Tyler's (2nd) Preschool Graduation!

Our little Tyler isn't so little anymore! I have a hard time believing that he will be in Kindergarten in just a few months.  Yesterday was his official graduation from his preschool, ABC etc. that he has been attending since we moved to Henderson.  He was only there about 4 months but he made a few good friends and enjoyed having something special just for him.  He even got to skip napping on his preschool days because he was in the PM class.  We are so proud of him and can't wait to see what he will do from here!

Big man already bugged with mom taking pictures. This is right outside his classroom where I dropped him off and picked him up every day.

 These next pictures are taken with my killer zoom with Adam bouncing around in my other arm.  I wish I had better pictures, but Ryan was filming too so hopefully some of that will work out okay.  And when Tyler's name was finally called a large gentleman stood up right in my way so I didn't get a single shot of him holding his "diploma".  Oh well!

Tyler singing one of their adorable songs.  He was feeling a little under-the-weather and looked REALLY nervous.  He skipped going up for his line and only sang about half of the words to each song.

Where is Tyler?  It was hard to find him in all the blue- but who could miss that cute face?

Still singing.  Almost smiling.

The only picture I was able to get of Tyler walking up to get his diploma.  So serious! A true academic already.



Sweet, adoring, Jacob was sad that he couldn't see Tyler, so Ryan put him up on his shoulders to find Tyler in the crowd.

Finally got a picture of Tyler on his way out.  We were on the wrong side of the gym when he was walking in.

Tyler finally caught out eye, but still didn't look too pleased :)

Pretending to be shy as we were hootin' and hollarin' at him and Jacob got a high five from Tyler on the way.  What a stud!

Tyler The Graduate with his certificate.  So proud of Tyler for doing hard things and can't wait to see what he does next!

Dessert with Friends

Happy 3rd Birthday to Jacob!

Easter Sunday in California

The Easter Bunny found us in California!  Thank goodness. The boys got a fun movie, HOP, from Granny and after watching it they were very worried about the Easter Bunny finding them. We hadn't planned on staying in California this long, but when we could have a lovely Easter dinner prepared for us, who were we to leave the party?

The boys woke up bright and early and we let them check the front door for their basket.  The EB just left one basket with everyone's gifts this year (since it was last minute)  We just got the boys one or two little things and a few small candies in a bag.  I am that mom that really doesn't like candy. It usually makes my kids get sick.  Adam got oyster crackers and fruit snacks...and loved it anyway.

With our stay less than planned I had not brought church clothes for the boys.  Thankfully we bought new church pants for Tyler and Adam earlier in the week when there was a good sale, but Jacob had two pairs at home so we didn't get him any.  I decided it wouldn't kill him to wear shorts to church once, but I didn't have any nice shirts for the boys.  I headed to Wal Mart to try to find something decent but not too expensive because I know my boys had plenty of shirts at home.  After some searching I found some polos for $3.88 and there were even matching ones in the right sizes.  I go to pay and they ring up at $5.  I told the cashier about the correction and she apologized and fixed it.  The cool part about this, is I guess Wal Mart has a policy where if an item rings up incorrectly they give you a $3 credit for each item- making my shirts $0.88 !  It was a sign that we were meant to stay :)  The shirts definitely served their purose and all three boys looked handsome enough for the hour of church that we made it to.

The night before Easter we watched a Church video about the Ressurection of Christ and what Easter is really about.  This is the second year that we have watched videos of Easter with the boys.  They ask a million questions during the movie- but I love that they are actually learning about Christ.  It is pretty sweet when they bring it up or ask cute questions later.  I am proud that my boys know that Easter is about more than just the candy and eggs.  I hope they will always know what is most important!


Tyler and Jacob exploring the Easter basket.

A quick little hunt in Grandma and Grandpa's front yard

Still hunting

and hunting

and found some!

Adam's Easter Egg hunt was indoors...and was much easier. 

Adam found the first two eggs and stopped there.  He just shook those two eggs for the rest of the morning! (there were pennies inside)

Attempting to get a good picture of the three boys in their shirts.  Obviously it didn't work out with just the boys- so we had a really good excuse to have Grandma and Grandpa hop in the picture too.  I am so blessed to have amazing parents who have turned into amazing grandparents as well.

This is the best we've got!  Cute boys and this pretty much sums up my life. They are always on the move.

I had so much fun having my brother Jordan at Easter dinner.  He brought his girlfriend, Morgan, and their little dog with them.  Jordan was so good with the boys and even let them walk his little dog.  Jacob especially thought it was so neat that he was big enough to hold the leash and walk Sula around.

Even Adam loves dogs.  He would laugh and laugh when he got kisses.

Just the boys enjoying the beautiful California weather right before heading in for baths and bedtime.

A Very Merry Unbirthday to Jacob

While we were with family, Great Grandma Anita really wanted to get some cupcakes from a bakery and have a little birthday party for Jacob. The day finally came and it was a blast! Jacob came downstairs from his nap to a huge birthday balloon.  He thought it was the neatest thing.  He loved it so much he wanted to bring it back to Henderson with us- but that just wasn't going to happen.

Adam enjoying a little more spa time with Grandpa.  There were quite a few days when Adam was the first one up from naps so he got to enjoy some one-on-one time with Grandpa in the spa.  Adam was loving the water and even had his arms and legs going. He might be quite the swimmer one day.

Adam wore Jacob's pirate costume back from the park one night.  He loved getting to wear something his big brothers were excited about. Love those chubby cheeks!

Adam took a liking to Great Grandma's Donkey necklace (yes, it's a real, nice, necklace with a donkey on it because Grandma is a staunch democrat and volunteers with all sorts of political groups) Adam loved it even more when Great Grandma taught him how to sound like a donkey. 

Here's scooby with his birthday balloon.  I love that a simple balloon can make a little boy so happy. He LOVED it!

Big, cheesy, smile. I think I need to take my camera out more often so the boys can learn how to look normal in pictures!  I promise they really do have darling smiles. The kind that can melt your heart.  I can never manage to get them in pictures though.

Some of the "real" cupcakes GG got from the bakery. you can see the "d" is missing from birthday...Jacob thought he would test the frosting before we sang to him.

Tyler was almost as excited for Jacob to celebrate! As rough as they are with each other, Tyler genuinely loves Jacob and is such a great big brother.

One of my other big boy.  At this point in the year I have a 4 year old, a 3 year old, and a 1 year old. Good times!

Blowing out the candle and making a wish.  I think this is the first year that he blew out the candle all on his own.

A Day of Dates and a Party Boat

This day was so much fun!  It started off simple and turned into a day I won't soon forget.  We just enjoyed our morning and most likely made something delicious for breakfast with Grandpa.  I can't remember what we had this specific morning but we are always spoiled with eggs benedict, waffles, pancakes, and a full breakfast of eggs, hash browns, sausage, and oj (not all at once- but over the course of our visit) We had planned to go out on a party boat on Lake Mission Viejo and let the boys do some fishing from the shore.  They always love the time on the lake and everyone took turns driving.

We are also lucky to get to see the boys' great-grandparents when we visit California. Great Grandma Anita came over a few times.  This day, after the boating and naps, GG Anita wanted to take Jacob shopping for his birthday present.  With all the adults home the boys were able to have a very special evening where each of them got a one on one date with someone they love.

Tyler loves the park and got to spend the time at the park with Grandma doing whatever his heart desired.

Adam got to spend the time with Grandpa and he and Grandpa both enjoy their time together.  Grandpa has always been so good with the boys and I know he enjoys a little time with Adam.  I'm sure Adam loved being the center of attention because the poor guy hardly ever has that chance at home.

And Jacob was the man of the hour and got to go to Toys R Us with GG Anita and me.  We tried to explain to him that we were going to a toy store.  The boys always like to look at the toy isles wherever we go, but Jacob could not understand that this would be an entire STORE of toys.  He was adorable and asked a million questions on the way there and then we walked in- it was the cutest hour I have had with him yet!  He was so excited about every little thing.  At first he said he wanted hot wheels tracks, or legos, or an experiment thing, or a truck.  GG Anita wanted to find him an awesome firetruck to play with.  We looked at firetrucks and tractors and motorcycles and monster trucks.  Jake would look at what we suggested, hold it for a minute, then put it back and say, "sumping else?"

We went through just about every isle trying to find what he wanted after we gave up on GG's idea of a fire truck.  After holding at least 10 different toys in his hands and declaring that was the toy, only to set it down and ask for "sumping else" we walked down the imaginitive play isle (dress-up) and Jacob went right for the pirate outfit.  He loved it, he wanted it, that is what we got him.  He made the cutest pirate and it was totally worth the hour and some spent at Toys R Us to see exactly what makes this little boy happy.

Pirate Jacob enjoying his totally awesome new costume.  This thing came compete with sash, hat, eye patch, treasure map, and gold doubloons. Jacob (and Tyler) loved it!

Tyler loved "helping" GG Anita get pictures of everyone while we were there

Jacob taking his turn with Grandpa driving the party boat on Lake Mission Viejo.

The boys and their Grandpa

Even Adam got in on the fun.  He loves steering wheels no matter what they are on!