Random "I's..."

I enjoy Sunday's to get things accomplished.
I love going to the store by myself.
I wonder what it will be like to sleep in?
I love crock pot soups on a rainy day.
I am full of gratitude.
I wish for three day weekends.
I think I'm very lucky!
I enjoy recording memories.
I wonder if we'll go trick or treating tomorrow?
I love when Chris plays with both boys.
I enjoy looking at Pinterest.
I wonder how long it will take Cannon and I to finish his thank you notes?
I am looking forward to a movie with Chris tonight.
I wonder how long it will take for Colson to fall asleep?
I love new books from the library.
I enjoy thinking about the upcoming holidays.
I wonder when Colson will start pulling himself up to standing?
I love my life.
I love my boys.
I love my husband.

Enjoying every moment.

Snoqualmie Train Ride

We spent a wonderful sunny afternoon in beautiful Snoqualmie.  A few highlights:

Gorgeous fall colors.
A quaint, small-town feel.
A wonderful chocolate shop...yummy treats!
Good company...Sebastian, Mindy and Dillon.
Lots of trains to look at and climb on.
A fun train ride.
Beautiful scenery.
Lots of excitement from all of the kids.
A great Mexican dinner.

So much fun!
What an absolutely fabulous way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Cannon and Dillon ran all around the ramps
of the train depot.

Colson hanging out on the trains!

Cannon and Dillon.

Colson and Cannon looking out the window of the train.

Cannon enjoying the views from the train.

Colson sat up to the window for
a long time and loved it! He smiled
and 'talked' and waved....

Enjoying every moment!

Autumnfest

Tonight was our annual Autumnfest at school.  It's one of my favorite events.  The kids trick-or-treat around the school to our outside doors.  I love handing out candy and seeing the kids (and some adults) all dressed up in their costumes!  Chris took around the boys to trick-or-treat.  He said Cannon was more interested in the "clown" and the "ape" that were in front of him!  Cannon told me tonight that next year he wanted to be two things for Halloween:  a clown and an ape! 

Here are a few pictures from tonight.

Colson the tiger. 

Cannon the construction worker.

Enjoying every moment.

Cannon's 4 Year Well Check Up

Cannon visited with Dr. Delgato today.
He was very excited that this appointment was all about him and not about Colson.  (Cannon has sat through a number of doctor appointments for Colson!) 
Cannon did everything that was asked of him perfectly!  He had his eyes and hearing checked.  They measured his weight and height.  He had his blood pressure taken.  Dr. Delgato listened to his heartbeat and lungs.  Everything was perfectly normal!
Cannon also had three shots.  He told the nurses that he wasn't going to cry.  He told us all that he was excited and that, "he couldn't wait" for the shots.  He was good for about 5 seconds, and then decided that it hurt bad enough to cry.  I was so proud of him for being brave. 

Height:  3' 5"
Weight: 38 lbs

Enjoying every moment!

Happy 4th Birthday Cannon!

Today Cannon turned 4 years old! 

We sang Happy Birthday......
We sent birthday snacks to school.....
We had a birthday lunch at McDonalds.....
We talked on the phone with Grandpa and Grandma Anderson....
We went to the doctor for Cannon's 4 year well visit....
We had a birthday treat tonight; with a #4 candle....
We sang Happy Birthday again....
We talked on the phone with Auntie Karin...
We made sure that Cannon knows how much he is loved....

4 wonderful years! 
We are so blessed!

Enjoying every moment.

Crawling

This weekend Colson started to crawl.  He first crawled in front of Grandpa Anderson and Auntie Kanga.  He showed us his new "skills" throughout the weekend, but has only taken a few 'crawls' at a time.  Tonight, he was crawling more often and for longer periods of time.  It's exciting to see him getting around! 

Hooray for Colson!  Another milestone! 
We are proud of you and love you so much!

Enjoying every moment.

Cannon's 4th Birthday Party

Clean house + fun decorations + lots of munchies + a houseful of friends and family + presents and cake = A fabulous birthday celebration for Cannon!

What a great day!
Great moments were created.
And we honored an incredibly amazing 4 year old today!

We love you to the sky and back, Cannon!

Enjoying every moment!

Colson's Dedication

Colson had his dedication today at church.  He did fabulous...didn't cry and watched Pastor Roger the entire time. It was a special day!  We know that our lives are in God's hands and all we have to do is trust in Him. 

Enjoying every moment!

Fire Station Field Trip

Friday was Cannon's first field trip!  The class went for a tour at the Bonney Lake Fire Station.  Grandpa Al was Cannon's chaperon. 

The preschoolers got to see all around the fire station including the kitchen, the rooms where the fire fighters sleep, and of course, the big fire trucks!  Cannon listened intently to everything that was said.  However, when I asked him about his trip, he didn't have much to share!

Grandpa took Cannon out to lunch after the field trip!  What a special day for the two of them to share!

Enjoying every moment.

Outdoor Playtime!

This afternoon, the boys enjoyed some playtime outdoors on the new play set.  The weather was warm and sunny. A perfect day for playing, laughing, and being together outside. 

Enjoying every moment!

Celebrate Everyday Life

Busy, busy, busy. 

There have been a few days (or maybe more than a few) that I have looked at the clock and couldn't believe it was 10 pm already. 

However, even though our days are full, and sometimes it seems like we are moving at lightning speed, everyday life still surrounds us....AND all of the wonderful moments that come with it.

Here are a few of those everyday life moments that I want to celebrate:

1. Today was an absolutely gorgeous fall day.  You couldn't help but be happy with the sun and blue skies.  We are surrounded by the brilliant colors of red, yellow and orange.  Mt. Rainier was out in all of its glory. What a view.  I love these fall days. 
2. Cannon had swimming tonight and he was awesome!  We are so proud of how far he has come and the confidence he has now.  Chris and I just marveled at how he pushed off from the wall on his own, swam to the teacher using his kick board and swam back.  When he practiced swimming on his back, he kicked with straight legs and never waivered.  At the end of the lessons tonight, Cannon jumped...no, leaped off the wall three times!  All this is such a change from the summer swim lessons.  He has grown, practiced and become more of a confident swimmer.  As you can tell, we are very proud!
3. Leftovers for dinner.  Thank goodness for leftovers.  Crock pot soup from Sunday.  Spaghetti from a few nights ago.  Throw on a plate of veggies and Ranch and we were set to go. 
4. Chris worked on his engine for the jet boat tonight.  Putting this together has been a long time coming and he is very excited. 
5. I love new magazines in the mail!  I can't wait to open it up and starting browsing.
6. I can't say enough how wonderful Colson is.  He really just goes with the flow.  He hangs out with us at swimming and has his dinner there.  He sits int he bathtub in the sink and plays and plays.  He laughs and takes a razzing from Cannon.  He goes to sleep without even a sound.  We so love this kid!

The list could go on and on. 
Love my team members at school. 
Love the books I get to read. 
Love the pictures I have to scrapbook. 
Love the DVR. 
Love working out.
Love watching Cannon write on the white board. 
Love chocolate chips (way too much!). 

But, no more writing tonight.  I have to get to bed.  My new magazine is calling my name!

Enjoying every moment!

Guys Weekend

Chris, Cannon and Greg went to Beverly this weekend for a "Guys Weekend."  I was secretly very excited to have time with only one little boy...and not three!  (yes, Chris counts as one of my boys, too!) 

The guys had a good time in the warm, sunny weather.  They rode some, had a big fire, ate well, got dirty (Cannon especially) and are very tired! 

Campfire!

Playing in the dirt!

Love this kid!

Bee sting above the eye...very swollen!

Ridin'

Out for the count on the way home!

They had a great time and didn't want to come home. Cannon said that next time, he wanted to stay for "three sleeps" instead of two. 

I will look forward to next time as well.  I had fun hanging out with Colson and really enjoyed my quiet time after Colson went to bed for the night.  I accomplished a lot:  surfed the Internet, checked and responded to email, ordered pictures, worked out, scrapbooked, Blogged, ordered books, picked up a bit, read....

Enjoying every moment!

7 Months

Happy 7 Month Birthday, Colson!

Enjoying Every Moment!

Dear Cannon

Dear Cannon,

Today is Friday so that means you get to come to school with me in the morning instead of being dropped off.  You hung out in the classroom, had a granola bar, drank my smoothie :) and clipped my badge to everything you could.  When the kids came, you got a little silly, which is a stage (I hope) that you are going through...and will hopefully grow out of.  I like that you interact with the first graders.  I'm also glad that you love to do the flag salute with us.  I had to remind you to put your right hand over your heart (and not your left hand)!  You want to be apart of everything that is going on, however sometimes you interrupt my teaching and the first graders learning.  That is something we are working on.  You hate to be scolded in front of anyone, so you get embarassed when I have to talk to you about being quite. 

I love that you get to go to preschool right across the playground from my classroom.  When it's time for you to leave, I'm teaching, but I can see you getting on your coat and backpack and walking out the door to your room.  And then before I know it, there you are again, knocking on the outside door of the classroom, ready to be driven to either Jana or Jacie's.  You walk with my class to the lunchroom and then we head out to the car.  I enjoy this time because I get to talk with you about your day.  Some days, you have a lot to say.  Other days, I have to pull out of you what you did.  Today, you were very excited to share that you had milkshakes for snack!  You explained about the similarities and differences between our blender and the blender Ms. Teresa had. 

I love being able to see you at school and have time just with you to talk and share things.  I'm always excited to hear about your school day and love when we chat about things.  You impress me daily!  I love being your mother and I am very blessed you are my son.

Love,
Mommy

Peek A Boo

Colson loves to play peek-a-boo.  He covers his head all of the time with whatever his near him.  He laughs and kicks his legs while waiting for someone to say, Peek-a-boo!  Then he laughs some more!  He'll usually grab one of his soft blankets or a burp rag.  But he's also put books, paper, jammies and other clothes over his face. Too funny!

Love this kid!

Enjoying every moment!

Photoshoot

After photo shoots, I always love receiving the CD in the mail of the new photos of the boys. 
We are so in love with these two boys. 
Unconditional, heartfelt, unbelievable LOVE....

These two fill our lives with so much joy, lots of energy, and true happiness. 

We. Are. BLESSED! 

Enjoying every moment.

Bear Hat

I recently bought a cute bear hat for Colson.  I couldn't pass it up...it really was just too darn cute!

However, Colson doesn't want to keep it on his head!
And Cannon wants to wear Colson's hat, even though it is too small for him...but it looks cute on him anyway!



Love these two so very much! 

Enjoying every moment.

Play Set

Finally.
We've talked about it for a couple of years....
We finally broke down and bought one...
A play set.  A nice play set.
And now it is sitting in the middle of our backyard.

Of course, Chris set it up in record time!  Cannon was on his heals the whole time and couldn't be more excited!

Lots of boxes!

Let the building begin...

Progress

Almost done!

Just a few more finishing touches.

Cannon played and played and played on the play set once it was finished.  He had me out playing on it.  He had Colson on it, too!

I think this was a great investment.  I can see many hours of activity in the years to come!

Enjoying every moment!