Random

I recently went on a weekend trip to Dillon to spend time with the ladies of the Rahlf family.  It was great fun, and while I was away, the kids got to play.  They went bowling with dad, and had a blast until it was discovered that there were no princess stickers which really put a damper on things for Reagan.  They do love bowling though.

Here's our little man.  We really did pick the right name.  He looks like Uncle Leigh to me.  I see flashes of other people, but the shape of his face and his eyes are very much Eisenhauer.  He is such a happy little guy.  Sooo close to full out crawling.  The kids adore him and are always singing him songs and trying to make him laugh.  He's a good snuggler, laugher, and sleeper.

Reagan's 1st Day of Pre-School

She was sooooooooooooooooo excited to go to school.  She picked out her outfit by herself and told me how she wanted her hair done.  When she woke up and saw her new back pack, she immediately kissed it then went to find her duck one to give to Coen.  She's such a sweet big sister.

The second week of school, she came to me and said, "Mom, I have an idea.  How about you don't walk me to the door.  I can do it by myself."  She must have seen the heartbreak on my face because she quickly amended that to "Okay, you can walk me to the door on Tuesdays, but I get to go by myself on Thursdays."  She has stuck to that.  Every Thursday, she says "I get to go by myself today mom, you stay by the car."

Coen wants to be just like her.  He takes his back pack with him to drop her off and pick her up from school and every time he's so sad that he doesn't get to go with her.  The whole time she's gone, he's asking if we can go get her.

Her teacher says she's the one that likes to make the class laugh.  She likes to make up words, so she'll quietly say something weird and see if anyone notices and if they do, she says it again until everyone is giggling.  She has really learned a lot so far and can now write her name upside down and backwards correctly among other things.  Good job sweetie!

Nick's Birthday

So, it's official, I am the world's worst blogger!  I get overwhelmed and forgetful.  Also, I seem to use this blog as a public forum for mocking my children.  Some of you may think that I don't adore my children.  I'd like to say that my children are the greatest and while usually I only blog about their craziness, they are incredibly brilliant and very sweet.  So here's to trying to remember to blog more often and to talking more kindly about my kids!  (Don't worry though, there will still be a little bit of mocking because that's the way we are and the kids really are funny.)

We made our annual trip to Tubbs Hill for Nick's 30th.  This time though, we went to the little cove we love so much.  I got the kids all ready and excited to be in the water, but it was pretty cold- until we were leaving and by the time we got back to the car is was nice and hot.  Oh well, we still had fun.  Reagan is turning into quite the rock climber.

I made a german chocolate cake from scratch and it took me forever, and then had technical difficulties with 2 batches of chocolate frosting, so I ran to the neighbors to borrow some and went to put it on and it had expired in 2004.  So, I finally had to just make a buttercream frosting, which I thought detracted from the cake and he didn't get it until about 8:30, poor guy.  The kids bought some trick candles and were sooo excited to use them, but they all blew so hard, that the candles never came back on.  It was kind of sad, but they loved the cake and being with Dad all day, so it was still fun.  

I was going to have a surprise party for him, but I couldn't decide if he'd like it or not on the big 30, so I didn't do it.  Then I found out that the day I was planning was the day of a BIG game and he would have hated missing it, so phew, I chose correctly.

So, this is very late, like more than a month, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY Nick!  We love you!

Ike's blessing

Smiling for pictures is getting much easier for Nick in his old age, haha.  I don't think Ike really looks like himself in this picture, he looks more like his namesake, but here they are- 2 of my main men.

Papa, GG & the fam.  The kids were much more interactive this time.  Coen was being quite the little entertainer right before this. 

The grandmas.

Stacey & Reagan.  

I think Reagan was in heaven with all Matt & Lisa's boys there to play with and lots of people to do her bidding.  Stacey can always be persuaded to color with her.

The blessing circle.  

We love you all and are very thankful you all took the time to come and be with us to bless Ike.  We are very lucky to have such great family and to consider them friends too is a great blessing to us.

Washington D.C.

We went to D.C. for Dan & Jordan's wedding, but I don't actually have any pictures of that, so here are the pictures I do have...  We got to see my cousin Drew & his wife Aimee Friday night at the reception & Saturday afternoon at the mall.  It was awesome to catch up with them, I haven't seen them in several years.

Here's 2 of my favorite men!

We got to spend lots of time with Tony & Mel thank goodness!  It really was tons of fun.  We got lost and almost missed the wedding, but luckily Nick has crazy insane race car driving skills and we made it with about 5 minutes to spare.

Here's the back of the white house... personally too close for me right now, but one of the things you've got to see while in the nations capital.

This is Jordan's back yard.  It was amazing!  Formal gardens with a fountain, outdoor fireplace, rock terraced yards... Beautiful!  Thanks to her family for hosting us so graciously.  They were a lot of fun!  

We all drove to Cincinnati Saturday evening and to our horror we found that the shark festival in West Virginia I believe had been cancelled.  Mel and I were forced to cry the rest of the way home.

The reception in Ohio was fun!  It was great to see old friends and eat fantastic food.  Tanner made the most beautiful arrangements of silverware I have ever seen.  It brought tears to my eyes.  I'll post a picture later if I can find one.  Thanks to Dane and Jordan for getting married, so we could go to D.C. and thanks to George & Lori for an awesome time!

Tim & Stacey Visit

Unfortunately these are the only pictures I have of Tim & Stacey's visit.  As you can see, the kids adore Stacey, but who doesn't?!  We had a great time!  Most of it revolved around food.

We did go to the beach and out to dinner.  Tim & Stacey went golfing (which for some reason they didn't want to do with our kids) and hiking up mineral ridge.  Thanks for coming guys!  We love you and think you should move here!

Back By Popular Demand

I know, I know it has been a million years, but with a broken keyboard it was just waaaaay to hard to update!  So I'll try to catch up in the next day or so.  I don't have any pictures of Oma, Opa & Dallin's visit, but I would like to point out that they had no car troubles and they didn't get sick, so it is NOT hazardous to your health to come visit!

The kids and I drove down to Utah with Oma & Opa.  We got to see Tony & Mel before they moved to Colorado which was wonderful, because I love Mel and I just don't get to see her enough.  (I love the rest of them too!)  Then we stayed for almost a month at Nanie & Poppy's house.  Kenzie, Tati & Hanna were there too.  Here are some pictures of our good times.

Chillin' with Nanie

S'mores with Poppy

Getting ready for the pool.  I have another picture of Reagan when she was about 18 months and she is wearing the same googles and crying her eyes out.  It is so sad/funny.  I'll post it when I find it.

These cuties are a month and a half apart.  Hanna kept taking Ike's binky.  It was pretty funny!

I had to take away Coen's race car markers after he drew all over his face.  It took a couple of days to get it completely off.

We went to see Stadium of Fire for the 4th of July which was lots of fun.  Coen HATES the Jonas Brothers.  I spent that part of the show walking around with him under the bleachers.  He did love the fireworks and the airplanes & helicopters that flew by.  Reagan liked the Jonas Brothers enough to sleep through their performance.  Ike just sucked really hard on his binky the whole time.

We got to see Great Grandma & Grandpa Cardon while we were there & Stacey & Chelsea stopped by too, so that was tons of fun!  I also got to catch up with some old friends which is always nice.  It was great to see you Cassie & Ali!  I had the kids pictures taken while I was there too, so we stayed plenty busy.