Disneyland?

27 weeks. Feeling bigger, earlier this time around.

Notice the space between his bangs? Yep he cut his hair!

My lighting was off in this pic. Realized afterwards but kind of like it.

My parents say that when the kids come to their house it's like Disneyland to them. It's Humboldt County! Definitely no comparison to Disney. But they are right. My boys love going to their house. They get to roam outside, catch tadpoles and gophers, get spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa, ride their bikes, go in Mick's/Pa's hot tub, play basketball, roast marsh mellows, play with cousins, swim at Baywood, weed the garden and run around with some of their best friends. What more could a kid want.

Luckiest Boy

That's what this little sweetheart kept saying today. He woke up this morning jumped in bed with us and said over and over, "I'm six today, I'm six today!" Last night he made a cute little birthday chart and hung it on the fridge. He's got 1-6 written down with a check next to them and then twenty or so extra lines to check and fill in for his next birthdays.

His Chevy's sombrero and mustache he won in the arcade.

Today was his day and he knew it from the moment he woke up. He went downstairs to see his big present waiting outside, a basketball hoop. Then he opened up his Power Ranger helmet (he's wanted forever and I scored a great deal on at Walmart for $11 after Xmas regularly $50). Then I took the kids to get donuts. It was 90 degrees today so I took them to the park early but we were still too hot and left by 11:30. We ate lunch, took naps and then Jody came home and we went to the mall to get Ammon's other present, a pair of Heely's skate shoes. He's also wanted them for a while. We went to dinner at Chevy's. It was kid's eat free night! They sang to Ammon and he took home his sombrero. He said at least a dozen times, "I'm a lucky boy."

The day was not over. We took the kids to Scandia Family Fun Center for go-cart rides, batting cages, bumper boat rides (hilarious because Ammon couldn't figure out how to drive it at first and got soaked, then he soaked me), and games in the arcade. Then we came home and I dropped the boys off at the park and took Rylee home to put her in bed. They came home and I made snow cones and now we are finally putting them to bed at ten o'clock! It's been a great day. I love celebrating birthdays, especially when the person is so excited about every moment!

His party is on Friday!

Two!

Rylee turned two on the 14th of this month. For her birthday she got a purse, a baby, a glow worm and a spin saucer (not sure what it's called). She didn't know it was her birthday. But she really got into opening the presents once her brothers showed her how.

At Two:

Rylee has lots of words but she also speaks A LOT of chibberish. I just started getting her to copy what I tell her to say, only one example of her stubberness. Yesterday I finally got her to say thank you and please, only took a year! But thank you is especially cute.

Loves cell phones, babies, purses, strollers, jumping on the trampoline, climbing on things, eating, and her binky to name a few.

She loves to eat. Her favorites are mac and cheese, ketchup, cheeseburgers, applesauce, cereal, yogurt, otter pops, turkey, cheese and watermelon. She is ready to eat breakfast the minute she gets up in the morning.

She is tough. You know she's hurt if she cries. She can fall flat on her face, get up smiling and take of running.

She loves her daddy, mommy, grandparents, and brothers. Her favorite friends are Jazzy and Becca.

Rylee thinks she can do ANYTHING her brothers do and she isn't afraid to try. She can open up any door and find a way to get into anything she wants.

She loves playing with Cohen. And she loves to tell on him. Mulitple times a day I hear, "Mommy Cohen.......blah blah blah (don't know what she's saying)" All in a, I'm telling on him, voice.

She runs away from me in public.

Throws multiple tantrums a day. Which often involve her hitting me and her falling to the ground.

Still a great sleeper. She goes to bed at 7:30 and sleeps until 7 if not later. Takes a two hour nap everyday.

She is tall. 90th percentile. Poor Ammon. He's always in the 25th. She is 50% in weight, 75% head.

Interested in the potty. I'm not so much, yet.

Loves to dance, sing, and run from us. Especially when it's time to get a diaper change or get ready for bed.

Despite all her craziness she is also very loving. She often just wants me to hold her and snuggle. She gives lots of hugs, kisses and "lovies". I am so lucky to have a daughter and look forward to the wonderful moments we will share through out the years.

One Trek Mind.

Cohen wearing Jody's trek hat

We made it! We hiked, walked, slept on the ground in funny pioneer clothes and pulled handcarts (think covered wagons, no cover and no cattle to pull it). It was an amazing experience. My thoughts have been so consumed with the trek that it's taken me a few days to really get back into real life.

Rylee turned two on Sunday we had a low key birthday party for her with just our little family. She really didn't even know it was her birthday (pics to come). Ammon will be six next week and we will have a big party for him. With each kid I tend to do less and less on birthdays until they are old enough to have friends and actually understand what's going on.

In other news "the fruits of my labors" are starting to appear! Who knew gardening could be so much fun?

We are heading up to my parents tomorrow. My dad is taking the boys and Jody to a Giants game tonight and then I'll hitch a ride back with him.

When Kasey visited back in March she told Ammon that her kids would love some of his drawings. After she left he made a package to send to her. If you can't tell it says, "Ammon to Kasey she liv in Alaskda send she." Love it!

One Down.

I know it's blurry but I love this picture.

Teacher Cindy and Cohen.

Cohen's best buddy Chase.

Cohen finished his first year of preschool too! He went to a program through our town called Children's Circle. There were 12 kids and two teachers. It was a perfect fit for him. He loved going everyday and when he didn't have school he was disappointed. His favorite friends were Lacey, Chase, Dominic, Jacob, William and Emilio. Before starting preschool I was super stressed about him being potty trained but once he got in he did great and was fully trained within a week.

On his last day they had a pirate party (the kids chose). They had a pinata, pirate hats, a pirate cake and they even brought a present to exchange with the class. I could barely get Cohen to take a picture with his teachers Anna and Cindy. He told me later he was too shy. But really Cohen is NOT shy! He is such a funny little boy. He is always talking, or singing and can play really well by himself (and with others). He loves to put things together like trains and Lego's. He is always telling me what he wants for his birthday and he is a mommy's boy. He tells me he loves me and give me huge hugs and kisses all the time. He is a big huge sweetheart!

End of School

Ammon graduated from kindergarten just over a week ago. I was a mess! I had to leave right when it was over to avoid humiliation. The pregnancy hormones don't help. I am always very senitmental when it comes to change or the end/beginning of something new.

Ammon's class had a lot of fun fieldtrips and activites the last few days of schools. These are pictures of his class party. Cohen was lucky to join in the festivities.

Ammon getting a massage from his buddy Maks.

With his two friends Jasmine and Livia.

Last week was our first week off of school for both boys and it's been pretty good. It's nice to have no responsibilities. We usually get up, eat breakfast, go to the gym for an hour, then come home clean the house up, eat lunch and take naps. After naps we go to the park or play outside. I do get sick of the arguing and fighting but the house has actually stayed cleaner since they've been home, not sure how.

We went out to dinner with our friends that have four girls last week. When Ammon found out we were going to eat with them he insisted on getting all dressed up in his church attire. We talked him out of a tie but we did fix his hair and he put on a nice collared shirt. He even made me check his nose for boogers. He already loves girls and he isn't even six yet! I'm scared.

Rylee has been learning new words everyday, but she still doesn't talk like the boys did at this age. She will be two on Sunday.

Cohen asks me everyday, "Mom what do we have to do today?" He always wants to know the agenda. Whereas Ammon could care less. As long as he gets to go outside and ride his bike or go to the park he's happy. Poor Cohen had a little stomach bug this weekend. He was in the bathroom quite a bit yesterday and he even told our home teachers that his bum was burning.

We are going on the Trek on Thursday. It's all I can think about! I've been reading and re-reading all of the stories and information we were given in hopes that I will be both mentally and spiritually prepared. I was told that there will be a 24 hour period where the kids won't get very much food. Fortunately I will be taken care of because I obviously can't go without.

After talking to my mom and searching around on the internet last night I was excited to learn that some of my ancestors were actual members of the handcart companies. My Great (times 6) grandfather, Frances Martin Pomeroy came across the plains with Brigham Young in the Pioneer Company. They were the first group of saints who forged the way for the rest to come and find peace in the Salt Lake Valley. He married a woman named Jessamine Routledge, born in London England, who journeyed to Utah in the Martin Handcart Company. The Martin and Willie Company's are the groups who left late in the season and suffered terrible hardships do to early snow and lack of food. They lost many members of their group before help arrived. Jessamine obviously made it through and married Frances after arriving in Utah. Learning that my ancestors were apart of the trek west has made it that more real and meaningful to me.

Visitors!

Kinsey, Me and Tasha.

I loved both these pictures of Joe holding Makya. It was freezing walking across the bridge. I took the first picture before she realized I was there and then she looked up and smiled for a second. So cute!

Tasha's baby girl, Bailee. She definitely has her mommy's lips!

Most of the gang!

Ammon was checking out the baby dolphins.

Cohen was being very silly.

Movie night. They were watching Bedtime Stories. This is a great movie for kids and adults.

I couldn't get Bailee to smile.

Last Saturday night my best friend Tasha, called me from McKinleyville. I heard my phone ring downstairs but I was too tired to go get it. When I woke up Sunday morning I checked my voicemail and she said her family and the Lindgren's, two of our favorite families, were wanting to come down for the weekend. So I called her back and she got everyone packed up and they were all here by four o'clock. We LOVE having visitors. The kids ran around and played. We talked and then cooked dinner, ate and then went to the park. When we got back we made dessert and then Jody set up a movie with the projector for the kids. All of the adults just sat around and talked. We always have great conversationa and lots of laughs with each other.

The next morning we went to the Golden Gate bridge. I had never walked across it before. Even though it was freezing we had a great time. My boys especially loved it. Then we headed to Corte Madre for lunch and of course I had to stop at my favorite bakery, The Teacake Bakeshop. I'm already trying to figure out how to get more. Sometimes Jody goes to SF for business meetings. Next time he will be getting me some more cupcakes and sugar cookies.

After lunch the gang came back to our house and took our kids to the park. I was busy cooking a dish and getting ready for a bbq we were going to at some friends home. We are so lucky to have good friends and it made our weekend so much fun to have them come visit! Plus they were the easiest guests! They helped cook, clean, and brought their own bedding. I hope they know they are welcome ANY time! Even at the last minute.