Having "a Ball" on Father's Day

In 2 more days we leave for San Diego, which means we won't be here for Father's Day. So we decided to recognize the first of the 3 "fathers" in our family a little early-my dad! We thought it would be nice, (and by nice I mean less stressful) if we hung out at his house and went swimming instead of taking the 3 troglodites to a restaurant.) Some days are just made for the sounds of babies swimming, the smells of the grill cooking and and the tastes of lots of yummy foods! You gotta love Arizona! This top picture really reminded me how difficult it is nowadays to take a "group" picture. They just don't like to sit still anymore! But there they are, in all their glory! Ethan, as usual has opted not to wear shoes. They are wearing their "I love Grandpa shirts" which you really can't even see. Oh well!

Grampy Sam and Hunter

and Ethan

And Colton

Soon as we got to my dad's house, we put on our swim diapers and our BRAND NEW bathing suits which arrived in the mail only an hour before this. Nana and Papa Bunch wanted to make sure the babies looked stylish on the beach so they sent 2 bathing suits and swim shirts for each of the babies! Thanks a BUNCH, Nana and Papa! As you can see, they fit great and look adorable! And then, we headed for the pool!

Before you continue reading and make the assumption that Colton is the favorite child because their are way more pictures of him than the other babies, let me explain. It's pretty much this simple-Ethan and Hunter totally loved the water! They loved swimming, splashing, jumping, etc. So they were off having fun in the big pool. Colton on the other hand decided that he is in fact, not a water baby. I don't know if he was just cold or scared but he did not want to be away from the step. So it was just easier to take pictures of the kid on the step. And go ahead. I challenge you to figure out what Colton's "security item" was for the day. Because I kid you not, he NEVER let it go for more than a few seconds!

Brian and Colton (and the ball)

My Dad and Hunter Olivia

Me & Colton (and the ball), My dad and Hunter, Brian and Ethan

Me and Colton (yep...and the ball)

Hunter has no fear. She was just loving the water! Grampy Sam let her hold on to the pool noodle!

Let's try floating Colton...(with your ball, of course)

Again. There is a reason I do not take the babies to have professional photos taken.

Ethan wants to be back in the pool. Hunter wants out of the pool. Colton just doesn't want anyone to take away his ball.

They may be wiggly, but I sure do think they're cute. :)

Like Mother, like daughter

Classic Uncle Emilio :) If he wasn't checking game scores, he was telling me to let go of Hunter in the water just to "see what happens." Sure! Easy to suggest when it's someone else's kid! (But in case you're wondering, I did it. I let go. She is getting really good at going underwater. Really didn't freak out this time. :)

Aunt Mary, Colton and the ball.

Surprise! He's still got the ball!

Do you taste yummy, Mr. Ball?

Reluctantly, he left the side of the pool to give actual swimming a try. He did really well as long as he had, well, you know, the ball.

This is a relatively new face he makes. Such a goober!

Aunt Mary and Uncle Emilio

Me and Ethan...swimming makes me sleepy, Mom.

Hooray! No more swimming! Let's go back to Grampy's! I'll carry the ball. SHOCKER!!

Emilio and Hunter snacking..

This was our lovely dinner patio table!

And my dad got the babies those "Limited Edition" Denim Diapers from Huggies! SO cute! Why don't they always make diapers this cute?

And that my friends, was our evening! Everyone had a great time and walked away with FULL bellies. You can never go wrong with that! Thanks for having us over, Dad!

Sortin' Laundry & Other Bunchkin Adventures

I'm sure I've said it before. I HATE that the babies are growing up so fast, and yet, the older they get, the more fun they are. I was thinking about blogging the other day and how I so often blog about "big" events or really momentous occasions, when there are so many day-to-day things that happen that make me smile.

For instance, Colton has learned how to blow raspberries. Really well actually! (Which is particularly impressive as a child who had a cleft lip repair, apparently.) And he loves to wear a sweat band on his head. (Pictures below). Why? Who knows? But he loves it. He'll keep in on till ya take it off him! He even went to Target wearing it the other day. Now there's a sight to behold...

Hunter signs "more" and "thank you" (her accuracy is not quite 100% but she's learning!)

All three babies are getting really good at standing...Hunter in particular finds the whole "standing" thing nothing more than a game. Holding her by the waist, I say "Ready?" Both of her arms go straight up in the air (for balance I presume) and then she smiles as big as she can smile and stands for 1...2...3...4...5...6...and right about the time I get to 6, she is cracking up so much and she falls forward as I catch her. (We got to 12 the other day but not again). My dad was visiting the other day and watched Hunter's olympic "standing game" in action. He can attest to just how funny she is!

Ethan has recently become a picky, picky eater. Rather than eat, he simply drops food, one morsel at a time, right over the side of his high chair for Piper the dog, then peers over the side and watches as she slurps it up. I don't care how annoyed I get, it's darn funny!

And biting...dear god, why all the biting? Hunter is the worst. (Yet she ONLY bites Ethan, never Colton.) She is a hair pulling biter!! Poor Ethan has bruised teeth marks on his face, arms, and legs. I guess it's kinda good that he's biting her back now?? Maybe they'll both learn to stop!! Anyway, just some thoughts I had the other day about growing up. What fantastic Littles I live with!

So anyway, if you know me, then you know my favorite chore is............ VACUUMING! And my least favorite chore is............. LAUNDRY! So finally, 14 months later my kids have decided to start earning their keep and helping out a little. So on this particular evening, they decided to help me sort the (clean) laundry. (which makes the whole scenario even that much more awesome.) Such good helpers they are.

So this is how I choose to live. I know I always blog about funny, positive things, giving the impression that I think my life is always so dandy. My life is often chaotic, but I choose not to be bothered by it. For instance, upon seeing this sight below, one has two choices: 1.) Freak out, yell and get everyone riled up and crying or 2.) Laugh and thank the littles for their help, then clean it up a little later. I will almost always choose option 2. I mean really? Life is too short...and this is funny.

Never leave the wild animals unattended. :)

Hmm...maybe she's looking for a diaper in that basket. :) Be honest, did you even notice she wasn't wearing one? Best part is that she JUST peed on the floor moments before this! I of course grabbed the camera first and a new diaper second. :)

I love this shot of the pajamas flying out of Colton's hand...off with you jammies!

Trouble finds another friend...Ethan wants in on this action I guess.

"Mom, why are you standing on the couch taking our picture?"

So no, my life is far from perfect. But it is fun. Crazy, tiring, busy, but always fun.

Here he is! Now you decide....Andre Agassi? The Karate Kid? Rambo? So many options...

The only cupboards they are allowed to play in. And they do. All day long. They are so good at it, that Hunter can actually crawl in and push ALL the tupperware out. Awesome.

Colton checking out the new cooler we got. Hunterella the princess is wondering why she can't get in. Um, sorry Hunter. You might bite him if I let you in there with your brother. (And do you see that attitude she's got all over that little face? SHE IS ME!! ONLY SMALLER!)

What a sweet kid...typically stays out of trouble...

trouble like.... emptying the dog AND cat food bowls AND the water bowl and eating and playing in it all. BUSTED!

So it's not the sweat band, but Colton has a new fascination with the green ring portion of their toddler dinner plates. He has figured out that it fits perfectly on his head! So he'll play for a good half hour or more with the darn thing! Seriously! These kids are funny!

He is so proud of himself!

And here is Hunter's crab crawl. She does this when she crawls on: grass, rough mats, hot bricks, etc.

My boys..Colton on the left, Ethan on the right.

My chubby legged boys

And this picture of Ethan is one of my all time favorites. First of all, don't judge me. Yeah, my child is happily planted in front of Mick.ey Mouse Club.house (or any other cartoon) enjoying the few minutes that he is the only baby awake. For Ethan, THIS is Heaven!

I hope you enjoyed some of our random adventures...More pics to come! In the meantime, thanks for reading!