What do these things have in common?

I was watching Carson walk down the hall when we got home from visiting Aunt Michelle yesterday and his back pockets were bulging. I found three rocks, a wire tie, a rusted and bent nail, and a couple of "treasure maps". He is lucky the old nail didn't poke him in his behind. It is so funny what treasures Carson saves on to.

Memorial Day

Today we decided to pack a picnic and go for a hike. My awesome friend at work made me a list of all of these cool places to hike to that are pretty much in our backyard, so we started with Battle Creek Falls today. It was a pretty hike and the water fall is really cool. We watched some people rappel down the falls, which was quite entertaining. Too bad we forgot our gear, but we'll be doing that next time. ;)

Carson hiked the entire thing with only a little whining the last quarter mile or so. The trail was rocky and a bit hard for Wyatt, but he did his best and got to ride on our shoulders over the hard parts. We are definitely not profesh, but we had a fun time together.

Preschool Program

I can't believe Carson has finished his first year of preschool! Miss Teresa is such a great teacher and he was always so excited to go to school. When I asked him what he learned he said he learned the alphabet. He did too. I quizzed him what sounds each letter makes and he had no problem at all. I asked him what his favorite part was and he said getting treats.

The program was so cute. They sang a bunch of songs and said a little part. The class started singing the first song and Carson was doing great. Then, he looked around at everyone and got scared and came over crying to me. I tried the various coaxing methods like--get up there I am recording this for your dad, look at all those kids being so brave, and you can do it! Well, nothing worked. So, then I told him to take Wyatt up with him and hold his hand. It worked perfectly. Wyatt stood up there the entire time and Carson was able to participate in the program.


Thank you, Teresa for letting Carson come to school. You really do a fantastic job. I have told him that he will be going to a different preschool next year and he isn't too happy about it.

Carson, I am so proud of you! I can't believe how much you have changed since your first day of preschool. You are doing so well learning your alphabet, numbers, and calendar. You are also doing better socially and making lots of friends. You are growing up so fast, but I am so happy that we will have one more year before you head off to kindergarten. I'm not ready or old enough for that yet!

Pay it Forward

Now don't be shy this is supposed to be fun. My friend, Lydia put this on her blog and I thought it was a fun thing.


I promise to make something just for you! Be one of the first three people to comment on this post and you will receive a little homemade something special from me!! And now, the fine print...

1. No guarantees that you will like what you get (but I sure hope you will!)
2. What I create will be made specifically for you.
3. It will be done sometime this year. (Now it's a good thing you're getting this guarantee!)
4. Most importantly, you must offer this same deal on your blog-the first three people to comment on your post get something from you!

Okay we'll see how this goes. If you don't live very close to me, I'll send it in the mail just for you! Now you can excitedly await its arrival!

The latest and greatest

Yes, this post includes a lot of pictures, but I have been a little "GF" lately with my new camera. It isn't anything fancy, but I wanted something small that I could take with me easily. I have to say I prefer the Nikon to my old Kodak. It has this cool setting where it won't take the picture until the person smiles. It is kind of cool to turn it on and "gootchy gootchy goo" until the person smiles and the camera automatically takes the picture. That's what we were trying here.

On Wednesday, we went on a field trip with Carson's preschool class. We went to farm country at Thanksgiving Point and after had a picnic. The boys loved the animals and had a great day!
Here is Wyatt, Carson, and Sami (my niece). It looks like to me that she belongs with the boys.

Today I made bread. I had to take a picture because it turned out! I think I am finally getting it down after many years of trying. Ryan says we could probably build a house with all of the bricks I have made in the past.

This week I have started cutting the "bebe's". After I cut the first one, Wyatt put it in his mouth, took it out and made a face. He said, "Bebe boke." Each day we have cut one. He even cut one last night and was devastated that I couldn't "put back on". I know I should have gotten rid of the thing a long time ago because it doesn't get easier. It is just so nice to have something that will calm the kid down. This is the last "bebe" and it will be gone soon (along with my sanity).
They got a little bored watching me make bread so they watched a little Finding Nemo while I finished. I was cracking up that Wyatt had is arm around Carson. Here is more proof that they occasionally get along and love each other.

Race for the Cure!

In 2007, we started a tradition to run the race for the cure in celebration of my Grandma Crittenden who is a survivor of breast cancer for 37 years. She had breast cancer at age 42. This Saturday, my mom, Teresa, Crystal, Michelle and her kids, and me all met up and ran. We then went to brunch at Mimi's Cafe. It is such a fun tradition and we always have a great time together.
Here are pictures of the past three years:
2007: Carson, Michelle, Mom (check out the sexy legs), Teresa holding Wyatt, Me, Grandma Crittenden, Crystal, and Ryan

2008: Teresa (almost due with Preston), Crystal, Mom holding Wyatt, Carson, Me, and Michelle holding Kael.

2009: Here we are with very large shirts that could be night gowns because all these men thought they needed the mediums to show off their muscles. Here is Michelle, Bailey, Me, Teresa, Makayla, Mom, Sydney, and Crystal.

A few things to remember from the race:

• Mom lying about grandma being at the race so she could get free stuff


• Me coughing (because of lack of exercise and trying to run 3 miles) and telling Teresa loudly that I was glad I was almost over that Swine Flu, while people moved further away from me :)


• Michelle running pushing her stroller and Bailey falling out (Michelle's description of the event almost made me pee my pants!)


• Being together with my best friends!

Note to self---run a few times BEFORE the day of the race so you don't almost die.

Our Disneyland Vacation

I can't believe that we have been home for five days, but I am finally getting a chance to share a bit about our awesome vacation to the happiest place on earth. I've decided it is just that when the kids are a. on a ride or b. sleeping in the stroller.

Here is Ryan--sick on the airplane. The picture doesn't do justice to his green skin. He got called Kermit a few times. To think he once thought of applying for a job as a flight attendant! Ha ha! No, really, sorry you didn't take enough pills and you got sick. :)Here I am making a deal with Cruela to try to sell my puppy (Wyatt with his dog leash on). She told me to bring him back when he had spots. Here is Carson, Wyatt and my mom on a ride. If they weren't having fun, we were going to hold their faces so it looked like they were having fun. Carson and Wyatt getting pictures taken in the taxi. Just before this, Ryan took Carson on the Tower of Terror. Poor Carson was so excited for every ride until that one. He didn't have any idea what was coming. He sure knows why that ride got its name. He was very sceptical of every ride after that if he couldn't watch the ride first.

Wyatt's favorite part was the character's. He got so excited every time he got to see one. It was so cute to watch him blow them kisses, give hugs, and give them "five".

But then, Mickey Mouse pinched his nose (he is showing what Mickey did to him in the picture) and from then on, that is what he thought he was supposed to do to the characters. Several times, the character's had to politely remove his iron grip off of their noses.

Due to technical difficulties ie. too many drops of my camera, I wasn't able to get pictures of Carson's favorite things. Thank goodness my mom was there to take pictures with her camera. I just hope we'll get a copy of them someday. (hint hint -- Michelle. :) )

So, Carson's most favorite thing was when he got chosen to train as a Jedi. They chose a few kids out of the audience and put robes on them and gave them a light saber. He was so excited and so brave. He wasn't scared at all. He stood right next to the Jedi Master as he taught him the routine. Then, "Dark Vader" (that's what Carson calls him) and his men came out. Carson got to fight Darth Vader and did awesome. I took video with my cell phone, but it was horrible. He got done and came back over to us. His little lip started to quiver and he got tears in his eyes. I asked him what was wrong and he said he was sad because they took the light saber back. Betcha can't guess what he wanted to go buy for his souvenir. :) We bought them both a light saber and frequently have to remind them to use the force for good.

Carson also got called on to ask Crush (from finding Nemo) a question. He came up with it all by himself and asked him, "When do fish swim?". Crush responded telling him, "You're thinking hard today, huh, dude?" It was pretty cool that he got to talk to Crush a bit. I was so proud of him the entire trip for being brave, not being shy, and doing everything he was big enough to do.

My favorite part was watching my kid's faces as they took it all in. I think Ryan's favorite was the princesses and watching Tinker Bell fly during the fireworks show. And I know my mom's favorite part was the time we were walking back to the hotel and we were laughing so hard! You just had to be there!

We really had a great time and can't wait to go again!!! Thanks, Mom for coming with us! She is so fun to be with and a ton of help with the boys. And thanks, Ryan for taking us on such a fun trip.

Happy Mother's Day!

I just wanted to let you know honey, that you are a wonderful wife and mother. I know that the boys are greatful to have such an awesome mom. You are always there to take care of them and they always want to be with you. I am truly grateful to have you as my wife and to be sharing the experience of parenthood with you. You have given me two boys that I wouldn't trade for anything and I enjoy the times that we have together as a family. I really enjoyed the Disneyland vacation and getting to see how much the kids enjoyed being there.

Thanks for being such a great wife and mother. We love you so much and want you to know that we are always here for you. Happy Mothers Day Honey B.

Love,

The Boys