brown-eyed baby boy

This baby of ours is growing up entirely too quickly. I can't stand it.

He is recklessly busy.

I spend his nap time running (I'm talking a heels-kicking-up-behind-me kind of sprint) to get things done.

Because once he is awake...

But I'm not complaining. There is nothing better than squeezing, smooching, playing, and cleaning up after this little dude.

Some of his favorite things lately:

• reading books
• kicking balls (with his left foot only)
• saying hi and bye to everyone, especially the G's bus
• climbing to the tippy top of anything available
• emptying drawers
• pretend cooking in the kitchen with me
• walking the halls at church on Sunday (4 weeks until nursery, HALLELUJAH!)
• Using his signs - this is recent. We have tried for a long time to get him to sign and in just the last couple of weeks he has begun using his fat little hands to tell us what he wants.
• mimicking behaviors- like the time I found him inside the running shower, fully clothed, using the squee gee on the shower door. Which reminds me...
• turning on faucets

He follows me around everywhere, which I love (usually).

He splashes in the toilet.

He has our entire family wrapped around his adorable finger.

He leaves a trail of baby destruction in his wake.

All. Day. Long.

seven

Grant turned seven at the end of September. We gave him the choice of nicer presents and a family night out or a birthday party with friends. He deliberated a bit, but opted for the family night out. We made a stop to buy the biggest cheeseburger we could find (his current dinner of preference). And then Cori let the kids pick whatever they wanted for a treat.

Then we journeyed up to The Woodlands to an indoor mini golf place. Great things about indoor mini golf: climate controlled- it was still pretty steamy out, and black light glow-in-the-dark fun.

This was a weekend outing, and so he had to wait a few days to open his presents. We love making them wait! Mwahahaha. But his actual birthdate finally rolled around and he enjoyed another 24 hours of picking meals and being the center of our adoration. And he opened his presents. It is good to be Grant.

Cougars come to TX

BYU football came to Austin early in their season. You better believe Cori bought tickets and took the G's with him to cheer them on. I was especially glad that they got to see this game live as it was a total blowout for the cougars and the best game that they will end up having this whole season. Once the kids were appropriately decorated in their fan gear, they hit the road. A quick stop at the Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory and a few hours later, they were parked and ready to tailgate.

 With just minutes to spare before hitting the road, Grace whipped up this little sign. Always time for a project with this girl.

They know how to fill a football stadium in Texas!

 Check out that score board!

Cori met up with an MBA buddy who was also at the game. They didn't plan their matching outfits...

four

This little cutie turned four this summer. And, bless her soul, she told me that the only thing she wanted to do for her birthday was to go swimming with Grace and Grant. I love not throwing birthday parties about as much as I adore throwing birthday parties. It is complicated. 

We had a great day in the pool, regardless of my issues!

By the end of the summer, Eden was swimming pretty well. She could come up for air and move around. But the pool is a little long, and the deep end bottoms out at just over 8 feet. So if she is playing on the slide, she is required to have floaties. If she is staying in the spa and the shallow end, she can do as she likes. Her confidence in the water has been a great relief for me, as little Jeffery requires two eyes, two hands, and undivided attention when we are in the water! Most of the time over the summer, I would just wait for his nap time to let the bigger kiddos get in the pool.

With Aunt Sara and Uncle Kevin on Skype, we sang happy birthday and cheered her on as she blew out candles. It took two huff and puffs. She really meant business the second time around.

Her presents from her siblings were all of the Doc McStuffins theme. Eden still adores that show and loves giving everyone and everything check ups. She already had some Doc accoutrement. Her birthday haul really sealed the deal. And she was pretty happy about it!

Even though this smile seems to say, "Gee, thanks a lot mom and dad," Eden was actually quite excited for this toothbrush.