Major overload of halloween pictures...

This picture just reminds me how blessed we've been to be able to live in such a beautiful and safe area in Salt Lake. We live in the cinder-block student housing, but it's in an area with tree lined streets and quaint little homes, scattered with parks and close to libraries. And practically across the street from Justin's school. It really has been lovely.
So, we got all dressed up (in borrowed or hand me down costumes this year...) and headed to the little shopping center that does early trick-or-treating. Asher was Buzz Lightyear, Space Ranger, and Caleb was Squirt the turtle from Finding Nemo {see asher dressed as squirt 2 years ago here and last year's homemade costumes here}. This picture was right as Asher was catching on to the concept of trick-or-treating. Really, that's all I have to do and they'll give me candy? We had a great time and the boys did awesome.

Asher's scary face!

Then we went back to the village for a little more halloween fun.

Caleb pulled off the Squirt thing without a problem.

They sure do have fun together.

Asher the spaceman.

Checking out how much candy he got.

To infinity, and....

BEYOND!

Buzz had to stop at the playground for a little bit...

and then home to enjoy some sugary goodness. Happy Halloween!

Baby needs new shoes...

So, I've been really needing to go get Asher some new shoes, and we finally did last night. We took him to pick some out. It was a hard choice. There were Spiderman shoes, Buzz Lightyear shoes, and Lightning McQueen shoes. How's a boy to decide?! The best part of all was that they lit up when you stomped your feet. Asher was very pleased. I always thought those light up shoes to be somewhat obnoxious, but when it's your own kid getting so thrilled with it that they can't stop smiling... suddenly it's not so annoying as it is adorable.

So, ultimately he picked the Lightning McQueen shoes, then I picked him a second pair of handsome brown shoes, sans flashing lights or animated characters. Next came bedtime and Asher thought we had lost our minds when we wanted him to take off his new shoes. So, we let him sleep in them thinking we'd sneak in later and take them off if we needed to. When I peeked in later he and his new shoes seemed to be doing just fine. I risked waking him up with the flash to take a picture then left him alone.

The next morning at about 7:30 there was a strange thumping sound. Was it our upstairs neighbors? Odd, just a little thump every 20 seconds or so. A little while later Caleb was awake and I went in to get him. When I walked into the room Asher said "Oh hi, Mom. Watch this." He then stomped his little foot on the wall and watched the beautiful light show that followed.

The many moods of Caleb and Asher...

Caleb is walking now. Everyday he is less and less wobbly. This video was from a while ago when he was just barely getting over a high fever that knocked him out for a few days. He lost a bit of weight and was pretty weak afterwards. So sad. He was pretty cranky and didn't want to walk much. I'll try to get more video soon.

Caleb was napping and Asher and I were playing around. This kid cracks me up and is so fun to hang out with. I wanted to record Asher saying "What'd you say?!" because that has recently become his favorite thing to ask (while wrinkling his nose and getting increasingly louder each time he says it) anytime he #1. doesn't understand what you said or #2. doesn't want to understand what you said. We went trough a few emotions in this short clip. He's too funny, but he does always end up happy.

The babies...

Justin took this picture of Caleb the other day. He is such a happy kid... with an unbelievable little temper. I've really never seen anything like it. Asher didn't react the same way as Caleb does so it's all new to me. Asher was more pouty while Caleb likes to fling his body in protest. But, I know as he grows up and learns how to identify and act on his feelings this will be a quality that will serve him well. We might call it passion, devotion, maybe even intensity. But, until then... we'll just call it "Mom needs to hide in the bathroom every once in a while " Just kidding. Sort of.

Justin also took this picture of Super Asher! Toddlers are too much fun.

Meet Buzz Lightyear aka Asher. Our friends let us borrow their costume for Asher to wear yesterday for Justin's class halloween party. After a whole morning of "Yes, I want to wear it" "No, it's too small for me!" "I want daddy to wear it" "Nooo! It's too big for me!" We left without it. Just before we got out of the car Asher said "Mother, I want to wear Buzz Lightyears pants." "Are you sure?" "Yes. Lets go put them on please?" We did and he loved it. He looked too cute in the whole outfit. In fact, he loved it so much that he had to nap in it when we got home.

Carousal or Ferris Wheel?

This is Asher and Caleb on the Carousal at the Zoo. They both really liked it and both wanted to ride the tigers. I guess that makes sense because the tiger growl is pretty much their specialty. It's fun to see them in the moment as they are gaining childhood memories. I hope it was as magical for them to experience as it was for me to watch. Carousals always make me think of my Grandma, and trying to decide which beautiful horse I would ride with my sister and cousins.

But, deep down I'm more of a Ferris Wheel girl myself. What about you?

One more

One more "silly Asher" picture that Abby hasn't even seen. A few weeks ago he and I went and watched a flag football game that my classmates were playing in. Needless to say, I'm on the disabled list due to a little knee injury that has been documented already. Anyway, he was having fun with the sideline cones. He is definitely one funny kid...

Silly pictures of Asher...

A little potty break.

He's very proud of his silly face.

Dancing with my iPod.

Asher and his favorite blanket.

Hello monday...

Wow, super emotional morning for me. Maybe because Asher woke up at 2 a.m. screaming for a drink of water. Then, Caleb woke up hysterically crying and signing "Bottle". The poor kid hasn't really slept or eaten in a few days because he's cutting four molars and has had a high fever. He's been pretty miserable. So, I fed him at 4 a.m. After that the thunder kept waking me up until it was morning time. So, I guess I'm saying I'm tired. But, more than that I feel the heaviness of wanting to change. Wanting to improve. I'm thankful that I know how to go about it. I'm so glad that I have the help I need. I guess now it's just time to accept the challenge and get to work.

Other thoughts: You know people who gracefully navigate trials, cultivate desired attributes, and are just truly amazing, but never give themselves enough credit. Lisa is like that. It's funny to me how much I think of her as an older sister even though she's younger than me. When done well, being a mother is the hardest job in the world... even Oprah thinks so ;) And I think Lisa's doing it well! I'm always touched by the understanding and concern she has for her kids. I love you, Lis! I'm so thankful for the wonderful examples I have around me. Some days being a good mom is tricky, and I think we need to care for ourselves so we can continually care for our family, which is sometimes the hardest part of all. But, it's worth it.

Here's to mothers and the influence for good we can have!

Love,

Best big sister in the world...

has definitely got to be this beautiful girl!

Thanks guys, for letting me partake of the newborn magic today. It really did my soul some good. He's so sweet. So perfect. I'm so coming again next week! My new little nephew is too cool. I loved meeting him today and I'm so glad I get to know him forever.

Best seat in the house...

The boys love to sit on Justin's shoulders, and even though they pull his hair I know Justin loves it too.

I'm so thankful for good dads! Now more than ever.

The 'Up Side' of toddler independence...

Asher needed to "vacuum ALL BY MYSELF!" Okay, Buddy. How about the laundry next? (p.s. please excuse the undies, we're learning to use the big boy potty.)

Ahhh, funny little guy...

The other day we went to see my cousin we hadn't seen for a while. Asher said "Oh, hi Liz. This is my friend Caleb, and this is my friend Big Daddy."

And today I asked Asher to come and read some books with me on the couch. He stood at attention and said "Yes, Captain Mommy!"

Buddies...

I met Stacy in our dorm room in Rexburg, Idaho on my very first day of college. Nine years and a MILLION funny stories later we have these 4 little buddies. It's been really fun to have Adam and Asher pretty close in age and Lincoln and Caleb practically the same age. I think these boys are going to have fun together for the rest of their lives.

I can't ask for a better friend than Stacy. I don't tell her that enough. It's been fun to have her through all the changes of life. Not every friendship makes it through families, and distance, and babies, and grad school, and moving, and crazy, crazy life, but I think ours will. I can always count on her. Thanks for being such a great friend Stacy!

It was hard to get any good pictures of all four of these little guys. All they really wanted were more fruit snacks.

Impromptu to the Zoo...

Justin called and said "I'll be home in 15 minutes. How about the Zoo?" Sounds great! It was exactly what I needed after playing inside all day. The boys loved it. It wasn't crowded and it wasn't hot; perfect day for the Zoo. It was also kind of fun to see what all the animals were doing at about 5:30 pm on a Monday:

The monkeys weren't smiling... oh wait, that's Asher.

The cougars were cuddling...

The black bears were snoozing...

The penguins were standing around doing nothing...

The giraffes were munching...

and the tigers were challenging me to a staring contest.

A very nice evening.

Asher update...

I can't believe Asher is two and a half years old. I call him Shersh, Shersher, Shersher McGersher, Asher man, and My First Baby. Asher has an adorable way of talking. He says things like "Oh, hey guys! Whatcha doin'?" and it just makes you want to be his friend. He eats oatmeal everyday for breakfast. He has a sensitive soul. He has to watch Caleb in his crib for a while before he'll go to bed. Asher still sucks his two fingers. He started doing that when he was three months old. He counts everything. His laugh is contagious. Asher feels the need to push, poke or nudge Caleb every time he gets within a foot of him. This frustrates me. Asher says sorry for sweet things, like dropping his toy or not being able to find his shoes. He loves it when I tell him his feet stink.

He always tells me I look handsome. He loves to slide, watch shows, chase bubbles, take pictures, build towers, and ask me why daddy is at school. He'd medal in extreme crib jumping. He's a wonderful sleeper/napper. He loves his blanket beyond words. His stalling skills are amazing. Asher knows the Alphabet and finds letters everywhere. He's getting pretty good at sharing. Sometimes when I'm not looking he kisses Caleb's head and says "I love this brother." He pays attention to details and likes things a certain way. He's always watching and learning. He needs a little down time each day, and with a little encouragement Asher can do anything! Nothing can make me happy faster than Asher can. You'll always be my first baby.

Love,

Caleb update...

Caleb is almost 14 months old. I call him Lubs or Lubsters. He's still really little, but strong. He's always been strong. This kid is so sweet. His big, uninhibited smile can melt your heart. He loves to climb. He started walking a few days ago and still has the zombie/sailor look. I love it. Caleb is just like his brother; busy, busy busy! But every once in a while he'll cuddle. He gives the best hugs and slobber kisses. His eyebrows are very expressive. Caleb likes to eat as soon as he wakes up. He's kind of cranky until he's fed. He can also throw a pretty mean temper tantrum. Periodically checking to make sure you're watching. He just started saying "Uh oh!" He loves to do what we do. His belly laugh can make me cry I love it so much. He flirts with the ladies and reaches for almost everyone (but I think, besides me and justin, he likes to be with his uncle peter best). A quality in him that I see now that I think will stick with him is his quite determination. Caleb reaches his goals, no matter how long it takes him, without making a fuss. He just works hard until he gets what he wants. Caleb loves his blanky and can always find his favorite green spot that he likes to touch to the side of his nose.

Caleb boy, thanks for being funny, sweet, gentle, naughty, intense, loving and lovable!

I'm glad you're mine!

Love,