Wow! December!!

 After about a million pictures and several different nights of trying...

we finally got this shot! Love my little guys!!

 Sean did a school project on our family holiday traditions...

we had fun searching through magazines to find pictures of special things!

Christmas tree, Freddy our Elf, stockings, cookies, spaghetti, Santa, presents, gingerbread houses, Angry Bird (the ornament he picked this year), and more :)

 Good Morning from our big boy seats!!

 This is what happens when the gate finally comes down and they have the freedom to explore the house...

Sean and Andrew helping Daddy with the tree.

 Andrew and Isaac making it their job to hand off the branches.

 Andrew hanging his new ornament.

 Isaac hanging his ornament.

 Sean hanging his ornament, too.

 Freddy our Elf returned bringing new pajamas and lots of fun!

He isn't "hiding" as much this year. Seems he likes to make a big mess for Mommy.

The boys love him!

 Looking back...

Halloween morning fun :)

 Enjoying the spooky breakfast.

 Fun Halloween Party with our friends, The Fellings :)

 Candy snack break!

 SNOW!! They all love the sled!

 And jumping, eating, falling, playing...for hours on end!

 Sitting in their big boy seats for the first time!

 My birthday was spent cuddling sick kids.

Sean and I were the only ones who stayed healthy!

 Sleepy Isaac...

I got to catch up on some shows.

Snugly Andrew...

Just needed mommy hugs.

 

We are all doing very well and trying our best to stay healthy. Sean is loving school and hockey this year. The twins keep me busy throughout the day, hide and seek, tornado mess, king of the mountain...all in the house...you get the idea ;) Graham is finished with rotations now until after the New Year. We have some little house projects that will keep him busy in the meantime...new carpet, back splash, touch up painting (thanks, Isaac)...I am enjoying this time of year with all my guys.

 

We are saying lots of prayers for the families in CT. It is such unimaginable horror. Please hug your babies for me today, as I will be keeping mine extra close. God Bless the all the Children and Teachers.

October in Pictures...

Here is what has been happening at our house this past month...

 

 Rylan came and stayed over while his parents went to a wedding!

We all had a blast!

 We go to the Shakopee Community Center's open gym at least once a week

to burn off some energy!

 We had a Halloween Party at Nana and Papa's house with all our cousins :)

 Another cute picture from our Rylan night :) dancing to a Disney movie!

 Decorating little pumpkins with stickers :)

 Papa's humongous leaf pile! It is even fun for moms and the dog :)

 We have been able to go to a couple of Braeden's swim meets up in the cities.

Brings me right back to my swim team days with the nerves and butterflies!

Amy and I are ready to jump in and complete...

 We went to a pumpkin patch and had a hayride.

They had a blast on this beautiful day :)

 Sean got his Hockey shirt and can not wait to start next week!!!

 We love our Caribou hot chocolate mornings :)

 "Cheese..."

 My big man is loving school and doing awesome!

He had his fall conference and it was as expected...

excellent student; smart and very friendly, but very social...

not sure where he gets it ;)

 Sean played flag football and loved it!

Scored touchdowns with sweet moves.

This kid just loves to "play!"

 We went to Como Zoo Boo this past weekend.

Great excuse to get to wear our costumes one more time.

 They all wanted to be Spider Man...

 Pretty darn cute :)

Sean thought Darth Vader was awesome!

 

 

Phew! That is us in a nutshell this past month! We stay busy with school and our friends most days. We had a nice visit from Darlene (Graham's mom) this past weekend, too. Graham's rotations have kept him pretty busy, but we have been able to enjoy some weekends off (which is highly, highly unusual). I have been volunteering at school with "home projects." I can definately say I am great at cutting out laminating! I have been doing a lot of that these last few weeks...Graham says I do too good of a job ;) I can't believe I never even thought to ask a parent to do this...what was wrong with me?! Hope all is well at your house! 

Hockey!

All it took was getting his first pair of ice skates for Christmas last year from Nana and Papa to get this boy hooked! Today he was outfitted for his hockey attire! The boy can't wait to be on the ice and keeps asking when hockey is going to start! I am wondering how in the world he is going to be able to balance, let alone skate, with all that gear on! Haha!

Sean is one determined guy, so I can see him having a blast with it. Let the games begin!

I might be crazy...

Well, now that I have recovered (well kind of) from dropping my oldest babe off at Kindergarten, I got this clever idea of what I should do with all my spare time...why not potty train the twins?! What was I thinking?!

I reread my "Potty Train Your Child in 3 Days" book, got my supplies prepped, and decided Wednesday, September 12 was going to be the day (decided on Tuesday the 11th). ;) Authors note did say it would probably take longer for multiples...

Actually, it is going pretty darn good. Isaac picked up on it right away! A pair of underwear can often be found in a heap on the floor on the way to the bathroom...gotta love this boy! He makes it every time! He can be found in the bathroom probably 40+ times a day ;) Way to go buddy!

Andrew has shown me his wonderful stubborn side, but is starting to come around on his own terms. I can't rush him or force him, just gentle reminders, and all of a sudden he is running to me telling me he has to go! Andrew is a "holder" and only needs relief a handful of times a day...makes me nervous, but hey, that is what the ultimate goal is! They are so uniquely different from one another, it is really cool to see it play out with this, too!

So, we are officially on day 4, and I can whole-heartedly say that they are well on their way!! They have not been in a diaper since Wednesday morning! We are working on the night time, as we haven't mastered that one yet. I am hoping for a miracle tonight, so pray with me :) I am looking forward to having the next few weeks over, as I know that it just gets better and easier with every passing day. Sean was a rock star, and I see these two are hitting that status, too :)

I am exhausted, sick of being stuck at home, tired of asking if they have to go potty, don't want to do another load of laundry, but super proud of my little guys! I don't have babies in my house anymore :( That time has gone way too fast!

Kindergartener!!

"I wonder what you're doing now,

And if everyone is treating you kind.

I hope there is a special person,

A nice friend you can find.

 

I wonder if the teacher knows

just how special you are to me.

And if the brightness of your heart

is something she can see.

 

I wonder if you are thinking about me,

And if you need a hug.

I already miss the sound of your voice

And how you give my leg a tug.

 

I wonder if you could possibly understand

How hard it is for me to let you grow.

On this day know that my heart breaks

For this is the first step to letting you go."

 



Michigan Bound

My hubby left this morning for a 4 week rotation in Michigan. So hard to say goodbye :( We keep saying that we are so lucky, as we couldn't imagine how our soldiers and their families do it.

We are counting down the days until we see Daddy again. Love and Miss you already...and you just left...Drive safe!

All my guys chillin' before bed watching cartoons last night!

 



 A favorite...notice "Hurricane Isaac" is sound asleep ;)

 

An oldie but goodie! This is still one of my favorite shots from last November!

August...Already?!

Well, here it is August 13th, and I am just getting a few extra minutes to update my blog. Once again, it has been a busy few weeks! Sometimes busy means we are at home and just trying to keep up with life, other times it means we are traveling to visit family and friends, all-in-all life is good :)
Some new fun facts and pictures:

 Sean learned how to pump his legs!

 He no longer needs us to push him on the swing :)

 These two monkeys love swinging as much as their big brother.

 Isaac can put on his own shoes!! Hooray!

 Andrew likes to do the "running man" while swinging ;)

 We do picnics at the pool with our daycare buds.

 Ty and Sean

 Isaac and Andrew

 We were able to go to the Vikings Training Camp with my mom, Molly, and Rylan.

 This is the first time the twins were in a bounce house!

 First time mini golfing, too!

 Sean scored twice!

 Lunch with Grandma Darlene after a traumatizing walk through the Dinosaur Exhibit (at least for the twins)!

 Isaac loves the petting zoo, as long as the animals keep their distance ;)

 Andrew loves the petting zoo and wants to hug and kiss all the animals ;)

Life has been good to us! Graham survived his big test, and now he is busting his butt working on his rotations :) I am just trying to keep up with everyone and feeling very blessed. We are saying lots of prayers and praying for a miracle for one of Graham's former UMD instructors, as she is battling cancer...wonderful lady and role model. She is someone that has supported us and guided us these last few years. Reminds me how life is precious, and to live each day to its fullest.