Valentine's Day

Valentine's day started quite early when Charlie woke up sometime around 7, I decided to go make breakfast with him and let Daddy sleep in. We decided to make some delicious Lemon Poppyseed muffins, and eggs, and turkey bacon. Charlie is a great kitchen helper and he loved bringing Daddy breakfast in bed. 

After breakfast, I got to go to Target and a baby shower all by myself. Going to Target alone is always quite a treat. And our wonderful friend Marissa passed her due date two days earlier and was still pregnant so some of her friends put together an amazing brunch to make the waiting a little more enjoyable. (Side note, I just visited her today, 1 week past due and she is still pregnant...poor lady) It was an excellent brunch and fun to have an outing with other women. We are super excited for that baby boy to join their family. 

When I got home we tried to coordinate the boys to nap at the same time but that backfired when Charlie started screaming and woke up Miles who then refused to go back to sleep. Eventually Charlie slept. In the afternoon we decided to go on a hike that turned out to be just going to the new park and then walking on the trails around the park and throwing rocks into the creek. It is always a super fun day at the park when Daddy comes. 

It was getting dark at this point so I did what I could as far as pictures go.

We opted out of going on a couples date, partly because we have needed a lot of babysitting already as of late and we also recently planned a couple of romantic dates in the near future including our anniversary getaway, a couple's massage class and Phantom of the Opera. So we decided to have some good family quality time and I also feel pretty special that I have 3 handsome Valentines.

Miles also got to go down the slide for his first time by himself. It wasn't pictured very well as I was on the receiving end, catching him before he flew off the end. He loved it and went down again and again...until he bonked his head.

On our way home we picked up some delicious Thai take out and went home to eat it. We then cleaned up and played Chutes and Ladders with Charlie. We just got it so it was Charlie's first time. 

He mastered his flicking skills.

We then got the boys in bed and we got to enjoy the rest of our Valentines Day as couple.

Update: I forgot that I wanted to add our art project that we did for Daddy...It was our first time doing a glitter art project. We had this on the wall when Max came home from work on the Friday before V-day.

Park Day!

A couple days ago we found out that a brand new playground was built at the foresty park near our house. We had to check it out! We invited our friends, dressed up like wild animals,

 and went for a picnic in the park. It's a little tricky to find which I kind of like now that I know where it is. It's nice that Charlie is a little bit older and he can play a LITTLE more freely without me hovering over him. He had so much fun climbing and running!

He picked the Dinosaur "coat" on our way out the door.

This kid loves eating dirt...Pureed peas are gross, but dirt...irresistibly delicious!

Kerri came with Madeleine and Isla. We were happy to have our friends there

After a yummy picnic where each child wanted what the other one brought. the kids had so much fun together. Madeleine is Charlie's best friends but it seems that they have a hard time getting along when they have to share toys. So playing at the park is perfect for them.

So much fun in the swing!

The babies weren't as coordinated on the swing and this is the best photo from their experience.

And of course they were running away from their mommies when it was time to go. 

10 Months

Miles has become Mr. Personality. He's turning into a big kid and is finding his sense of humor. He's initiating games to make us laugh.  He's becoming stronger and climbing to dangerous heights. He is a happy kid. He is eating a lot more solid food and making bigger messes. His sleeping is getting better again. Diaper changing has become a huge wrestling workout for me so sometimes I dread that. He's not super interested in standing on his own but will climb on anything and everything possible. He's starting to become a little more timid around strangers. He loves bath time with his big brother. He is still pretty small and wearing mostly 6 months clothes and pajamas but I think He will move up to 9 months pretty soon.  

Our baby seems to be vanishing and a little boy is replacing him. He is fun to interact with and he loves playing with toys on his own as well.

He is quite the waver and has started clapping. He waves to you if you tell him "hi" even if you don't wave at him. I swear he's even said "HI" too, is that possible? He waves to strangers that smile at him in the store. I love it.

We truly love that Miles is part of our family and I think Charlie likes it most of the time. They have been playing together and wrestling more and more. 

We love our Miles. And in two months he will be ONE! EEEKK

So much Handsome

So My boys have matching ties. Charlie and Max got matching ties for Father's day a couple years ago. But then we decided to get one for Miles, or rather, get a bigger one for Charlie and Miles could wear Charlie's old tie. ( I know you all came to this post to hear the evolution of the orange ties) Anyway, my boys all went to church matchy matchy! I need to get something orange, maybe a ribbon for my hair... Anyway...here are some matching photos of my boys. 

Ok...I guess the first couple of just of Charlie. 

Oh that glasses glare..I have to figure out how to eliminate that. Did anyone else notice how Harry Potter never had any glare on his glasses?...magical I tell you!

And these boys make my heart explode...I just love them all so much! Life has been so good to me.

And then there was a photo of me with my boys...I then realized it is still not flattering to be sitting in a photo...oh well..the boys are so adorable.

And those are my matchy matchy boys. Pretty handsome if you ask me!

Visits to Nana Kay

Just over 3 weeks ago, Max's mom had a heart attack followed by open-heart surgery that ended up being a triple bypass. She is recovering well now but her recovery originally wasn't going as quickly as hoped. This event has had the whole family rallying around and helping Max's parents get back on their feet. (Max's dad had a stroke a couple months ago taking away his ability to drive.) They were also in the middle of buying a house and flooded with many other family and financial responsibilities. Max has spent countless hours keeping on top of their bills and getting their mortgage going. 

Max was visiting nearly everyday and sometimes the boys and I were able to visit too. For family night last week Charlie and Miles made this picture for Nana Kay and then we went for a visit. 

Charlie loves pretending to be Grandpa with his walking stick and Red hat. 

He also loved to help Grandma get around. Grandma was really doing all the work with her feet but Charlie still had fun.

And there was even a fish tank..so that made Charlie extra excited to go visit grandma. 

Kay just came home from the rehab center yesterday. Max's sister and her family are staying at their house to help out. She is recovering well now and is ever so grateful for the many people that have helped her and her family. I'm also so grateful for the example that Max has set for the boys and me of honoring your parents. I've already noticed in Charlie that he has an increased desire to help and make people feel better. 

Date nights!

Two, out of the house childless dates in one week! How did we get so lucky? That hasn't happened since I was very overdue with Charlie and we went out almost every night. 

Date #1 we went to the temple together. It had been awhile and we've been trying to schedule a time with my mom for a while to have the boys over. After I dropped the boys off, I brought a picnic dinner to eat with max in is office, we then went to the temple. It was a fabulous evening spent with my wonderful husband. And I even made him take a date night selfie in the atrium...although it's not hard to make him pose for a picture!

When we picked up the boys, Miles was getting hungry and tired and Charlie was getting a fever again. He'd been having a relatively low fever on and off for a week. Charlie climbed into Max's arms and fell asleep and I nursed Miles and he fell asleep so we stayed and visited for awhile before taking the boys home.

When we got home, Charlie had a hard time settling down so Max curled up with him and fell asleep still all dressed up. It was a precious moment for me to observe so I wasn't even mad that Charlie stole my date! I truly love the husband and father that he is! 

Date #2: this date had been planned for awhile and we were even trying out a new in home babysitter, something that's new to us. We had actually invited Carly the babysitter over a couple weeks ago to have dinner and family night and to watch our bedtime routine....paranoid parents much? Anyway, we were pretty excited and felt very good that Carly would do a good job. So yesterday we got to go see a Portland Trail Blazers basket ball game courtesy of Max's boss. 
We are not huge sports fanatics but it is still fun to be in that atmosphere and cheer for a team. And as far as sports go, basketball is one that I prefer to watch...just after Max playing water polo or gymnastics. :) Football...not my favorite...especially if it's cold.

Date night selfie #2
We left a little early because Carly had early morning seminary the next day and we didn't want to keep her up too late, also neither Max or I were feeling that great. Our family has spent most of 2015 sick so far, we hope that changes soon! Anyway, here's to making time for your marriage!