the beach

We spent the afternoon yesterday at Galveston Beach with one of Phil's brothers and fam.  In all the years Phil lived in Houston, he had never been.  It was our boys first visit to an actual ocean beach.  We forgot to warn Wade that the water was salty.  Much to our surprise, our shy, timid first-born ran right into the water and quite enjoyed playing in the waves with his dad.  

 

Sam is still struggling with all the change that has been going on, and was much happier to spend his day on the sand playing in the mud.    This one did a great job just chilling.  He didn't even mind all the sand his brothers so lovingly spread all over him.  

 

We managed to build a few sand castles.  This one lasted about 30 seconds...the boys enjoyed smashing them more than admiring them...go figure.  

I was silly enough to think I needed to pack everyone's water shoes.  Usually when we go to the "beach" in Utah, it is all rocks.  It was a pleasant surprise to be able to walk around without cutting up our feet.  Oh, and the the breeze was a fabulous change up to the deathly humidity we've been experiencing.  And even though our commute home (2 1/2 hours) reminded us of our days in DC, everyone still had a great day.  

6 months

I love this little guy so much.  He is so happy and smiley now.  At 6 months Luke is still only in the 20th percentile for weight, but 90th percentile for head.  He loves to eat, especially if we are eating.  And he adores his big brothers.  He loves it when they stop to play with him.  He can finally roll over and loves to squeal and talk giggle.  I could just eat those cheeks up!

before we left

It seems like we had been counting down the days to our move forever.  And then, before we knew it, everything happened at once and we were gone.  Before we left, we got to spend a couple of days with our Grandma and Grandpa Broadbent.  They flew to Russia today to be missionaries for two years.  

And this little guy graduated from preschool.  He is such a joy and is so excited for kindergarten (which much to his mother's chagrin is all day).  

And now, after our 3 day drive, we are in Texas trying to survive the heat.  Things I have learned about living here so far are:

5: Grocery stores are empty on Saturday nights.

4: You can't leave butter out on the counter.

3: My boys sweat continuously.

2: I get to go to bed an hour earlier without my husband giving me a hard time.

1: After being outside in 95 degree/50% humidity weather, a 78 degree house feels amazing

Camping

We went camping with the boys last weekend.  They were in heaven...something tells me this is what my summers will be like for, oh, the rest of my life.  We only went for one night, but they loved every minute of it, and since we have a tent trailer, it's not so bad for me.  I was worried about how Luke would handle it, but he did great.  Sam got out of the car and immediately started picking up and throwing rocks (such a boy).  Wade was daddy's little helper, he'll be a boy scout before we know it.  We're packing up to head to Texas this week, so we may have a camping hiatus for a while.  Unless of course its for boys night out.  

Mother's Day 2013

I've had a lot of good great Moms in my life:

My beautiful wife



My wonderful Mom



My boys' Grandma Karen



My Grandma



and mine and my wife's Grandmas.



Thanks for everything you have done and now do for me and my family.  Who knows where we'd be without you.

stuck

I got this crazy idea to start potty training Sam three weeks before we move.  He's doing great, but we are pretty much stuck at home.  Luckily, my boys are really good at practicing their silly faces to keep us entertained.  

Love them!

5 months

This little man is finally starting to get some chubs on him...not much, but a little squishiness (probably due to him wanting to eat every 2.5 to 3 hours...really?).  We also got him on some reflux medicine and life got a whole lot easier.  I wouldn't go as far as to say I have 3 kids down to a tee, but we are making improvements.  Luke is a little flirt.  He loves faces. He will stare at the entire room until he finds one and then grin from ear to ear.  He still loves to be held up, but now its because he wants to see what is going on, and not just because his tummy hurts.  

Wade has always adored Luke, remembering to say thank you for him in each of his prayers.  Sam has been fairly indifferent until recently, probably because Luke cried so much for a while there.  But now Sam seems quite fascinated with his baby brother, and always likes to help out.  Unfortunately, when you are two, its not always quite helping.  But I'll still take the brotherly love for as long as it lasts.  At least Luke isn't quite so breakable now, right?