Apples, Pumpkins, and Uncle Andy

Well we have had a busy week and looking forward to a quiet weekend. Quiet will not be the word I will use after the weekend I am sure with Payton and Braxton.

Uncle Andy came into town last week to spend sometime and to go to the Bears game with Jeff. We got to spend all day Saturday together and I decided to go to Curtis Orchard and walk to the pumpkin patch and get some yummy apples. We had fun walking to the pumpkin patch and the boys loved picking out pumpkins. We also had to get the apple donuts to take home. Here is one of my favorite pictures.

The boys continue to amaze me. Payton is enjoying school and I got a calendar from his school to get us ready for kindergarten. I say "US" because I think it will be harder on his dad and I to have him go all day then it will be on him. He is getting the necessary speech therapy and he is talking none stop. He is in love with storm troopers and clone war. He loves the house now that we have been in it officially 4 months. He is a great kid.

Braxton, well what can I say about Braxton. He is hyper and keeps Jeff and I on our toes. He loves to ride his tricycle and loves to help with everything. He loves to push our buttons which we are not use to. He loves batman and anything that his brother is into. When he gets in trouble he always ask for someone that is not there. So if I tell him not to do something or tell him to stop he will say " I want to see ____?" Mostly it is papa, mama and cousin Jacob. He is fun to be around. He is definetly an attention getter.

I was telling Grandma Lopez that I felt a switch was turned on Braxton. He use to be so loving and easy going and listened very well but then he turned into a button pushing kid. I am amazed on how much he talks and in reality we are doing the terrible twos for the first time. When Payton was this age was not talking but a few words and was very shy and would keep to himself. We later figured out why and now he has come out of his shell. But Braxton is the complete opposite. I took him to the grocery store the other day and he had to say HI to everyone and even asked a lady "what are you doing" When she said she was working then he asked WHY? He never stops talking which is great but we just weren't use to it and were not ready for it. Yes Payton is consider a special needs kid due to his verbal apraxia but he was so easy at 2 and Braxton is the complete opposite. One may think that I am picking on Braxton and I am not I am so glad that they boys are completely different and love their personalities but I think as parents we were not expecting such a difference between the boys. Braxton is a typical 2 year old and we love it. WE LOVE OUR BOYS!

I hope to update the blog more this weekend if I am able too. Hope you enjoy the blog. It is fun to do when we have time.

Grandpa Ron

Today we remember and celebrate the life of Grandpa Ron. This would have marked his 60th birthday. We love and miss you!

Mid September

Well we have had a productive September at the house. I have a list of things we need to get done and they are actually getting done.

We got the kitchen done and I am so glad that we did. It looks great. Pictures to follow I hope.

Payton loves his school and that is great because we were a little worried.

Jeff is having problems due to the Bears losing to the Packers last night and Urlacher being out for the season.

Braxton is really showing his true personality and we are loving every minute.

Grandma Marj came to visit and we had a great visit. Thank you for spending time with us.

Happy September!

We had a great start to the month. Why you ask? Because I turned 30 yesterday. It was a great day and I appreciate all of the birthday wishes/presents. The weather has been terrific and I am so glad we get a three day weekend. Don't think that we are going to sit and relax we are going to paint the kitchen/dining room and put new flooring down in the dining room and get rid of the carpet. YEAH, since Braxton is always spilling things.

Well that is all for now. I will take before and after pictures and hopefully post on Monday.

School

Well school started for Payton yesterday and I think Jeff and I were more nervous then Payton on how it would go down. Well we got a morning routine down and I took personal time so I could walk him to school. Just love that we are only a block away for the grade school. We all walked to the school and went downstairs to see Payton's room for the first time. We met one of the aids name Eva and she was super nice. Payton put his new storm tropper backpack in his spot and walked with us into the classroom. We said goodbye and he kissed and hugged us and we left. We had more problems with Braxton wanting to stay. We hope Braxton keeps this attitude for years. First day was a success. Thank you Payton for being the sweet and making the transition for Mommy and Daddy so easy.

Friday night...

Well it s Friday night and Braxton is in bed and Payton is downstairs with daddy. I decided to type and just type about how thankful I am for my family but most of all the unconditional love that Payton and Braxton show. As a parent I have made bad choices and have yelled when I should of hugged or laughed when I should of cried(if you are parent you completely understand) but no matter what my boys always have unconditional love. Children are a true blessing from above.

Yeah for hot weather.

Well it was an extremely hot this pass weekend here and for the first time we had summer type weather. I guess we were due. Here is what has been happening...

On August 7th we celebrated CoCo's first birthday. We really got lucky because she has been a great puppy and the kids just love her.

On August 8th marked Braxton being 2 1/2 years old. Can you believe it?

Well Jeff, Payton and Pops took a road trip to go and see Grandma Marj in Wisconsin. It was the first time that Payton has been away from me and yes I cried when he left. The had a fabulous time in Wisconsin and brought back two Lazy Boy recliners that Marj was so nice to give us.

So you may ask what did Braxton and I do while they were up north....Well we went to the St Joe fair and had fun and also had some mom and son time shopping at the local farmers market. It was wonderful.

Well now we are back to normal other than me not getting the wallpaper off the walls in the kitchen/dining room. We have picked out the paint color and my goal is still to paint before I leave on my birthday trip. Well I need to get it done. I will have to take pictures of before and after. It is going to be great.

Well that is all for now.