Haircuts

Dear Boys,

I just sat down to upload some pictures of your new haircuts.  Instead, I’m staring at the pictures in awe as I see two little boys looking at me on the other side of the camera instead of my babies. 
There have been other bits and pieces of proof lately but these pictures have really sealed the deal.  Y’all are growing up way too fast! 

I knew you were growing up, Jax, when we went to get your stiches removed the other day and you cried for my protection even though you were already in my arms.

I knew you were growing up, Colt, when you said “I love you” for the first time this week – and it was to your Daddy.

I knew you were growing up, Jax, when you told me today that you’d rather have movie time instead of nap time and you made it through the day a-ok.

I knew you were growing up, Colt, when Ms. Stephy told me that you've been playing upstairs – with the big kids!

I knew you were growing up, Jax, as you made a seriously impressive play in your tee ball game this morning and then waved at me when all was settled down.

I knew you were growing up, Colt, as you got super shy last night when we had some new friends over for dinner.  You hid in the family room and then sought comfort by peeking out from between my knees.

So…here you are – just a few days ago…shaggy haired and reading with Daddy

…And here you are today…clean cut…and looking so grown!

Play Ball!

Dear Jax,

Yesterday was your first game of the Spring tee ball season.  You are a Knight this season and you're excited to be back in action.  You were timid during your first game last season but you seemed to have zero anxieties yesterday. 

You started by checking out the teams on one of the other fields.

Then, your assistant coach took you through some practice drills.

Y'all were first at bat and you each waited so nicely on the bench for your turn.

Your first time at bat for the Spring 2012 season

You were proud to be on first base!

Your first time across home plate this season

While you were batting, Colt was borrowing some of your gear.

You played outfield for the first half of the game and chased after every ball that came within 10 feet of you!

That determined tongue proved that you meant serious business!

For the second half of the game, you were in the pitcher's position. 

Being right in the middle of the action made you happy!

You knew to throw the ball to first and, here, I captured you doing just that.

It was a fun morning and I think it's going to be another great season!!

Camera phones

Dear Boys,

I finally got around to uploading various pictures from our camera phones.  The photos are certainly of lesser quality than our regular camera, but the memories behind the pictures are just as vivid.

Those "rock you to sleep" days seem so long ago.

You took the microphone and gave me a little performance while visiting school one weekend.

Y'all were my little helpers as I moved into my new classroom!

Such a cool dude in your brother's hat

Daddy and I went on a date to the gun range.

Pumpkin carving

My favorite guys before a baseball game

More hat modeling at your brother's game

This used to be your favorite sleep position

You find some creative spots during hind-and-seek

You are the book lover of the family!

My 1st graders had fun decorating the room for the holidays.

We spent an entire afternoon baking and decorating cookies for Santa.

You helped Daddy buy his very first pair of boots.

Trying your hand at my puzzles ; )

Your pediatrician's office was fun to explore.

Happy Hour!!!

Snuggles with Katie

Watching the car get new tires from the convenience of the double seated cart at Sam's Club

Someone loaded their brother up on our car ride home from Colorado!

Thanks for the memories!

5 little stitches sitting on a chin...

Dearest Jackson,

You are such a boy!  And boys play a lot differently than girls.  For instance, I would never attempt to use a ball as a platform for jumping onto the couch.  After Sunday, I don’t think you’ll ever attempt it again though. 

So…Daddy ran to the store to pick up some pieces that were missing from a bed we purchased the day before.  I had just put Colton to bed and my back was really bothering me so I was resting on the chair.  You got our big exercise ball and started playing with it.  Typically, I wouldn’t let you use it as a toy – but since I was feeling out of it and there were only a few minutes before your bed time, I just let it go.  At this point, your daddy came home and you were excited about that.  In all your excitement, you decided to stand on top of the exercise ball and leap onto the couch.  Except you missed the couch and your chin caught you on the hardwood floor instead!  It seemed to happen in slow motion.  As I saw the ball fly out from under you, I screamed “JOSH!!” before you even hit the floor.  It took Daddy only a second to know that you needed stitches.  I cradled you in my arms and held paper towels over your chin to stop the blood that quickly got all over the place – the floor, your hair, our clothing...  Daddy called Deanna and Kristy and they were here in a matter of minutes.  As I got up to get ready to go, my little fainting issue reared its ugly head.  I could barely even explain things to Kristy and before long I was on the floor just trying to catch my breath.  What a scene it was!  Colton woke up from all the commotion so Kristy was trying to comfort him.  Daddy was attempting to find our insurance card.  I was in the middle of the kitchen floor hyperventilating.  And you were sitting in front of the tv – now holding the paper towels all by yourself! 

We made it to the hospital a little before 8:00 and they took us to the back right away.  You were given some numbing cream and we were told we had to wait for it to take effect.  That wait turned out to be an hour and a half long!!!  Luckily, we had your v-reader in the car so you played with it the entire time.  I, however, knew I needed some pictures of our first emergency room visit.  These are from Daddy’s phone – but it was the best we had available:

When it was finally time to do the stitching, I knew I had to leave.  I shuffled to the waiting room where I sat for about 4 minutes.  Then, I heard your screams coming from 8 rooms away.  I went back to you as quickly as I could and found you on the table, in some sort of straight jacket for kids, with a blue cloth over your face and 2 nurses holding you down while the doctor gave you 5 stitches.  You were screaming for me and it hurt to hear you in so much pain.  Your screams turned to pleading as you told everyone, “I want my mommy!” and I couldn’t help but tear up.  They uncovered your face after she was done and my heart broke as our eyes locked.  I swear I saw a bit of innocence leave from your face in that moment.  You didn’t understand that those people had just helped you more than hurt you and you looked frightened and confused by it all.  You were unwrapped and then I scooped you up again as Daddy and I began praising you and telling you how proud we were of you.  You were given a popsicle while we waited to be discharged. 

We finally returned home a little after 10:00 and you were so exhausted that you didn’t even finish the cookie treats that Deanna had waiting for you!  We gave you some pain medicine and tucked you in bed.

I haven’t seen you messing with it but we don’t get the stitches taken out for another few days.  Daddy took the band-aid off of it tonight and you were not happy about that!  I wanted some pictures of it and, in taking these pictures, this was the first time I actually saw the damage. 

You will have a little scar there but you’ll always be my handsome guy!

I’ve been told by too many people that this is the life of boys.  I really don’t think I’m ready for this!

Spring Break 2012

Dear Jackson and Colt,

We spent our Spring Break out in Colorado visiting Andy, Suzanne, and Kaitlyn and taking in the majestic mountains.  I’ve wanted to see Colorado first hand for quite some time now and the birth of Katie, combined with their upcoming move out-of-state, made for the perfect excuse to vacation there. 

We started our drive by leaving right before nap time on Saturday.  You boys didn’t know what was in store so you were happy to “cheese” for me.

You were both great on the ride to Amarillo.  We did have to stop once to run off some energy through a random grocery story – but, other than that, you were content to watch your movies.  We stopped for dinner in Amarillo and made sure you played quite a bit before getting back on the road.  The 7 hours from Amarillo to Denver were a little rough as neither of you could get a good night’s sleep in your car seats.  We arrived at their house around 1:00 a.m. and we all went to sleep.

Sunday was restful as we recovered from our long drive.  You were both so excited to see Kaitlyn when she woke up and, Colton, you wanted to hold her right away.  A baby holding another baby doesn’t always work so well but you were precious as you tried.

We had lunch on a patio that had the perfect view of the Rockies and I became enamored immediately.  Should you be reading through this 20 years from now, please tell me there’s a Bernie’s (best bison ever!) right around the corner!! 

We took the train into downtown on Monday to visit Andy at work and do a little shopping.  We sat right behind the train's engineer and you thought that was a neat view, Jax. 

I didn’t take any other pictures from this excursion – if I did, you would see:  obnoxious passengers on the train, mommy searching through shelves and shelves of t-shirts to find the right souvenirs, and a messy lunch.

After nap time, we went to their neighborhood's park to play.  With views like this, I could've stayed there until dusk!

Y'all slid down this slide together over and over and over!  If I could bottle up your happiness and sell it, I'd be rich!

We got in touch with some friends from high school before the trip and made plans to meet up at the zoo on Tuesday. 

We got there right when it opened and it was awesome as the crowds were minimal and the animals were just waking up for breakfast.

You were both exhausted after a morning at the zoo, but we couldn't go back to Andy and Suzanne's house as they were having showings all afternoon.  So nap time consisted of you both sleeping in the car as we drove through the foothills admiring the scenery.

When you woke up, we went to a place called Dinosaur Ridge.  Fossils were found here back in the late 1800s and tracks were later discovered in the 1930s.

They had a cute - pretend - excavation site that made Daddy and me wonder if we need a gravel pit in the backyard instead of a sandbox.  Y'all loved it!

Suzanne took a family photo of us as we explored the dinosaur tracks (on the rocks behind us).

On Wednesday, we visited a state park and took Reggie along so that he could join in on our fun.

We needed Kaitlyn to have proof that she lived amongst this beauty ; )

Wednesday afternoon was fun as, first, the men went to the racetrack and drove some carts.  Later, it was time for Suzanne and me and we spent our time out at the movie theater.

We drove down to Colorado Springs on Thursday and started the day at Seven Falls.  Most of the waterfall was still frozen but it was pretty, nonetheless. 

 I hiked up 224 stairs to get the to top of the falls while you boys went up to the observation deck via elevator.  I took a picture of y'all once I got to the top of the stairs...but I didn't have my zoom lens!

Then I joined y'all on the observation deck.  Your dad is just a little anxious about heights and this is as close as I could get him to the edge for a picture with you boys! : )

Then we headed down the road to the Garden of the Gods.  Few words describe how gorgeous it was there and I can't seem to find them right now.  I almost hate that you two won't remember this as it was truly remarkable and I was in awe of God's handiwork.

As we rested for lunch, we finally caught some Colton-lovin' on camera!  You gave Kaitlyn so many hugs and kisses throughout the week and I'm glad your dad finally got a picture of it!

We get it - she's easy to love!  I even caught Daddy snuggling with her on Friday morning when he was supposed to be packing the car for our drive home!

We left at 10:30 on Friday morning and the drive back was a little more difficult than the drive there.  You were both simply worn-out, ready to be back in your comfort zones, and impatient.  I spent the last 4 hours of the drive turned around, trying to comfort you as you whined from being sick of your seats.  We made it home at 2 a.m. and we have spent today relaxing and catching up on sleep.

I am so glad that we took this trip as Colorado is definitely a wonder to witness.  Colorado is the 25th state I've visited and the only one more beautiful is Hawaii (almost seems unfair, right?).  I'm usually not a fan of going to the same place twice...but if you boys want to go again sometime, I'd totally understand!