Caleb Turns 4!!

We started out his big day with a present at breakfast. He was thrilled with his new monster truck!

Caleb had requested monkey bread for breakfast. Birthday wish granted!

Caleb was so excited that Grandpa Rog and Grandma Judy came to help celebrate his birthday!

He had requested a cake with monster trucks on top of it. Daddy even helped with the cause by smashing some of his old matchbox cars!!!

Here he is...my 4 year old!!!

When my kids have a birthday I always like to make a little list of their favorites and what they are really into right now. Here is a glimpse into Caleb's life...

Favorite Birthday Activity: The Pinata. I wish I would have shot a video of him going after that pinata. I never knew he could swing a bat like that!!!
Favorite Foods: Mac and Cheese, Corn on the Cob (he requests this all the time), HAM, and all kinds of fruit.
Favorite Video: The monster truck video from the library that we just watched about Big Foot. He says he never wants it to go back to the library.
Favorite Toys: Trucks of all kinds...monster trucks, construction trucks, farm equipment...
Favorite Things to do Outside: Dig in the sandbox, ride his bicycle, help Daddy work in the dirt.
Favorite TV Show: Curious George
Favorite "School" Activities: Putting together puzzles and making artwork. He absolutely loves stickers, paint, markers, and glue!
Favorite Sledding Partner: Chloe. He absolutely adores his older sister!
Favorite Bedtime Stalling Technique: "Mommy, Daddy, let me give you a back rub." It works almost every time!!!
Favorite Item to List for his Christmas List: A Robot that can scratch his back and pick up toys. He's not joking. He thinks this thing should exist...
Favorite Quote: "I'm stronger than Daddy."
Favorite Book: This is a hard one. Most recent favorites from the library have been "The Knight and the Dragon" and "Julius, The Baby of the World". One of his other favorites is "Peter Pan".
Favorite Thing to Say When Asked What he Wants to be When he Grows Up: "Someone who works on old things (mostly speaking about cars and trucks) and makes them new again."
Favorite Thing To Say When He Doesn't Want to Do Something: "I'll do that when I turn 4". We'll see what he says now!!!

We Love You Caleb!! Happy Birthday my December baby!!!

Chloe & Caleb's Latest

Chloe & Caleb are so proud of their cardboard house.

Chloe can obviously write and spell well enough to write a "No Cameron" sign beside the door. I don't think Cameron can read yet...

Chloe can touch her nose with her tongue. Since when has she been able to do this?!?

Costumes & Carving

Our family at the Annual Pumpkin Carving Party. Two dancers, a tiger, Buzz Lightyear, and  nobody really knows what Kyle was!!! He raided the dress up bin 10 minutes prior to the party!!

The kids had a blast!

The Gaulkes. Brent was the winner of the adult costume contest!

The Fishers (minus poor Greg who was sick and couldn't make it)

The Thomas Family (do you sense the pirate/parrot theme??). Cale won the kids' costume contest as a parrot!

The carved pumpkins! The Angry Bird took home the prize.

I couldn't resist...he is just a really cute tiger!

A full length view of Kyle's costume. Yes, he wore a cape, his dutch  pants, and of course his nasty hat. He did not win the costume contest!!!

My new nephew!

 Welcome to the family Braxton John Yepsen!

Soccer Saturdays

It has started. I shuttle Chloe to soccer practice every Tuesday and to soccer games every Saturday. We travel via minivan. It must mean one thing...I'm officially a soccer mom!!

The Green Sea Turtles look FIERCE!!!

Chloe's first game.

Cameron enjoys the games. He loves chasing balls and finding abandoned water bottles!

Chloe definitely gets to do a lot of RUNNING!

"Kick it Chloe!"

What a cute soccer player!

Shaking hands with the "Pink Team".

Chloe's 1st Day of Kindergarten!

 Chloe had her first day of kindergarten earlier this week....at home. Yes, we are homeschooling her this year! We tried to make it extra special for her. We took pictures in front of the tree with her new Dora backpack.

 We had breakfast together with Daddy and I made her favorite....WAFFLES!!

 I displayed some of the books we will be studying. We are using Heart of Dakota curriculum. The Kindergarten year is called Little Hearts For His Glory. We are also using Singapore Math, Explode the Code Phonics and AlphaPhonics, and A Reason For Handwriting.

 The kids wanted to ride to school on their bikes so we took a bike ride before we got started.

 Cameron was excited for the first day of school too (or maybe just the waffles; I'm not sure!)

I can't believe my baby is a Kindergartner! Even though we are homeschooling it is still a BIG milestone for this girl and her Mommy! I know that you will do well Chloe!!

Cameron is One-Derful!!

 I can't believe that this little guy is One TODAY!!! Happy Birthday Cameron! It doesn't seem like it's already been 1 year since he made his surprise entrance into our world. The day was like any other Saturday. Chloe had her last day of swim lessons so I took her to that. I did a few things around the house during the afternoon and then Kyle and I took the kids to some friends and went on a date to Applebees. We were also supposed to go to Walmart (aren't we exciting?!?) but we never made it there. Our interesting date ended with a baby born 3 1/2 weeks early! I am so thankful for Cameron. He has been such a joy to us. Here is a little bit about him NOW at 1 year old...

Foods he likes: Spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, chicken and grapes. He LOVED the chocolate zucchini bread that he's eating here in this picture. He finally has 4 teeth (just in!). He also has a strange LOVE for water. He's pretty easy to please!

Here he is with his 1st bites of birthday cake. He doesn't like getting his hands too dirty but he enjoyed the cake!
Things he enjoys: Climbing stairs, opening and shutting doors, getting his hands into the toilet, playing with the fan remote controls, standing at my bookcase and removing all books, standing at Chloe's dollhouse and removing all furniture and dolls, swinging, driving Caleb's big trucks.
Things he DOESN'T enjoy: Getting his pants changed, being told no.
What he says: Mama
What he's doing: Crawling, pulling to stand, climbing stairs, grinding his front teeth together, waving, clapping.
What I love the most: His sloppy, wet, open mouthed kisses!

Chloe's Church

Chloe was not thrilled to take this picture but I just couldn't resist! She was pretending that she was singing in church like Mommy. Caleb was working in the nursery with the babies.

Just to clarify...I've never worn a two piece to church before:)

Celebrating the 4th Of July

We have a few traditions for the 4th of July. Here are a few!

1. We must watch the parade and run after CANDY! Possibly getting hit by parade traffic is part of the fun...

 

2. We must utilize all available resources (ie Grandma) and totally exhaust them and baby involved.

3. We must run the Sully Freedom Fun Run. Yes, Chloe and my Dad ran too this year! I am so proud of them!

4. Kyle and I must ask, "Why do we always run the Sully Freedom Fun Run?" after obtaining another 5K PW (personal worst).

5. We must play with water balloons at the Dunsbergen's. This is not negotiable.

6. We must stay up really late and watch fireworks. Yep, Kyle reports that this is a "MUST" on our summer list! Hope your 4th Of July was fun too!

Our Most Recent Fun

The kids are having a blast with our new pool that we set up.

This picture just cracks me up. They are freezing because we had just filled the pool with ice cold water!

The People on the "Puter" Told Me

Chloe does not take consistent naps (and neither does Caleb!). Considering that I still selfishly like a little quiet time in the afternoon I implemented "Quiet Bins" awhile back. She has a bin for each day that she only gets to play with during nap time. They have worked pretty well and they keep her pretty occupied. Today Caleb finally asked for some quiet bins (I was waiting for this to happen!). Here is how he went about asking as I was tucking him into bed for his nap...

Caleb: I sure wish I was Chloe...
Me: Why's that?
Caleb: So I could have a quiet bin to play with.
Me: Oh, but Caleb you need to sleep. You're too little for quiet bins.
Caleb: But Mommy, the people on the puter (computer) told me that it's ok if kids that are 3 get quiet bins. They told me, they did!

I'm not sure what to think of his rationale...I'm wondering if it came from listening to me...SCARY!

Cameron's Latest

 I've been behind on updating this blog! Here are Cameron's stats from his 9 month well child a month late...
Height: 29 1/4in. 73%
Weight: 19lb 9oz (24%)
Head Circ: 18in (54%)
He's gaining ground! I thought these pictures of him and my Grandma were pretty precious. He was having a ball on the swing!

This is where I find him most of the time these days. He is crawling/scooting backwards only. He keeps getting stuck under the couch the poor little guy. And then he yells for help. Do you blame him??

Caleb

Caleb has turned into quite the conversationalist. He talks nonstop.
Here is what he's saying...

While riding his new bike: "I'm faster than Chloe mom!"
When we got home tonight: "The moon followed us home!"
To Chloe (who was getting chased by Uncle Jared): "I'll save you my dear!"
When it's dark: "It's pooky in here!"
The other morning when he woke up while holding his bottom with both hands: "My pee keeps trying to come out but I don't want to let it!"
After his first tubing experience and some POOR boat driving by me (who let him hit a large wave): "Mommy you are a bad driver. I think Uncle Jared should drive next time. Boys are better drivers than girls."

Tulip Time 2012

Chloe rode on a float for the first time with her friend Anna.

A group of "Dutch" kids...what could be cuter?

Cameron likes playing with his Daddy's hair...well, more like pulling it!

Had a really hard time getting a good picture in front of the stems so we made the best of it!

Before she ripped the tights:)

There is just something about a 3 year old in a hat...

Just hanging out with Grandpa!

Eating cotton candy and watching the parade with friends; we had some happy kids!