Christmas Eve 2014

The boys were all dressed in their new Christmas Eve Jammie's at grandmas house. We finished our Sweedish Christmas dinner and we're all ready to sing and talk all about Jesus and  the meaning of Christmas. Before we could settle in though we opened our Christmas Eve present...pajamas!

Ricky and Mikey got in minion Jammie's and Jake got Mario Jammie's.  They we're so excited!

Daddy told the story of Jesus' birth using pictures the boys had colored earlier.

Here is the finished story board that they helped create.  It was a great lesson and the boys loved it.

We are thankful for the chance to slow down and really celebrate the true meaning of Christmas!  Happy holidays!

Time With the kids

We went to the "zip line" park with the boys this evening for about an hour and throw a football and pushed them on swings.  Rick and I were tired after a long day but the boys so loved being FREE to run and play for a bit before bed.  

What seemed like a way to kill some energy for the boys quickly turned into a real moment to connect with and affirm our love for them.  It's easy to forget that for parents the word love means obedience and being good but for kids the word LOVE is really spelled TIME!  Not just time in he same house or on errands but time playing and talking and connecting.  For our boys it's time hugging, kissing, laughing and telling them that they are adored , that they are wanted and they are fun.  I'm glad we took the time to do that tonight.  Each of the boys expressed their love to Rick and I individually and it put a pep in our tired step.   It was so nice to enjoy our 3 little crazy babies!!!

Fitting them all in:)

I realized while I looked at the photos I've posted that Jake isn't in enough of them lately.  His schedule at school makes it so that he is gone when I usually am thinking of taking them so I guess I just haven't been doing it.  

He was the only child that I took pictures of for his first 4.5 years of life so he is well trained in smiling for mommy's camera so for me it is a shame not to have enough with him in them.  He w as thrilled to take one with momma when I asked which made me so happy because I know that he still loves his momma! 

Even better news is that Ricky loves his momma too.  He couldn't watch us take a photo and not get in on the action:).  There is room for everyone with momma!  Mikey can join us too when he isn't strapped into the car seat. 

"Pretty Kisses"

These are what I call Mikey' "pretty kisses".  He has been giving then away freely lately!  Rick and I will often look over at him during dinner and see these sweet lips puckered up at us waiting for his kids.  It has been so fun to see Michael develop into such a sweet and affectionate little boy, even if he still screams like a banshee!  Keep the kisses coming little love.  We can't get enough!

Aunt Katie

Lately I've been feeling so grateful for Aunt Katie!  It's been 3 years since we moved back to UT and I can't think of one of the boys important (or even not important) events that Katie hasn't been at.  This is Jake's football game on A Wednesday night that she drove up from Provo to attend.  She always makes them feel like she wants to be there and it makes them feel so special.  Mikey is taken with her (just like his brothers are) and he sprinted across a field to get to her.  We so appreciate her love and sweetness and it makes us feel special.  Thanks Kate! 

I should mention mom too.  She is wonderful at being there and loving the boys.  We are a lucky family!  So glad that we live close enough to have that relationship! I wish all of our family lived so close!

Snapshots for the week

Lately the boys have found themselves carted all over creation while mommy gets her errands done.  Most days they are wonderful but occasionally they just hate it.  I try to concentrate it all into a day or two per week so that they can be free to play on the other days but I can only do what I can do:)  This was one of the best days we have had.  Mike napped and Ricky watched his favorite shows while mommy got one thing after another marked off of her list.

Ricky had his first Pre-School field trip to the Discovery Childrens Museum in SLC.  Mike came along as Ricky's +1 and it was fun.  This is a picture of the boys in the UofU lifeflight helicopter they had out on their roof.  It was an old one that was retired so much of the control panel still worked.  Ricky LOVED being a helicopter pilot for a few minutes.  Mikey loved being held and loved by his big brother.

Amazing the things you can discover!  Ricky played at the wind tunnel display for over a 1/2 hour.  He just thought it was amazing that something would stay aloft and eventually make its way to being airborne. 

Water....that is all Ricky needs to have a great time indoors.  I wont let him play in the bathroom sinks so he was thrilled that he could play with this indoor water display.  He cranked buckets up and over an edge causing water to spill by just using a lever.  He hated sharing it with other kids but made an exception for his little buddy Nye.

Paper folded in just a few places=heaven for this kid.  There were hundreds of exhibits with thousands of dollars worth of equipment and what do you think was his favorite section?  Yep, the stack of white paper with directions for how to make a paper airplane,  This was the section that got the majority of Ricky's time and attention.  I love that it doesn't take much to engage his little mind.  He often reminds me so much of Jacob in that way. 

Bah Bah Black Sheep....Ricky dressed up as a black sheep for the theater area of the children's museum.

Such a funny boy!  He really wanted to put on a production for everyone watching.

Spring Soccer 2014. Go Green Hornets!

Ricky is such a fun little soccer player to watch!  He is so tenacious and really goes for it!

Team Green Hornets.  Ricky just wants to play and gets lots of play time.  The kids are cute and coach likes Ricky because he gets in there.  So glad we put him in an organized sport!  Saturday mornings are always a lot calmer at home when he has a game!

Why don't we leave razors on the tub ledge?

We don't leave them out because of little children like Ricky.  He got a hold of a rather dangerous razor I used to shave my legs and decided to see what it would do if he used it on his head.   No one noticed he had done it while brushing his teeth last night.  I saw it this morning and was so confused!  He fessed up and we has a 1/2 hour talk about what could have happened if he cut his head with it.   It was 2 days before we realized that he had cut his right sideburns as well.  What a little stinker!  I'm just glad he didn't get hurt!

All about Mikey

I've got so many of you Mike! I had to post a few that made me laugh and represent just what life is like for you at 14 months.  With Ricky in Pre-School and Jake in regular hours, we are together alone a lot more these days.  You want to be with me all day but when mommy has things to do you pitter around right at my feet and create as many messes for mommy as you can.  You are worth it though:)  This one was taken while we played peek-a-boo.  You don't stay still for photos so its out of focus but I love it anyway!

Wish this one had been in focus!  I just love how I can see Rick and Jake in him.  Maybe its just the eyes and smile but I can definitely tell he is Shumway in there.

Just lounging and being fed Roman style by Katie during conference.  He loves the spoiling he gets when he is with her.  I would have made him sit up and eat from a high chair. 

He is usually so happy to go along for a ride but heaven help mommy when he is tired or hungry!

Ahhh....finally he fell asleep.  This was one of the day that he screamed everytime I had a sip of my soda.  I was ready for him to take a nap!

awe, never mind.  He seems to wake up right when I sigh in relief that he is asleep.  At least he woke up in a good mood though.

This little guy is such a whitey that he has to wear a brimmed hat.  The boys still tease me about making them wear them and try to get a baseball cap with daddy before I make them wear theirs.  I think they look so adorable though!

You love your bathtime right before bed.  Well, you love it for any time for that matter.  You cant get enough of standing up naked and screaming.  You love when I pinch your hiney and smile when I sing you "bath time, bath time, its your baby bath time".

 

Snapshots

 

here is just one of the million kisses this little boy gets daily.  He must have been over them at this point but I don't care.  The kisses come as they come.  Like it or not!

Captain Ricky to the rescue!  Love that he matched his own undies to the outfit!

Mommy & Mikey time.

cute Mikey! 

Is this an unbelievably fair representation of Jacob?  He is such a silly boy!

Mike with a full belly after a kiss from momma!

I always love the pictures I have with me and the boys.  I never want to forget (or for them to forget) how it felt to hold them and just love them.

Ricky leaned over while we were standing in line at Barnes and Noble and told me he had a crush on me!  I just burst with love for him and made him take this picture blowing me a kiss.  He is such a loving little boy and reminds me each day that he still has a crush on me.  I hope it lasts forever!

A Fun Night Out With The Boys

Alex scored us tickets to see the UT Jazz play at home tonight and we were able to go into the VIP friends and family dinner before hand.  What a fun thing to let the boys fill their bellies and then go out and watch a pro basketball game.  Ricky LOVED the music and danced all night.  The boys were amazed at the players abilities but I just enjoyed a night out with the men in my life.

Happy 1st Birthday Mikey!!

Today was your very first birthday Mikey!  I cant believe you are already a whole year old.  You are growing so fast and I cant believe that you have already started to show what a funny little personality you have.  I so love your adorable smile and little giggles that you share with us daily.  You have a wicked cry/scream that makes mom and dad nuts but you are a such a pleasure in every other way.  We had a great day with family celebrating your beautiful personality and all of the ways that you have blessed us all by being a part of our lives.  Here are some of the things about you that we find so funny and sweet.

1.  You already say thank you.  I LOVE it when you thank me for things I do for you.  Its a mommy's dream!

2. You can hold your own with your brothers.  You are a rough and tumble baby and you have learned to scream at the top of your lungs when Ricky picks you up without permission or takes something you had in your hands:)

3. You adore your momma.  I am the one person that can console you when you are sad and you come right to me if you get a bonk or feel insecure. 

4. You light up when daddy gets home.  He can always count on you grunting and reaching for him with a smile when he walks through the door.

5. You are such a beautiful milky baby.  I just love kissing your skin under your chin and neck and give you light kisses all over your back.  You squeal with delight and always softly kiss momma back. 

6.  I feel like you have always been here.  We knew you would be a wonderful boy and were thrilled to have you join our family.  I wouldn't trade you for anyone or anything in the world.  We are Head Over Heels In LOVE!

 

I Just Love This Kid!

Ricky, you are such a wonderful part of our Lives.  My cup runneth over for you!  These pictures made me laugh and I just want to remember you thins way forever!

Snapshots

Ricky at the Planetarium in SCL