4th of July

We had a fun 4th of July this year, especially since Eric was in town (last year he was in London). Nana and Papa came to visit from Boise. They arrived on Friday and stayed until Tuesday morning. After they arrived at our house we just chilled out until Eric got home. Then we had some yummy lasagna dinner. We tried going to the park but it was really hot. Saturday morning we packed up and headed to the JW Marriott where Nana and Papa stayed the night. We had a really great time at the pool, especially since it was so hot.

Connor is fearless when it comes to the water. He will jump right in. He was also saying hi to a lot of the people passing by. He especially loved the teenage kids that started talking to him.

Enjoying some cheetos puffs.

Kyle is not as fearless, but he still loves to be in the water.

Drying off.

Trying to pose for a picture.

I was asking him to hold still, but instead he came right up to the camera. Silly boy!

Kade use to be terrified of getting into the water. He really likes the water now.

Kyle and Connor wanting to get into the water.

Kade crying because he was told not to do something we thought was dangerous. I told him I was taking pictures.

Connor is looking at him wondering if he is ok.

Now he is just pouting :(

Kade, Papa and daddy relaxing adter a lot of swimming.

This is how the boys like to swim. Eric will hold Kyle and Connor and Kade will jump on his back and hang on. They loved it!!

That night Nana and Papa went to see Phantom of the Opera while we went to the buffet and watched movies in the hotel room. Connor was so exhausted from the day he fell asleep while we were at the buffet.

The next day after I got done at church we went back over the the Marriott and swam some more. Afterwards we came home and lit some fireworks.

Kyle watching the fireworks.

Kyle running away from them.

Connor ended up having to sit in the stroller because he kept getting too close. He really wanted to get out.

On the 4th of July the boys, except Connor, went hiking up at Red Rock. When they got home Kyle and Connor took a little nap. When they woke up we went to the Red Rock Hotel/Casino to go bowling. When we were down we headed over to Eric's uncle Larry's house for dinner and more fireworks.

This was Kade's first time bowling.

He soon got tired of it and went to play with Kyle.

Watching the fireworks at Larry's airplane "hanger". They thought that was really fun.

This is what Connor was doing for part of the fireworks. But then a really loud one went off and woke him up. He soon up walking all over the place.

There was an executive jet we got to sit in. It was really nice! There was leather seats and cup holders. The boys liked it! I wanted to snap a picture of the boys by the airplane. Here is Kyle.

I kept asking him to stand by the airplane. He kept saying "right here" and then move "right here?" He kept doing this until he was right up by me. I think he looks very adorable and trying so hard to be a good boy!!!

Kade by the airplane. Don't you like how he is standing?!?!

Here is our attempt at a "4th of July" family picture. Would have worked if Kyle wasn't throwing a fit.

Papa reading stories to the boys.

Random picture.

Nana and Papa's attempt to get a good picture with the boys.

Thansk for coming and visiting us Papa and Nana!! We had a lot of fun and look forward to seeing you again!!!

Secret Garden at the Mirage

When Becky was here we decided to take the boys to the Secret Garden at the Mirage. We thought it would be fun for them to see the dolphins, tigers and lions. Connor was sooooo excited to see the dolphins. He kept staring at them and making all kinds of cute sounds.

Feeding Time!!

 Kyle and Connor are, of course, trying to get out of their stroller. We stood very close to Connor to make sure he didn't jump in.

These pictures are the closest the boys got to the lions and tigers. Almost all of the animals were sleeping. Connor seemed to want to walk around. I am sure if the animals had been awake and walking around he would have been more excited.

 Of course all three boys can't sit still and look at the camera. Here are our best shots.

Some cute shots of Kyle on the tiger.

Looking at the pamphlet of the garden.

Talking to the big "statue" of the lion. He really wanted to climb on it.

Thanks Grandma for taking us! We are glad Aunt Becky got to go with us too!

San Gennaro Feast!!

A month or two ago the San Gennaro Feast was going on at the Silverton Hotel. Every time we would take Eric to work the boys would see the rides in the parking lot. He told me he really wanted to go on the rides. That Saturday we decided to go. We called Jeff and Erica and they met us there. As soon as we got there we headed right over to the little kid rides. I went on a few of them with Kade and Kyle and did not get sick. When Jeff and Erica arrived they went on a few rides with them too. After they rode on all the rides they wanted to Eric and I saw a ride we really wanted to go on. It looked like a ton of fun! We didn't think it would go around and around so we had Jeff and Erica watch the boys while we rode the ride. After it was over, Eric and I both regreted it. We both felt incredibly dizzy and almost threw up. Needless to say we had to leave because neither one of us felt good anymore. I guess we just aren't young anymore!

 Some of the little rides.

Jeff, Erica, Kade and Kyle waiting to go on the ferris wheel.

Jeff and Kade

Erica and Kyle

The only ride Connor could go on was this choo choo that went slow.  He enjoyed though!!

Jeff, Erica and Kade went to the haunted house ride. Kade thought it would be fun, but afterwards he didn't like it at all. He said it was too scary.

Here is the ride Eric and I thought would have been fun.



Kade loved this slide. He kept wanting to slide down it.

Jeff decided to slide down too.

Jeff waiting while we were on the train. Eric was with him. 

Kyle leading the way back to the car.

Thanks for going with us Jeff and Erica. Other than the ride Eric and I went on it was a blast. We are sure glad they have the "feast" before it gets too hot! Can't wait for next time!!!

Connor is so proud of himself!!!

On Mother's Day Connor figured out how to come down the stairs. He had mastered going up the stairs for quite awhile. Here is a video of his first time. I love the little sounds he is making and how happy he is at accomplishing something. I also like how we are all there supporting him. What a funny and cute little guy!

Here is the picture Kade wanted to take.

A Little Bit about Daddy!

The boys love their daddy (and so does their mommy)! He is a great example of love, strength, support and hard work to our family. He works super hard during the week to make sure we have everything we need. Luckily we get to have him on the weekend! We love to laugh at his silly jokes, comments and singing. He takes the boys for hikes and to the park. I appreciate the way he backs me up when the boys are not behaving as they should. Overall, we think daddy is a really incredibly great guy and we love him immensely!!

Here are some questions Kade answered about him.

What makes dad happy? Giving him a surprise.

How does your dad make you laugh? When he says funny things.

What does your dad do when you're not around? Go to work.

What is your dad really good at? exercising

What is your dad not very good at? making trophies

What does your dad do for a job? look on computers

If your dad were a cartoon character who would he be? he would be Fred from Scooby Doo because he takes scary faces off.

How are you and your dad the same? he likes cars and trucks

How are you and your dad different? we don't wear the same hair and the same shirt

How does your dad shoe he loves you? He doesn't get mad and take away my cars

What does your dad like most about your mom? giving her kisses and hugs

My little helpers!!

I feel like I spend half of my life cleaning up....after three little monkeys. Somedays it is really hard to get them to do what I need them to. Other days it is all they want to do. All three boys will help me transfer clothes from the washer to the dryer. They think it is really fun to throw the clothes in the dryer. Once the clothes are out of the dryer I fold them and Kade puts them away for me, sometimes without complaining. Kyle has just recently been interested in putting his own clothes away so he takes his pile and Kade helps him shove it into his drawer. Getting them to clean up their room is the hardest thing to do. They are really good at not taking their toys downstairs, so if their room is messy that is ok. At least it is not all over the house, usually. Lately, Kade and Kyle have been interested in vacuuming. Here is a picture of Kyle vacuuning. He stopped to pose for a picture. Notice Connor is watching him.

  

Kade is my biggest helper, of course since he is the oldest. He is in this phase right now where he likes to help me cook dinner and of course, treats. For the most part he is a really good helper. He does have "chores" now like feeding the dog and unloading the dishwasher. I really need to make a "chore" chart for him because the other day he was complaining and telling me how he didn't want to unload the dishwasher. I looked at him and asked him if he thought I wanted to be cleaning up the house. He said no, but it was a pain getting him to do his "job". I think a chart will really help.

 Overall, as the boys get older they are more helpful. Little Connor will even help throw things into a box or bag. I love these little guys!!

How Great Thou Art!

Carrie Underwood is probably my all time favorite singer. She is amazing! I love how she is so  down to Earth and not so "Hollywood". This song of her singing "How Great Thou Art" with Vince Gill made me an even bigger fan. Here is the song.

Mother's Day Questions

I have seen these "mom questionaires" and always thought it would be fun to see what the boys would say. This year I had Kade give answers and this is what he said.

My mom's favorite song....anything Carrie Underwood.

My mom's favorite thing to do at home is....play the piano.

My mom's favorite place to go on vacation....California.

My mom's favorite place in the house is....getting in the bathtub.

My mom's favorite chore is....taking the clothes out of the dryer (ummm, ok).

I like when my mom takes me to....see trucks.
My mom's favorite food is....macaroni and cheese.
My favorite thing about mom is....driving in the car to the zoo.
Something that makes my happy is....give her a present.
My mom's favorite place to shop is....Walmart.
I love when my mom....takes me somewhere.
My favorite thing to do with my mom is....make a present.
If my mom had one day without kids she would....have another kid.
Something my mom loves about me is....playing with toys and cleaning up the room.

What is something mom says to you?   a good boy
What makes mom happy? give her a present
What makes mom sad? being mean
How does your mom make you laugh? tickles me
What did your mom like to do when she was a child? put her dress on
How old is your mom? 600
How tall is your mom? 96
What is he favorite thing to watch on T.V.? American Idol
What does your mom do when you're not around? look at things on the computer
If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? "What's famous?"
What is your mom really good at? doing stuff on the computer.
What is your mom not very good at? riding on horses
What does your mom do for her job? stay with the kids
What makes you proud of your mom? give me stuff
What do you and your mom do together? take a picture
How are you and your mom the same? we both have shirts on
How are you and your mom different? you're wearing black and I am wearing green
How do you know your mom loves you? when you give hugs to me
What does your mom like most about your dad? loving him
Where's your mom's favortie place to go? to one of the stores

He answered some of these right but some of the answers I was thinking "what?????" It will be fun to see what he says next year and what Kyle will say.