Just a Quick Note

Not much is going on in our lives. A lot of the same ol' same ol'.
Things are progressing quickly with Jake's school application process.
The boys are growing so quickly. We were looking at videos and pictures the other day. That was a flash from the past. Most of them were only 6 months ago. The boys have changed so much in such a short time.
Xander's hair isn't red peach fuzz anymore. It has started to turn dark and very coarse. Sob, I wanted my red head.
He is really exercising his vocal cords and has begun to talk a lot. Him and Kaleb have great conversations. They compete to see who can screech louder.
He is showing a lot of interest in feeding himself. I am not ready for this stage, again.
Kaleb learns new words everyday. Daddy taught him a new one last night. It has quickly become a favorite. In fact he took great delight in shouting it during church "pee-pee!" Thanks for that one daddy. It might have been "big boy". They sound very similar.
Another funny church story. Sitting in Sacrament Meeting I kept noticing Kaleb had a major crack problem. I finally realized, he had no diaper on! I know he did at one point. It was finally discovered in his pant leg. That could have been a disaster!
I haven't been able to get a recent picture. He is very active. All pictures of him turn out fuzzy and don't work.
Life is still going as well as it can.

4th of July and Some

I haven't written very much lately. I just find it so boring with no pictures to go with the stories. I have three rolls of film I hope to get developed sooner than later.
A breakdown of this month...
Wednesday June 30th was Kaleb's 2nd birthday. It's hard to believe we have a two year old. Time went by so fast.
Kaleb has always been such a sweet boy full of love. We haven't experienced much of the "terrible two's"
He love hugs and snuggling. Love books and music. We gave him a book for his birthday "Cars and Trucks & Things that Go" by Richard Scary. It was one of Jake's favorites when he was a tyke. But he is really stuck on the books "Go, Do, Go" and "Where the Wild Things Are" I admit that I usually end up hiding them by late afternoon.
He is talking a lot more. If only we could understand half the things he's trying to tell us! There is so much communication going on, I love it!
He is good at praying. Folds his little hands together and says "Amen!"
If there was an ideal "perfect" two year old, I think Kaleb is the winner.
I love watching he and Xander play together. They love making each other laugh, and love chasing one another. Yes, they have their squabbles over toys, and general space, but, for the most part they like each other.
We got rid of Kaleb's pacifier on July 1st. Up to this point he only had it in his crib but we decided it was time to completely make it disappear. He didn't seem to care. There was very little fusing about it. Kind of reminds me of him weaning. I guess cold turkey works well with Kaleb. He still sleeps with his favorite cow Phil.
I love this two year old. I feel so blessed to be his mom!
Here he is covering for daddy at work.
He somehow got the grapes out of the fridge. At least he was nice enough to share with Xander. Every once in a while he would put one in Xander's mouth, or roll one across the floor to his brother.

Back to the birthday boy. We had a party on Saturday the 26th. A few friends joined us at the beach. I'll share more of that once I get pictures.
We didn't do much for Kaleb's birthday. Again, I'll share more once I get pictures.

Independence Day!
We went to a friends house (in the ward) for a BBQ. We went last year too. They invite all their family and friends. It was quite the crowd.
I was especially grateful to not be pregnant this year! Last year I still remember being 7 month pregnant and carrying a watermelon down the street. That was quite that site!
This year I only had to carry one watermelon.
Hot dogs, hamburgers, and salads and all sorts of foods. We just hung around chatting with all our friends, and eating too much food until fireworks at 9:15. The city put on a nice 20 minute show. This was the boys first firework show. Xander was shaking and a bit whiny but I think it had a lot to do with him being over tired, he actually fell asleep half way through. How could he sleep through that noise!?
Kaleb sat enthralled on Jake's lap. Couldn't take his eyes off the sky. He had aglow stick that he bit a hole in and it dripped on his pajamas. He was radioactive with his glow spots! :-)
The boys did so well being up so late. They were asleep as soon as their heads were laid down on their mattresses.

(thank you to Seth Estrada for taking pictures)

Jake had the day off on Monday. Other plans fell through so we went for a drive to Solvang. More about that, again, once I get those pictures.

Jake is getting paperwork submitted for school. We have some tentative moving plans in the works.
For now, life just goes on about the same every day.

I say this a lot. But, I feel so truly blessed to spend my days with these boys!
Story about this picture. We went with Jake to the church yesterday. It was an excuse to get the boys out. Figured we would play on the grass while Jake was in his meeting. The first thing Kaleb did was find a patch of dirt and start throwing it "rock! rock!" This guy loves dirt and loves rocks.

It hasn't always been easy with me being a stay at home mom. Let me tell you, we sure could use the extra income a second job would provide. I am so grateful for the sacrifices Jake makes to let me be a full time caregiver to some of the most amazing boys I know. I am so grateful that I have the best job in the world!