Playing at the park

The weather was beautiful this weekend. It was warm enough that we could take all three kids to the park two days in a row. Today we went to the kids' favorite park. It has three separate play areas. The first area is perfect for Joshua. He loves going down the slides over and over again and climbing through the tunnels. Then there is another play area for kids a bit older and still a 3rd play area for the big kids! Another reason we like this park is that Ryan is not left out quite as much as he can drive onto some of the play structures in his chair! He and Jorie enjoy playing hide and seek around the play equipment. It's a perfect park to do this in as there are many different structures to hide behind. There is also a grassy hill that Jorie and Joshua enjoy rolling down and a little bridge that they like to play under. It's such a great park for all three kids. Spring is almost here!

Twins!

We started off our weekend with Jorie's friend, Kaleigh, coming over for a playdate after school on Friday. These two have much in common as we have found out over the past year or so. They both have matching coats and somewhat matching hair.(when they have their coats on, they look quite a bit alike!) Their birthdays are just weeks apart and after a sleepover at Kaleigh's house a few weeks ago, the two discovered they even had matching baby blankets! Only Kaleigh's was pink and Jorie's is off white. And of course, none of us were surprised with another similarity between the two girls when they both exclaimed that their clothes had the same wording on them; "Girls rock". :) The two girls enjoyed playing Life for most of Kaleigh's stay here on Friday. We then, as a family, enjoyed board games almost all weekend long with Life, Monopoly, Chess, Guess Who and Sorry!!!

Pilot Butte

I just returned from a beautiful morning walk up Pilot Butte with Joshie. As I was starting up the hill, I saw a man with his dog. He was asking me some questions about the butte and which trail would be better to take etc... I ended up passing him on the way up and running into him again as we reached the top. He asked a few more questions and then asked how long I had been walking up the butte. I thought for a moment and said, "I think nearly 12 years?" I thought about it as I pushed Joshie back down or rather Josh's stroller pulled me down!...Could that really be right?? 12 years? Then I realized it has probably been almost that as I started walking it the summer after Ryan was born in 1996. However, I subtract 18 months for Jorie and Joshua's pregnancies and another year or two since I have not been as regular since Joshua was born. Not daily anyway. So, actually I started walking the butte almost 14 years ago! Wow! It's hard to believe I have pushed each one of my kiddos up that hill. Ryan until he was about 5 years old, Jorie until she was probably 4 and now Joshua. I am glad I live so close to such a beautiful area and that I am able to walk this beautiful trail as often as I like. Especially on days like today. It's so beautiful up there!

going for a bike ride

These pictures of Joshua make me laugh. He's wearing his new helmet and sitting behind the seat on his trike. This is how he rides his trike. It's probably harder to ride it the wrong way than it is the right way. :)

Happy Valentines Day

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We enjoyed Valentines Day today with a yummy lunch of chicken enchiladas. One of our family favorites! We got the kids each a small box of chocolates and Steve and I exchanged gifts as well. Steve spoiled me with a dozen pink roses, some chocolates and the little candle and diffuser set you see on the table. We enjoyed the day together!

A busy Saturday!

We went to my parent's house today for lunch. We got to roast hotdogs and marshmellows! Yum! :)Then, this evening we had Elliott over. The kids enjoyed playing with play-doh, helping me make chocolate chip cookies and even did a little bit of dancing. We had a busy, busy day and I am wiped out!

Joshie's pet worm

We dropped off both Jorie and Ryan to school this morning and came home to get ready for our walk with Grandma and cousin, Elliott.. Joshua went straight to the back porch to pick up his little jar with his pet "wohm" inside. Jorie and Joshua caught the worm at grandma's house yesterday while Ryan and I were shopping. Lucky me that they decided to bring it home to my house! I just find it incredibly adorable that Joshua wanted to bring his "wohm" on our walk. He was so proud of it and had to hold it for the entire walk. These boys bring so much joy to our lives and have so much fun when they are together. Oh how I love little boys!!

New blog

Joshua and Elliott last summer...Luke to the right of them. :)



I recently started up a new blog for Ryan. He actually has his own website. But, it's so outdated and the young gal who updates it for me also has SMA and has just returned home from spending several months in the hospital. Not wanting to bother her with updating it for me.... I figured why not keep a little journal that I can update whenever I want to for him? So, if anyone is interested it is listed as "Living with SMA" on my info page.

Nothing much new to report. We have cousin, Elliott, staying here with us again this week. He spends the majority of his time at my parent's. But, he's here today. The kids are enjoying having their cousin around. Especially, Joshua who gets pretty lonely during the day with his older siblings in school. Just returned from a walk with both boys. It's fun pushing both of them in the double jogger. They love riding in it together sharing fruit snacks and giggling. :) Spring is right around the corner and I can hardly wait!

All about Jorie

I thought it would be fun to do a post all about Jorie. We can all see her changing from a little girl into a young lady; just over the past 18 months or so. It's really amazing how quickly they change and grow up.

It is amazing how much she really does help me around the house. And if you really stop to think about it, she is the only one that really CAN help me around the house out of all 3 of my children. Joshua is getting there; but he's still pretty young to have very many chores. ;) Jorie will help me fold and put away laundry, help watch her younger brother as well as help Ryan with his needs (picking something up that he has dropped for example)or just bringing in groceries from the car. She also loves to help me bake cookies or prepare a meal. The few times that she happens to be away on a playdate and I am left here with just the boys, I am always amazed at just how much I miss her help!

Her interests are also changing quickly. She is no longer into barbies or polly pockets. And the only real toy I still see her playing with are her stuffed animals or Littlest Petshops. Her interests now center around reading, writing, drawing, coloring and computer games. She also enjoys riding her bike and roller blading when the weather is nice enough!

It has been a brand new experience for me having a child that is so independant. It is something that out of almost 14 years of being a mother, I have never experienced until the past year or so with Jorie. And we are so proud of her!

Joshie's new do!

We decided to give Josh a buzz cut the other day. It's very traumatic for him when we cut his hair. And I really can't use scissors for him as I worry he will turn his head and I will cut him! So, we decided that we would give him a really short hair cut and then we won't have to worry about trimming it for a LONG time! I do miss his longer hair. But, I'm starting to get used to the shorter hair do on him now. :)