Happy 3rd Birthday Cole!

It is SO hard to believe that our baby boy has turned three this month! I can remember a time...when Cole was a newborn...and Cayden only 14 months old at the time...it was a very difficult time for us as we adjusted to life with two small babies...but a very precious time as we welcomed a healthy, baby brother into our home. There were many days that we woke up thinking..."it HAS to get easier than this, it just has to!" And you know what...the Lord is faithful...and truly has guided our every path and led us to where we are today. It has gotten easier along the way...and I can honestly say that I wouldn't have had it any other way. I absolutely LOVE our boys being only 14 months apart. They share such a unique bond with each other that I know will only grow stronger as they get older. Cole has always been the mischevious child...keeping us on our toes, and making sure we are paying attention to him at all times. He is such a compassionate little guy, and cares so much about the happiness of others. There have been numerous times that his big brother has to sit in time out...well, Cole just sits in time out also, just to make sure Cayden isn't alone. And as most of you know...he is always up for some wrestling or rough-housing at the snap of a finger. He gives the best snuggliest hugs in the world, and is almost always the first one up in the morning to say, "The suns up mommy, did you sleep good?" :) Happy Birthday Coley...we love you so very much!

A Trip to the Apple Orchard

Last week, Cayden's class took a field trip out to the Apple Orchard. It was his first time to ever ride in a van, with eight other four year olds, and without a booster seat! Okay, so I was a little nervous about that! But, lucky me I got to ride with them! ha! The perks of teaching at your child's school I guess...:) He was SO excited to go on a field trip! We didn't get to pick any apples from the trees because of the late freeze last year, but the apples we did get were delicious! They also enjoyed a hay ride, learned a little about where honey comes from, and got to "free" the ladybugs! We had alot of fun. Cole was a little disappointed that his class didn't get to go, so I am pretty sure we'll be making another trip to the Apple Orchard soon. Cayden assured him that "when he turns 4 he can do big things like that...:))







Coley is doing awesome in his new class, too! One of his bestest buds is in his class so he is super excited when it's time to go to school! I included a few pics of Cole...just being Cole. He loves his Alli...and I'm sure she loves him just as much, right?

Cayden's 1st Soccer Game!!

Cayden had SO much fun playing in his first soccer game this past Saturday! 8:30am game on a Saturday morning is not exactly my idea of "fun" but he had a blast! He is becoming quite the little soccer player and really does an great job for only being 4 years old! I, along with one of my good friends, have volunteered to coach the soccer team (yes, even though I know nothing about soccer...I am learning). We have a great little team of 4 year olds, and great parents, too! That's always important...if you know what I mean...:) Hope you enjoy the pics...you can see that he is very focused when he's playing. ha! But, after playing two 6 minute quarters, he was begging to sit down and have a rest! :)

Goodbye to the "mimi"...aka the pacifier

Okay, so the "mimi" has been a VERY big part of Cole's entire life... I truly did not know if we would ever get that thing away from him. We tried a few months ago to take it away, but mom AND dad caved...we just weren't ready to make that lunge! BUT...God is good and given us LOTS of patience this time around! We "gave the mimi to the babies at the hospital" last week, and we have been mimi-free since! Cole has been SUCH a big boy about it, and has surprised Dean and I beyond measure with how smooth the transition went! There were only a few nights that were pretty rough...he was just plain MAD that he coudn't find one anywhere!!! I mean, really...there is always one under the bed...or under the couch...but NOPE! Not anymore! He still asks me why he can't have it though...and if I'd take him to the hospital to have his mimi "for just two minutes, mommy? Just two minutes then I can give it back..." =) Precious...but I am SO thankful to finally say that we did it!!!