Hot and Cold!!!

We'll last Sunday it snowed for the entire day, Keaton loved it and personally I thought it was beautiful to watch. It was a great day to just curl up in a blanket and drink a cup of hot cocoa. Keaton however from the moment he woke up thought we should be out running around in it. We held him off till about 10am and we ventured out. It wasn't alot but it was enough to push with his trucks and make snow balls so who's being picky right. The boys played until their fingers were about to fall off. Poor Ryan wouldn't keep gloves on so his fingers were frozen. We finally got them in amongst lots of protest, got dry clothes and a cup of hot chocolate to warm everyone up. The snow stuck around the entire day, until around 5:30pm when the clouds cleared, the sun came out and with in the hour most of the snow was gone. The next day 76 degrees!!!! Yes, you read that correctly. No wonder we have been sick around here. One minute it's snowing and the next it's warm enough to wear short!!! The rest of the past week was very warm in the high 70's so go figure. I never know what to dress the boys like anymore. I am finding layering means all of us having 4 or more different types of new coats. I find this crazy but necessary. I am not complaining even though it sounds like I am. It's great to have a beautiful snow grace us and then move out as quick as it came and be beautiful once again. Our bodies however don't understand the logic and continue to leave us with a runny nose to show their confusion.

Boo at the Zoo!

Last weekend was one of those weekends that you'd wish would never end but of course all good things come to a end but we had alot of fun while we could. Sat was a gorgeous day and we spent most of the day outside at the park and then we headed to the zoo. We became members of the zoo when we moved here and the kids just love the place which is not unexpected. For the next two weekends they have something called Boo at the Zoo (http://www.cmzoo.org/BATZ.html ). For those of you who are not familiar it is a wonderful things for kids of all ages to get in the Halloween spirit. It starts at sundown and the entire zoo is lite with lights. The animal exhibits are open and kids come in costumes ready to see their favorite animals and do some treat or treating if they want to. At each animal exhibit there is a treat station where someone is dressed up and handing out candy. They get candy, see animals what more could you ask for. What is also great is the animals are really active at night for the most part. Keaton's favorite was the hippo's, lioness and her two cubs and the kamodoo dragon. The boys looked so cute in there costumes and behaved wonderfully. Keaton walked the entire zoo and didn't complain one bit (amazing)!!!!!! Ben and I even had a wonderful time. We got great exercise, and really enjoyed the warm night and all the lights. The zoo sits on the side of a mountain so it looks over Colorado Springs so looking out at all the lights for as far as you could see was amazing and worth the trip in it's self. I have some pics of the boys and some animals in out photo collection so check them out. The boys are looking forward to Halloween next week. Keaton's class is having a party on Tues. and I am helping that day so it should be alot of crazy fun. Hope you are all getting into the spirit to and look forward to seeing some pics of all the little ones in costume.

New Pics

Not alot of time to write even though I have alot to write about but will get to that later. Just wanted to make sure you check out the new pics if you havent already. Some really cute ones of the boys.

Happy Birthday Grandma!!

What a fun night! Grandma De Young is having a birthday on Sunday the 14th (we wont share how old she is as ladies don't seem to like that so much) and boy did we have a fun family party! Grandma will be out of town on her actually birthday so we partied early. This was the first birthday I've shared with my mom since I was 18 or 19 and the first for the boys ever so we really enjoyed ourselves. Brandon's family, Trish and Joe were there.So lots of play partners for the boys. We had lots of yummy food, the boys played outside till dark, and to my dismay somehow grandmas presents started to become unwrapped before she got to them. Best of all there was chocolate cake and from what you'll see in the pics in our photo collections Ryan had a repeat of his first birthday!! It's not a party till there's cake everywhere RIGHT!

A bunch of Sickies! Achoo!

Since moving to Colorado not quit 4 months ago we have been sick a total of 4times. Colds have just been a normal part of our lives lately and I have to say I am tired of blowing, wiping, medicating and tolerating cranky, sick kids,husband and self. Everyone says it's our bodies adjusting to the new attitude and climate and being exposed to new germs that Keaton is bringing home from preschool. Whatever it is I pray we get it together and get back to normal. We were sick I believe 2 times last year and so far this year we have surpassed that by far. Not proud of that statistic.

Danger, Danger

OK, I guess I totally blocked out the memories of Keaton at Ryan's age. For good reason however!! To put it simply Ryan is just a plain danger to himself. I know it is part of his age but for gods sake I am going to be gray or back in school to get a doctors or nursing degree so I can take care of him from day to day. The child is hurting himself every time I turn around. He could be right in front of me or across the room and before I know it there is blood coming from somewhere. Lately the mouth has taken a beating. From falling while walking with a toy in his mouth to whacking his mouth on the windowsill to taking nose dives on concrete Ryan is just in need of a plastic bubble!! Last night after we took a delightful walk around the neighborhood and played outside for 45minutes it was time to go in and wouldn't you know it as we are walking into the garage Ryan tries to run so he wouldn't have to go in and whack!! He trips over his own feet and takes a chin dive onto the concrete. Chin met cement and cement won the battle! Boy did that one bleed and bleed and bleed. Not to mention the spot where he bit his tongue on the inside of his mouth. Blood was everywhere and I was cover, he was not so happy (lots of crying on this one folks) and poor Keaton wasn't sure what was going on. I hadn't seen a bleeder like that yet in my motherhood career. I manage to get the bleeding to stop, got us cleaned up and surveyed the damaged and boy it's not pretty. He looks ..... pitiful with a big bloody,bruised chin and I feel awful. I know I couldn't have done anything as it was a accidental fall but for the love of god, why do I feel like a lousy parent. I just pray that we can avoid all other accidents for as long as possible. I dont think I can take anymore this week.

The above picture of Ryan is his war wound. Not the greatest picture as he is not cooperative when taking pictures these days!

Where does time go?

Sorry time has flown by, and I haven't posted in a very long time. Sept. flew by and we are into the first fall season here in Colorado. I was expecting the weather to be cold by now but I was sorely mistaken. It's been beautiful here! It's been in the high 70's and low 80's. I am still wearing shorts, I couldn't ask for better weather. I know this will change but that isn't stopping me from loving every minute of the beautiful days.
Lots of growing up is going on here these days. Keaton loves preschool and is making friends and learning allot. I too have met some really nice people so preschool has been a blessing for both of us. Keaton is also really into using his imagination. He loves being a zoo keeper, Doctor, Dinosaur, chef, ect... I now get to be a partner in using his imagination which is fun for the first little while but when you have played a dinosaur who can only crawl on your hands and knees for 20minutes it starts to become more than any grown woman can take!! It's been so cute to watch him come into his own. I am finding that he uses alot of sayings that I use and hearing them come out of his little mouth cracks me up. My favorites are " You scared me to death!" "You need to make a choice, is it going to be a good choice or a not so good choice, Hugh!" "I don't have the time or patients for this, mom!" Those are just a few of his delightful sayings. He also has gotten a few from Ben such as the one he used yesterday. I have to say I am not so proud of this but it is kind of funny (as long as he never says the word again till he is grown!!). "Look mom, another damn fly is in the house. I hate those damn flies!!!" Yes folks that is what he said. I almost fell over. I kept a straight face and proceeded to as where he had heard this about flies and he said " Daddy always says it when he sees a fly!" Hmmmmm..... I think he better keep his feelings about flies to himself.
Also everything is about the right or the left. Ben and I have always made a point to use right or left with him while doing shoes, getting dressed and whatever else and now it has finally paid off. He seems to have mastered knowing his right from his left. He points this out now all the time. While I am driving he points out what things are on the right and left. He randomly will share what hand he is using or what foot his shoe is on. I find this fascinating as I know adults who don't know their right from their left. Time is also something that he is working on. We have use time references since he was a toddler to let him know when we were leaving or how much time he has left before we move on to something else . Well know he is giving us the time. My favorite, " No mommy, I have 10 more minutes not 5!"
Not so sure I like him using time!


Ryan is growing by leaps and bounds too. He is really chatty and into everything. He follows Keaton around trying to do whatever he does. He has become very playful. Making animal noises when he sees animals and my favorite is growling when he sees dinosaurs. I wonder where he gets that!!! He has figured out that he can climb about anything. He loves getting up and down off the couch, chairs and all the things he shouldn't!! He at least is more careful than Keaton was at this age. Keaton use to hurl himself from the tallest point where Ryan does have some sense and is cautious most of the time. He is really using words now and lots of gibber jabber that I cant understand but it sure is cute. Here are a few of his latest things he is saying right now are MILK ( this is great as I know when he was a drink),juice, some, more, down and done. He is using a spoon and fork really well and is a great eater but a very, very messy eater. He is doing pretty well with his cup but would prefer the boob if he had the choice. Weaning is going well, only nurses at night and sometimes in the morning. Before long things will dry up and he will want the cup only as he wont be getting much as the well will be dry. Everyone has been amazed that I have nursed this long and I am also but it just worked out this way and he is pretty much weaning himself so I am going with it.

Well there is the update on our little tykes, I'll try to stay more current.