Goodbye Zoo, we'll miss you!

When Justin finished his internship and we were all finally together again we took a family trip to the zoo. We sure have fun there. It had been a rough few months of traveling and being separated (I don't know who it was harder on, Asher or me... or maybe the people who had to listen to Asher or me) but I think the boys could sense that it was over, we were together again and it was going to stay that way.

We even went into the weird rodent/reptile house thing that I usually try to avoid. It was for sure the boys favorite part.

Riding the train.

Happy to be together.

Such good little buddies.

When did my babies get so big? and when did Caleb get so blonde?

Thanks Andy (and Lisa)...

So, yesterday I pulled out some of Asher's old shoes that I thought might fit Caleb now. Caleb was very pleased with them and let out some super excited "Ooooo's" while Justin was tying the laces. He hopped down and started slowly walking around the living room to try them out. I noticed he was quietly saying "Andy's shoes. Andy's shoes. Andy's shoes." I told him they used to be Asher's shoes and now they were Caleb's. He didn't want to hear it. "No! Andy's!" I decided not to pop his hand-me-down's from a super cool older cousin bubble.

Asher also loves getting hand me downs from Andy. These superman jammies might be his favorite... or the orange big boy jacket... or the rocket shirt.

I think they actually gave him super jumping powers!

Yosemite National Park with Grandma and Grandpa...

Justin did get to come on our weekend trip to Yosemite with me, the boys, and his parents. It was wonderful. It reminded me how little time I am spending in nature these days (life gets so busy)... and how much I miss it and want that to change.

These red suckers might have been the dumbest idea I've had in a long time. Oh, they got so sticky! Painfully sticky...

...but they were pretty cute getting there.

We took a short hike to a beautiful waterfall area. Asher was so funny to hike with! We started pointing out shapes that we found in nature and he saw some we totally would have missed.

This is what Caleb did during the hike. Sweet baby.

Asher showing us some tricks.

Justin and Asher playing Pooh Sticks on a bridge.

Thank You, Thank You Grandma and Grandpa for all the fun we had! The whole week was wonderful. It was great to have you there!!

Throwing rocks at Folsom Lake...

Seriously, there is not much that my kids like better than throwing rocks and sticks into water. And to do it with Grandpa who doesn't get tired of it as quick and is way more fun than mom was like heaven for them.

Hugging... fighting... I'm not quite sure.

This kid would have just kept walking if I wasn't watching. He doesn't mind being muddy and wet.

Showing me his drift wood before he throws it into the lake.

Awesome day.

"Adventures" with Grandma and Grandpa...

Justin's parents came to visit while we were in California for Justin's last internship. Of course, Justin had to work so he didn't get to do very much with us, but me and the boys sure had fun with them! Asher called all of our outings "adventures", and we had an "adventure" every day, which he loved. One of our stops was the Jelly belly factory. Are you kidding me, free samples... the boys loved it.

Another thing we did was go to the zoo/animal sanctuary. There were peacocks all over that place. The boys can now do a mean peacock impression. While we were there we also saw some bears and watched as they picked up nuts, cracked them with their teeth and spit out the shells. Asher really liked seeing that and then he said something like "Hey, the bears are just like Daddy and Grandpa!" referring to their favorite road trip snack of sunflower seeds.

My Shiree fix...

My friend Shiree moved away. Far away, and it hasn't been my favorite thing in the whole world. But, I guess the silver lining is that they moved to the same town as my Aunt Nancy. So, guess whose door I was knocking on while I was in town. It was so good to see Cory, Shiree, Josie and Alex. Of course, there wasn't nearly enough time to talk about everything we could've talked about, but even though it was way too short it was really what I needed! Thanks again, Shiree. I can't wait until next time!

A little Josie/Caleb love.

Smile for the picture.

Action shot.

It was a good day.

"Mommy's Nancy"

We went to Oregon to visit my Aunt Nancy. I was so happy that she and the boys were instant friends. It had been about a year and a half since we had seen her.

This time we were living with Justin's Uncle John and Aunt Nancy in California, and I wondered if going to see another Aunt Nancy would confuse them, but Asher caught on really quickly, distinguishing them by "John's Nancy" and "Mommy's Nancy". Too funny.

Getting ready to race.

Sidewalk chalk on the back patio.

Playing at the park with Flat Stanley.

Checking out the river.

On the walk home from feeding the ducks.

We didn't get any pictures with Mommy's Nancy :( How could I have forgotten to do that?! I still don't know. We sure love you and miss you. Thanks for everything you did to make us all feel so comfortable and loved. P.S. I'll be calling you soon. I'm dying for an update.

We're going back...

Way back to April 9th when the boys and I took a train ride to Oregon. It was... an adventure. A horrible, no good, dirty rotten, 13 hour adventure that I never want to do again. Okay, maybe that was a wee bit dramatic, but it was pretty crazy. I'm sure you don't want to read all the hairy details. But, I guess whatever doesn't kill us, right? It all turned out great in the end and we had a wonderful long weekend!

All I will say is thank goodness for the nice conductor that took pitty on me and let the boys wear his hat and ask him two thousand questions. I love you conductor, wherever you are!

Asher named our train Coco, and he still talks about her.

We're a mess...

but we're alive and well! A lot of changes: new city, new job, new place to live, new cell phone number... the list goes on and on. We're not even close to being settled in yet, but we are happy. So many friends I want to call and chat with. I truly hope all is well with you!

We just hooked up our internet so maybe tomorrow I'll put up some of the pictures of all our adventures from the last few months.

But, until then... have a simple lovely evening!

My First Baby...

We can't believe that Asher is 3!! He's getting so big... and funny... and smart... and sweet. He's the total little 3 year old package. He's such a joy in our lives. We thank God everyday for the blessing that he is and that we can be his parents.A few days before Asher's birthday we went out to dinner. We mentioned that it was Asher's birthday that weekend and they said they'd bring him a treat. The look on his face when the waiter brought over an ice cream sundae with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry on top, and he realized it was just for him, was priceless. With a big GASP he said "Today is my birthday Mom!?" We told him not quite yet, but the people at the restaurant wanted to wish him a happy birthday because they weren't going to see him on his birthday. He sure enjoyed his ice cream sundae!
Happy little Asher bright and early on his birthday. He'd been talking about this day ever since his cousin Andy's birthday party in February!
Asher's birthday was on Easter this year...here are the boys in their new hats they got as Easter gifts. Hats are Caleb's fashion accessory of choice, whether he's wearing one himself or someone else is. It's always the first thing he notices, on someone, in a picture, a cartoon, or a book...anything ("AT! AT! AT!"). And because Caleb loves them, so does Asher. Which is funny, because Asher sure wasn't a hat kid when he was younger, so it's impressive that this one stays on his head as long as it does.
Asher wearing his new Lightening McQueen mechanic shirt with his sticker birthday card from Honey and Papa. He LOVED them both! (He kind of looks like a cute little cub scout, especially when he's wearing his hat with it!) Can you believe how old he looks?!

Asher, Chloe, and Caleb getting ready for an indoor (it was raining) Easter egg hunt.

Our cousin Darcie was SO sweet to make Asher the cake of his dreams...for weeks he's been telling us the he wanted a Handy Manny birthday cake. Darcie is a fantastic decorative cake maker! Asher was beyond thrilled!

Look how adorable Handy Manny is! When Darcie brought the cake to the party and Asher saw it, he started reading the letters, "A...S...H...E...R....." (gasps with excitement and covers mouth with eyes wide) "that spells ASHER!!!!"

Seriously? Amazing. Thank you so much Darcie!!

Opening presents. Pretty sure his dreams came true. We gave him a Handy Manny tool set and he has been non-stop fixing things around the house since.

Singing "Happy Birthday". He could hardly contain his excitement to blow out the candles. You can't tell in the picture, but he had the biggest smile on his face and was half mouthing the words as we sang.

After blowing out the candles...probably the best day of his short life thus far...

Obviously Caleb thoroughly enjoyed himself...anyone who knows Caleb knows he loves food, especially a good chocolate cake. In fact, he enjoyed himself straight into the shower...

...and still couldn't stop smiling!!!

A clean Caleb and a happy Asher enjoying the new alphabet puzzle Caleb gave Asher.

Asher loved the phone calls, birthday cards, and video chats to celebrate his birthday. Everything made him feel so special, thanks everyone for loving our little boy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE PIE!