Pictures

I said that I was going to blog, so I'd better do it, right?

The weather was beautiful on Monday, so I took the boys to Daybreak. We walked around, the boys threw rocks into the iced lake, Cohen loved pointing out the birds, and I played with my camera. I thought I'd share my darling boys with you. Seriously, could they be any cuter? (Aside from Jack's goofy teeth!)

Splash Park

We LOVE splash parks.

Swimming Lessons 2009

Our boys finished up swimming lessons at the Guys Swim Gym! They had so much fun...despite the rain every single day (which seemed to start right at 4:30, the very time of their lessons) and the 50-60 degree temperatures. They didn't care. They were in the 90 degree water splashing around anyways. It was their freezing cold mother bundled up in her hoodie under an umbrella that seemed to be bothered by the rain more. They both made great progress and loved their teachers. I would highly recommend them for swimming lessons. I know that we will be back next year.

Boys Only

Just before Jack got out of school for the summer, he asked me why we never have invited his school friends over to our house to play. He was right, we never had and I had not ever really thought about doing that before.
So, we planned a school's out for summer party. Jack decided that he wanted the theme of the party to be "No Girls Allowed." His last day of school he took invitations to this buddies in his kindergarten class and then we invited a couple of his favorite friends from our old neck of the woods to come along too. Nixin didn't exactly think it was fair that Jack got to invite friends and he didn't, so I let him pick 3 friends to invite as well.

We played a few games, including a balloon pop race (tie balloons to each persons foot and let them run around stomping each others balloons until they all pop), a getting dressed relay race (run, put on the pile of clothes, take them off and tag your team mate), "Happy Puppy" (say "happy puppy" with marshmallows in your mouth and it sounds funny), and ladder golf.

Blake, Max, Caleb, Cole, Nixin, Jack S., Jack W., Zachary, Brandon, and Dorian

We had pigs in a blanket, Cheetos, fruit kabobs, and brownies for lunch.

I walked into the living room about 20 minutes after the last guest left and my little Nixin was zonked. What a sweet heart!

Beach Day

Today we went with our ward playgroup to a great little beach at Daybreak. Who would have thought that we had this fun place just minutes from our house? They had a great playground that the kids spent a lot of time playing on and then we headed down to the beach. The kids had a blast. You would have thought that the overcast day and kinda chilly temperatures would have intimidated the kids from hopping in the water with their swimming suits on, but no! They loved it. We will definitely be going back there soon.

School's Out For Summer!

Our summer break is officially here! Both Jack and Nixin are out of school unitl after our baby gets here...wow! That sounds so wierd to say it like that. I am really quite excited for the school break. I love having my boys here at home with me. I don't know what I'm going to do next year when Jack is gone all day long! I tried to take pictures of Jack walking home from his last day of kindergarten and he let me take a picture and then said "Okay, that's enough mom." So this is the picture we've got:

No More Training Wheels!

Jack can finally do it! After a whole summer of practicing, Jack can finally ride a 2 wheeler. It has been a little frustrating at times to be the one trying to teach the most cautious child ever to ride a bike without training wheels. But the other day Jack did it and after realizing that he could do it that first time he has been able to do it every time since. He has gotten better and better every day. He is thrilled with himself and it is fun for me to see his excitement about it. I'm so proud of you Jack!

Preschool

It is official that both of my boys are in school! I called Chad after I dropped Nixin off for his first day and told him that half of me wanted to bawl and the other half was screaming with excitement.

Nixin did awesome. I worried a little about how well he'd do, but what I should have remembered is that last year every day that we took Jack to school, Nixin would put on his backpack and think he got to go to school with Jack. Then I would make him hop back in the car with me and back home we'd go. Nixin has been waiting a long time for his turn to go to school. When we got there today he said "Bye Mom I have to go hang up my backpack" and off he went. He was so brave and very excited to be there and he was all smiles when it was over. He can't wait to go back on Thursday.

Kindergarten!

Wow! My boy started kindergarten today. I can't believe he is so big already. Jack was so excited to start school that he could hardly stand it. We took our time getting ready, snapped a few photos, and then Jack literally ran all the way to school. Notice in the pictures how the day starts with huge smiles and a lot of energy. After we reach the school his face is full of concern. Then, after school, huge smiles again. I thought that was funny. He had a good time, really likes his teacher, Mrs. Bibo-Brown (the lady "with curls just like me only gray"), and can't wait to go back tomorrow.

Three Feet

After attending his Primary Class today, this is the conversation that I had with my 5 year old son, Jack:

Jack: Hey mom, guess what my teacher told us about today.
Erica: What?
Jack: He told us that there was a boy who wanted to go on a mission, but before he did he had to grow 3 feet!
Erica: Wow.
Jack: Isn't that crazy Mom? He is going to have 3 feet!

He really thought that the boy was going to grow a third foot! Ha ha! I laughed hard, made him go tell Chad what he had learned, then Chad laughed too. What a joy it is to be a mother!

Sleepy Time

Seriously, is there anything sweeter than this?

Swimming Lessons

Jack just completed his first session of swimming lessons. His wonderful preschool teacher, Mrs. Amee and her husband Kevan have a pool in their back yard and they teach swimming lessons in the summer time. Jack made huge improvements in the pool! He dares to stick his head under the water, he can float on his back, and he even went off of the diving board a few times! He had a great time and I loved watching him do it.

Jack Isak

This is Jack. He is easily recognized by his white curly hair and his awesome blue eyes. Some of the neighbor kids call him "Curly Jack" even though he really dislikes that. Jack has always been so smart. He loves school and can't wait to start kindergarten this coming year. He can read short words, loves to do simple math and is a wonderful artist.

Jack loves soccer, playing outside, swimming lessons, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, strawberries, Hot Wheels, Power Rangers, and Sponge Bob. He is a wonderful big brother and help around the house. I am so thankful for the neat boy that he is and for the sweet spirit that he brings into our home.

Nixin Arik

This is Nixin. He too is easily recognized by his white curls and his stunning blue eyes. Nixin is the reason for laughter in our family. He says and does silly things constantly and we all find so much joy in him. He is busy and curious. Nixin loves music and singing- you should hear him when he sings along with his mp3 player! It is darling!

He also gives the best cuddles and he can be so sincere and loving. Nixin loves soccer, pets, picking his nose, chicken nuggets, candy, and playing with his big brother. He truely brings a lot of joy and happiness into my life.