Plop

After our shopping adventure I had a bunch of new fall/winter clothes to put in the boys' rooms.  I decided to go ahead and put away some of the summer stuff and swap our some sizes of things.  This is such an ongoing repetitive process with growing babies...gets overwhelming sometimes.  I have myself in a pretty good tote system though..so I don't go completely insane with disorganization. 

Chase got tired watching a movie and fell asleep all on his own.  He NEVER EVER does that...so it was super cute - especially since he was all curled up.  : ) 

Milo loves to sit inside boxes...and drawers apparently!  I had his drawers pulled out while I was folding and putting things away and he just crawled right inside of it and plopped down!  Haha!  Silly sweet little man! 

Nice cozy little calm (yet productive) day at home.  Love those!

Our Shopping Day

Josh and I decided this year we would celebrate our birthdays in one day together.  We went a few days after Josh's birthday and spent a whole day in Iowa City together shopping and eating yummy food. 

Taylor came to our house in the morning so she could watch the boys for us all day.  We left pretty early and went through Burlington so I could get Starbucks.  Yum! 

We shopped for ourselves, the boys, the parties we had coming up and whatever else we felt like.  We were pretty focused on what we actually needed though.  You have to be when you live on a budget - can't just buy anything and everything you want. 

We had Panera for lunch.  Super duper!  We did more shopping after that and ended our day with tired legs and feet at Red Lobster.  That place is top 3 for both of us.  It was so nice to spend a day together just the 2 of us.  Before we had kids we would go to Iowa City and shop all the time...but now it NEVER happens..so this was a treat for us. Mom picked the boys up from Taylor for us when she got off work.  I figured that way Taylor wouldn't have them all day AND all night. 

While it was nice to have some time to ourselves...we were both SO ready to get home to the boys by the end of the night.  It seemed like the longest drive home ever.  We got stuck on the bridge too..and I about went crazy!  I wanted to see them so bad my anxiety was going crazy!  I'm sure most people would say this probably means I need to be away from them more often..but why?!  They'll be away from me enough when they get older.  For now - they're ALL MINE!  They were excited to see us too.  They both had BIG hugs for us.  Milo giggled all cute..he was so excited.  He wuvs his Mama!  Chase wouldn't take his finger out of his nose for the picture...Haha!

We unloaded our treasures and piled them on the couch when we got home.  The boys thought it was cool. 

We bought them both new shoes.  Chase ran up and down the hall trying his out.  Cuties!  : ) 

We finally got some throw pillows for our couch.  Josh has wanted some since we moved in.  Haha - it only took almost 5 years!  Josh had to try them out...and then his little mini me had to do the same thing.  : )  Love it! 

As far as I'm concerned we can make this a yearly tradition for our birthdays.  We'll still go out to eat on my birthday or something small..but this was our "gift" to each other.  We enjoyed ourselves...and enjoyed our smiling babies when we got home too.  Perfect day! 

Squeezies

Whoever invented these things (we refer to them as squeezies in our house) is a genius!  Chase and Milo both love them.  We recently started buying them again because they're great for Milo's stage where he wants to feed himself.  Fun and nutritional snack.  Why couldn't I have been the first to think of these?!  Haha.

Disappointment

So there was this lady selling fall wreaths and other awesome fall decorations down at the stands at Grape Fest.  I REALLY really wanted a wreath that she had...but it was freaking $45 so I just couldn't.  BUT as soon as we got home I got on youtube and watched a little video on how to make them.  OH MY GOODNESS - It looked like the easiest thing ever.  I was excited!  Next trip to Burlington I stopped at Hobby Lobby and got all the supplies I would need and it only cost me around $15.  Sweet!  I got busy and made it as soon as I got home.  I whipped it up really fast and loved the results.  I think it turned out pretty stinkin' cute for my first one.  I was convinced I would make one for every season for my front door.  The big moment finally came to hang it on the front door...and then - THE FREAKING DOOR WOULDN'T SHUT!!  It is too big to fit in between my screen door and my front door!  Grr...I was so disappointed!  So, for now it is hanging on the inside of my door where not many people see it.  I haven't decided if I'm going to keep it, give it to someone, or donate it to the fall dinner.  Josh thinks I should make them and sell them.  It is a thought.  I didn't mind doing it and I would get better at it as I make more.  Anyways..I think they're fun and pretty.  I'll be doing these sorts of projects all winter to occupy myself. 

Daddy's Birthday

Well..for the first time in 8 years I didn't see my hubby on the day of his birthday.  The boys gave him big hugs and kisses before he left for work the day before his birthday.  I stuck a card from me and a card from the boys in his bag and told him he had to open them on the morning of his birthday..just like he would if he was at home.  I shed a tear because I knew I wouldn't see him at all on his big day.  It really wasn't a huge deal but it just made me sad and feel bad.  He works so hard for us.  I love him for that.  (and much more..)

So anyways..the day AFTER his birthday - he was home...and I made him some 'foody favorites'.  We had Ruth and Taylor come over for supper and join us.  I made chicken bombs, Aunt Helens rice, steamed brocolli, cresent rolls and cookie dough ice cream cake.  All are some of Josh's favorites.  I tried to spoil him the best I could.  He gobbled it all down, of course.  Happy birthday to my hubby!  Love you! 

Me Too!

Josh and Chase will get under the blankets and play.  Milo has recently started not letting them forget about him.  He'll go over and pull the blanket up and peek in there with a huge smile on his face.  He is definitely wanting to be a big boy already.  He doesn't miss a thing!

Supper Time Fun

We were having something Mexican for supper and had sliced back olives on the table to use as a topping.  Chase decided to stick one on the end of his finger and thought it was pretty cool.  He went to eat it off his finger and unexpectedly really loud I shouted "NO DON'T EAT YOUR FINGER!" right as he was putting it in his mouth.  Oh boy..that really got them laughing!!  I even caught Josh off guard.  Haha.  We repeated this until the bowl of olives was gone.  It was so fun.  I love hearing those contagious giggles! 

Copying Daddy.

Awww...Milo has become a little lover boy too.  I love it!

Big

I have started putting shoes on Milo all the time now since he is walking.  It is crazy how much just putting a pair of shoes on him made him look grown up.  He has some chunky little feet on him so shoes aren't the easiest to put on..but we manage.  : )

Bye Bye Bottle

Milo hasn't had any bottles for about 3 weeks now.  Crazy that my baby is this old.  : (  We are down to only nursing a few times a day...other than that he just has cups.  He has done really well giving up the bottles...and we're getting there with the nursing.  He still likes to do it I think as a comfort thing more than anything.  I am having a hard time letting go of it too because I feel like he really won't be a baby anymore then.  I do know though that it will only get harder the longer I hold on to it so I will break the cycle eventually.  For now though...we're taking it a day at a time.  I am just trying to adore every moment of him being a "baby" that there is left. 

The Best Of It

Josh was tied up at the hotel in Burlington - so the boys and I went up and had lunch with him.  I dropped Chase off at the hotel with Josh for a bit while Milo and I made a run to Hobby Lobby and then we got Wendy's and went to Perkins Park to eat and play a bit.  Chase had fun at "Daddy's house".  Haha.  That's what he called the hotel.  Pretty funny! 

I love that I caught a natural smile of his.  : )

It was gorgeous out.  I love this time of year.  This lifestyle may have its struggles at times but we make the best of it when we can. 

Mickey

Chase brought his little Mickey Mouse figure outside with him while we were playing one evening.  He was swinging for a while and then I told him he should take Mickey on the slide.  He climbed right up the ladder and put Mickey on his lap and went down.  When he got off the slide I asked him if Mickey liked it and he said "Uh huh".  Then he paused and looked at Mickey's face and said "see Mom...laughin'" as he pointed at Mickey's face.  Haha!  So stinking cute!!  I absolutely love watching him and his imagination!  This moment made my day!

Walk Big Boy

Chase asks us to "walk big boy" when we go on walks now.  He does so well.  He listens well MOST of the time and stays on the side of the road and stops when we say to.  One evening when just the boys and I walked he jogged all the way from Moms house down around the temple and back without even acting like it phased him.  Crazy!  He gets his little arms up and swinging while he runs too...cute!  Anyways..this was one of the first nights letting him walk.  We worked with him especially that night at the corners and showed him the stop signs and how to look both ways.  He caught on really quick. 

Towards the end of our walk Chases legs got tired so he wanted to ride in the stroller.  Josh stuck Milo on his shoulders so Chase could ride a minute.  Milo was loving it if you can't tell!  I love the expression of pure joy on his little face and how his sweet little hands are holding on to Daddy.  So perfect!! 

Apparently the walk wore the boys out... : ) 

Nights like these are the special little times just the 4 of us I want to always remember.  Simple but special. 

Freedom

Now that Milo can walk really well I have been letting him roam around in the back yard when we're out there.  He LOVES it!  This was the first day he was free to roam.  He looks so cute and tiny in the big yard.  : )

After wandering around a while he eventually found the sand box.  First he sat down next to it and reached in to feel it.  Then of course he had to taste it...haha! 

He stood up and got brave and slowly but surely put one foot in..and then the other.  He was stinking proud of himself for getting in there and kept looking at me like he was waiting for me to tell him no no.  I loved watching his face while he felt it and played in it..he was really curious about it.  He was having some fun! 

Grape Fest Weekend 2013

We decided this year to use some of Josh's vacation days for Grape Fest.  We both really like the activity in town that weekend.  We went to a yard sale early Friday morning and "scored" this stroller - or so we thought.  We thought it'd be great but as we used it we realized we hated it.  So - it'll be in the next yard sale that we have, I guess.  Anyways..we went down Friday night to the carnival.  We were pretty excited to see how Chase would do on the rides.  It was his first time. 

We bumped into Owen when we got down there and he was SUCH a trooper and went on the little kid rides with Chase.  We didn't even have to ask him to or anything!  It worked out awesome.  I'm not sure how Chase would have done if he had to do it alone right at first.  The first one he wanted to do was the motorcycle.  He LOVED it! 

I thought he looked so cute and small standing in line with his tickets in hand.  : )  My boy is growing up!

He loved the choo choo too. 

He wanted to go on the roller coaster one but he wasn't big enough.  This upset him a lot.  : (  We felt bad because he didn't understand. 

Milo stretching his tiny legs with Aunt Ness : )

It took lots of convincing..but we finally got Chase to go on the big slide with Daddy.  He ended up loving it just like we knew he would. 

Grandma and Grandpa got to come down and watch the kiddos for a while and go to the beer tent and see Uncle Mikes band play.  Nice to see them get to do something. 

We ended the night with one last ride on the motorcycles.  Now that we know he likes the rides and isn't scared of them..we'll definitely be buying the arm band next year instead of tickets. 

We had our dose of carny food and then headed home.  We decided we'd have it once and not feel bad about it..but only once.  Yum!

Saturday morning was the grape stomp bright and early.  This 5k was my "goal".  I did the couch to 5k program to get ready for it.  I was nervous as crap because I am far from being a real runner and I didn't want to look stupid.  I hate doing things in front of people.  This was actually a bigger thing to me than I tried to show.  I conquered some inner fears/mental blocks this day as well. 

I made it!  I didn't run the whole thing..but I knew I wouldn't.  My goal was to run more than I walked...and I definitely did that, by far.  It was smoking hot that day too so to even have done that I felt good about. 

My boys were all there.  Chase ran and gave me a big hug when he saw me.  : )  Loved that!

Michelle was down there with Zoey.  She is such a pretty little thing!

Newpher got 1st place in his age group.  Good job!

After the race we went over to walk through the flea market.  Mom and Owen came with us.  One of the first stands had these blow up toys.  He said we were his first customers of the day so he'd sell us 2 for $5.  It was their lucky day.  I let Chase and Owen pick out what they wanted.  Funny choices.  Haha : ) 

Haha - Chase liked giving batman hugs.  Batman didn't last even 24 hours.  His head was popped off before the night was up.  Oh well...

We went home and got showered up cooled off for a while until it was time to go up town for the pet parade. 

It was short and sweet. 

Owen walked with the scouts. 

Chase caught right on to the candy thing.  : )  He was cute watching pick it up and sticking it in his bag. 

That afternoon we went home and vegged.  My body felt like jello from the 5k and it was super duper hot outside..so we were content to just relax.  I puttered on some crafty projects and Josh played some video games while the boys napped.  We were both in really goofy moods.  We laughed more that day than we had in a LONG time.  Chase even thought we were funny after he woke up too.  It was fun to be fun.  : )  Felt so good to laugh that much. 

Sunday we met Ryan and Alisha down by the car show right as it was starting.  This purple car was my favorite one there...mostly just because it was purple. 

We followed our tradition and got shaved ice at the car show.  Our boys are liking this tradition already.  Chase slurped his right up and Milo didn't let us forget about giving him some either! 

Zane and Emily liked them too. 

After the car show we all headed back up town to Mom and Dads.  Ryan and Alisha joined us and came there too.  As usual Mom had food all fixed up for everyone.  We chowed down and then walked up the street to watch the parade. 

Milo got excited about a few of them.  He'd sit right up and make cute faces and noises.  So cute! 

These 3 didn't miss a piece of candy! 

Mom and Dad watched the parade with us too.  The parade gets shorter and shorter every year..kind of sad. 

Colista brought their new ice cream maker to town and we had homemade grape ice cream after the parade.  It was freaking awesome!  I could've eaten the whole container..Im pretty sure.  Haha. 

Milo liked it too.  : )

We all sat around Mom and Dads and visited and hung out a while.  We got some fun smiles out of Harley.  I love the family all just hanging out like this.  It's fun to me.  I was glad Ryan and Alisha were comfortable enough to hang out too. 

We took Chase down to see the stunt show...but we shouldn't have bothered.  It was over with before it was even supposed to start..and it was not worth watching.  Looked more dangerous and stupid than impressive.  Oh well..now we know. 

We ended the weekend with 20 minutes of alone time.  We hadn't had any alone time all weekend - which was fine because we were having fun with our boys and family and that is what it is all about to us - but we decided to take just a few minutes to ourselves at the very end.  We left the boys at Grandma's and took a little bike ride.  It was the perfect "wrap" to the weekend. 

Grape fest 2013 was fun.  We choose to make the best of what Grape fest has to offer every year and make it fun.  I love it personally.  Until next year...