August recap

Canada, Family Hike, First day of School for 2015-16 school year...we have had a fun month. Life is good. Jonathan started a new job YIPPPPEE!!!! Plugging along.

A few things I want to remember of late *4th of July family hike…finding a lost child *Tristans Jujitsu progress. Hes doing so amazing and Im so proud of him *Tristan and Johnny. This summer will go down as the cousin summer. Hes abandoned all his other friends in favor of Johnny. It’s the sweetest thing but it will break his heart when they go. I love having Reagan and her family around. Its such a great time and I realize a fleeting time to be with them. *Jett…sleeping or lack of. Nightly visits from him and how only the threat of a crib and the crib tent has kept him in his bed after weeks of sleepless nights. ( that and a promise of a TREAT in the am) *Adding Izzie to the family. Shes fun, and adorable. Why a second cat I have no idea but we love her *Summer is flying by without anything really planned. Love and hate that. Looking forward to our family Canada trip soon *All the boys growing like weeds and watching Elijiah the other day walk away from me, and hardly believing he was my baby not that long ago. *nightly runs with Jett. Ive been working out for almost 5 weeks daily…and not really seeing much progress. Grrr. I hope by month 3-4 all this hard work will pay off otherwise I will NEVER work out again. *Work is endless and exhausting. Its making me a bad housewife as I am totally spent when I get home at night. Please no one come over. *Taking stock of our foodstorage and supplies. Wow having a baby really changes the amount of available resources  More buying for us soon. *Trip to San Diego to visit my grandma.

Recent Family Pictures

Cory did these family photos for us...we love them. A few months back we tried when Mom and Layne did them and it was such a cold windy day that nothing turned out. Its been a few years since we had one done that we liked so we are happy happy. In all life is plugging along. School is almost done, summer plans are being made, and nothing too crazy to report (thanks goodness). Just settling in to the new house, working on projects here and there, endless jujitsu, basketball, soccer and juggling work and life :)

Tristan Turns 7

TRISTAN!!! SEVEN- 7 years old!! I seriously cant believe how time is flying by.  You have grown at least a foot since last year and its breaking my heart! Oh man- you have been such a trooper as we have transitioned from the house on Hickenlooper, to grandmas basement to the new house.  Never complaining about it all ( except when leaving friends) but only a short while until you met all your new friends around here.  Seriously a huge blessing for us has been your ability to bounce with us on this moving journey and make the new and better friends seeing you so happy and settled…sigh.  How happy you are.  This last 6 months we have done soccer ( which I don’t think will be your thing) and are trying out Jujitsu ( which you love) .  Im surprised really that you have been so willing to do and try things this year.  Change can be difficult but even though Ive forced you into stuff Ive learned to let you go at your own pace and if its not your thing…well its not your thing.  You are catching on to the martial arts stuff which I love…its getting you exercise and hopefully developing an activity that you become good at.  First grade at a new school this fall turned out great.  Your teacher is fabulous and she gets you.  Really appreciates your sense of humor and you are one of her star students.  She often puts you in charge of other kids reading as she knows you will be patient and kind.  Your anxiety is still there, but we are working on that and OUR relationship with some therapy and as they say—two steps forward, one step back – but there is progress. 

Some other things I have noticed this year is how protective and good you are to Jett.  Man you two can rumble but if Jett is crying you run to his rescue.  Hes not that much smaller than you hahaha…but you hoist him on your lap and try and soothe him which is the sweetest thing to see.  Elijiah and you perhaps will never be the best of friends but you get along, hang out and that’s what matters.  Your sharing your room with him and I hope as time will go on, you will have more and more things in common with your big brother.

You have gone through some funny stages with food which I have to mention as you are a creature of habit.  Breakfast is ALWAYS toast with peanut butter and bananas.  You love pancake tradition on Sunday and if you don’t get them you are NOT happy.  You secretly want to have the love and affection I give to your brothers but will never say so.  That is something Ive learned with you.  I just have to force it, and then wait for you to come to me.  I know you want and need it just as they do, but the way you show your attention is a bit different.  You would rather wrestle then get a kiss….I get it I get it.  J  Right now some of your favorite friends are Ethan and Miles, Owen, Boston, Rhonin, and Joesph. They are all good kids and glad you found them.  This neighborhood has been perfect for you.  Oh T…your dad and I are so proud of who you are, who you are becoming, the progress you are making and the smart boy you are.  We are loving getting to be a part of helping you grow up.  I hope you have a wonderful year this coming year and know how much we love you.

Happy Happy Birthday

Hawaii

Hawaii was good for us.  Time together, some time with my dad and step mom, and a good break from everyday life.

Lots of pics on facebook but had to note the trip here as well.  Rained each day and didnt get sun till the last few hours on the Island but oh so worth it.  I love it there, who doesnt, but I felt rejuvenated in a way I havent felt in years.  Playing in the water, No stress with the kids or jobs.  I laughed like I havent in a long time.  I love this man- Jonathan Bechtold is a great partner to have in this life. :) Im feeling pretty lucky these days.  We will be celebrating our 8 wedding anniversary this month and this was our first couples trip since our last foray when I was pregnant with Tristan.  We need to do it more often- this vacation thing.....