Bennett turns 7!!!!!!!

On November 1st, Bennett turned 7 years old. How is it, that 7 years have passed since our first born son was born? Bennett was thrilled to be turning 7, and always assures me, "mom I have to grow up, and get older!" Trust me, I'm happy that he is healthy, smart, talented, compassionate, loving, generous, caring, gifted, and much more. I just can't believe that he is 7 already, it just seems crazy. What you are up to at 7: In first grade and a reading whiz in our parental opinion. Still love karate, boys scouts, video games, computers, family game night, pizza, sprite, Cardinals football, all things football in general, swinging on the new swing set,Lego's, and much much more. You are also 50 inches tall and 50 pounds. We got this Cardinals jersey for Bennett for his Birthday and had it made with his name in it! He thought is was fabulous!!!

He already had this little Build-a-Bear bear dressed in Cardinals outfit, and we found a cute football pinata.

Cardinal cupcakes... This stand was worthless let me tell you. We put it together for the picture, and then they started falling off. We ended up using a different two tiered stand by good old faithful Tupperware..

Close up!

Mason, Bennett, and Koltan with their game face on.

Dog pile!!! From bottom to top: Quinn, Mason, Koltan, Bennett, Gunnar, and Brayden

The huddle...

Baylor running hard, looks like he is saying, "hey I'm open, throw me the ball!"

The kids from L-R: Alison, Sarah, Colin, Emma, Brayden, Baylor, Koltan, Bennett, Mason and Quinn laying down, Gunnar, and Andrew

Making a wish...

Brayden proudly wearing his Panthers gear that day. The Cardinals were playing the Panthers at Univ. of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona. Needless to say the Cardinals stunk it up that day. We were honestly happy either way with who won, seeing as how I spent my whole life in Charlotte, it just would have been nice for the Cardinals to have pulled off a win on Bennett's Birthday! I guess they must have switched Kurt's breakfast that day with Jake's. Ha!

Mommy and her Birthday boy. He wanted his face painted, so Ali our teen helper that day painted flames and smoke on it with the letters Birthday boy on his forehead. :o)

Daddy in his Panthers gear, and mommy supporting the Cardinals. Just call us house divide :o)

Daddy by the balloon bouquet

Halloween 2009

Well I finally decided to blog again. I must confess I find Face book way to convenient and Blogger takes way to much time to upload pictures to. Anyways here are Halloween pictures of the trio. Better late than never..... Sweet Baylor in his adorable Halloween costume find from T.J Maxx! It was only $12.99 and came with the striped top and bottom, pumpkin top and hat!

Sweet boy, he was very cooperative for me. He did not give huge smiles, but not is just not Baylor. I was just happy that he sat there and let me take a ton of pictures. Ha!

Showing mommy his pumpkin that the nice man gave to him!

He had just this plan $ .99 bucket, so I added the cute Halloween ribbons to the handle to make it look a little fancier :o)!

The boys pumpkins all carved up. Bennett's was the mummy, Baylor's was Elmo, and Brayden's was a Vampire

All dressed up and ready to Trick-or-Treat. Brayden was Storm Shadow from G.I Joe, Baylor a pumpkin, and Bennett was Kurt Warner from the Arizona Cardinals.

I'm open!!!

Not sure about Brayden's pose, but it was working for him, so we went with it!

So happy! I tell you I did not think he would wear a costume this year, but he really loved his little outfit and even kept the hat on almost the entire night!

The back side!

We went to our church for Trunk-or-Treating, and Baylor saw his best friend Samantha, aka Dumbo! He was thrilled when he saw her and she was dressed up!

The trio in front of the inflatable pumpkin at church after their buckets were full.

The big boys after baths and in their Halloween PJ's. I thought this picture was classic! Brotherly love.

Brayden turns 5!!!

Here are the famous Zhu Zhu pets!!! Brayden had been wanting a real hamster, and then he saw these little guys on TV and decided he would take the toy version over the real ones which was fine by me. Once I told him he would have to clean hamster poop, and that they smelled bad, he decided this would be a much better option. So for Brayden's 5th Birthday, I was bound and determined to get these little cuties for him. It took me 3 days of arriving at Toys R Us when they opened there doors and hitting 2 Wal Marts to finally get them. For some reason my children always want the hard to find gift?

My little Birthday cutie! He got his hair cut and finally let me spike it up! Rock on dude.....

So sweet and precious! I love his chubby cheeks and sweet little baby teeth :o).

(My camera has now decided it would throw this halo glowing effect, so I got a new little point and shoot, but these were obviously taken before hand. My Nikon D40 is also under the weather and I just sent it to Nikon repair today! Yikes I hate not having a camera that takes good pictures.) This picture was first thing in the morning on Sept. 24th. Brayden opening his Zhu Zhu pets stuff!!!

Yeah, just what I wanted!

The little hamsters even have tunnels and little cars etcetera to play with.

Just before school on his actual Birthday! He wanted a little badge that said It's my 5th Birthday and it had a flashing light. I think he liked the attention he got from everyone!

So handsome :o). Mommy's sweet boy!

For dinner on his Birthday, he wanted to go and eat at Red Robin's! We all had burger's and daddy had a chicken sandwich. They brought Brayden a ice cream sundae and the waiter's all sung Happy Birthday to him. He was smiling from ear to ear!

Bennett had been at karate practice and I took Brayden to his school's open house and we all meet up for dinner. Brayden sharing his ice cream with his brother.

Another family from the dojo also showed up at Red Robin's and this is the boys with Vinnie. Brayden thought they came to eat dinner with him, so we just left it at that, he was so happy that they were there. We sat out on the patio and it was a cool 97. (For Phoenix, that really is nice) It was perfect as we were the only families out there and the kids could be a little loud and we did not have to worry about offending anyone!

Well Saturday 9/26 we will celebrate Brayden's Birthday with a party at Lowe's grow and build clinic followed by lunch at McDonald's with cupcakes. I will update with party pictures from my new camera after tomorrow!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Baylor

Today you turn 2 sweet boy! How can it be, that 2 years have just flown by? You just 1 day old. Look at all that dark black hair. It could not be any blonder now though. A family friends little boy asked my if I dyed your hair blond. Ha!

Here you are on your 1st Birthday. and today on your 2nd Birthday! You love i-kean(ice-cream)!!!! Your big brother Bennett was making you laugh so cute, even though this picture is blurry I thought it completely shows your fun sweet personality. Right now you LOVE Mel-mo(Elmo) and for your birthday you got an Elmo Live doll. Let's just say this was a huge hit! Elmo sure has come a long way since your brother Bennett got Tickle me Elmo. This Elmo tells stories, sings, hugs, sneezes etc....

Tomorrow is your little Birthday party, so I'll will update again after your special party with your 3 little school friends.

Other things you like right now: Thomas The Train, Disney Cars, trucks and cars, being outside, playing at school with Matthew and Samantha, we call you "The camel" because you would drink non-stop if we would let you! Ha...Playing with your big brothers, dancing and music, bubbles, brushing your teeth, and climbing anything in sight! You still go to your Parents Day Out program at our church on Wednesday from 9-1pm and go to the gym daycare with mommy on other days.

Our prayer for you this year is that you will continue to grow strong, stay healthy, and keep your sweet and loving personality. We love you Baylor and are excited for all the Lord has planned for you. You sure are a blessing to us all!

Tomorrow is your little Birthday party, so I'll will update again after your special party with your 3 little school friends.

Thing 1,2, and 3!!!

Meet my boys: Thing 1, 2, and 3!!! These shirts are so awesome! I saw a lady on the plane on our way to Hawaii and her 4 kids were dressed in these shirts, and I had to have them for our boys. We affectionately call the boys Thing 1, 2, and 3. Ha! It is such a riot taking the three of them out together in these shirts and all the cute little comments from others :o). I was even thinking it would be cute for Halloween costumes and spray their hair blue and wa-la costumes, however 1 and 2 are not buying it. Maybe I can convince them by 10/31???

Maui, Hawaii 2009

June 6-13th, we took a family vacation to Maui, Hawaii! It was an amazing trip and we enjoyed relaxing in quite possibly one of the most beautiful places on earth. In fact we did not want to leave, but hey who would? We took over 400 photos, so I just tried to do as brief of an overview as possible. I wish I had the time and patience to up load each and every picture for you, but you will either have to just trust me, or go and have a visit for yourself! Enjoy!!!! This is a view on the property of the Westin Ka'anapali where we stayed.

The view from our patio.

Bennett and Brayden posing by a neat statue looking out from the top lobby towards the pool and beach area. This was our first full day and the boys were ready bright and early to hit the pool and beach!!!

Our 3 boys...

Looking out towards the pool

A view of the ocean from the lower pool, where we spent a lot of time with the boys in the pool.

The pirate ship pool. Brayden getting ready to slide down.

Bennett ready to take the plunge!

Bennett looking out over the Pacific ocean.

Baylor making the best of his time by the ocean. He was NOT a fan of the water. You can tell this boy was born in the desert :o). Ha!!!

Brayden working on his sandcastle fort.

Hang loose......

By lunch time each day, Baylor was so exhausted that he would fall asleep while eating his lunch. Poor sweet baby.

Mommy and Baylor on the patio.

Daddy and Baylor

Our three little monkey's laying in the bed in matching PJ's of course!!!

Daddy and his boys at Whalers Village

Mommy and her boys at Whalers Village

There was a Hula dancing show while we were there. The boys really enjoyed this new experience. There were even little tiny hula girls dancing that were maybe 4 yrs. old, so cute!!!

Baylor's favorite spot on the trip was the baby wading pool. He preferred to be here over any other place.

Baylor waving Hi to a man on his way to the pool!

Baylor and mommy in the Lazy River Bennett and Brayden at the Drums of the Pacific Luau at the Hyatt

Our family just before the luau began

At the luau, they were teaching those who wanted to learn, how to do the hula dance. Bennett, a.k.a Mr. Confidant went right up there and did a wonderful job learning the moves!

The boys favorite part of the luau, was the fire twirler! He was so awesome, and put on a great show!

Our family after the luau, with some of the hula dancers! Polynesian women are so beautiful!

Another day we went on the Sugar Cane Train and for a picnic. Such a fun adventure for 3 little boys.

Stopping for water for the steam train

Our family on the train.

Feeding koi fish

Bennett

Brayden

A view from our dinner table at one of our favorite places to eat at. Aloha Mixed Plate. All seating is outdoors and we had a $1,000,000.00 view!!!

Bennett waiting on dinner. Don't let that beautiful smile fool you, he was being a handful that night:o).

Sweet Brady waiting for dinner as well.

Baylor man, even though he had a snack trap for his little snacks, he did his best to throw lots of food on the ground for all the birds :o). Ha!

Mommy, ready to hit the beach!

The boys loved to play football on the beach. It's looks like Baylor is ready to make a pass to his dad or brothers!

Bennett running up from the beach! Babe watch, Ha!

How about this handsome boy?

Baylor enjoying the sand at the beach

I have a picture like this of the two older boys at the beach before Baylor was born, so I wanted to get one of all three! I love this picture.

Playing in some fourwheeler tracks!

More football.....

Pass it to me!

Sand fun!!!

Enjoying some Hawaiian shave ice! yumm-o

One of my all time favorite flowers: Bird of Paradise

Our last night in paradise. The boys infront of our resort.

Bennett took this picture of Bruce and myself on our last night. Brayden picked the flower for me :o).

Our trip home was quite the adventure. We checked out of our hotel room Saturday the 13th at 12pm and decided to go souvineer shopping and just taking it easy until our flight from Maui to Kona later that evening. We were told to arrive at the airport 3 hrs. early due to having to go through multiple agriculture inspections and that saturdays were just busy travel days. So we did, and once we arrived, we found out that we were booked on a lovely 8 passenger Cessna!?!?!?! What you have to be kidding me? I don't like flying to begin with much less a teany tiny puddle hopper. Well we waited around for 3 hrs. and then boarded our puddle hopper with another couple from Scottsdale, AZ. We made it, but I tell you I never want to be on a plane that small ever again!!!!!!!

Once we arrived in Kona, we were about 1/2 mile from the main terminal as the tiny little plane we flew in on, landed on a different runway. God knew I could not walk that distance with my newly operated knee, so he had a taxi cab waiting for us, which by the way, they are never there! Once we arrived at the main terminal we were in for another 3 hr. wait and long, long security lines, before boarding the plane at alomst 11pm Hawaii time to head home. Once on the plane, we got the boys all comfortable and ready to sleep for the red eye flight back home. They all did remarkably well, and we arrived in Arizona Sunday morning around 7:45am. We finally made it home to our house at around 9:20am. We all ate some breakfast, took baths, and took a huge much needed 5 hr. family nap.

We had a great time, and made some wonderful memories. Maui we will miss you, until the next time Aloha and Mahalo