Summertime

We are having a wonderful summer. Whoever panned the term "lazy days of summer" obviously didn't have 4 busy boys. We have been super busy. We went on a 10-day road trip to visit my parents in West Texas. We came back through San Angelo and visited friends. What a great trip it was, and I miss my friends there. We survived that trip with Bryson being 3 months old, nursing, and not taking a pacifier. Whew! On Mother's Day, Ricky and the kids planted a garden, and on Father's Day, we got to eat the green beans. After the trip, the 3 older guys did VBS at Christ United Methodist Church and had a blast. We have done Sports Camp at Grace Bible Church and Central Baptist Church. We enjoyed a wonderful 4th with great friends. Now, we are relaxing, taking our trips to the pool, and still trying to get the house clean...I've been trying all summer. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Summer Fun Days on Thursday. Also, we have 5 1/2 weeks until school starts. This summer is flying by. I hope the kids are having fun. We tried to make a solar oven, and it didn't work. Our cinnamon rolls were soggy. We tie-dyed t-shirts when my mom was here. The kids looked great!
We planted a garden and had enough green beans to eat for dinner. I have never seen kids arguing over who got the most green beans (like it was dessert). It was so funny!

Bryson turned 4 months old on 6-16-09. He is such a great little guy! At 4 months, he was 15 lbs 6 oz and 23 inches long!

Kanton and Ashton learned how to ride their bikes on the same day!

first try

I hope everyone is having as much fun as we are. We are truly blessed having kids that enjoy everything we do. We could dig a hole in the backyard, put water in it, and they would have a blast. I'm thankful that little things like visiting my parents and swimming in the hot tub is a 'vacation' to them, and we can do the bigger things when Bryson gets a little older. I can't imagine attempting the zoo in this hot weather or Sea World for that matter. We may try to see Blue Bell before the end of the summer, but that's about it until cooler weather comes!

I must throw in a funny story: When we were at my mom's house, the kids were playing in the hot tub in the backyard. They were splashing around, having fun, and they got quiet. We looked up and saw Braden on one side, Kanton on the other, and Ashton was in the middle. We heard Kanton say "Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit," and then they baptized Ashton! I think he was baptized 20 times. Maybe he will grow up to be a preacher one day. :)

Kanton-isms

So, I really should be updating with pictures right now. Well, let's back up...I really should be doing laundry or something more productive right now. I have decided to post some funny things that Kanton has said. He is such a funny guy, because he says things that he doesn't mean to be funny. He is very sincere, and that makes it even better. So, I want to do this before I forget.

1. A few weeks ago, Kanton saw me cooking in the kitchen. He makes me want to work out!
Kanton: Mom, those are some tiny shorts!

2. One night, we were watching Biggest Loser a while ago (and pre-Bryson), I was weighing myself in the bathroom while Kanton was in the bath tub. He thought he was giving me a compliment!
Kanton: Mom, you could be on Big Fat Loser!

3. At my parents' house, my dad was getting the go-kart ready to ride. The throttle got hung, and the go-kart started going on its own. My dad jumped on the back trying to stop it, and it hit the fence and flipped over on him. Kanton came outside, looked at the go-kart and looked at the fence...
Kanton: Ron Ron, I know why you hit the fence! You forgot to open the gate!

4. Braden was walking in the hallway, and his shoulder hit the trim on the doorframe. Braden was holding his shoulder in pain.
Kanton: Braden, if you would scoot over, you wouldn't hit your arm!

5. One day, I was frustrated with the kids, and I started calling Braden's name for Kanton and Kanton's name for Ashton and vice versa. Well, Kanton just stopped and looked at me and said... "Mom, why did you name us that if you couldn't remember it?"

6. The newest one happened the other night. Kanton is a very picky eater, and we have tried bribing him with $1 for everything he tries, and it still doesn't work.

Me: Kanton, you're going to have to try some kind of lunch meat this summer so we can pack it in your lunch next year.

Kanton: I don't like meat!

Me: Well, if you're going to be a vegetarian, you have to eat more fruits and vegetables and get some protein.

Kanton: I was going to be a scientist!

3 months old

Bryson is 3 months old now. I can't believe it. I knew it would fly by, but I'm in the middle of it, and I still can't believe it. This sweet baby has made it through 7 weeks of soccer. It went from cold to hot to hotter. He been to church, sat through endless ceremonies and presentations. He has been to a Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting, pool parties, and the park. He is my little take everywhere baby. My other guys were so sheltered. Now, this boy did get RSV. He had the nebulizer and whole deal. We were able to stay home and continue breathing treatments here. He started getting sick on the Friday before Mother's Day, and he got better right before baby dedication. Kanton got pneumonia that same week and missed 3 of the last 6 days of school. Poor guy! He is a joy!! He never cries. The day he got his shots, I think I freaked a little. I was not used to him being cranky. I made it through this week making cake for 300 people, and he took 3 hour naps for me! What a trooper!!

I just love this face.

Here we all are at baby dedication at church on 5-17-09.

He prefers to suck on his hand, but we are working on the paci. My friend, Erin, bought him some soothies, so we're trying!

He looks so cute in his horse outfit!

Bryson likes to swing if he's sleepy. Other than that, you have to be in eyesight, or he doesn't like it all that much.

In His Steps 2009

This is Ashton's favorite thing to do. Braden's friends especially think it's cool. I don't know many 3rd...now 4th grade boys...who can do this, so it is very entertaining to them. I think this will be the photo I put in Ashton's senior yearbook. This was done between ceremonies.

Here's the family between ceremonies. You didn't want to see us after 4 hours of awards. Whew!

Hey, there's nothing in here!

Poor Kanton had an allergy, and his eyes were killing him. Most of my shots, he's rubbing them or they're closed.

Kanton received the Godly character trait of "obedeince." His teacher told me he always tried really hard to be good, and he made it through the entire year of kindergarten without getting in trouble! Yeah, Kanton!!

Kanton is getting his diploma from his wonderful teacher, Mrs. Taylor.

Braden received the Godly character trait of "faithfulness" and was on the Head Master's Honor Roll (meaning he received all A's all year long).

Braden and 3rd graders reciting their memory verses

Mr. Meaty Legs

Bryson had his 2 month check-up yesterday. It was supposed to be on 4/16/09, but the doctor was going to be out of town. It was rescheduled, and he is now 10 weeks old.

We call him Mr. Meaty Legs, because this boy has some major chunky thighs. They are so much cuter on him, but they look just like mine! Anyway, we are going to have a t-shirt made as soon as mommy has time to go shopping. Mrs. Germ-a-phobe has been only to Target once and Walmart once with a stroller, and it was closed in Walmart. Eww, that place is just yucky!

He finally got his shots. He got 3 and one oral vaccine for Rotavirus. I hate that stuff. All three of my boys had it, and it's nasty, but the vaccine is bad. He choked on it, it came out his nose, and they said he will have runny stools and might throw up. I am not looking forward to this. Also, they said to expect a fever of 101 to 102 for a few days. My boy is not feeling well, and mommy just can't take it! Makes me sad.

So here are his 2 month stats:

Weight: 13 pounds 3 ounces, 90th percentile

Height: 24 inches, 75th percentile *above average! We are vertically challenged in this house!

**He was 7 lbs 2.5 oz and 19 in. when he was born! He dropped to 6 lbs 8 oz and left the hospital at 6 lbs 10 oz. He was 7 lbs 6 oz at his two week check-up.

He sleeps usually from 10 p.m. til 3:15 a.m., and then back to sleep til 5:30. Then, he sleeps til 7:30. He is usually up an hour and a half before his first morning nap. I think he is my best sleeper, but it's been a long time, and it's hard to remember.

Have a blessed week!!

2 months old and Spring-time Fun

Looking for some good, clean fun? Welcome to our blog. Note: It gets a little dirty toward the end. I apologize.

*Note: For a better viewing experience, please hum the Indiana Jones theme song. This helps my kids when they are playing, and I know it will help your blog viewing! Here are Kanton, Ashton, and Braden...errr, I mean Indiana Jones and his 2 stunt doubles.

Bryson is smiling now! He is also grabbing his toys and cooing lots. He reaches for my face and for his brothers' faces. He only woke up one time last night to eat, and he only snacks. I think he is just a sleepy guy. He's got a lot to watch over in our crazy house! He needs all the rest he can get!

Ron Ron and all the chubby bunnies getting ready to hunt eggs. We weren't going to hunt them, but the kids insisted. Please do not be fooled. The kids were not upset at all by their baskets remaining in the attic. They enjoyed the light-weight plastic bags. It made them run so much faster this year!

Happy 1st Easter, Bryson!

Pit Stop! The kids were pretending to change the tires on the go-cart. It was so cute!

Look out Angelina Jolie! Bryson can pucker up, too!

Bryson turned 2 months old on 4-16-09.

This is my parents' cake. My mom is a hygienist, and dad is a mechanic.

Kanton the dirty dude...They decided to play in a "pig puddle," which is what my boys call mud puddles.

Ashton the mud monster...Don't worry Em, the shirt came clean! So did Ashton after 5 shampoos and 3 body scrubs. It took 4 Q-tips to clean his ears! And as I told you, I apologize for the dirt in my blog! Have a great day!!

Six Weeks Old and Other pics

Bryson is 6 weeks old already! I can't believe how fast it has gone by. Then again, I think I can't believe my other guys are as old as they are! So, we are taking lots of pictures and having lots of snuggle time and hugs. I know it won't last long, but we're trying to enjoy baby time as much as we can! Before you know it, Bryson will be running around the house with the rest of the boys. He will be into the cabinets and not interested in sitting in my lap. For now, I am enjoying every bit of it. He is such a sweet boy. He is smiling and cooing. He sleeps very, very well. He can go down for a 12-hour stretch at night, and he wakes up every 2 to 4 hours to eat, but he's right back to sleep when he's done. It seems like he only eats enough to hold off the hunger. Just a 5 minute snack here and there in the night, and he's good.

Peace!

Bryson

Ashton. He is a mess. He is always, always playing sports. If he doesn't get a scholarship to play basketball for A&M, I'm protesting. The boy is constantly dribbling, dunking, and running through my living room. When Ricky told him that he saw the Coach Sherman at church, Ashton asked, "Did you tell him I'm going to play there when I grow up?" No, he didn't, but that's okay. One of my favorite movies is Rudy, and I know Ashton's going to be like he was for Notre Dame. If he can't play, he's going to paint the helmets (movie reference) or be the best water boy ever. He might even take care of Revielle. Ashton has both knees super scraped up from playing "street" ball on the driveway. Not to mention that his wounds cannot heal, because he won't leave them alone. He is in love with Bryson, and if his brother is awake, he has to hold him, kiss him, hug him, or play with him. Yesterday, we were going to soccer, and it was cloudy outside. Ashton was looking at the window in the van, and he said, "Mom, look, Jesus!" The clouds were opening up, and the sun was shining through. He said, "Look, Jesus is following us! He is watching over us!" I thought it was so sweet that he was reminding me of something so simple and sweet that I needed to hear! What a sweet boy.

Kanton. Kanton is doing really well in Kindergarten, and he is graduating in a few weeks. He is learning to tie his shoes. He loves drawing and telling us jokes. He loves to read. He is reading well into the 2nd grade level. He loves playing on the computer and talking to his friends. He is good at soccer, and runs really fast. He can't do a cartwheel. He has a very good attitude about it, and it's so funny to our family. He just can't. He is very good at playing with his brothers, and he is very good at playing by himself. He is the best at washing his hands before he holds Bryson. He will wash them, and then he comes in the room like a doctor and grabs things with his elbows. He looks like he's preparing for surgery. He won't touch anything before he holds him. Also, he is my little paramedic. If someone gets hurt, Kanton does a full sprint to the medicine closet and grabs the bandaids. I told him that one day he is going to be a paramedic or doctor, because he is very good at taking care of us when we are hurt. What a fun little guy he is!

Braden. Braden is growing up. He is friends with everyone. He likes taking things apart and making inventions. His teacher told me last year that he enjoys reading science manuals in class. He is reading on the 5th grade level. He likes playing with his brothers, and he likes trying to climb trees. He played basketball, and he is now doing soccer. He loves all gadgets. He says that he is going to be an engineer one day. He loves Bryson, and he is very careful with him. Braden is helpful when Ricky's at work, and he is growing more independent. I am thankful that he can help me as much as he does. What a great guy!

Bryson playing in the bouncer...He watches us when we walk around him while he sits in this.

Smile!

Ashton 2, Kanton 4, and Braden 7 with the Snow Bunny in Easter 2007