come!

If your interested....

Jacobs Ladder is a patented commercial cardio machine specifically designed for fitness enthusiasts, athletes and professionals. Its unique design places the user at a 40° angle in order to take stress off of the lower back.

Because Jacobs Ladder is self-paced, the faster you go, the faster it goes, in order to stop, just slow down. Jacobs Ladder is also self-powered, so without the need for an electrical outlet, you can place it anywhere in your facility.

Jabobs Ladder is ideal for training, rehabilitation, and Military/Fire/Police personnel fitness preparation.

Features:

• Involves upper body, arms and shoulders increasing cardiovascular activity and providing total body benefits
• Natural climbing position reduces stress and pressure on back and hips
• Long dynamic climbing stroke insures a wide range of leg and lower body muscle utilization
• Low impact activity mitigates strain on joints
• Adjustable belt and tether line activate climbing system. Climbing system automatically adjusts to desired speed and breaks to a complete stop when climbing stops
• Console displays Elapsed Time, Calories Burned, Heart Rate,Feet Climbed and Rate in Ft/Min

Reading & Writing

Lauryn wanted to practice spelling words the other night after watching Riley, so I started rambling off some words. Let me remind you that she's still in preschool and will start kindergarten in the fall. The first word I gave her was can. She carefully sounded each letter and announced, "Next." I looked at her board...playing along with her game and to my surprise it was right. I continued giving her words to spell and she was getting them all right. This was her list:

can, tan, pan, ran
top, cop, pop, stop
cat, bat, sat, rat
My daughter can spell!

I then grabbed Riley's kindergarten books and she was reading them too! I can't take any credit for teaching her, but I can thank her awesome preschool teachers Mrs. Graft and Mrs. Heny. On tuesday we went to my parents and of course I had to show my mom, who's a school teacher, that Lu could spell. She wrote her first sentence for my mom...I can sing.

I'm so proud of her.

Spinning

Spinning is exactly how I could describe my life lately and last week was probably one of the worst parenting weeks for me. How can three adorable kids turn me into a monster?

A vacation is what I needed and I got one. My friend was celebrating her birthday and all she wanted was an overnight girls trip. The timing couldn't be more perfect....it was awesome.

I obviously need to do something different, so this week my goal is to capture sweet moments. I'm a very visual person and for me seeing is everything. Maybe this is just what I need...a little camera therapy.

Brenda Hopkin, The Lion House Head Baker!

Click on the link below to watch a video of my Aunt Brenda at The Lion House Bakery.

ksl.com - Thanksgiving favorites: Lion House rolls and pies

Halloween

We had a busy Halloween this year with lots of parties and events that stretched over three days. By Sunday night, the kids were so done dressing up. I refused to buy the kids costumes this year, so we dug through the Halloween tub and came up with a ninja, cowgirl, and scarecrow. I spent $12 on a couple of odds and ends to complete their costumes.







Random picture on Halloween, but I love it!

Checkup

Keaton at 10 months....
Weight: 20lbs 12 oz
Height: 28 1/4 inches
Words: Mama, Dada, Ryry (Riley), Hi
Tricks: dances, waves, gives high five, claps, shakes his head no, blows kisses, throws the ball for Champ
Favorite foods: subway, pizza, pancakes, toast, peaches, pears, chocolate milk, club crackers, V8 Fusion, cheese, yogurt, really anything we put in front of him
I lose my patients when: he pulls my hair, crawls into our walk-in shower, chews on his crib, demands two bottles durning the night, throws his sippy off the highchair, dumps the water out of the dog bowl
Things I can't get enough of: his crawl, his laugh, when he lays his head on my shoulder, when he puts his smashed fingers on my lips and wants me to kiss them, his fuzzy hair, and his appetite

Aunt Stephanie will be so proud!

I think I have a cheerleader on my hands. I happened to capture this little jump of Lauryn on the tramp when the kids were fighting over the stoplight. Have I ever mentioned this girl loves to dance, sing, and strut her stuff everywhere she goes? We typically turn the tunes up and jam out daily. Keaton is starting to join in. He throws his hands up and bounces to the beat. Love it...one of my favorite times during the day.

Keaton

Keaton has been a monster this week due to the appearance of tooth seven and tooth eight. I need to see more of this happy baby.

Ry's First Day of 2nd Grade

I can't believe Riley started 2nd grade this year. Where has the time gone? I love his baby blues in this picture.

First Day of Preschool

Cute little expressions of excitement from Lu on her first day of preschool.

Dress Up at Nana's

It's been wonderful spending much needed time with my adorable sister-in-law and her 4 girls this summer. We see them once a year because they live so far away. Since Greg and I have been in love since childhood, I've known both of Greg's sisters my whole life. One of the greatest moments this summer was when our girls dressed up in Nana's skirts and danced the afternoon away. Miss you girls like crazy.  Below is my sister-in-laws: Stephanie, (me) and Cindy. Steph lives closer so we get to see more of each other and her boys. Thanks for all the good times!

Almost Eight Months

Keaton...

loves to eat and will eat anything

weighs 18 pounds

army crawls everywhere

tries to wave

squeezes his fists together along with a squeal when excited

loves to pull hair

says ma.ma.ma.ma, da.da.da.da, and ry.ry.ry.ry

loves his silky blanket

only drinks 4 oz of formula at a time

had his first hair cut last week

has 4 teeth

loves to ride in the bike buggy

puts everything in his mouth

loves water especially showers

is a spitting image of Riley...

Big Boy

Keaton is growing so fast. His favorite thing is eating if you can't tell. The child eats anything I put in front of him. I have to admit I'm pretty lucky because my kids are not picky eaters. Keaton has two bottom teeth and working on the top two. He's been sitting for a couple weeks now. He dives forward on this hands and tucks his knees under him. I think he's going to start crawling soon. I love this baby to pieces.