What Have We Been Up To?!?!

We've been a little busy since the kids had their birthdays! I know its only been a couple of months, but I figured I'd update with some fun things we've done.
We listened to a lot of music! I love that my kids both really enjoy music...singing, dancing, playing - they love it all!

We played a lot as well. How can you not smile, when you see the pure joy on a child's face?!

Kai practiced hard for his next belt test (which was back in January)

And, he passed with flying colors!! He is now an Orange Dragon!

We also watched Kai compete in his first tournament - doing all solo events, no demo team.

Yes, he did get to wear his cape! I really debated, but Troy was just so excited that he wanted to compete that he didn't care about the cape. I know you would think he is Superman, however, its a reversible cape with Batman on the other side. And because the Batman side is touching his back, that makes him Batman!! He is waiting for the music to start for his creative form.

He won GOLD!! They all won gold in his division, but I'm a nosy enough mom to actually look at the scores...he tied for first with one other boy.

He also won gold in Power Breaking! Basically they keep breaking boards (while gradually getting harder boards) until there is one boy left standing.

And they all "tied" for first in their breaking division. They get three boards to do whatever breaks they choose. Again, I looked and Kai actually did get the best scores. I know they do this so no one goes home crying - but I'm okay with winners and losers...thats life!

Back at home, Reese is still climbing on everything! She knows she can get away with almost anything if she gives me a cute pose! She's on top of the table here.

The kids and I went on a trip with my mom! They did pretty well in the car. We first went to Arizona to visit friends (although I missed all of mine).

Then we headed to California!

We stayed with my sister and her family...and their dog! Reese loved Daisy. The feeling was not mutual. But it was pretty cute that when Daisy growled at Reese, she growled back!!

We went to the park

I got to see my good, good friends!!! We were so tired in this picture!

And we went to the beach!!!!

Kai and Riley (Amanda's son) did a lot of this! Just playing in the sand.

WOW! Someone should cut Kai's hair!!

This was Reese's first time at the beach and she wasn't too sure at first.

(I love that you can see her curls in this pictures)

But as soon as she figured out how to walk in the sand, she was all over the place!

Amanda and her cute boy, Riley and my cutie pies and me!

Love, Love, Love the beach and that warm California sun!!

We were so pooped!! Kai rocked himself to sleep!

Reese was lucky enough to have her daddy snuggle with her!

So thats what we've been up to!

Kai

Kai recently had his birthday...my little man is 4 years old!! I can hardly believe its been four years that we've been blessed to have Kai in our family. He is so much fun and we can always count on him to make us laugh. He is quite the ham and we absolutely love him!!

I could go on and on about how great Kai is, but this blog isn't big enough! And I don't want to make anyone jealous. ;) My boy is AWESOME and I wouldn't change one thing about him!! Happy Birthday Kai...we love you tons!!!

Reese is One!

Reese Evelyn

Born December 25, 2008

8lbs 10oz 21in

One Month
Two Months
Three Months

Four Months

Five Months

Six Months

Seven Months

Eight Months

Nine Months

Ten Months

(and walking!)

Eleven Months

(Love that pucker!)

Twelve Months

(Girl LOVES her yogurt...lesson learned: no more playing in the fridge)

Happy Birthday Buttercup!!

Our Reeses is beyond fun to have in our family. She is always such a joy and a monster at the same time...but we wouldn't have it any other way. Her personality is larger than life and we are so excited to watch her learn and grow.

Sweet November

These pictures were taken just days before the snow got here! The kids had a blast playing in the leaves...I got a good work out raking them up three times. ;)

Busy October...

We started off the month with belt promotion testing at Taekwondo...Kai's first official testing!!! It was so cute to watch him test - and he did GREAT!! Every score he got was above an 8 (out of ten).

Proud Daddy!!
I was also super proud of Kai - its so fun that he is starting to do activities like this. Definitely growing out of being "my baby".

All three head instructors had their sons testing...pretty cute!

I also tested - just no pictures to prove it. You might notice the bright pink on my hand - its the new accessory for fall...I broke my hand doing my board break for my test (three nights before). Its my first ever broken bone - and will be my last!!! Not the funnest experience. Good news, I did break my board and no one knew I was even hurt until after my test was over - I waited to cry.

The kids, my mom, Tyler, Aubrey, Duncan and I went to Moab to support Wyatt's BIG race...24 hours of Moab. Wyatt's team KILLED their divison by a lap and 49 minutes - EXPERTS next year!!

My mom and Kai in his pajama pants - refused to get dressed, but I obviously didn't care that much.

Kai and me waiting for the race to start.

I was doing the dishes when I heard a loud crash - I followed the noise to the bathroom. Reese discovered that the bathtub is fun without water also! She is always trying to climb into the tub - we keep the doors shut now.

I "hired" Wyatt to remodel our bathroom. He has done an AMAZING job and I am so thankful to have him as my brother. Wyatt - YOU ROCK! If you want to hire him, let me know. ;)

Before - ugly, ugly, ugly (Wyatt had already ripped up the floor)

After - with beautiful tile.

Kai discovered how to save on water...pee off the back deck - no flushing! The toilet was not installed...however, Kai has tried this since then.

Reese is CLIMBING - AHHHHH!!!!

I love her face in this - Oh no...I got caught!

The computer table is a favorite to climb on.

Trying to climb through. I love her chubby legs!!

Climbing on top of stools - smart girl, getting closer to the fish (she loves to watch them).

Climbing in cupboards!

Reese is also walking!!! This is to show that she took 7 steps in a row - she is now walking a lot more than she is crawling.

Before Halloween I pulled out the big bucket of costumes for us to go through. Kai found my super woman costume from last year, when I was big pregnant. He wanted to be super-Kai for Halloween...

But he ended up being Spider-Kai (any surprise there?).

Kai has also started chores - don't know if its "too early". But he wanted to help out and so I jumped all over that!

We had quite a busy month - I also went up to Idaho to be with my mom for a couple of weeks. I had a great time up there with my family. I can hardly believe that its almost the middle of November...time starts flying at the end of the year!