8 Months & Play Time

I am having to come to the conclusion that we may hardly ever have a good family picture. We tried multiple times last night. I thought kids old enough to understand make things easier, that is not always the case. Instead they have a mind of their own and can chose to listen or not. As you can very well see mine chose the second option. There are about 4 other attempts but this was as good as it gets. I am learning to just go with it and it still documented the occasion. Oh....well, as many of you might know that is difficult for me. What can say, I am a work in progress.
We went out for dinner last night for the second time since the boys have been born. My family has multiple August birthdays including Mitch and my brother Tyler's. We had dinner and cupcakes. I wasn't sure how well the boys would do, but they did pretty well considering they were up past their bed time. Mitch or I didn't eat a warm dinner, by the time we helped Payton and got the boys feed our dinner was cold. The rest of the table was about done before we started. All reason we don't do this often. The ride home everyone fell asleep and transferred well into their beds, what good babies.
Yesterday the boys turned 8 months old. They are on the move. Cooper can now crawl anywhere he wishes to go. Cohen is not to far behind him, he is not crawling yet but inch worming instead. Cohen is also pretty good at rolling and can move pretty quickly when he wants to. They are fun to watch play with toys and take things from one another. They haven't figured out to take it back yet, I am sure that is just around the corner. It is cute to watch one pull the pacifier out of the other ones mouth. Who ever lost it just looks puzzled on how that happened. They are entertaining. Payton is learning to not leave anything out she doesn't want gubbered. We have also ditched the infant seats and they are riding in car seats now. Thank goodness because I was about to die carrying the two of them. Moving from car seat to stoller is much easier on the back. They are right around 19lbs, I am surprised considering how much they still spit up some days.
Payton is practicing getting up and getting ready on time this week because pre-school starts next week and she is NOT a morning person. Enjoy all the pics I kind of went over board but you know that happens sometimes.

the best of 5

playing house and putting her baby to sleep
Daddy and his "mini me"

Daddy and Cooper

after bath time

we love taking baths

it is play time now

Cohen " look mom I got him down"

Breakfast, yay!!!

Cohen

Best friends

Cooper

our girl friend Avery

Freedom Riders

Pulling into the parking lot took my breath away to see the Patriot Guard in mass numbers holding flags.This afternoon I am proud to be a part of the city of Olathe. There was great community support in front of Indian Creek during the Spencer Duncan Memorial Service. Today a wonderful man, Spencer Duncan was put to rest and the Patriot Guard was in full force to make sure the service went with no interruptions. The sidewalk was lined with flags held by men and women doing a wonderful selfless act. A special thank you goes out to all the riders that take their time and effort to travel all over the country. It amazes me to see how people are willing to do a kind act for others that are hurting who have lost a family member or friend.

Today was a hard day for the friends and family of Spencer and thank you for allowing us to honor his life. It was my honor and privilage to know Spencer Duncan. Megan and Dale thank you for raising 3 wonderful boys, rest in peace Spencer, you will be loved, missed, and never forgotten.

lining the sidewalks

the riders meeting in the parking lot

takes my breath away

AMAZING

God bless everyone

leaving church

more motorcycles

there are no words

Class Clown

This summer Payton took a 8 week dance class. It was an introduction to ballet and tap. On the last class parents got to sit in to see what they learned. Parents weren't allowed in class while it was going on for obvious reason, not listening and showing off. The two things that my child is very good at. We video taped this occasion to be able to look back on and I am sure she will get a kick out of watching it many years from now.
First I never really thought I would have the class clown child, I am now reconsidering that possibility. Yes, I had the child that would sit and watch the other girls dance. She said" she was tired and needed to rest", while laughing of course. Then she slipped once in her tap shoes ( so did a couple of other girls), but then she proceeded to do it on purpose a couple of more times for attention. Yes I love my little clown and she loves getting attention. It will be interesting in a couple of weeks when preschool starts how that goes. Now after having watch the dance class I am a little concerned. I was never the class clown and you all know how loud and out going Mitch is, only time will tell.

waiting for the music to start

my little ham
doing her twirls

my monkey

Thing 1, Thing 2

I love these onesies that were given to us. They can finally wear them. I love it!

Cohen is busy blowing bubbles
Both singing and making lots of noise

Yes Mommy is funny

Cooper, You want me to do what?? Smile? I will think about it

Such happy boys!

7 months

I know another month has gone by already. So hard to believe we are entering our last official month of summer. We have had a lot of indoors play time due to the extreme heat. I am ready to be able to take the kids outside and walk in the morning and go to the park. Things to look forward to over the next couple of months.
Cooper is on the move, he has learned how to get up on all 4's and rock back and forth and is about to take off any minute. He can roll and inch and get off the blanket and across the room in a matter of seconds. He is sitting up longer and longer everyday. Cohen is not as mobile yet. He is working on sitting up and hasn't attempted crawling yet. That is just fine with me, I am not pushing for them to both be crawling. We have enjoyed watching the two of them rolling around together and trying to suck on each others feet or pull hair. They have already started beating each other up. They love watching Payton, she is constant entertainment for them. She loves to help feed them, she usually helps feed Cooper since he eats a litter better than Cohen. She is such a big helper( when she chooses to be).

speak of the the devil, there she is

Coohen laughing at Payton
falling over as I take the picture

Cooper, off he goes

you want me to look and smile, well 1 out of 2 isn't bad

here are my 3 amigos

gotta love it, 1 was looking

well I didn't put all 10 attempts on here thank goodness.

Loving life and having so much fun along the way. I love being home with my kids.

Open Gym

Smart or Not?? That is the question, yes this morning I ventured out to open gym with Payton and the boys. I knew Payton would have fun, we have gone once before. I wasn't so sure how well the boys would do or how I would handle them both if they fell apart. We got lucky, they did well. Cooper fell asleep within 10 minutes of arriving and slept the entire visit. Of course I didn't think to take a picture of him, so he got left out.( I know what a terrible mother). I carried Cohen around and the he fell asleep also. I forget how heavy they can be when you carry them for over an hour. My arm was killing me by the time we left. We met Laura and her kiddos, I would say it was a good morning everyone had a great time. I love that Payton could run around and burn energy inside since it is an oven outside. We love open gym.

Payton on the tramp

after she jumped into the foam pit
climbing out of the foam pit, nice smile huh?

Gage holding on for dear life

Laura and Gage

Cohen and I So I thought I got a picture of everyone, but apparently there isn't one of Allie either. I know I held up the camera and thought it clicked. I know terrible mother and terrible friend. I tell ya, I guess Laura should find a new friend if she wants pictures of all of her children instead of just one.

My New Best Friend

I have made a new best friend. I recently got the bullet and I absolutely love it. I have been using it everyday for the past week. I am a huge fan of Smoothie King, I would get one everyday if I could. Since that is not an option I have found another alternative, the Bullet. I have been making my own smoothies in the morning for breakfast. YUMMM!!! I have been experimenting with different fruit and yogurt.
The boys are also benefiting from my new found love. Baby food. We now have a weeks worth of veggies stored in the freezer. Picking up fresh veggies on the weekend and then spending an afternoon cooking them and tossing them into my bullet. My mother-in-law and I yesterday spent the afternoon making food together and it was so nice. We tried some new combos, they loved their dinner last night. They had acorn squash and pears and they thought it was great. Payton would even have a taste as we were making them up and she liked them as well.

The bullet

our recent stash

I love when I get a new toy!!