Latest Sayings

Landon is my rule-follower.  I am not sure if this is true of all oldest children, but he is always very sure to follow the rules, and he worries if he ever thinks he or anyone else is doing something "against the rules."  The other night, when Shane was gone at the church, the boys and I went outside after dinner to play some soccer in the backyard.  Landon and Davis each had a soccer ball, and they ran from one side of the yard to the other, kicking their ball and scoring goals.  Davis, while playing pretty good, would every once in awhile use his hands to move the ball in a better position for kicking a goal if he was having a hard time getting it there.  Landon was sure to quickly let him know that was against the rules.

Eventually, Landon became so frustrated with Davis doing this that he decided to go play some basketball instead.  Davis soon followed, and for a few minutes, they each had a basketball and shot a few baskets.  Landon decided to go back to soccer, so he got his soccer ball and started kicking it up and down the field again.  Davis of course soon decided to go back to soccer too, but for some reason, he decided to use his basketball to play soccer with.  Instead of getting upset with Davis, Landon exclaimed, "Davis, that's great!  Now you can use your hands because that's a basketball!"  Davis was thrilled, and they were able to play soccer for quite a bit longer without Landon getting upset that Davis was breaking the rules.  :)

Davis lately is very interested in his age.  Last month, I told him that he had turned 3 1/2, and since then, he always tells us and everyone that he is 3 1/2.  He likes to show me how big is muscles are, how far he can jump, how high he can jump, and how fast he can run since he is now 3 1/2.  The second day he went to preschool, my friend Jenn picked him up to drive him there.  As soon as he got in the car, he told her, "Jenn, I was just eating lunch and I turned 3 1/2!"  (He also regularly mixes up all meals, frequently thanking Heavenly Father for dinner when saying the breakfast prayer, etc.)

He often talks about turning four, and that someday he will be six like Landon.  A few days ago, Landon and Davis were playing around with some binoculars.  They each had a pair, and when Davis looked at Landon through the binoculars, he exclaimed, "Wow Landon.  You're HUGE!  You are seven now!"

And, just so I don't break any of my brother David's blogging rules, here's a quick picture of the boys eating a snack after their naps.

First Day of 1st Grade (Sep. 6) and Preschool (Sep. 8)

It’s official.  My boys are growing up!  Landon started first grade, and Davis started preschool two-days a week.  Landon has adjusted well to going to school all day, although I miss him not getting home until 3:00!  He has a great teacher and he’s excited for each day.  He especially likes riding the bus home, because he gets to sit by one of his good friends from Kindergarten who is in a different first grade class. 

Davis started Tuesday/Thursday preschool at the same school Landon went to, and he has the same teacher.  He has been excited to go so far, and besides his good friend Eve, he is making other friends in the class too.  His favorite parts of preschool so far are snacks and the playground. 

Davis and Eve on their first day

Baby James

I know I shouldn’t call him Baby James anymore.  He is growing up so fast!  I never really posted about James on his birthday, or got any one year pictures of him.  Stacey, who is always so amazing, took a few quick shots of him as we left the aquarium last week.  It’s amazing what she can do in five minutes!  I am so spoiled to have her around and willing to take such great pictures of my kids.  Here are some of my favorites of James right now:

               

James is such a fun boy and we love having him in our family.  Landon and Davis love having him around, and he follows them around the house.  He gets excited to see them wake up in the morning, or to see Landon get home from school every day.  He also gets really excited at any animal he sees, especially dogs, and likes to scream and even shake out of excitement when he sees them.  Like all my boys, he loves to play ball and to push cars around, and somehow knows how to make car noises without any prompting from us.  He can say a few words – mama, dada, ruff, ruff (for dog or any animal), mmmm (for food), choo choo, and shzzz for shoes.  He lately has been trying to jump, bending his knees and then lifting up fast.  He still has yet to leave the ground, but he thinks it’s pretty cool.  We love having our baby James – or now toddler James – in our family.  Thanks again for the pictures Stacey!

Labor Day Weekend

Several months ago, there was a groupon deal for the Newport Aquarium.  Stacey called and asked if we would want to do it with her, so we bought passes for our families.  My parents decided to join in too, buying a pass for them also.   After our busy summers, we decided the best time to go would be Labor Day weekend.  Jake, Stacey, and family drove up with my parents on Friday evening.  Jake even loaded his bike in the car so that he and Shane could go on a long bike ride to train for their century ride in October.  True to fashion, we crammed our Saturday so full of activities we hardly had time to sit down.  The boys started on their ride, then Stacey, Mom, Kallie, James, and I went to Woodburn to the outlet stores while the boys stayed here and went bike shopping for my dad. 

After we got home, we watched the BYU game, and Shane, Landon, and I went to a baptism of a good friend in our ward.  We barbecued some delicious kabobs when we got home, then Stacey and I drove out to Ikea for a late evening shopping trip.  I needed a few small things, and Stacey wanted to get some frames.  While I was there, I saw the bed I have been wanting for four years on sale from $399 to $99!  I called Shane (we had just brought our Accord since we weren’t getting big stuff), and he put the seats down in the van and met us out there to bring it home.  He got there just a few minutes after they closed, so Stacey and I enjoyed some ice cream cones while we waited!

We relaxed on Sunday and tried to stay cool in the heat. The kids had fun playing together in the backyard and going on a walk after dinner.

              The kids all trying to squeeze on the slide together in the backyard (pics by Stacey)

  

Everyone relaxing in the backyard after enjoying some peach and marionberry pie.

 

James found someone’s abandoned bowl of ice cream!

Then Monday, we got up early and drove to Newport.  We enjoyed a yummy lunch at Mo’s (although I still think the best thing is to stick to the clam chowder there.  I haven’t been impressed with much else).  We then went to the aquarium, and the kids had fun seeing all the different fish and ocean life.

All the kids sitting on the Walrus outside.

 

The kids looking at the sea lions and otters, and looking at the puffins.  They all were laughing and really liked the sea lions and otters because they would swim right up to their window, flip around, then swim back, over and over again.

 

            

One of the neat things about the aquarium is the big tunnels you get to walk through, with fish swimming above and below you.  The kids really liked these tanks, and you can even see Davis lying on the ground in the picture below to see the fish swim underneath us. (above left by Stacey)

    

At the end of the aquarium, they have this area with sea animals to climb on.  You can tell in the above left picture taken by Stacey that Davis was not too comfortable when the three of them squished onto a turtle together!

It was a fun day, even if we didn’t make it to play in the ocean!

Goodbye Summer, Aloha School!

Our friends invited us over the Thursday before school started for a back-to-school Luau.  On top of the cake, she had the words “Goodbye Summer.  Aloha school!”  Even though one or the other of us was sick through all the month of August (and still lingering into September), we managed to do a few fun things before the carefree summer days were gone.

OMSI:

While we were at the coast this year, one of the groupon type websites up here had a deal for an OMSI membership.  Unfortunately, they were sold out by the time we got internet access again, but our generous friends invited us to join them as their guests on their membership.  The boys loved seeing the rockets launch, playing Connect 4 by controlling the huge robot arms, shaking in the earthquake simulation house, and most of all, playing in the ball room.

  

Synder Park:

One of our other friends introduced us to this park in Sherwood.  It has a great playground with lots of unique and fun play equipment.  It also has a fun sand area with a little river area.  The kids had fun playing on the play equipment and playing with their friends.

         

James:

One morning, while getting ready for church, James walked in with this hat on his head.  He wore it around for about half an hour, adjusting it every once in awhile. 

 

That’s all for now.  More later on Labor Day weekend and back to school!