11 Years Strong

It's hard to believe that 11 years ago these 2 young kids got married.  All these years later, our life has taken a  COMPLETELY different path than we planned, but we couldn't be happier. The 11th anniversary is the Steel Anniversary, and I don't think we could have a better symbol of the strength we've gained through our experiences. 

 It seems like we have finally met our future selves and can start the next chapter--no more schooling and waiting around for someone else to give us the ability to reach our dreams; now we just have to make them happen. 

Stephen and I left the boys with Grandma and Grandpa tonight and enjoyed a nice, romantic dinner at Michelangelo's, an Italian place downtown.  I loved the surprise and the simplicity of just the 2 of us on a lovely date.  Since the traditional gift for an 11 year anniversary is steel, and because our one car cannot hold 3 car seats come November, our big gift to ourselves for this anniversary will be a car sometime this year!

Happy anniversary to us:  Eleven years down and so many more to go!

Memorial Day

 We had a wonderfully relaxing Memorial Day.  After hanging around the house and making some plans in the morning, we enjoyed lunch at Whataburger.  Then, Stephen and I wanted to show everyone some of the areas we've been looking at in our goal of buying a home.  Ryan was tuckered out after a LONG morning without a nap, so we let him sleep while the rest of us went for an afternoon swim.  

 Kyle is getting better and better and loves wearing goggles so he can see underwater without hurting his eyes!

Maxo has a rough life, so he has been looking forward to just laying around for the holiday. 

After resting and showering, we enjoyed some BBQ ribs, sausage, and corn, along with watermelon and homemade bread.  Now I'm off for some fresh peach ice cream!

Happy Memorial Day!

P.S.  In case you hadn't heard, Stephen got PAID to be off today!!!  {He's super excited about that!}

Po at the Pool

 It's starting to get warmer outside, which means the pool is heating up, too.  It's finally been at a temperature acceptable for my thin blood, so Ryan is able to get in without freezing to death.  He loves to jump in, but hesitates at the edge and starts laughing--I guess he doesn't want the suspense to end!

Kyle Stuff

It seems that everyday is a first when it comes to Ryan, so I could lean toward focusing on the baby more than the older brother.  I've been filing away some of the funny things Kyle has started doing lately, and it's time to record them before he's no longer doing them or I've forgotten.


Some things he's just started saying:
When you ask Kyle something that he doesn't know, he will answer "I have NO IDEA."  {If he asks me something and I answer, "I have no idea."  He answers, "I don't have no idea, either."}

He likes to throw in the line "everyday I need _____."  Such as: "Mom, I love candy.  Everyday I need candy."  {I think this comes from the line from the song "Scripture Power."}

When he's happy with you, he'll tell you, "You're my best friend."  But, if he's mad or you've had to give him a consequence for something, he lets you know, "you're not my best friend.  NOT ANYMORE!"  

His phrases of frustration lately are "Oh, Barnacles!" or "Oh, Nuts!"  I think he got these from Spongebob? 

The list for his birthday is becoming ridiculous since everyday we hear, "I need that for my birthday."  

He likes to be "the leader"  or to "go first, not second" on most things.

He's figured out our names.  If we don't answer to Mom or Dad, Kyle has started calling us by "Stephen" or "Mel" or even "Burg."

He can now say "Ryan" instead of "Rynee" and he'll even call his baby brother "\Pollito" or "Po."

When I ask him to do something most of the time he'll do it and yell, "Yes, Sir!"

A few more things:
He's learned to pee "like Daddy" and likes to use this new-found skill in the backyard.

He still LOVES Wipeout and playing games on our phones.

He is now the ugly word police.  He called me "stupid" a few too many times, so he had his mouth washed out with soap.  Now whenever ANYONE says "stupid," he's right there to tell us that it's an ugly word.  

We've been playing lots of games lately, and his favorites are Candyland and Dominoes.  He also still LOVES to read books. 

He doesn't really like to color, but has started to become more interested in writing his letters.

A few weeks ago, one of his Primary leaders asked him if he needed to go potty.  He said, "no."  She asked, "Are you sure??"  Kyle responded, "No! I already went.  I went poop, and it was STINKY!"  {The leader told me later that she just cracked up at that and learned that if you ask Kyle about going potty and he tells you "no," he means it--don't push him on that or you'll get more info than you want!}

Kyle LOVES swimming and playing at playgrounds.  He's also SO excited when we go somewhere and there are "friends."  He'll walk right up and say, "Hi.  What's your name?" And then play for hours.  

So, that's a little update on Kyle.  I"m sure I've forgotten a few things and will have to start a new mental tally.  I can't believe this boy is going to be FOUR soon!  He keeps me on my toes, and I love him SO MUCH!

Dress Up

 When I was young, there were always plenty of costumes, old fancy dresses, and other play clothes to use for dressing up.  We had chests and closets full of clothing and fabric to use in creating whatever costumes our imaginations could dream up.  I loved playing make believe and getting both myself and my siblings {even the boys} all dolled up.  There were several Halloweens when I had multiple costumes because I couldn't narrow down my choices.   If I had access to my photos, which are buried in a deep, dark storage unit, I could post some examples, but you'll just have to use your imaginations.  Even today I still love having an excuse to dress up or put on a fun costume.

I think this love of costume and design may be even stronger with my younger siblings.  And since I actually have access to digital photos of them dressing up, I thought I'd share: 

I have boys and do not have a wardrobe full of costume and props for them to use for playing dress up, but they are creative, these two.  Kyle's been watching some pirate shows lately, as well as The Great Mouse Detective, and has learned all about peg legs.  He even made one for himself! {He walked all around the house--up and downs stairs included--for 2 days!}

And Grandma's glasses are a fun accessory.  What a difference a new pair of eyes can make!

I guess it's fun, even for boys, to get to dress up and be something you're not for a little while! 

Brandon's Graduation

 This is a little late, but still quite important.  While we were in Utah, we had the opportunity to go to Brandon's law school graduation.  I'm so happy for him that he made it through school and am proud of this great accomplishment!

Grandma's Secret Stash

It's not so secret anymore!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Kyle has a new favorite book.  We've read it many, many times.  Luckily, all of that reading {plus a DVD version of the book, sent to Kyle by Granna} has paid off.  Now Kyle likes to "read" the book "mine self."  He doesn't get every word right, and being on camera suddenly made him think he needed to whisper, but I don't ever want to forget the way he read this book from the beginning. 

Ryan's First Haircut

 Ryan's hair is so fine and wispy!  I have tried many things to get it to stay in place, but it was starting to get too long to smooth down much anymore.  He was also getting a bit of a mullet thing going on! 

 I finally decided it was time to break down and cut this baby boy's hair!  He didn't like holding still, and a stylist I'm not, but at least the back of his hair is no longer hanging over his collar. 

I also think Ryan is pretty happy with the way it turned out!

From the Archives

I've been helping my mom out with organizing her photos and being more on top of photo-related tasks--clearing her memory card, uploading photos to be printed, and actually printing those photos.

I started the major task of going through the memory card today--all 456 photos--and found a few I couldn't help but pause on......

This is SO Baby Ry to me.  He was so little and so peaceful and loved to sleep in his car seat!  I can't believe how tiny he was!

Car Radio

Ryan LOVES to dance!  There will be times when we notice he's no longer in the room with the rest of us, but we hear music coming from the other room.  Ryan has moments when he needs a break from it all, so he climbs into his car and jams to some music.  It's hilarious to catch him dancing and swaying to the tunes.  There have been a couple of times that he will actually stand up in the car and dance, but I was only able to capture one of the milder music moments on video.  Enjoy!

It's Always Something....

It seems to me that just when I start feeling like I might be able to hold my head above water, something else happens to try to knock me back down. 

This was the latest thing.....

I forgot my phone was in my lap when got out of the car at the post office.  The phone landed face first onto the street and lost. 

Best Buy was no help--they didn't even offer to fix it at any price, even though I purchased it from them! 

Luckily, Stephen remembered some friends saying they found a guy online who repaired phones.  I looked, called a guy the next day, he came out to the house, and my iPhone was good as new!

I had a little money from Mother's Day, which I was supposed to spend on myself--a pedicure or something fun--but I got an iPhone repair instead.  I guess I"m not out anything but a pedicure, and I'm SO grateful I didn't have to pay an arm and a leg--or the cost of a new phone--to make all right in the world again. 

Playing Outside

The boys got a new slide for outside.  Kyle loves it--especially sliding into the pool.  He's also had fun playing with Ryan.  {Ryan seems to be taking a break from the slide, though, after a few face plants--no thanks to a little over-zealous pushing from his brother!}

The pool is getting warmer, too!  Kyle loves to check the temperature everyday.

Ryan watches his brother's actions closely, which means WE have to watch HIM closely, too! This boy LOVES the water!!!

It's been fun getting to spend more time outside with the boys and to have them be able to play together more and more. 

May Flowers

 Kyle was SO excited to help me make Mother's Day cards for Granna and Grandma.  He colored some pictures and painted these flowers for 2 of his most favorite people! 

13 Months

Another month has gone by, and Ryan is growing older everyday.  It's just too bad his body doesn't seem to really be in any hurry to grow up.  I swear he's just about the same stats this month as he was on his birthday!

He's 29 1/2 inches short and weighed about 20 1/2 pounds this morning, which still makes him our little tyke. 

Ryan is a joy.  He's still very easy going and happy, although he's been very clingy and whiny the last few days.  {Last night we figured out a possible reason--at least 2 new teeth are cutting through!}  He still LOVES to climb on things, and can get onto just about any piece of furniture--besides beds--in the house.  I think his favorite place to climb is pictured in these photos.  If we turn our backs on Ryan for any length of time, he's sure to be found in the computer chair, usually plugging away at the laptop.  {This bad habit earned Ryan his first spanking on the bottom this past week, since he can't help but climb up onto the printer in order to get into the computer chair.  Not only does he insist of stepping on in, but he also likes pushing the buttons.  "No!" wasn't getting us anywhere on stopping the behavior, so a stiffer consequence was needed.  Poor little guy--you would've thought I broke his heart!}  He also has discovered his love for playing on iPhone, and he goes into a state of euphoria when he gets to play by himself!  Ryan is also our little musical boy.  He LOVES music, playing songs on his stuffed dog, Scout, climbing into our toy car and jamming to the "radio," and dancing to any beat.  {I will try to post some videos in the next few days of Ryan, our dancing machine.}

 

We love our baby Ry!

Pregnancy Countdown: May

And so it begins, another photo journal of another pregnancy.  Getting pregnant while I still had a child under a year didn't really help much with getting back down to my pre-pregnancy weight, so it will be interesting to see how big my belly bump {and everything else} gets with this one. 

Mini Cooper 2011

13 weeks

Mother's Day

 In our family, we are all about getting the most out of our celebrations, and Mother's Day is not exception.  I got to enjoy an entire weekend of Mother's Day fun!  I woke up Saturday to a beautiful bouquet of pink roses and a massage gift certificate.  Stephen also made Orange Waffles with Buttermilk Syrup--to DIE FOR!  {Steveo said they were the best waffles he'd EVER eaten!}

 Later that evening, we went out for Mexican food at *The Original* Lupe Tortilla, and I had probably the best fajitas I'd ever tasted!  Here's a photo of the boys and me before we went out for Mexican Food Saturday:

 Today, the official Mother's Day, we got up and headed out to church:

 Kyle got to answer some questions about me in Primary today.  {That's one way to announce a pregnancy}!

 

*In case you can't read Kyle's answers:

My Mom is--pregnant.
She likes to--think about Jesus.
She always---likes to sit down.
Sometimes she--takes me to the park and tries to catch me.
But the best thing about Mom is--she plants flowers and she brushes her hair. 


In honor of his own Mom, Stephen, with the help of his siblings, put on a great Mother's Day feast for Lou, which we all got to enjoy.  We ate steak, baked potatoes, broccoli and cheese, grilled corn-on-the-cob--and Lobster for Lou.  Now I'm off to get the boys to bed, play some cards, and enjoy a chocolate-dipped strawberry for dessert.


It's been a fantastic Mother's Weekend around here, and I hope all the Mothers--especially my own--are feeling the love, too!

Sisters, Sisters

 My sisters and I have this little tradition.  At any of our siblings' weddings--or our own--we all pose together for a sisters picture. 

Maybe it was the hustle and bustle of the day, or trying to run after 2 wild boys, or that there had already been THREE Boulter weddings in 10 months, or the call of the pasta bar and chocolate strawberries.....Whatever the reason, we actually FORGOT to take a sisters picture at the wedding of Matt and Nicole.

So, would we just end the tradition, letting just this one time slip through the cracks?  Would we give in to our forgetful mishap and let it be to fate? 

If you know me at all, you know the answer is NO WAY! 

Of course the minute I realized this mistake {the next day} I forced my sisters to gather their attire from the previous evening, and we drove over to the Grove Theater to stage our sister wedding shot--a day later.  Thank goodness for us, the marquee still played the perfect role in helping us pull it off. 

The sun, however, was not so cooperative.  In about 10 photos, I'm just as squinty as this:
 
Squinty, squinty, squinty. 

Awwwww.....much better!

Luv ya, sistas.  Thanks for helping to recreate and hold onto our tradition! 

Photo Booth

 Kyle's favorite part of Matt/Nicole's reception?  The photo booth!!!!

His least favorite part of the photo booth?  NOT getting to push the start button--as can be seen from the first 2 photos in our family shot:.  

 Kyle showed up in so many photo booth pics--I think he might have even sneaked in with a few strangers!