Our Life in the Sunshine

our week in pictures #1!

2012-01-15T12:17:00.000-05:00

Here are pictures from our week. However, they are not in any order...and I am being lazy and don't want to fix them. so deal :)

Eli getting his net. Dad won a CLOSE game for the Marion County Tourney.

Neat picture of Izaak passing me the "baketba"

getting interviewed after his win.

This kid LOVES the game. He cannot leave the house without his ball.

This is what happens when Izaak is exhausted and you take his paci out of his mouth and I'm the mom taking the picture instead of putting his paci back :)

good morning.

cheering on poppy

ring around the rosey

After Eli had been at the dr all day and had his procedure done.....my boys cuddling watching something...probably Monsters Inc.

being interviewed after the semi final game for the county

ring around the rosey

the toughest kid I know.

a lazy saturday :)

izaak getting his net

Eli Update!

2012-01-11T18:01:00.001-05:00

Soo. I know I haven't been around here for a while, but we have been busy and sick. So many of you have been praying for my little fam of 3 and I THANK YOU from the DEEP, down bottom of my heart. Here is whats been going on (I figure this is easier than putting it all on facebook or texting and calling everyone)

As most of you know Eli has been a sickly kid all of his life. But the last 4-5 weeks he was waking up in the middle of the night with terribly high fevers (like 2-3 nights a week and these fevers are from 102 to 105.) He had also been complaining of his back hurting really bad often for about 3 weeks. After these weird fevers I would give him a dose of Ibproufen and he would be fine for 2 or 3 days and then we were back to a fever at 1am. So it was time for me to do something about it....the whole thing is really troublesome.

So I took him to the Pediatrician on Friday and they did some bloodwork and had to get a urine analysis (which was AWFUL....because he wouldn't pee and they had to give him a catheter and got NO pee. He screamed and his natural reaction was to push, to try to push out the catheter and he burst the little blood vessles around his eyes.) It was terrible to say the least, I was crying right along with him. The next morning he woke up and was able to pee in the potty (we are currently potty training....) and I ran his cup 'o pee up to the hospital so that they could get that going.

Saturday afternoon the pediatrician called me and told me that Eli's lab results did come back pretty off and abnormal. The main concern was that his white blood cell count was rather low(along with 5 other labs they sent), which is a big concern. But it explains why Eli isnt able to fight whatever it is that is taking over his little 29lb body. So he told me that he would talk to a Hemotologist on Monday morning and he would call me back and we would go from there. So imagine the stress and "freak out" I had when the Hemotologist/Oncologist (cancer dr) called me AT WORK on Monday morning and wanted to see Eli right then. I needed to take a deep breath and figure out what in the world was going on. The Pediatrician had told me not to panic and that I would hear from him and I was hearing the word cancer and was freaking out. So after crying for a few hours and with the help of some amazing family members and friends, I calmed down and was ready to attack whatever answer I was going to get about Eli, on Wednesday. (today) ((And please believe I had some words for that Dr. that told me not to panic and then once I heard that Eli could have Luekemia, I had every reason in the world to panic. Lets just say, after the experience I have had with them lately, I do believe I will be looking for a new pediatrician in the near future.))

Rewind to today.On 465 at 7:45am, on our way to Riley at IU Med North (we will get to how AMAZING they were/are) Thank God for my Nana going with us, because I had no idea what I was in store for. When we got there we walked in and they had a little door for Eli to walk through and a normal door for adults, he just thought that was the bees knees, for sure! When we walked in he said "this isn't a Doctors office Mommy, this is a fun place, like an inside park." So I knew we were going to be ok. It was weird, I found myself leaning on my 2 year old for strength. They put a "magic" lotion on his arm, to numb it so that he wouldn't feel a prick when they had to draw more blood. And after talking to the doctor and giving Eli's history and the problems that he has been having with his back and all of the "fevers of unknown origin" they decided to do a BONE MARROW. That was uber scary to hear that they really thought he could possibly have cancer. I know they had said it on the phone the other day, and that was scary enough, but when you are sitting in front of a doctor actually telling you this is a possibility......yeah......not fun at all.

So they had already given Eli his "magic lotion" to numb his arm, so they drew the blood and inserted his IV. He never cried one time through any of the day. Not once. I was impressed...and thankful. So after they took his blood, he was exhausted...and starving, but he still couldn't eat. He was so weak, he just fell asleep. Then they administered the medicine to offically knock him out so they could get the bone marrow to test it. That was kinda painful for me...the noises you hear are not the most pleasant sounds. It was sad for me (and for Nana) After that Eli woke up, peacefully and happily and asked for Peanut Butter and Jelly and Doritios....whatever you want kid, you get! The nurses also had a Sprite for Eli. He was pretty happy about all of that. He has complained that his back hurts, but he has a little hole in it, so I don't say that I blame him much.

After that procedure, they sent us right downstairs for a CT Scan and a Chest XRay to see if there were any issues with his Lungs or his Sinuses. He was a gem---never cried, he was a perfect little boy. The tech even asked me if he was ok because he was so calm.

So At the end of the day these are the findings...

Bone Marrow-looks perfect, no signs of Luekemia or Cancer that they were worried about. Thank GOD!!!

His Sinuses are fine....no problem with those.

His lungs were kinda .......weird. Eli has seen a Pulmonologist and is being treated for Asthsma....but they don't technically diagnose them with it until they are 4 years old....which is STUPID if you ask me. But anyways....the Doctor compared a chest xray from 2010 to today and it showed some differences and basically a decrease in his air flow in his lungs. So we are going to go with that and see about a possible CT scan on his lungs to see if this is what is causing the problems. Because of the lack of air in his lung, apparently it could be shutting down his system, which is causing him to get fevers that he can't kick because he doesn't have enough white blood cells to fight the infection. Phew...thats a lot of info. But all I know is my baby boy doesn't have Cancer, and anything else we can handle and is managable. It is obvious that he has some sort of immune difficiency, we just have to figure out what it is. So in 2 weeks we go back for yet another set of labs. But I'm ok with that all. And Eli said he can't wait to go back. "Eberyone was soooo nice to Eli" he said.

So I know that was a TON of info...if you even made it this far, but thank you so much for all of your prayers and amazingly kind words. Riley Hospital left me speechless today. I have seen commercials. I have heard its wonderful, but today I experienced it first hand and I am forever grateful for their kindness and patience with Eli and myself! If you ever have a few dollars laying around....donate it...games, movies, anything. I know I will.

Love,

US!

Here is Mr. Eli after he woke up from his procedure and had a little lunch. He was happy...and a little out of it! But happy nontheless!

Vote for "OuR LiFe..." :)

Thank you again for all of your prayers and help. You will never know how grateful I (and Eli) am. It has helped so much!

Mamas Boys

2011-11-05T22:10:00.000-04:00

Hello friends. It has been quite a while! Forgive me! I have been crazy busy with picture taking and the boys of course!! There is a lot going on...good and interesting.....but I won't go into all that right now! Here are some pictures of the boys if you haven't been on my other blog :)

Izaak heard a train coming...this was his response :)

So beautiful. So blessed.

Having a serious coversation about rocks.

I have trained him well. At 2 1/2 years old, he sits down and says "I'm ready for you to take my picture Mommy" :) Love him.

Silly!

I.Love.These.Boys.

The boys with Poppy and YaYa

Happy Halloween. My little Pirates!

Mamas Little Pumpkin Patch!
A wonderful little experiment that I tried and I think it turned out pretty darn cute!! A friend of mine sent me a picture from Pinterest (if you haven't been there, go there now!) and I was destine on trying it out! You should have seen Eli's face when I asked him if I could paint his butt. But they let me and we had fun with it! It took about 3 minutes and no children were harmed in the making of this picture. hahaha!

I hope that all is well with everyone! And I swear I will be back soon to let you in on all the crazy parts of life that are happenin these days! :) Some good and some....well....interesting.

Better things ahead......I pray.

2011-09-18T22:44:00.000-04:00

Hello all! I hope this finds you well! The boys are finally healthy. We were good for months...with the exception of Izaaks random ear infections..then all of the sudden BAM. Izaak kept getting sick. I finally made the decision that he needed the dreaded tubest for his ears, so we can help him with these chronic ear infections. He had 13 ear infections in 5 months. Can we say...OVER IT?! So I finally scheduled the appointment and to no ones surprise that morning he had a fever and an ear infection....but the surgeon said it should be fine...so we went ahead with the procedure. From August 22nd (the day he got the tubes) until 2 days ago his ears GUSHED nasty, nasty "stuff" out of them, that had to be cleaned out about every 30 minutes or so. he was also suffering from a terrible cough. It was effecting his hearing and he just didn't feel well at all. I finally took him to the surgeon on Thursday and they got him on a high dose of antibiotics, nasal spray and different ear drops. . .she also taught me a different, more efficient way of getting the gunk out of his ears. I felt sorry for him.....and me. They haven't drained at all since Friday afternoon. (Which was nice, because he was puking all day Friday....some sort of 24 hour bug I guess.)
Eli is doing well. The last time I talked about him, I think I was begging for advice on what do with his tantrums. Well oddly enough......and I am one to talk badly (or aboue how I think its pish-posh)about people who freak about diet/behavior issues....I cut out Apple Juice and he is a COMPLETELY different child. I do have a hard time "reprogramming" him when he comes back from his dads house, because of the difference in parenting (we will just leave it at that....if you catch my drift), but even then it isn't that bad. So hopefully we are on the right track. Eli is a great big brother for the most part, and CONSTANTLY tells Izaak, "I love you, buddy."

We went to an awesome invent in town called "Art in the Park" It was a ton of fun!

Eli excited about the business card he got.

playing some tunes on some pianos!

My parents just had their kitchen redone and we picked this little piece up from one of the vendors, who just so happens to be a friend of mine from school. It is a bit sentimental to us...my mom ALWAYS sang "You are my Sunshine" to us, and now its my boys favorite song. :) Find Kelly here!

I am pretty positive I will never get a good picture with the 2 of them.

Payton and her friends before homecoming

love this rotten little boy!

I can't believe how big he is getting!

My dream photography business is taking off and I am ELATED. Photography and capturing peoples memories is so important to me and I am actually proud of something I am doing (besides my boys, I haven't found much pride in anything in the last couple of years). Check out my photography blog HeRe. Email me at TaylorLensPhotography@gmail.com if you are interested in pricing information. I am just so excited about whats ahead for me and the boys! This is really helping us out...and hopefully we can get a place of our own sooner rather than later!! :) Lord knows we need it! (I need it!)

After a long time in the bathtub, Eli got out and said "What is THAT?!" (in reference to his pruney fingers) Love it!

we love the colts...even if they are 0-2!!

Vote for "OuR LiFe..." :)

iphoto dump!

2011-08-21T19:32:00.000-04:00

iphoto dump!!

an early morning ride to nanas! sleepy boy

if he isn't busy beating up his OLDER brother, he is smiling!

a walk to class! :)

picnic

bedtime fun!!

the block party at school/work. eli actually rode the pony 3 times! izaak was too sick to go, so he stayed behind, but eli and i had a blast! :) he even made himself a little hat!

izaak was so sick! he fell asleep on the floor of the dr's office....

eli being a little flirt. there were 2 little girls in th at house at the park. he was just chatting away. so cute....and scary!

being silly!

pj day at school!!

STATE FAIR!!!

Elis first dentist appointment. he did so well!!

the train at the mall. the boys love it!

1st trip ever to build-a-bear!

a concert....

xoxox

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Yay for a blogger app!!!!

2011-08-21T18:57:00.001-04:00

I have been longing for the day when I could blog from my phone (easily at least!!) so here are a few pictures of the boys! More to come later. We need to have discussions of pacifiers and potty training. LORD HELP US ALL!! ;)

xoxo

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Layla Irene :)

2011-08-14T00:15:00.000-04:00

I am trying to set up my website...however I am having major technical difficulties and its midnight and I have to wake up early to go get my boys!!
So for now here is Layla :) and I have a name for my biz!!....

Taylor Lens Photography

( my middle name is Lynne...get it?! Thanks Marcus for helping me come up with that!) Enjoy!

xoxo

Vote for "OuR LiFe..." :)

#1-Megan and Terrance

2011-08-01T22:55:00.001-04:00

So I am definitely jumping into this photography thing. I have a ways to go....but I vow to improve overtime. I love pictures. I love taking pictures, I always have. They capture memories.....and they help those memories last for a lifetime!

This is Megan and Terrance. They are a young couple...who happen to be my best friends little cousin....that are due to have a little one in 3-4 weeks. These pictures are their present from Steph (my best) and their other cousin Traci. We had a lot of fun taking these picture! It was so so hot, but Megan was definitely a trooper!!
Here is just a preview :)

photo update

2011-07-27T20:28:00.000-04:00

We have been so busy and I am so tired. I am in my own classroom at work this summer and having to do lesson plans and haul my two boys around....and with it being summer, it means we are outside all the time. (and I hate the heat and being outside, my children should appreciate how much I love them!) I always say I am going to blog when the boys go to bed, but I just fall asleep with them. :) I do apologize! They go with their dad on Wednesdays and every other weekend, but I try to fit all of my social events and buying their essentials into these 4 days every 2 weeks. Things have been a bit rough......someone lost their job and has not been able to help as they should. (obviously this isn't me.....)So I have been struggling in the finance department, but this is a part of life I suppose. Things in that department (the baby daddy) are going really well, even with the job loss. I have found out (after having to learn the hard way) that I would rather be annoyed with him, than to fight with him. It causes stress on me and the boys can sense it. So...I just deal with it. What other choice is there really??

We have been going to parks, chuck E cheese, monkey joes, the fair (a few times), concerts in the park, on lots of walks, the back yard, the pool, the mall and all kinds of other places!!

Eli is hilarious.....still SO SO SO SO whiney and high maintance. Izaak is still my happy go lucky kinda guy....but is still bullying the crap out of Eli. And Eli lays down on the ground and cries about it. But Eli is the best big brother. He is talking SO much, and will have entire conversations with you....I love it. I will try to give you more of an update on the boys soon, but for now here are some pictures. Lots of them :)

At the county fair

Morgan turned 21!!!!

free concert in the park, sponsored by my job!

4tth of July!

4th of July Parade. That was a lot of fun. The boys loved it!

ready to go. hahahahahaha!

at the freedom festival. lots of fun.

sharing ice cream cones!

my little mamas boy!

xoxox.

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The 9th Outing.

2011-07-02T16:49:00.000-04:00

For those of you that don't know, my brother Bryce was killed in a car accident June 7th 2002. He was on his way to basketball camp with my sister Morgan and my dad (who was driving) when they came to a 4 way stop and a dump truck ran a stop sign, killing my brother, and seriously injuring Morgan and my dad. A Helicopter came to take Bryce to the hospital but never left with him in it. The paramedics performed CPR on Bryce in the front yard that the accident took place near (where Payton...our youngest sister, my mom and I were present...and witnessed all of this because the accident was .2 miles away from our house and we had to pass it to get to the hospital) .

It was a terrible time for everyone. But it was also very weird. If anyone in our family was ok with death and the idea of dying, at the age of 16, it was Bryce. We had had so many talks about death and how he was 100% ok with the idea of it. It was a horrible time for us, because we were sad, but we were feeling sorry for ourselves. We knew Bryce felt no pain. I saw him. I watched the paramedics and while he looked a tad bit swollen, he looked exactly like himself. He wasn't in pain. It was instant. I strongly believe that he felt no pain, and for that I am thankful.

After he died it was a long healing process for everyone. We all went through the greiving process differently, but we all got through it, for the most part. We miss him a ton....and I often get sad that he isn't around to see the boys grow up. He would have a blast with them!! Eli knows who he is from pictures, and whenever he sees him, in pictures, he says "Hi, Bry."

ANYWAYS...enough of that sappy, sadness. My point is.....a few of my dads friends were sitting around and trying to think of something that they could to do raise money in Bryces name and they came up with the idea of the Golf Tourney. The Bryce William Mitchell Golf Tournament. We just celebrated the 9th annual outing and as usual it was a success....half of it anyway! It rained the day of the tournament and flooded the course.....leaving it a sad day without golf. But the night before we held the annual dinner and it was a hit. It was on Fathers Day, so we were worried about a shortage of people, but we had more people this year than we have in the years prior!! We didn't even have enough tables! We had to bring extra chairs in!

Brad Stevens, the Butler Basketball coach, was our guest speaker.
We gave away 6 monetary "gifts." We don't call them scholarships, because they aren't. They are monetary gifts. These gifts ranged from $2500 to $1000.
We raised a TON of money in the live auction and in the raffle ticket sales.
We had a delicious dinner that my mama chose the menu on! (including THE most amazing crab cakes EVER)
And several old time friends/family "roasted" my dad. That was the first time we have ever roasted him, we were just trying to do something different to keep the fun alive during the dinner.
It's pretty awesome to see 250 people come out to support my brother and our family and the cause that we feel so strongly about.

Here are pictures from the dinner and the day that the outing was supposed to be held. Like I said before the golfers weren't able to golf because of a terrible storm, that flooded the course. But I do have pictures of some of the golfers that still came out to support us, get their goodies and (get this...) pay their way for the tourney....even though they didn't get to golf. We know a lot of good people. I am so proud of my family and the company we keep.

Day 1. Stuffng the Goodie bags and getting things ready!

Warren...the man that does it all. The tourney wouldn't be possible without him!

Uncle Shorty gets pedicures and he had them put a 34 on his toe for the tourney.

these were the coozies this year. they are so cool.

These are some nifty wine boxes that Warren had made for all of the 1st place winners and for the sponsers that have helped us every year. they turned out so nice!

The set up for the dinner. We had the navy blue napkins in support of Butler and our guest speaker, Brad Stevens!

Dad and Uncle Shorty.

Grandpa and Linda

Chooch. He provides us with the music during cocktail hour of the dinner. He is great.

This is Korinne. She won one of the "gifts." I cannot say enough awesome things about this girl.

Korinne and her brother Isaac.

Grandpa, cousin Nick and Uncle Tim

Aunt Paula and her family came for the first time in 9 years. It was nice to see them all and for the boys to meet his Aunt, Uncle and Cousins!

can you tell thats he dad?

Aunt Paula, Uncle Spencer, Turner and Natosha.

Love.My.Sisters.

2 men that would do anything for my family. they HAVE done a lot for my family. Uncle Shorty and Chuck. Love them!

Morgan and Paytons best friend, Joelle.

Some of the auction items!

Brian, Steph and her new husband Ryan.

Dad and Brad Stevens. Really nice guy.

Dads family with Brad.

another gift recipient

Dad laughing of some of the roasting that was taking place.

some of the tickets from the raffle.

Morgan and her boyfriend, JB.

Uncle Shorty and his gals :) We love him! So sad that his wife, Nancy, didn't get to come!

The day of the outing. Payton, Morgan and Paytons friends playin games and hopin that the rain would pass.

my sweet little bully, Izaak.

he looks innocent. my little eli. so high maintenance.

I told them to put their thumbs down and frown. Look at my mom. She is super great at following directions.

Eli and his spongebob umbrella. He insisted on being out in the rain.

Dad and Joe Reitz. Joe used to play AAU with Bryce and then went on to Western Michigan to play football. Now he is in his first "season" with the Colts. Can't wait to watch him play!! We love Joe. He is the sweetest kid alive.

There you have it! The 9th outing was as well as it could be...even though it rained.

Vote for "OuR LiFe..." :)

2011 Bryce's Golf Outing Preview

2011-06-22T23:09:00.000-04:00

Here is a small preview of the Golf Outing "Event." The dinner was an amazing success this year, but unfortuately it rained nearly all morning/afternoon the day of the outing, and the course flooded, so the golfers didn't get to golf. It was a definite disppointment, however many of the golfers still came out to show their support (and to get their goodie bags and shirts and to pay for the charity...even though they didn't golf! Pretty awesome huh?! :) )

So here are a few pictures. I am currently uploading 105 pictures and am exhausted...so you are only getting a few!

xoxo

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mini update

2011-06-12T22:37:00.000-04:00

Here are more pictures! :)

at PBS kids day with the boys. :)

the boys with santana :)

so we don't know these characters, but you would have never known that. Eli walked right up to everyone like they were best friends. While we were in line some guy was passing out stickers, so Eli took his stickers, found the one that looked like this "Princess Pesto" (in the picture) and took it off and tried to put it on her dress. :) My kid is smarter than your kid. *Smiles*

Santana and Super Why!

the boys walking right up to Super Why and Princess pesto

He is seriously the cutest. :) (I have introduced you to him before but for those that don't know. This is Santana. Amber is his mom. Amber was my dads manager a long time ago....we actually graduated the same year! And Amber and I have remained friends. She is a wonderful lady and an amazing single mama!)

If Izaak could have screamed "Get outta here" to the Cat in the Hat...he would have. He was NOT a fan!

Eli and Santana on the other hand were having a blast :)

Eli likes to "Go Shoppin" through the pantry and put stuff in his basket and walk around the house. This kid will put anything in there. Its so cute.

visiting Nana's best friend Sandy (and her husband Bob's) house in the country. It was so nice and peaceful!

Kari and Hannah

nana and her boys.

Hannahs 18th birthday. Bennihannas (sp) and back to her house for cake and ice cream !

Izaaks first day of school! My big boy!

At Grandpa Pettys Farm!

Eli called them "goaps" or "Goaks" never Goats. "HEY GOAPS!"

Watching it rain

standing in the rain! :)

A few things I forgot to mention in my last post:

*Bryces outing is on fathers day and the Monday after. its the 9th Year and Mom and Dad and their committee have been working super hard on making it another successful year!

*The 9th Anniversary of Bryces Death came and went. It was actually a great day. And I loved remembering him. We miss him everyday and I love teaching the boys about him. Eli even says "Hi Bryce" when he sees him in pictures around the house.

*I am teaching my own class again at work. Its a lot more work than I had been doing, but I love it. And I LOVE my kids! I have the school age kids...my favorites. :)

*Izaak has had 11 ear infections in 5 months so we are meeting with a ENT this week to talk about putting tubes in his ears. AND Eli gets to go to the Dentist for the first time on the same day! We shall see how that goes. He loves to brush his teeth and he lets me do it, but I don't know about a stranger. It is the same Pediatric Dentist that I went to so I am familiar with them all. I'll let you know...and you know I'll have pictures!

*We have been taking the boys swimming. Eli is an absolute FISH! He loves the water! Izaak isn't so sure. But just yesterday, Izaak became a bit more brave and played on the steps a lot with some help from me and Amanda (she was in town for the weekend and stopped by the pool to say hello and take a dip in the pool with us!)

*I was a 2nd shooter at a wedding last week with my friend Jessica and LOVED it. It was a great way to get out there and an even better way of networking :) I hope to take off with this photography thing! I have a lot of sessions this summer! I cannot wait!! :) I just love it! Please contact me if you are looking for cheep, great photography :)

I think thats all for now...at least that I can think of!
xoxo

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2011-06-12T21:55:00.000-04:00

Hello friends. We have been very busy lately...as usual! But having tons of fun!
The boys are doing wonderfully.
My sweet little Izaak has all of the sudden turned into quite the bully. He is very mean to Eli and pushes and hits him at any chance he can get. Eli just sits and takes it, and usually cries. Its terribly annoying. Eli is very high maintance and kinda whiney.
I hear this is normal?
Someone....please....tell...me....this...is....normal.
I don't know how to stop it. He cries a lot. If he can't get his way, if its time to get his diaper changed...anything. Not sure how to fix it. I try to ignore it, I threaten "no play" , I ask him to stop...nothing works. He stays with grandparents 2 days a week, while I work, and I think that sometimes that has its effect. He is there alone (without izaak...meaning all of the attention is on him) and he gets his way almost all the time when he is with them (don't get me wrong...thats what grandparents are for) but I feel like its taking its toll on me. I am always telling Izaak to stop beating his big brother up, because hes just going to cry. bahahahaha. Its funny....but frustrating.

In better news...kinda. Izaak started school! He goes 2-3 days a week. He isn't too fond of it yet, but he will be eventually! Eli had a rough time at first too.

We have been enjoying the weather. We have been to my grandpas farm, to my nanas best friend Sandy and Bobs house in the country in Kempton, Indiana, to PBS Kids day and tons of other fun places. Its fun to see the boys enjoy these things. Depsite all of the beating up, fighting and crying...I really do have a blast with the boys and its a ton of fun! I'm lucky to be there mama!! :)

Here are some Iphone pictures :)

Izaak at PBS kids day at Military park.

Eli is best friends with the Cat in the Hat. Hand on hip and all :) Eli has no fears with these "mascots"

Playing in the sandbox at home

Izaaks first splash day at School :)

Eli is ready for his first splash day!

I said "Eli, let me change your diaper please." and this is what he did. Laid down in this chair. too funny.

at the park

So my mom was lookin for her bathing suit, when Eli decided he would help her. He found these goggles in the bottom of the swim bag. He insisted he take them to school, but we compromised. However he found them later the night in the car ride home from his dads house and wore them the entire way home. He has a mirror that he can see himself in on the back of the passenger seat. Hysterical.

Izaaks first day at school. First nap :)

Nearby are some horses that we go feed. We go on long walks and feed them carrots and other yummys. Izaak LOVES them. . .he even feeds them. Eli insists we go see them, but doesn't get close and refuses to feed them. We have named them Mr. Ed and Sally. :)

Brian and I at the track. My first time watching IndyCars.

I am currently uploading pictures from my camera and its going sooooo slooooow. So I will attempt to post those soon. :) But for now. thats all you get!

xoxo

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Spaaaaaghetti :)

2011-05-15T18:18:00.000-04:00

I HAD to include this picture of, Joelle, my sisters best friend. She comes over every Monday and usually eats dinner with us. She is so fun and is always making us laugh! :) Love you "Go Ell"

xoxo

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recently from the iphone!

2011-05-15T18:00:00.000-04:00

Everyone is finally well! Both boys were sick with double ear infections and DOUBLE pink eye. It was an extremely 2 weeks!!!! Izaak was especially miserable. But I think we are finally on the up. And get THIS...Izaak has been sleeping through the night!! WHOOP WHOOP! GO IZAAK GO!! 3 nights in a row. Last night he woke up once for his paci, but that was it, he didn't wake up until 6:30 this morning....then cuddled with me til 8!!!! SO amazing AND I feel so rested! :) I sure do hope this isn't a joke he is trying to play on me. :)
Hope all is well!
xoxo
us

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Easter

2011-04-26T23:57:00.000-04:00

So what do the Easter Bunny and the Resurrection of Jesus have in common? I have no idea. But I will celebrate Easter with my boys and I will tell them the real meaning of Easter when they are old enough to understand. But for now...we will hunt for eggs and eat candy for breakfast on Easter until they get it!

First we colored eggs the weekend before!

Then we went to my work/Eli school and saw the Easter Bunny and had an Egg Hunt there too!The boys LOVED the Easter Bunny!!

It was such an awesome moment the mornin that Eli realized the Easter Bunny came to our house! I was upstairs dealing with Izaak and Eli had wondered downstairs. He came RUNNING back upstairs claiming "oh my!! oh my!! mama!! candy, books, cars" I said "Eli, did the Easter Bunny come here??" And his face LIT up and he shrugged his shoulders and said "Yes mama, lets go see. Please lets go see." Its just moments like that where I am so so proud and blessed! :) Makes it worth it all!

flashback. a few weeks ago I found these bunny ears at the dollar store. Eli HATED them. yelled at me...and I had to bribe him with a sucker so I could take the pictures. You can see that Izaak didn't mind them. He is my good sport. :)

xoxo

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You're #1!

2011-04-26T23:38:00.000-04:00

I cannot believe my precious Izaak is 1 years old! We had a party for him on Saturday. This party was just with my family, unlike Eli's, because of some "issues" that I won't discuss because
1. it makes me livid that Izaak had to suffer because of it. and
2. it doesn't matter. its done. its over. and we partied anyways!!

Here are some pictures from Izaaks #1!!

aunt pay

yaya and papa

big brother!!

Santana and Iyanna. First time meeting. Quite the success!!

Tyanne and Iyanna.

my mom and dad. "yaya and papa" my rocks. my strength.

Eli with his little bunny cake. I bought this for him thinking he would be upset that Izaak had his own cake. HOWEVER. Eli thought it was a real bunny and pet it, instead of eating it.

I'm fat. Deal with it. Although....I'm done dealing with it.

our little family :) loves it!

cake by "Pata cakes and cookies too" in Fishers. So great! and TOTALLY reasonable in price!! I would recommend them to anyone.

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365 days with the sweetest boy ever.

2011-04-26T23:24:00.001-04:00

Izaak Gregory. Iggy. Iggs. Isgets. I-I. Bubba. Bruder.

No matter what it is we call you. . .I can some you up in one word....precious. Just absolutely precious!

You are the sweetest little boy I have ever known. You were brought into this world in a bit of stressful times for your mama, and the first couple months were rough (i'm not gonna lie) but I am so thankful for you and your blonde head and your blue eyes and your sweet, sweet smile.
You are my JOY.
You are my LIGHT.
You make my darkest days bright again.

You are competitive. You love to fight your brother for toys. But you do not allow anyone else to speak harshly to your brother......you are the only one allowed to do so. I love how you cuddle with him every morning and every night. I love how you follow him around, but act as though you are on a mission of your own. You are my "Independent Follower" :) So strong willed. It is known when you are upset about something.
You don't sleep very well. I ask myself everynight "I wonder if tonight will be the night that Izaak doesn't wake up" but its ok....because your sweet "mama, mama, mama" at 12am, often 1:30am and 3am is a sound that reminds me of my blessings.....
That you are healthy.
That you speak.
That you are ok.
That you are mine. You are the sweetest boy I know. And Eli and I are so incredibly lucky to have spent the last 365 days with you.

I love you sweet boy.

xoxo
Mama

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Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T23:43:00.000-04:00

Heeeeeey! We've been so busy. And I have been exhausted. I have been working, boys have been going to school, and living the life. Lots of fun stuff going on lately! Izaaks 1st birthday party! (he turns 1 on Tuesday) and not so fun stuff. drama. but tons of smiles and love :) and I swear I will post about it all. I am just exhausted and can't find time! I really need to learn how to blog from my phone. Heidi tried to tell me....but I still can't figure it out!
Anyways. I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! Here are a few pictures from our Easter, to tie you over!!

The boys loved the Easter Bunny!

mama and her boys! with their Easter outfits and fresh haircuts....(that are cute but so short!)

I took these a few weeks ago. I found these ears at the dollar store! so funny!! eli HATED them! but he had no choice! :)

Easter Morning eating his candy :) LOVE THIS PICTURE!

Izaak follwing Eli everywhere he goes! They are looking for eggs! :)

I look fat as hell! but its ok! I heart my sisters! they are pretty darn amazin!

I'll be back soon with a TON more pictures! and lots to talk about. I promise!!

xoxo

Tay

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the last 30 days

2011-04-04T00:32:00.001-04:00

I have a post I've been working on..hopefully you'll enjoy it when I have time to finish it. But for now here are some pictures of the last 30 days of our lives :)

going for a bike ride.

i cannot believe how big he is. I don't want anymore babies for a loooong time....but it makes me sad that he is so big!

my I-I

there is a strong possibility that he is eating sand here. :)

"I shoot ball" is a common quote coming from this childs mouth.

Some of you know that dad played for Butler from 75-79. Well he dug out his jersey and WORE IT for the game on Saturday night. It was hilarious. :)

Eli and YaYa enjoying suckers.

Eli must "cheers" everything. So he is "cheersing" their suckers.

I promised Eli a sucker if he would take these pictures for me.

he watches everything his big brother does. its so adorable. and frightening.

See you soon.
xoxo

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We're alive and kickin!

2011-03-27T18:05:00.000-04:00

So it's been a month. Do you miss me?! I have been so busy and more exhausted than ever. I work everyday 9-6 or 6:30 and by the time I get home and feed (if Mom hasn't done that already) and bathe the boys, it is time for bed....and bedtime, really, is a huge joke to Izaak, so I'm just wiped out! (Unless he is at his dads...he sleeps perfect for him there, apparently!! WTH?!) I miss the boys like CRAZY when they are with their dad, but it definitely gives me a chance to "recharge."

Eli is doing FANTASTIC. He had an allergic reaction to Amoxicillin a few weeks ago. and it was TERRIBLE. (pictures below) He was a trooper though, for sure. He would really only itch his feet if he was laying down for a nap or bed. He couldn't wear shoes for 2 days because his feet were so swollen...it was so miserable to watch him look the way he did. He woke up one morning with his eyes nearly swollen shut. It was sooo incredibly scary, for sure. He is much better now and has been healthy ever since. (hopefully this doesn't jinx us!)
He is talking up a STORM. It is so fun to hear all of the fun things he is coming up with...he is actually talking in sentences. I absolutely love it! He can answer questions, and can actually make decisions. (like one day when I asked him if he wanted corn or green beans, he answered me "beans please") He absolutely adores Izaak, unless he is playing with something he wants, then its "No, NO Bubba." or "NO, BAD I-I" Its lovely really. He has pushed Izaak a few times, in order to get him out of the way of his wants....but Izaak gets up and pushes him RIGHT back out of the way! I'm in for it, that is for sure.
Eli is still in preschool and is doing amazing there too. His teacher is amazing and Eli and I adore her. Its great that he is in the same place that I am. His teacher brings him to me sometimes and its so fun to be able to see him and know he is doing well and having fun. It was rough the first few times he would see me, but for the most part he gives me hugs and kisses, then goes right back in with his teacher!

Izaak is doing fabulous as well! He turns 1 at the end of April...so I'm currently planning that birthday party! He is also WALLLLKING and has been for a few weeks now. He gets so excited and squeals when he is doing it. It is so funny to watch a "normal" kid try to learn to walk and succeed. Eli wasn't exactly a "normal" walker. He was like a ping-pong ball bouncing off walls and furniature and walking like a drunken sailor falling all over the place all the time. But it is so fun that I have 2 walking boys now! I loves it!
Izaak also loves his brother very much. He sees him and his face lights up and usually he walks over to him and slaps him. (hahahaha...tis true...its so very endearing!) He loves cars! He will play with a car on the floor forever. The boys favorite thing to do right now is play in their tent together. It is adorable. :) Izaak is a bit sneaky....and will probably be that way forever. He is just quiet with his approach to anything. Eli just has to put on a show for everything! They are so different!
They make me so happy! So here are some pictures from the last month! I got a new phone....so some of them aren't my "camera" quality, but they are still lovely! I will upload pictures from my camera soon...hopefully in a few minutes!

izaak chowing down on pizza :)

notice the little butt crawling in the booth behind us. that'd be "big brother"

both boys cuddling in izaaks crib one night before bed.

kisses for "bubba"

Dad made it to Semi-State this year and he brought some cupcakes home one night at 8:30pm. So lets give some to the 2 year old. hahaha! whatever!

napping on a little shopping trip we took with payton and mom.

dinner time. saving green beans on my cheek for later.

one of the NICEST days we have had, we had a little picnic outside for dinner. this was before our weather decided to be bi-polar and go back to the 40s. Eli obviously loves corn. to the point where yesterday morning when he was eating breakfast he said "Mama, where my corn?"

love this kid :)

we took a walk last week and of course my mom had this great idea to stop by the park. except eli doesnt care about the park if there is a basketball or court involved. he didn't swing, slide or play on anything. he stole a basketball from these teenagers (who were great and didn't care) and tried to dribble the ball and chased it everywhere for about 30 minutes. You should have heard/seen the scene he caused upon our departure. You would have thought someone had beat him.

Eli cutting down the net with "papa"

the allergic reaction Eli had....

:(

I just love this picture. It is definitely my life. :) wouldn't change it for the world!

xoxo

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Word Vomit

2011-02-27T23:37:00.000-05:00

Having a rough day over here.

If you are my friend on facebook you have seen that.

Just tired of no dollars,

Sick babies

(Eli has had some lovely diapers for me tonight, and threw up everywhere.....this happened a week and a half ago too, something is up?!).

I need warmer, more dry weather.

Enough with the rain, snow and coldness.

I'm OVER it.

I need my tax check.

I don't need anything to buy anything drastic..

although I want a new laptop.

and a new lense or 2 for my camera...

(I really want to take off on my photography dream. why not? what do I have to lose?)

I just need to feel secure.

Just to know I can go buy a new pair of shoes for the boys and it isn't

breaking the bank.

I'm SICK and TIRED of

liars.

Still a year later you lie.

don't lie about me or on me.

and

DO NOT put words in my mouth.

I can't handle it.

It creates unnecessary

DRAMA.

I just want to enjoy my sons.

If you can't handle it, then go away.

I have great friends.

2 lovely ladies, in particular.

They are

irreplaceable.

There is this boy who is super great.

He makes me smile everyday.

I just wish I was ready to give him my heart.

I'm working on it.

Its just hard when it was stomped on and shattered.

I'm nervous.

I know I'm lucky.

Sometimes life is just discouraging and gets me down.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Hey Sunshine...it'd be awesome if you came out to play.

Thanks.

Love my boys :)

xoxo

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300

2011-02-26T13:01:00.000-05:00

Dad has been at North Central as the Varsity Boys Basketball Coach for 18 years now. He just won his 300th win and Mom and I took the trip down to Terre Haute to watch him clinch this win :)

I have never been to such an awesome, respectful school in all of the years dad has coached. The crowd gave my dad a standing ovation, even though we beat them, and they gave him the game ball. (among many other respectful things that they did throughout the games) It was super cool!

arguing with a ref....the norm

his right hand man. Walt. Who we refer to as Uncle Wallet :)

There you have it. 300 wins. I wonder if he will stay long enough to get a few hundred more! Great accomplishment if you ask me.

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Papa's Little Helper

2011-02-08T15:41:00.001-05:00

I will cherish these pictures forever. My boys love their Papa!

and yes that is an ice scraper that Eli has :)

and yes thats an ax....the ice was SO SO thick!!

Eli checking out an airplane flying by!

love.this.picture.

xoxox

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The Party!

2011-02-08T15:31:00.000-05:00

So my Eli is 2! I can't believe it! I have always envisioned my kids birthday parties just as they have happened! All of our families (with the exception of a few because of the 4 inches of snow that decided to fall hours before his party!) were able to make it....Zachs familiy (and his girlfriend) and my family and friends made it. I want my boys to see us always get along. What good is it to make them think we don't like each other?! The past is the past...and I don't want to deal with that crap again!
So here are some pictures! He got some great gifts and we had a great time!!

The morning before Eli's birthday. He wasn't happy about the picture taking.

I took his pacifier and he wasn't happy!

Eli at school with his friends....doing the "Birthday Dance"

Eli's friends hugging him and telling him Happy Birthday!

The morning of Eli's birthday. What a mess!! So.Much.Snow!

One of Eli's favorite gifts! A Keytar!!

Izaak loves to pose for the camera! Hilarious!!

Eli is stylin'! He got a new pair of Jordans from Payton and her boyfriend Cole! (Don't mind the purple band-aid! hahaha! Eli always "thinks" he has a "boo-boo" so he has to have a "anaid" as he calls it!)

Eli loves his new shoes!!

smashed down ears. wearing his birthday hat his teacher made him! :)

My great friend Katie ready to party at Eli's birthday!

Kerri is blinking, but its a great picture of Katie, Kerri, Mom and Payton. I couldn't make it without these girls!

These are AMAZING rocking chairs that Zachs Grandpa made. He made 4. 1 for each boy at each house. We are lucky :)

Morgan and Nana helping Izaak "walk" he isn't quite ready yet.

His first tantrum as a 2 year old, at his party :)

Riding his new bike his daddy got him.

His "Bob Bob" cake!

blowing his candle out....one of the many times he did it!

So loved! He is smiling watching everyone sing happy birthday to him.

Eli hates getting his hands dirty, therefore he licked all the icing off of the cake.

Even though my mom isn't looking...here are all of the wonderful ladies that help with the boys everyday!! Zachs mom, Zachs Grandma, my Mom and my Nana!

Steph and Carter

the end of the party.....can you tell!? hahahaha

Thank you to everyone who came out and to everyone who brought Eli gifts!!He had the perfect birthday! I bought Eli and AWESOME stool that a girl from High School made for him! I took some pictures, but haven't uploaded them yet! Sit tight! It's amazing!

xoxo

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"I coo"

2011-02-05T22:52:00.001-05:00

My Dearest Elijah Brycen:

You are often whiney and demanding, yet you are amazing and hilarious. I cannot believe you are 2 years old. I remember the morning you were born. You entered the world in CHAOS! :) Good chaos....but it was crazy and chaotic! My water broke at 12:30am and you were born by 4:25am--everything happened so fast!! And just as you entered the world...in a loud, crazy, exciting environment...that is exactly your personality! I feel so blessed to be your mom and to get to see you grow the way you have! You are starting to talk now, and its so fun! You are learning so much in school! And you are the BEST big brother ever! I love how you hum yourself to sleep when you are exhausted, and I love how you lower your shoulders and fake cry when you don't get your way. You are quite the drama king!! I love how when asked how old you are, instead of saying "Two" you reply with "I'm Coo." You have an extremely strong personality, and you know what you want. You always share with your brother...well almost always. You hate to have your picture taken...which really puts a damper on things for me! ::smiles:: I love how great of a cuddler you are! You are just great!
Thank you for teaching me how to be a little more patient. And how to TRULY love unconditionally. You are amazing and perfect. I love you oh so very much!!
xoxox
Mama.

I just love this shirt :) This is Eli at school on Friday...the day before his birthday...celebrating with his class!

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itty bitty update :)

2011-01-30T11:34:00.000-05:00

Hello there! We have been busy, busy, busy! Both boys have colds, Eli had an ear infection and ANOTHER bout of Pneumonia(so annoying). Eli is better and Izaak is always great, cold or no cold. Izaak is SUPER busy and in to everything. His favorite thing to do is climb the stairs. . .we have come up with some creative ways to TRY to keep him off of them. Izaak just absolutely LOVES his big brother. He wants to play with him all the time, it is precious. Eli is really good with him. Although he has his moments like yesterday morning when Izaak was playing with their little Pooh "laptop" (it has shapes and color stuff on it....$10 Black Friday buy) and Eli didn't want him to have it. So he grabbed and ran across the living room and put it on the couch, because he knew that Izaak couldn't get it there. Eli is my little stinker :) But it is so fun to see them playing and interacting. I can't wait until Izaak is just a little older! They will have so much fun! Izaak still isn't sleeping through the night----so thats super annoying, but whatever. Sleep is overrated. Right?!
Eli turns 2 next week. I cannnnnot believe that is is going to be 2. He walks around and says "I TWO!" :) He has been having issues with language. He tries to tell me things and if I don't understand, he gets beyond frustrated. He has also been having problems with biting at school. (I work there, so its really been bothering me. Because I know no one likes a biter.) I always said I would "NEVER HAVE A BITER." I supposed this is Karma??

Here are a few photos for your enjoyment.

He poses for the camera. He just makes my day!

Izaaks first big "ouchie" He fell at my nanas and hit is face! It is a slight scar right now, but I am praying it goes away!

Everynight my dad comes home from practice/work and the boys run/crawl to him. "Papa, Papa" They get beyond excited to see him. They also enjoy eating his dinner. This used to be just Elis thing. He always gets a 2nd dinner, but now Izaak has figured it out (since he is much more interested in table food than in baby food) and crawls up to dad and eats his food too. Its precious. :) we are lucky....I know i've said it before. But my parents are amazing, so helpful and so supportive!

faaaav picture ever! :) no cares in the world. the only thing he is worried about is when he gets to eat next :)

yes. this is Izaak splashing and Eli whining about it. Izaak loves to be covered in water, Eli LOATHES it.

Eli trying to escape Izaaks splashing.

<3

I can't say enough amazin things about these kids.

xoxo

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kicks

2011-01-09T22:12:00.000-05:00

It was time for my precious Izaak to get some shoes! I only got a few pictures of 1 pair of his new shoes (he got 2), he was on the move! :)

I just love love love this little guy. He is working on 4 teeth right now, so he isn't always the happiest little Izaak, have gotten to know....but he is still amazin!

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Comparison

2011-01-02T14:24:00.000-05:00

The picture on the left is Eli at 8 months old, in October of 2010. The picture on the right is Izaak on Christmas Eve this year at 8 months old. So funny :)

xoxo

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My Resolutions

2011-01-02T13:54:00.000-05:00

I do not usually make New Years Resolutions. One year I made one to lose weight.....no particular #, just wanted to be healthier....but then a few months into it (and I was doing a great job) I got pregnant...so that was a fail. Then I had another babe...and shit all went down hill! So I have made the decision, since 2010 took a crap on me, that 2011 is going to be MY (or in Eli and Izaaks case too....OUR) year.

Here are my resolutions. Feel free to get on my case at anytime if you see me failing. I will need a push-just sayin':

1. I will strive to have more patience. I need to be more calm and more logical when it comes to my life. . .my job, my kids, my everyday situations.

2. I will go to bed earlier and get more rest. I am really crappy at this...this will take some work.

3. I will save more money. I will be smart when it comes to spending. I want to save and save and make it a goal to take the boys on a vacation to Disney World, in a few years. I want it to be a "no worries" vaca...where if they want something, there are no worries to the amount of money in the bank. It is hard for me to save, because the boys are always needing something....ALWAYS. But I know I can somehow cut costs in other places. I am confident I can do this.

4. I WILL lose weight. I eat when I'm happy and I eat when I'm sad, and I don't usually talk about any of it, either. So....I am telling everyone who reads this...I will lose it. I have no plan. But I'll figure it out! :) I need to be healthier.

5. I want to do something further with photography. It is my true passion. You just need a lot of money and you need to have a lot of time (if you aren't doing it as a fulltime job) and I have neither....but I will figure it out too!

That is all for now. I believe in myself and I know I can do this :) What resolutions did you make?!

xoxo

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Christmas!

2011-01-02T09:04:00.000-05:00

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We had a great one!
As a little girl, I always imagined what Christmas Morning would be like once I had a family of my own. This year wasn't exactly storybook material...but it was fun......simply perfect. When Zach left the first thing I told him was that I never wanted to wake up without my kids on Christmas morning, and he promised me I wouldn't have to. And believe it or not....he kept his promise and I was SO thankful.
He had the boys almost the whole day of Christmas Eve, and that was ok with me.....because I wanted them to spend the time with their dad (and with this little stage that Eli is in right now, a break does me well!!!) and if that is what I had to do to get to see them on Christmas morning, that was a.o.k. with me! I knew it was going to be a chaotic morning because after we opened presents, it was going to be breakfast and then they were leaving with their dad again for a little bit to go to their (amazin!)great grandparents (who just live up the road from us). I woke up early and showered..I couldn't sleep anyways. Then at 7:20 I heard "Maaaamaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" I got so excited to hear his little voice! :) So I sent him into Payton and Morgans rooms to wake them up and we went downstairs to get mom and dad. We opened Stockings first, which was cute....then we moved on to the real stuff!! It was funny because Eli is very OCD about how he opens gifts. He refused to open anything without taking the bow and nametag off, then he rips into the present. Except, he made it through about 2 presents when he opened the sacred Magnadoodle. I spent basically an entire paycheck on these boys for Christmas (which I now know, was stupid as ever!!) and all he wanted to do was play with the $10 magnadoodle! I have offically learned my lesson!! ::smiles:: We had a fun morning opening gifts and playing with all their new toys. Izaak is interested in anything, paper, toys, my face..anything he can grab!!! He is just so easily occupied and very content.
Here are our pictures from Christmas Eve, Christmas morning and Christmas Day! :)

I wanted to start a new tradtion and decided I would buy new pjs for the boys and let them open them the night before. I looked EVERYWHERE for new CHRISTMAS jammies, and couldn't find any anywhere in their sizes....but I found some adorable ones! :)

This is the face I get now when I get my camera out. I mean seriously!? Could this kid be any more perfet?!

Eli looking for Santa with Poppie. It brings back memories of my dad doing this with us when we were little! To be so innocent and full of belief.......

my precious izaak boy.

Eli was checked out. He was exhausted from no nap and being with daddy all day. And of course...Izaak was happy as ever. always. this picture just shows their personalities so perfectly.

I didn't want Eli to have his pacifier in this picture....so my dad kept grabbing hit out of his mouth really fast and screaming so Eli would laugh....but it was scaring the hell out of Izaak....which is why he looks like that. bahahahaha

Morning Izaak boy! Opening stockings!

cool cowboy hat there sir!

Morgan Pauline

Payton Mae

1st look at the Christmas tree!

sitting on izaaks new rider. In Eli's world everything is "miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine" its all he says.

a fun surprise for Eli. Izaaks is coming soon!! I didn't even know he was getting it from mom and dad. He loves it too!!

Eli is REALLLLLLY into the Cat in the Hat and mom found this hat for him online. He loves to wear it and watch the movie.

playing with izaaks toys......

more toys to be opened, but eli is playing with his magnadoodle behind me.

now he finally opened his new little (fake) kitty that purrs and walks. hes in love.

playing in his new tent with mimi.

christmas outfits!!! )

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a happy new year!!! :)

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December 2010

2010-12-28T15:25:00.000-05:00

I apologize for how far behind I am in blogging. My own sister looked at me yesterday and said "Taylor, you really need to blog or something." SO ...I will just give you the last month in pictures. And beware....there are a lot of them!!! :)

on the way out the door, in our pjs, to see the lights at Reynolds! If you don't know about Reynolds..you should probably find out....because its my most favorite place to check out around Christmas!! :)

the light of my life. before he started crawling forward, he would only crawl backwards and he got stuck underneath the stool in the kitchen!

Don't mind the chocolate drool from Eli's mouth! hahaha. He wanted to pose with Izaak.

baaaathtime!!

Eli trying to dress himself after the bath. He had his pants on his head and his shirt around his waist. The joys of the "independence stage."

I did NOT pose him for these flower pictures. He found this hat and fake flowers and was doing it when I had my camera out. It was priceless. My little charmer! <3

love how this turned out

Helping Mimi (or YA YA or Ni Ni...whatever he was calling her that day) get all of the Christmas decorations out!

Izaak checkin things out!

Love.This.Picture.

The only picture I got of the 2 of them in front of the tree. Eli took off IMMEDIATELY after the flash went off!

He is seriously the best baby ever. He just melts my heart....every single time I see him.

What are these pine needles?!?!

Eli was trying to put them back on the tree.

playing under the tree.

find izaak.....on your mark, get set........GO.

Now decorating the tree, later that night, with Aunt Payton.

love this picture. he looooooves his aunt payton. his face LIGHTS UP whenever she enters the room.

Izaaks rosey cheeks....he had an ear infection...but was still as happy as ever!

putting the angel on top of the tree!

we told him to smile. and thats the face we got.

So my Dad is a member of the Elks Lodge in town. Every year they have a "Cookies with Santa" deal before Christmas and all of the kids get gifts (I picked them out) and they get to decorate cookies and do a little craft and meet Santa. We went and it was too much fun! Eli loved it and of course Izaak was happy as ever. It was a great time...it made for some tired boys, as you will see in a minute, but it was a great time! It will be a fun tradition for years to come!

Don't mind Eli. He looks like he is about to cry, but he was listening to the story "Twas the night before Christmas" and was so into it....I promise he wasn't crying :)

me and E decorating cookies.

Thank the Lord for my parents!

Love this picture!!

Opening their gifts!

Handy Manny. The LOUDEST toolbox EVER. :)

can you tell how sleepy they are.....this was once we got home. hahahaha.

Another day! Decorating cookies in our PJ's!

1st taste of icing. :)

I cannot tell you how much joy this little guy brings to my life!

Eating sprinkles instead of putting them on the cookies!

love this picture!

Christmas pictures coming soon! I hope to get those done tonight! But Eli needs a snack and Izaak boy is soon to wake up from his nap!
How was YOUR Christmas?!

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Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T13:20:00.000-05:00

Long time no blog! I hope this finds everyone well! I will be blogging with all of Decembers happenings in the next couple of days! I PROMISE!! :) We had a great Christmas! And I can't wait to share all of the pictures!

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Holiday Greetings!

2010-12-04T13:38:00.000-05:00

So.....I am obsessed with photos.....obviously. And when I heard about this promotion I got waaaay excited! I am a single mom and I don't have a lot of funds....considering that all I do is buy formula, diapers, diapers and more diapers, clothes, food, snacks, clothes, shoes, boots, coats, pacifiers etc.... and did I mention diapers?! (the boys go through a box of diapers in about 4 or 5 days)
When my brother died all we had left were memories and PICTURES. I have kinda been obsessed with capturing photographs ever since then. Since I was young I couldn't wait to be a mom, and send Christmas/Holiday cards, like my mom always did. I said I was going to last year...but time got away from me and we didn't. And now that the boys are growing up and the cutest kids EVER, I wanted to really send some. I looked on http://www.shutterfly.com/ and found they have the most awesome designs! Here are a few of my favs!

Which one do you like!? The prices are totally reasonable and some family and friends that don't get to see the boys will be able to see how ADORABLE they are (sorry I'm bias) and how fast they are growing!

Shutterfly also makes birthday invites, calendars, and birthday invitations...among tons of other things!

Here are the links!

Christmas/Holiday Cards
Calendars
Birthday invitations

You should totally check this site out! Its my first time really looking through everything on the site and its awesome. . .and the prices are extremely reasonable. :)

Check it out!
xoxo

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Black Friday Virgin----NO MORE!

2010-11-29T22:41:00.000-05:00

Let me begin by saying I HEART my job. I love that I have found such an amazing group of women to call my friends. I have so much fun working and it is RARE to have a bad day at my job(and if I do have a bad day, its not because of the people I work with). For the most part we ALL get along and I just love it. I have met the most amazing, supportive, awesome advice giving, great listening ladies at my job and I am so, SO thankful.

Now this year I wanted to try out the "Black Friday" deal. I had never gone and just wanted to try it. I have 2 kiddos and need all of the deals I can get. So I asked Stephanie (my bestie) if she would go with me and she obviously agreed, as she goes every year...usually by herself. So once I had my "date," I asked my mom if she would please sleep with the boys so I could do it, and she said "ok!" Now mind you...I NEVER ask my mom or dad to watch the boys, unless I am at work. I don't do anything, unless they are with their dad. My mom helps me out a TON when I am working, so I don't want to bother her with anything else, but I REALLY wanted to do this Black Friday thing.....so ANNNNNYWAYS!!! I mentioned it to a girl at work and it just snowballed into 6 of us going all together!
and let me tell you...I had THE TIME OF MY LIFE. I will go again every year! I had the most fun time ever!! We left the house at 11 and didn't get home until after 7am. We went to Walmart, Old Navy, Steak n Shake for a refuel, Target...which was a bust b/c there were 4,000 people in line and it freeezzzzing..but Steph and I went back later!, Penneys, and Bed Bath and Beyond. (then me and steph went back to target) I was physically sick when I got home because I was so exhausted(I wasn't able to nap at all during the day! I learned my lesson!), but it was so fun and SOOOOO worth it!! I got AMAZING deals for the boys and my sisters, mom and dad for Christmas!! :)

It was really a great time and I am so thankful that all of the girls went! I think (and hope) they had as much fun as I did! I can't wait to do it again!! Definitely makes me want to save more money so I don't have to be on such a tight budget like I was on Friday! :) But I still spent my limit and had $30 left over!
Here are few pictures from our fun, in the car, while we waited for places to open!!

walking into walmart!! :) i look beautiful...bahahahaha! just imagine what I looked like by 7am!

muuuuh besssstay!! who came equipt with the ads, triscuits for a snack and coupons to steak n shake. she is pretty much amazing, i'd say!

please notcie stephanie and leslie in the back laughing hysterically. such a fun night.

me and katie!

loving stephanies face! too many laughs!

Kerri spent $23. She wins for less amount spent.....and she was the most exhausted!!

Thanks for going girls!! Hopefully you all had as much fun as I did!! :) I am blessed to have you all (and a lot more ladies that didn't go) in my life!!

xoxo

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Gobble Gobble

2010-11-29T22:20:00.000-05:00

So, let me tell you, I am in LOVE with Thanksgiving. I just love the day!! Its just about unity and being together! Its not about spending money on gifts and worrying about if everyone likes your present and all that jazz. Thanksgiving is just about being with the people you love most, and stuffing your face to hearts content :) I was blessed to have my boys the entire day on Thanksgiving! Their dad went out of town with his gf's family and didn't want the boys that day....instead they had their Thanksgiving with his family on Saturday. And I was ok with that! It was a great day! My dads family came over and we had a fanstastic day! Here are some pictures!! :)

My Izaak, jumping in his Jumper thing while we were cooking. He is just the greatest! (i know i say that all the time!)

My Aunt Gerry and her ONLY Grand daughter, Iyanna.

Brenden my cousin! :) Hes so funny!

Marcus, Iyanna and Ty :)

Iyanna and Eli

Our first time (for some of us) meeting Jeremiah! He is a doll! Love it!

Aunt Morgan and Izaak

Jeremiah and his daddy!

LOVE this picture!! Aunt Paula is missing.....but its still a great picture. Aunt Paula..you should probably come home!! :)

"Funny Faces!"

<3

Grandma Mitchell with some of her Great grandkids.....1 great great.....and only 1 girl!!! hehe. :) (Missing 3 boys!!)

After everyone left.....my beautiful, amazing, awesome little guys!

I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving!! I know I did!
xoxo

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In 49 States its just Basketball........

2010-11-23T23:42:00.000-05:00

Nearly each and every Friday and Saturday night during the months of November through March, for my entire life, all I heard was the sound of a basketball hitting the hardwood.....fans cheering.....whistles blowing.....and my dad screaming at someone other than me (the referees, of course!)!!!
I. Love. Basketball.
I haven't had much of a choice really. I am obsessed. However, I do think the NBA is overrated and ridiculous. There is so much more that all of those millions of dollars they make could go to than in those players pockets. High School Basketball is awesome. College, I also love. Basketball is all we have ever known! My mom would drag us all out, no matter how cold, wet, or slippery it was so we could see our dad coach and watch his teams win!! I can't imagine life any differently though!
My dad has coached at several different schools since I have been on this lovely Earth. But the place I love the most is Hinkle Fieldhouse. (Butler University)
I don't know what it is about this place....but I love it. The atmostphere is just AMAZING. No matter who is playing. My dad coached there, as an assistant for 6 years, then left to go to NC (where he is now) and I remember playing there and having a BLAST. Also during tourney time for HS bball, we play at Hinkle...and sometimes for other like little "special" games, we have played there. Love it.
So my blabbling leads to....Eli got to go to Hinkle for the first time ever a couple of weeks ago! I was way more excited than him (obviously) but he did LOVE it. He cheered and clapped. He kinda freaked when the first big shot when up and the place erupted with cheers....but then he was ok. Izaak stayed behind....he wouldn't have cared. Eli is just so into sports right now. He loooooves to sit with my dad and watch Football and Basketball. (Random Sidenote:if he sees the Colts horseshoe he screams "GO COL" which means "go colts!" and throws his fists in the air. It is THE cutest thing you have ever seen :) ) Here are a few pictures from Elis first trip to Hinkle. ((Morgan and her boyfriend JB went with us too, they were our only available friends that day!))

Cheering!

obviously, I am more excited :) he is watching

"come on eli! smile" and this is what we got. excuse me, by the way, i look like a hot mess!

a little loud!

the bulldog. i forget his name. blue? maybe?

Random pictures of my Izaak! He couldn't be left out! he is seriously the most amazing little boy.

i love this little round head!!!!

xoxox

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Jibber Jabber

2010-11-04T23:25:00.000-04:00

Welcome to todays random blog. I usually just talk about the boys and recent happenings...today I have a lot on my mind. So here goes:

*This may sound weird, but growing up I always wanted to be a single mom. OMG-I know it sounds ridiculous. There was a girl that I grew up with...middle school and on through high school. It was just her and her mom...they seemed so happy. She saw her dad often, and loved her dad, but her life just seemed so fun, so drama free. Just she and her mama. She didn't have siblings, she didn't have her parents arguing in here ear all the time....she SEEMED to have a simple life. However, after living what I have lived for the last 7 months, I think about her still...YEARS later and wonder if her life was as "great" as I thought it was. It couldn't have been. She had to have been so sad her parents were split. I hope that my boys aren't sad, they don't seem sad. But I can definitely tell that it effects them. Especially Eli. I don't think he is confused, I think he is just frustrated. He is always being pulled, what seems, every other day. I want the boys to see their dad, I just HATE that they have to go back and forth every other day. Hopefully these things will change soon. And we will have a better schedule for them so they aren't being tossed back and forth so often, but each of us gets to see them for the amount of time we want/need/deserve. Anyways....I am GLAD that Zach and I are not together anymore. He quickly has become an extremely different person, not one I ever loved. But I am sad that my boys have to live a life where they have to split their time with their parents. They are supposed to be happy and wake up in one house and stay in one house. I just hope that one day Zach and I can be in the same room as friends. . .not just as Eli and Izaaks mom and dad, eventually. We get along well in front of the boys. And I am really starting to be ok with his girlfriend, believe it or not. even if she is part of the reason he left...if not the entire reason. She lets me know how the boys are doing, when they have them and they absolutely adore her. She loves them. Sometimes I wish she would go be a teenager, and have fun with her friends and not feel like she has to be there to take care of the boys all of the time, because that is not her job. . .but I appreciate her. I know it sounds weird, and its taken me a while to get to this point with her, but I am there. I like her more than I like him...thats for damn sure. I actually trust her more than I trust him, but thats a different story for a different day. :)

*Another thing...I just need a day...or 2. And I keep saying it. And this weekend I'm going to get it. Zach is taking the boys 2 nights instead of one so I can get up and go out of town to visit my best friends cousins and family. They are amazing people and they know how to have a good time. And while I'm so glad I'm getting away...I am going to want to puke the whole time. I HATE being away from my kids. I know they have to go, I just think its stupid and I hate it. When I always ask their dad how they are, he either doesn't answer or it takes him forever to answer me to the point of me making myself sick about it. . .which causes me to call him or text his girlfriend, which usually causes an arguement, because I'm so pissed off. I answer him immediately everytime he actually asks about the boys. Just annoys me. ((sorry for that rant)) I need to be away, but I hate to be away. Izaak isn't sleeping and ontop of life itself, its just draining me. (i know you want me to try the cry it out method...tried it...can't do it and he won't do it.) So I don't know what to do. I just hate being away from them, HATE, but need to have time to be an adult and not change 15 poopy diapers a day. (and I'm kinda not kidding, my kids crap a lot)

*Lastly....something that has been heavy on my mind this week. I had a good friend get Colts tickets for the Monday Night game. . .and he didn't even ask if I could go with him. I was so upset. He would have asked, but he knew what my answer would be. I have a lot of friends with kids, but they have husbands or boyfriends or parents that help quite often. I have to plan my life around every other weekend, and frankly I don't find this fair. I am NOT saying my parents don't help. They help so much! But they help when I am at work (mom always gets Eli early from school/babysitter and Izaak early from whereever he is on any day) but I already live with them, for now, and I don't want them to think I'm taking advantage of them...so I NEVER ask them to watch either one of the boys, so that I can go do something fun. I would have loved to go to the colts game, but that would have meant my mom would have had to wake up with the Izaak and Eli would have run all over the living room while falling down every 2 minutes ( he is a horrible walker, still...the kid has zero balance),and would have drove my father insane to the point where I would have felt so terrible for leaving them with my parents that I wouldn't be able to deal. So I wouldn't have gone, and my friend knew this. And it just upsets me. I don't get the option. If I am not at work, I am with my boys. I come straight home and take care of them. I am BEYOND thankful for them. I am a bit on the obsessed side with both of them, but I'm just sad that some people get the option and I don't. . .and I feel like I'm losing friendships because of it....kinda not fair. I dont think anyone is mad at me, they just kind of forget I exist. There have been a lot of things recently that I haven't gotten invited to, or just forgotten about because "Oh, you have the boys." They know my answers will usually be "no," but it hurts me that they just skip over my name in the list of friends and assume. Now...I'm not saying EVERYONE does that. I have a lot of friends who say...oh please come and bring the boys....and I'm not mad at anyone. Just kinda sad that I know a few people that get the option to do whatever it is that they want to do, and I don't. NOT that I would....but I don't get the option. I simply want the option.

I know I'm being a "girl" and emotional at the moment. But just let me. I am happy. I can say that. I am happier than I was when Zach and I were living together. And don't think I'm bashing him in this. Things between us are better. They aren't great...but they are better, which is saying a lot. I am just frustrated this week. I just have a few kinks to work out...and some things to deal with. I will just put on my big girl underwear (I hate the word panties) and deal with it.

Hope all is well with all of you, my friends. :)

ps. cutest story ever. tonight I was making a bottle for Izaak and getting things ready for bed. I sat Izaak on the couch and Eli was just walking around the living room watching cartoons and playing with his toys.And Izaak started SCREAMING. I was just talking "oh Izaak, its ok, I"m coming, I promise....." blah blah. Eli climbed up onto the couch tried to give him a teething toy thingy, and he didn't want it, so Eli gave him his pacifier and rubbed his cheek until he stopped crying. THAT is why its ok that I dont get the option. If I was out doing something else, I would have missed that. I love these little men.so.very.much!

xoxo

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big headed babies!

2010-10-27T19:21:00.001-04:00

So I have a lot that I want to talk about but I won't. I won't because there are people that read this, that I don't want to deal with in regards to certain situations at this moment. The time will come when I don't care anymore, but for now I am choosing to keep my mouth shut. (and trust me...keeping my mouth shut about this is becoming more difficult as the days go on. but i will remember whats most important and thats my boys, and i don't want them to suffer because my anger and frustration.)

So an update on the boys. They are amazing..minus these stupid colds they have had for the last like month! They have had constant runny noses and little coughs. . .that really are only bad at night, but they are just fine! They both just had their well checks...20 months and 6 months (Eli's was supposed to be at 19 months, but I waited so I could do the boys both at the same time, and the pediatrician won't do them early, only ontime or late as far as months go) So....your stats:

Eli:
24lbs 10oz (25%)
32in (25th %)
and I don't know his head size...I just know its higher than the 75th percentile

Izaak:
18lbs 9oz (75%)
26.5in (75%)
and same deal with his head....higher than the 75th percentile.

I adore my large headed children! hahaha! I think that Izaak is going to be "normal" and Eli is just going to be a little on the smaller/shorter/lighter side-->which is just a.ok with me!

Izaak is seriously the happiest baby on the planet. Which makes it good for him, because since he doesn't like to sleep through the night (at all) .....and the fact that he is so easy going makes me not angry when he wakes me up at 1:30am and 4:30ish, everynight. (tis very frustrating!) But other than that he is so happy, he sits up perfectly unassisted, but he won't roll over. I asked the Doctor about that and she said it was ok, and it isn't something to worry about just yet, he will get it down. She was impressed that he is sitting so well and has been for about a month now on his own. He is very interested in toys and things he can grab right now (which includes faces!) But he just smiles and smiles and smiles. If there are tears of any kind its because Eli has accidently stepped on his hand/leg/whatever is in the way, or because he is tired and wants to swing. (this kid LOVES to swing)

Eli is something else. Let me tell you. There just aren't any words to describe him, really. The best one I can think of is BUSY. He is so incredibly busy! He is BEYOND dramatic (I wonder where he gets that from?????) and he is absolutely HILARIOUS. He has this fake laugh and while he is doing it, he throws his head backwards and slaps his leg. If you ask him to show you his happy face, you get a face that is one for the books. He also has a mean face where he puts up his fists and makes a "mean face." I will try to get pictures of these :) (I have one of his happy face. I just need to scan it or something. Its on my facebook page. It is his school picture. I was there while they took his picture and he wouldn't smile, so I said "Please, Eli, show them your happy face" and he gave the most incredible face of all time. It is definitely one I will be showing his girlfriend when he's 16!) He is so incredibly smart. I know that everyone thinks their kid is the smartest kid ever, and I'm not saying that...but I am saying he is very intelligent. He doesn't forget things either. He is starting to say a lot of words. Some of the most common are...."FOOTTTTBALLLLL, Golfball, just plain "ball" Payton, Mama, Dada, Ya Ya (which is what he calls my mom), Nana, juice, Seeeeeeet (which means sit...he always wants you to sit by him and do what he needs you to do), blue, green, Elmo, yaaaa (his teacher at school always says.."saaaay ya" so he loves to say that) he also says "hiiiiiii" in a really high pitched voice, like everyone talks to him and Izaak, its hilarious. He does have a weird thing with the sounds of the letter b. He says D instead. So instead of "bye" its more like "duh" but it works and we get it, he will get the hang of it soon!! If you ask him to say words, he will almost always try to say them. I love seeing him learn. And he is still loving school!
Eli absolutely adores Izaak. At the Doctors office the other day the nurse was weighing Izaak and measuring him and stuff and Eli started yelling jibberish at the nurse. He then did the same thing with the Dr. It is adorable. He is very over protective. He also loves to bring Izaak toys and stuff for him to "play" with...however if Eli wants something oooooomaaaaiiiigaaah..he is going to take it right away from Izaak, no questions asked. So we are currently working on SHARING. Any advice on that would be fantastico! :)

So there is your update. I am doing ok. Struggling financially..big time, but it'll be ok. . .once I start to receive the help I am supposed to be receiving. I hope. I get very frustrated and upset quite often over specific situations, but when I see those 2 little boys, my attitude immediately changes. They are amazing little boys that bring me such joy!
Minus winning the lottery, life couldn't get much better!

xoxox

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photo sesh :)

2010-10-24T23:08:00.000-04:00

Now pardon me, I may sound a bit bias...but I'm pretty sure I have a couple of the cutest kids ever. :)

he looks like a doll here.

my lovey izaak :)

there was a hill not to far away (you can kinda see it to your right) and eli didn't want to get his picture taken, he wanted to roll down the hill!

LOVE this

Eli wouldn't be still for these pictures either. But I love this one and how it turned out!

all he does is dance these days. he sings his own little songs of jibberish and dances to them. he's growing up to be such a fun little guy!

handsome boy!

this.picture.melts.my.heart.

stick eaters :)

helping his brother! :)

so funny. he isn't choking him, i promise. but izaaks face is priceless!

this shows their personalities so well. it looks like eli is up to no good and izaak is like "come on man, grow up" hahaha

i don't know why, but this is one of my favorites. . .

"Sometimes being a brother is better than being a Superhero"

The love that these 2 have for each other, already, at such a young age just makes my heart smile. Eli gets so upset if he has to leave Izaak or if he thinks Izaak isn't going with us somewhere (somedays they go to different babysitters/places, while I work). He is so helpful, and tries to feed him, and help him with his pacifier, and loves to sit by his swing and talk to his baby brother.He even sings and dances for (or sometimes likes to grab Izaaks hand and make him "dance" too!) Izaak, if he is crying. It is amazing how it just comes natural to Eli! I am so lucky to have these boys. So. So. Lucky.

xoxo

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Football

2010-10-17T12:06:00.000-04:00

Payton's boyfriend, Cole, plays football on the freshman team. He's pretty good! (Joelle's boyfriend plays too! Joelle is Paytons best friend and our "sister" ) So we have been to a couple games, but this was Eli and Izaaks first football game ever! Eli absolutely loved it. LOVED it. He sat still almost the entire time. He moved around a bit, but it was only to get closer to the game. He clapped and cheered and smiled. He was so into it. I really hope he is like this for basketball games this winter!!

Auntie Jo Jo and Izaak

one of my fav pictures ever. :)

love my little sports fans!! :)

xoxo

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YOOOOO GABBA GABBA!

2010-10-17T11:55:00.000-04:00

If you have never watched the show Yo Gabba Gabba, you are missing out. It is annoying (for parents) yet amazing (for children). The show actually has really good messages. They sing songs like "Don't be afraid" (of the dark), "Don't bite your friends", "Don't hit your friends" all kinds of fun stuff. They have lots of random dances (dancey dances), cool tricks, etc. If you haven't watched it, you should check it out :)

We found out in March that Gabba Live was coming to town, and decided it was a must we take the babes! (Eli, Carter, Olivia and Nellie!) So glad we did.
When we got there Eli had a frakin' panic attack. Seriously. I mean wouldn't you?? These things that he thought were inside the TV were all of the sudden 20 feet in front of him and 8 feet tall. If you are 20 months old, you might poop your pants too! We walked in probably 1.5 minutes late and they were shooting confetti and streamers out of this thingy, which just so happened to be right in front of our seats. (that were amazing, thanks to Kim!) And E FREAKED OUT. He had his hands up by his head and was shaking like crazy, and started crying hysterically. His fingernails were digging into my neck...not a great feeling. I was about to start crying too, because I wanted him to like it so bad, and our tickets were a lot of money...hahaha. So I bought him a little flashy light thingy, and a tshirt to try to make life happier, and instead he just wanted to play with the balloon that Kim got for him. Whatever works I do suppose :) He warmed up after a few minutes and was ok. He never got full on excited and never did dance through the isles like Nellie and Carter, but he loved it. :) It was a happy, proud mama moment!
Here are the pictures. I can't wait for many more "Live" shows for us to take the kids to!!

on our way

Carter!

fingernails in neck.

Terrified.

not so sure right now....

super close seats!

all the kids got (paper) glasses like dj lance has! (this was after the show when Eli was happy again! hahaha)

Nellie is adorable!! She danced the entire time, up and down the isle!!

Aunt Tonk and Olivia and Eli. Eli really loves Olivia. Its adorable. He also has this weird obsession with Tonya :) So thankful for great mama friends!

My cousin Tyanne's little girl, Iyanna. She is precious.they sat really close to us, so we got to play during the intermission and after the show!

during the intermission when eli kept signing and saying "more more more more"

finally loving this! clapping!

Kim and Nell Bell!

cousins. I LOVE this picture. Elis face is priceless its like he's telling her "did you see that?!"

cousins. they don't see each other much, but they were instantly friends!

Eli, Carter, Nellie, and Olivia. Best Frans!:)

xoxox

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Weekend O Fun

2010-10-06T19:30:00.000-04:00

So lets be honest....it doesn't take much to entertain a 20 month old and a 5 month old. We stay home a lot. I try to do all kinds of fun stuff at home, but I was so tired of sitting around all the time, and I got paid...sooooo why not go spend my entire paycheck at the best place on earth?! Disney World? NOPE. Chuck E Cheese!!!! :) It was raining and sounded like an amazing idea! And Chuck E. provides a rather nice Salad Bar!
Eli freaked out (with excitment) when we walked in. It was hilarious. (Until he slapped a little girl in the face when she got too close to the basketball game that he was playing. ::I was mortified:: I picked him up and told them they could finish our game and walked away with Eli. I kinda chuckle about it now, but at the time it was TERRIBLE.) Then on Sunday a bunch of us packed up and headed to the Pumpkin Patch!
I absolutely LOVE Fall. It is sort of an obsession. Its perfect weather, bonfires, flip flops and hoodie sweatshirts...its Pumpkins and Thanksgiving and its the beginning of basketball season. I live for things like the Pumpkin Patch and Chuck E. Cheese. Zach has the boys 2 weekends in row because of scheduling issues (then I will have them 2 weekends in a row) so I wanted to do something fun with the boys since I won't see them much the next 2 weekends. frown face)
Here are our pictures from our weekend adventure!!

In love with Chuck E Cheese!

He wouldn't sit in this ride the proper way. It's Eli's way or NO way.

Izaak was over being held....so he is just hanging in his seat!

Morgan came home to go to the Pumpkin Patch, but it rained, so she still decided to join us for Chuck E Cheese! :)

Eli loves this woman! Auntie Payton!

PUMPKIN PATCH!!!

Izaak all bundled up!

Meet Santana. I have known his Mommy, Amber, since we were Freshman in High School. She was my dads Basketball Manager. She is an awesome gal and I'm so glad we finally got to hang out! And she is moving so close, very soon, and I am pumped!! :)

Gobble Gobble! They have a petting zoo and all kinds of fun stuff at the patch!

Mom and Nana with the boys!

Heres Amber and Santana!

He was a trooper...

Santana hunting for his perfect pumpkin!

the mini little patch thing in the entrance of the farm.

Aunt Kari and Hannah!

I will cherish these pictures forever :)

Our Pumpkins

Hannah and her pumpkin!

,

<3 <3 <3

FINALLY he is posing for me!!!!!!

It was truly the perfect weekend with my perfect little men :)

Vote for "OuR LiFe..." :)