Halloween Life Group

On Sunday, we had our 2nd Halloween celebration with our Life Group friends. Still difficult, but my guys were a little more cooperative. Luckily, there won't be anymore huge group photos at our other 2 celebrations.
This is the best we could do of all the kids...



The babies

Mailmen

Halloween Playgroup

We kicked off our Halloween celebrations early with a playgroup Halloween costume party!
This group photo gets harder each year as those babies keep mulitplying! We've come a long way since 2006, when it was just 6 babies who couldn't even move around yet!

My mailmen were not thrilled to have to leave playtime for picture time.

Stay tuned for 3 more Halloween celebrations!

Blogging Bonanza Pt 5: Zoo

I'm doing 5 posts today, so be sure to check out the other ones below!
On Friday, I decided I was ready to brave the zoo with 3 boys! Luckily, my friend KC wanted to go too so I wasn't on my own. Things were fine but I think it will be awhile before I do all by myself. I was thankful KC was there to push Reef in the stroller, wrangle Jonas in, and give me some grown up conversation! Jonas refused to ride in the stroller until he Lachlan in his seat and pretty much walked the whole zoo! He was one tired little boy that afternoon. Reef rode in the stroller between animals but got out at each stop. He was bummed that the swimming beach was closed and didn't understand why it was too cold to swim. I think they had a great time and the weather was perfect!
Reef always asks to climb on these lion statues and I always say no. I said no this time too but then changed my mind since I knew he'd love it.

A smile from Lachlan! He was looking at the goats. He smiles a lot but it's so hard to capture on camera!

This is the first time Reef hasn't been scared to pet the goats.

Giant butterfly

Jonas the caterpillar. There's another hole next to this one but we weren't fast enough to get Reef in it before he ran off. He's so hard to get a picture of!

Jonas riding the Komodo dragon. Reef was on the back but refused to look at the camera!

Blogging Bonanza Pt 4: One last sprinkler day

The big boys enjoyed what will probably be the last sprinkler run of the season last week. They had a blast! It was an impromtu decision, hence the underwear instead of swimwear!

Blogging Bonanza Pt 3: Reef the Pilot

Miss Teresa surprised Reef the other by offering to take him to see Randy's new plane. Troy, Teresa, and Reef went during the usual naptime, and Reef had a great time! Teresa said his favorite part was buckling and unbuckling the seatbelts and pulling out the tray table. He couldn't stop talking about his plane trip when he got home and loved showing the pictures to Jonas! He also brought us "special plane snacks" from the snack bar and even remembered one for Jonas!

Blogging Bonanza Pt 2: Losing control

But in a good way. God has really been teaching me lately that I do NOT have to have total control over every thing. I think He really started teaching me this lesson when John and Daphne were here, so it hasn't been an easy or short lesson for me! While Troy was in Nebraska a couple weeks ago, my sweet grandparents came to help me out. I could tell I was definitely on my way to giving up control because I was able to let the little things go this time. I even let Grandma get up with Reef in the morning so I could get just a little more sleep. And guess what happened??? He was fine! And I was a little more rested! I only wish I had lost a little control when J & D were here!
Here are some pics of Grandma with the boys. Didn't get any of Grandpa this time though.

I also learned last Wednesday night that God had a lesson for me about pride too. Both boys took a long, late nap, so we decided to go to church. I was talking to Melynda before class, and she said that night's class was on pride. I thought to myself, "I don't need a lesson on that, but I'll check it out anyway." Boy was I wrong! In the class, they showed a movie about a guy building a church and refusing any help becaue he wanted it perfect and his way. Does this sound familiar to anyone??? I was, like, whoa, that is so me!! We talked about how it was his pride getting in the way of the greater good. What an eye opener for me!

Blogging Bonanza Pt 1: 2months old

I know I'm way behind but better late than never! The last 2 months have really flown by, with Lachlan (and the other boys too) growing and changing each day. We visited Dr. Gulde on the 5th for our well child check and shots. Lachlan weighed in at 13lbs 11oz (80th percentile) and was 24 7/8 inches long (95th %). Overall, he's pretty healthy. Dr. Gulde detected a very minor heart murmur that we're going to keep an eye on. He is a little concerned about his eye crossing, and if it's not better next month, we may have to patch the right eye to strengthen the left. Since the appt, we have seen some improvement, so hopefully he'll be all clear by November.
Things to remember about 2 months:
-You really have become very smiley, especially in the mornings. Sometimes you're so busy smiling at me that you can't focus on eating!
-You're still eating every 3 hours during the day but gradually increasing your night time sleeping.
-We haven't done a very good job getting you on a schedule yet. It's hard with 2 brothers to chase after! The only really consistent thing right now is your wake up time around 7 and bedtime between 8 and 8:30. I am looking forward to an earlier bedtime soon though!
-Your brothers love you lots and you love to be entertained by them. I've especially loved the few times when Reef has "read" books to you.
Here are Lachlan's 2 months photos with his bear. I know I'm late posting them, but they really were taken on the 5th. You can really see the crossed eye in these!

New uses for the boppy...

And Lachlan sleeps through it all...

Hair today...

Gone tomorrow!

That's right, friends, we finally took the plunge and had Jonas' hair cut! It was a sad day for me because I just loved that long hair, but Troy says bathtime is much easier now. Jonas did great at the salon and didn't even cry when she nicked his ear with the clippers. He also enjoyed the traditional post-haircut cookie, just like big brother!

I can't believe how much older he looks!