9.29.11

Happy 2nd Birthday to Max Aiden!!

Max at 2: loves choo-choos, trucks, boats, campers, playing catch with a football, hanging with his bros & his cousins, lovin on Mom and Dad, his blankie & his thumb, pizza & ice cream.

He is a funny boy with lots of attitude and the facial expressions to make it work.

We are thankful each day for 9.29.09, the day Max was born and made our family complete.

Coolest Birthday Party EVER!

Happy 7th Birthday to my beautiful Goddaughter Taylor! She had the coolest birthday party yesterday at her Grandparents house in the country. Horseback riding, hayrides, and a bonfire made for one FUN party.

Birthday Girl

Blake riding the feisty former race horse

2 horses and a pony gave plenty of rides to the kids and adults

Bryce was a little nervous, but he did great

Blake the Bandit

Cute Cowboys

Hay Ride!

Thanks for inviting us Taylor and thanks to Brad, Monica, Dale & Nancy for planning a great birthday party :)

We LOVED it!

Soccer Stars Fall 2011

Fall soccer season started last weekend and we couldn't be prouder of our 2 soccer stars! Bryce started out a little nervous, but quickly let the nerves subside and had a great game. He hustled, he defended a he attacked like a champ and he scored 6 goals. Way to go Brycie #15!

headed to the goal again!


Blake #27
Captain

Let me tell you, this kid worked the hardest of anyone on that field. He has many players on his team who are new to the game, so Blake did his best to play the whole field! I can't explain the Mommy pride I had watching him give it 100% regardless of the score, he never let up, he was all over the place, and he certainly earned his Team Captain title :)

Nice work, Blake!

We had a beautiful weekend for soccer kick off. Looking forward to the rest of the season as we have up to 4 games in one weekend.

Remember when . . .

As a child playing, laughing and loving filled your days. Kisses from Mommy, a band aid, and sometimes ice cream made everything better. The days of innocence are such a blessing!

Today Blake came home from school and said he learned about 9/11. He said his teacher showed them a picture of the bad guy, Osama Bin laden, and a picture of a plane crashing into the Twin Towers. She explained enough of the story that Blake just couldn't stop thinking about it. He said he was so sad his whole body hurt. As I hugged him he cried so hard, not out of fear, but because of all the lives lost that day.
He asked us question after question, trying to understand. As we talked openly about the events of that fateful day in history we shared with him that adults don't understand and that adults were scared and so very sad. We explained that there are many things in place today to help prevent something like that from happening again. We enouraged him to pray for the families of those who went to heaven that day, because that is the best way we can help. He agreed and said he would always remember to pray for them.

He tried to get his mind off of it for a little bit, went to play and a short while later he was shedding more tears. He asked more questions such as, did someone give that evil man a funeral when he died? Will I have to see him in heaven? Why would he want to hurt people?
Our sweet boy has a heart of gold and this will weigh on him heavily. My heart broke for him as he truly felt the sadness that we will always remember from that awful day.

It hadn't occured to me to talk to him about this, I naively thought he was too young. I know we will always remember September 11th . . . and I will now always remember the day we explained it to our oldest son.

School Boys 2011

Brycie started Kindergarten today and he was beyond excited to finally be one of the "big" kids. He was all smiles from the moment he woke up :) Couldn't be prouder of him!

Another year, another tuxedo t-shirt for Blake.

He was so excited we found a new one and there was no question in his mind that he was wearing it the first day of school, just like last year.

Brothers, best friends, school boys

*LOVE THEM*

I was sad to see my middle man get on the bus this morning. I will miss our alone time during Max's naps and our conversations throughout the day, but I'm happy to see him so excited for school.

Bye Bye boys!

Bryce got on that bus and never looked back . . . good thing cuz I was a mess :(

They both had a GREAT first day and can't wait to go back tomorrow!

An Engagement!

A BIG Congratulations to my brother Allen and his fiance Rachael!

They got engaged on Saturday and we couldn't be happier!!!

Labor Day Weekend

Fun family weekend at Mimi & Pa's with Aunt Shelly and Frank, too! Pool time, golf, cards, and lots of laughs.

Pa in his chair with Max

Mimi cooking Ribs


Max loved jumping from the diving board

Bryce's Spiderman jump

Blake's crazy pose

Aunt Shelly & Frank got a lot of attention from our boys!

Max was snuggling with Frank every chance he got

My Dad's friend came over with his patrol car and let the boys check it out

Thanks, Dave!

We ended the weekend at home with a fondue party, some last minute school shopping, and out to eat for breakfast. Now we are ready for school to start tomorrow!

Cookie Recipe

I'm NOT a baker, but I have to share this recipe because even I can get these cookies to turn out PERFECT!!

Cream Cheese Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes: 5 dozen

8 oz cream cheese, softened

2 sticks butter, softened

2 cups sugar

1 egg, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

1tsp baking soda

5 cups flour

12oz bag Hershey special dark chocolate chips

12oz bag semisweet Ghiradelli chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.

Beat softened cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.

Add sugar, continuing to beat

Add egg, vanilla, and baking soda

Gradually add the flour

Fold in chocolate chips

Use small scoop to drop cookies on lightly greased baking sheet

(or roll balls and place on cookie sheet for smooth appearance)

Bake about 15 minutes (depending on size of cookies) or until bottoms are browned

Remove cookies from oven and cool for 1 minute, then transfer to cooling rack.

*these cookies freeze well, too!

YUM!

Where's Max?

I said, "Smile for a picture" . . . he covered his face

I said, "Where did Max go?" . . . he laughed hysterically cuz he tricked me ;)


Our little Munkin is almost 2 and while he isn't saying a whole lot (he only says things on his terms, not when we ask him) he is becoming very independent. He takes a shower and washes his hair and body all by himself, drinks from a big boy cup, and rides a scooter like nobody's business! He starts day care on Tuesday so we are hoping his vocabulary, or at least his willingness to talk, explodes!