Happy Birthday Ryan

Our Ryan is 2 years old today! Happy Birthday my little man!!

You sure have grown up fast!!

A trip to the Mountains

I don't even know where or how to start to describe our weekend other than AMAZING!! Ben has working alot of long hours, I have been taking care of kids on my own for long hours and what do you get but two parents who needed a change of scenery!! Late last week we decided last minute we needed to get out of town and that we did. After lots of Internet searching for a place to stay we found Pine Haven Lodge which luckily was right outside of Rocky Mtn Nat. Park. We made the reservation, packed the bags and took off early Sat. morning. It was a easy drive and we were there before the kids even started to get antsy! The drive into the mountains was beautiful and Estes Park (http://www.estesparkresort.com/ ) is such a special place with lots of little shops and not alot of commercialism. Peace and tranquility was what I seem to experience right away. I had a sore neck and back on the way there but I guess I de-stressed once there as the pain seem to melt away. We stayed at Pine Haven Lodge ( http://www.estesparkcabins.com/PH-CabinsAndLodge.HTML ) which is a cute little place that now holds a special place in our hearts as it was our first real mountain experience as a family. Right down the road was Rocky Mtn Nat. Park which is a truly amazing place. The views and wildlife were just amazing. We could have stayed 3 or 4 days longer if we could as we only saw very little of all the wonderment. Keaton loved hiking and hiked almost 2 miles up to the falls. He is a trooper as Ben and I were pooped so I don't know how his little legs handled it! Ryan was in a back carrier and had the best spot of all of us. Keaton also caught 2 fish after lots of time spent fishing. He was SOOOOO proud!!! This trip was nice for the boys and daddy as they really bonded and did lots of daddy and son stuff. Mommy enjoyed herself too as I was just enjoying the scenery and enjoying watching all the men in my life be so happy being boys. I do hope that if any of you who are reading this from afar will seriously think about coming out and experiencing the beauty for your self.

Lots of Pictures from the trip in the photo album! Hope you check them out!

Keaton's a preschool graduate

Keaton graduated this past Tuesday from his 3/4 year old class at preschool and he had a little graduation ceremony which just melted my heart. His class sang songs and did hand motions to the songs. Keaton sang his little heart out! We are so proud of him. Soon after the singing they had a diploma ceremony and he got a diploma and hug from his much loved Mrs. Stratton. It was a very special day for Keaton and our family as he was so proud. We have been blessed to find such an amazing preschool for him to attend. He is now out on summer break and will return to Mrs. Strattons 4/5's class next fall. I am enrolling him in soccer and swimming lessons along with lots of play dates with friends to keep us busy. Our little boy is growing and becoming a big boy way to fast.

Just bouncing around

Last weekend we got the boys a bounce house for the backyard. We are looking into a playset but in the meantime we got a bounce house to occupy our time outside so mommy isnt having to lug everyone out of the house everyday to go to the park. We now have the option to go to the backyard and bouce till their heart are content. This also is a great way to ensure they sleep well at night. The boys love it and so does mommy and daddy!!

Slammed packed weekend! Yikes!

OK, I know we all have had weekends were we need a weekend to recover from the weekend well last weekend was one of those weekends and I still am recovering. Don't get me wrong it was a fun weekend but there was no relaxing about it and this weekend I AM RELAXING!!

Last Friday we took in a Skysox baseball game which for all you in NC it is the equivalent of the the Durham Bulls. We meet a school friend of Keaton's named Andon and his family. It was wonderful weather, grandma had Ryan and Keaton was thrilled to have us all to himself along with his buddy Andon by his side. The boy ate a whole thing of popcorn, hot dog, some soda and even a ice cream bar. He milked the experience for all it was worth. We stayed the whole game as the game was exciting and of course at the end were suppose to be fireworks!! Unfortunately we waited for the fireworks at the end which ended up not happening due to the wind being to high and the Fire Dept. cancelled the show. Good thing is that we got free tickets to another game since the Fireworks were a no go so I guess that means we'll have to go again!! Oh Darn!!

Sat. Ben got up at the crack of dawn and went went golfing with my brother which meant me at home once again with my little men which I will give them credit they were really good boys that morning thank goodness as another day without daddy could have put mommy over the edge!! Once Ben got home I actually went shopping and did lunch with my mother for the afternoon. I bought some much needed summer clothes. I have to mention that I tried on a swimsuit and boy do I still have some work to do before I wear one!!! Once I got home from shopping it was off to my brothers for ping pong nite. I can now play ping pong folks, I'm not good but I am improving! We do this once a month at my brothers and it's alot of fun! Grill out, eat lots of food, drink and TRY to win at ping pong. Not so good at the winning part.

I already shared about Sunday so you know there was no down time either so this weekend aside from my darling husband playing in a golf tournament I hope to actually get some things around the house done and maybe even relax!!

Mother's Day only gets sweeter!

It's amazing how each year Mother's Day becomes more special and I think that has something to do with all the men in my life. This year was no exception as I woke up to a special breakfast made by daddy and Keaton which also included a handmade card by Keaty and daddy. It was to cute I have to say!! We spent the day at the zoo along with my mother, sister and brother and family. We took in all the sites and even got a chance to see the really cool new wild life exhibit that has just opened recently. It was a beautiful day and alot of fun and was ended by a yummy sushi dinner at my favorite sushi spot. If you can believe it Ryan likes Sushi and Keaton loves the soup so everyone enjoyed themselves and it was a delightful day from start to finish. I am truly one lucky lady is all I have to say.

Shush

This morning I walked in to get Ryan and I was Shushed! The little guy slept with his big dinosaur last night and when I walked in to get him out of bed he put his little finger up to his mouth and shushed me immediately. He then said "Dinosaur seping(sleeping) mama, Shush!!" He had his dinosaur on his pillow all wrapped in his blanket and it was sleeping according to Ryan. He than said "Dinosaur up!" and he picked up the dinosaur and was ready to get out of bed I guess. I than was allowed to speak!! Such a cute little guy I have on my hands.

Double edged sword!

Quick funny from this morning. Keaton is learning to spell words however when you hear this you wonder how great is it? He Spelled the word FAT and was sounding it out to show Ben, he than said "What does that mean again?" Ben said "You know what fat means!" Keaton's reply not exactly what Ben was expecting!! "Oh, I know daddy, Fat like what you are right?" To that Ben was a bit insulted that his son just called him fat and quickly corrected him on when and how to use the word. I think it's better in our kitchen saying it to daddy than in the isle at Target announcing to the world that the lady in front of us is huge and has the BIGGEST bottom he's ever seen!!! Yes, the later has happened and I was mortified. Not so sure I want him to now feel oh so confident using the word FAT!!!

CAT,SAT,BAT,THE .........

Ben and I had a holy crap moment the other night as we finished up dinner. It was a good holly crap moment but one that made us realize that our little Keaton is growing up and I may not be able to get away with spelling things I don't want him to hear!! CAT,SAT,BAT,THE,HAT and a few others were words that our little Keaton can now spell. He loves his magna doodle and we often play school time (which is my teaching time with him however he thinks it's fun so I go with it) He has been writing all his letters upper and lower case continually for the last few weeks. He just is fascinated that he can write the letter, and now he is beside himself that he can put those letters together to make words. We were finishing dinner and of course Keaton has excused himself early and was playing with his doodle when he yelled,"Look mom and dad, I spelled CAT!" It is amazing that he has just put this all together so quickly, the mind of a child is an amazing thing. He then proceeded to write more words and I have to say I am amazed by him and so excited he loves learning so much. I only hope it continues.

Summer Cut

Both boys went for a haircut last weekend and I cant believe how grown up they look now, they both look so handsome. Ryan really looks different, the cut aged him as he always has had his shiny, soft baby long hair on top but no longer. Daddy did away with baby hair and hello to big boy hair!! I guess he is ushering in summer by getting both boys a nice short cut plus I think he is trying to avoid having to pay for another 2 cuts in a few weeks. We cant seem to keep up with how fast their hair grows and both of them have pretty think hair so we have to keep up with it or poor Keaton ends up looking like he has a mop on his head.