My 3 Little loves

To get a great shot of 3 active little boys is a very hard task. Bruce gave me a gift certificate for a photo purse, either a Gina Alexander or Brighton for Mother's Day a year ago, and I've still not gotten a picture that's I've felt was good enough to spend the money on getting the purse. This morning after the boys were all dressed and ready for church, I decided to try and get some pictures. I really like the way this one turned out. It may be the one I use, or I may try a little more and see if I can get the perfect shot. Either way though, this picture is just so sweet of the three of them. Enjoy ♥

Arizona State Tournament, Jui Jitsu, and a New Rank

On January 10th Bennett competed in The Arizona State Championship. He recently moved to the 6-7 age bracket, so this was his first time competing in this bracket. He ended up placing 2nd for the State of Arizona in his kata and after 4 rounds of fighting, placed 3rd for the State in Kumite. I did not get very many good pictures as the referee was in my way the whole time :o). Getting ready to rumble... Holding his newest addition to his trophy collection. He now has more trophies than Bruce and I put together. He also qualified to go to Nationals again in Albuquerque, New Mexico April 16-19. I wonder if he will retain his title of National Champion? On January 16th Bennett began a Jui Jitsu class with Sensei Kendall Goo. Who is one of Royce Gracie's eight trained black belts in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. He is undefeated as the Hawaiian State Heavy Weight Jiu-Jitsu Champion. He was also the World Jiu-Jitsu Champion in 1997 and 2001. He is the second American to ever win a gold medal in World Jiu-Jitsu competition. Listening to Sensei Kendall pass the knowledge. On January 23rd Bennett tested for his orange belt . He just finished 2 yrs. of study at Asian American Karate. The testing for his belt requires him to test on all knowledge he has learned this far. The testing is about an hour long process and it's just him and his 2 Sensei's, Sensei Bill and Sensei Jasmin and their son Tim. Showing some self defense moves on Tim. Sensei Bill awarding Bennett with his orange belt. Bennett was so excited because orange is his favorite color. Sensei Bill presenting Bennett with his certificate for orange belt, while Sensei Jasmin and Tim look on. Bowing out. Jasmine congratulating Bennett and Baylor coming to give his congrats also.

Christmas 2008

This is our Christmas tree this year! Each year we add more ornaments to our ever growing collection. The boys each get one and we get a family one with all of our family members names on it. Baylor has actually done very well with the tree and uses only one finger to touch much to our surprise. We put it in our living room for fear that he would mess with it and possibly knock it over if we had it in the family room again. The angel on top is one that my mother and I bought at her last time to the Southern Christmas show. It's so very special to me and I love having it on top looking down at us through the Christmas season, much like I know my mom is.

This picture is from Breakfast with Santa 12/10 at the boys school. It is so wonderful, to have a nice relaxing breakfast and stand is a short line to see the big guy. This marks our 3rd year of Breakfast with Santa. Definitely a tradition we look forward to each Christmas season.

This is the boys making sure Santa knows what each of them wants. Got that Santa?

Here is Baylor on 12/16 practicing his walking. He just looks so grown up and big to me here. Probably his shortened bangs by Bennett's karate teacher!!!

Brayden at his Gingerbread house party 12/16 at the Community Center. It was a cold(well cold for us) rainy day, and Brayden, Baylor and myself had a great time making this Gingerbread house, having stories, making crafts, and snacks.

The finished product, he did very well I think.

The sweet teacher that leads the parties at the Community Center named Lisa, gave each of the children there these cute little Ty Gingerbread Men. Brayden loves all things cute, and he loved this little guy!

This is Bennett and his classmates at his school play 12/16. He had a small speaking part and we all enjoyed all the hard work the children put into making the play so wonderful.

Bennett just after the program. So handsome I must say...

This is Brayden at his pre-school Christmas party 12/19. He is making a Christmas card at this station. I had both older boys parties on the same day at the same times, so I had to divide my time with each. I started with Brayden's class and then went to Bennett's room. Such a cute smile...

Mommy and Brayden

This is Brayden with all his boy classmates. There are a lot of tall tales that comes from these sweet little faces each day, let me tell you! From L-R: Brayden, Gunnar, Steven, Cole, and Logan.

Me and my boys after their Christmas parties.

Here is Baylor sitting under the Christmas tree. The little snowman ornament by his rt. arm, was given to me by my kindergarten teacher when I was in kindergarten! We had so much fun walking down memory lane with our ornaments. I truly love this time of the year. It so much fun making all the magic with the kids, it almost makes me feel like a kid again myself.

These pictures are from Christmas Eve of Baylor taking his first unassisted steps documented on camera. He began with 3-4 steps on Christmas Eve and by Christmas Day he was going all the way across the room unassisted! Yay Baylor, so big....

I'm on my way, you better watch out now!!!!

The boys leaving cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve.

I tried to pick one of each of the boys from Christmas morning. They were so excited when they woke up to see what gifts had been left for them. I truly love the innocent age that they are at, and wish I could keep them sweet and innocent forever.

Bennett holding up his new DC shoes he wanted, so happy....

The main thing Brayden wanted was a Webkinz Snowman. I knew he would like it, as he loves all things cute and cuddly. I showed it to him, and after he saw it and declared it was something he had to have, he nearly drove me crazy talking about the snowman and wanting to go to the store to look at it. One day about 9 days before Christmas we went into Berean to get a few gifts, and he went to find the Snowman and found out they were sold out. He was so upset and was afraid Santa would not get his Snowman to him. Needless to say he was beyond thrilled Christmas morning to find Frosty The Snowman!!!! The only downfall, was i guess lots of other kids got Webkinz for Christmas, because we had to wait quite a while to get online and set up Frosty's room :o).

Baylor really did not seem all that in to gifts, but he did like his little Elmo ride-on. He also got a lego table that he has enjoyed a lot too!I had a hard time getting Baylor to look at me this year, as he is just too busy to stop and take pictures.

Well I hope each of you had a Christmas filled with lots of love and wonderful memories. I hope each of you remembers the true reason for the season. God's gift of a son, so that you and I may have eternal life with HIM!!! Lastly may you all have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!!!!

Our 3 Little Elves

We Elfed our kids and think they are quite talented! Enjoy...

Bennett's 6th Birthday

On November 1, 2008 our first boy son turned 6! This is a very special day not just because we celebrate you, but also because God gave you to us 5 weeks early on the day before my mom, your Grammy Angels birthday. I know that this was all a part of his perfect plan, to have you to celebrate at the same time we used to celebrate my moms birthday. We had your birthday party at XRcade, which is owned by the YMCA. It had lots of jumpers, video games, rock climbing wall, and other fun interactive things to do. We also ate pizza, cake and ice cream. You had so much fun spending the afternoon with your friends and got many wonderful gifts! We love you so much and continue to be amazed by you! You are a wonderful precious gift, with a heart of gold, and we thank God for you each and every day. At six years old, you are in Kindergarten at Joy Christian School and love to learn! You are recognizing many sight words, you take Spanish at school and just informed me, that this is your least favorite special. You favorites being gym class, library, and art. Your teacher says that you are her best prayer warrior, however I did not need her to tell me that. Your prayers for a 6 yr. old are AMAZING just like you. You are still taking Karate and are about to be evaluated for your orange belt. Another thing you are enjoying, is learning to ride your new two wheel bike that you got for your birthday. You do quit well, but still need to work on your stopping skills :o). You are quite the genius when it come to all things electronic: computer, XBOX, Wii, Nintendo DS and love to rock it with Guitar Hero just to name a few. You love to figure things out, and don't stop until you know exactly how it all works. I guess that's the engineering side of the family coming out in you. You are also very conscious about how you look and your clothing. I guess you get this from your mom, as you always had to match from head to toe as a baby and young child and still to this day will not wear something unless it's Bennett approved. We pretty much let you choose all of your clothes and I must say you have a pretty good eye for style :o)! We love you Bennett and are looking forward to another amazing year with amazing little you!

Halloween, Parties, Haircuts, and more

Okay, so I was supposed to get this all finished some 2-3 weeks ago, but better late than never.

First up is Baylor who is now sitting proudly in his forward facing car seat. He loves his new view and does not scream as loud as before when he was rear facing. I guess he likes to see where he is going. I mean who wouldn't.

Baylor also got his first haircut. I know these pictures are out of order, but I did not feel like trying to figure out how to rearrange the order. Oh well, this is Baylor with Jessica. She is my hairstylist, and she did his little trim for me for free. Thanks Jessica!!!

We used a sucker for bribery. Sure this is acceptable for 13 months old, I mean don't you all give sugary snacks to your wee ones :o) This was his first sucker, and let me tell you he LOVED it!

Basically all we did was trim the back of his hair, so the bangs and sides could catch up to the length in the back. We are letting him have the "hippie" look in case your wondering why we left the front and sides to grow.

Baylor lovin' his sucker!

Daddy held Baylor for his trim.

Wow this sure is good, I can't believe my mommy left me have this.

Bruce giving me the evil eye.

Next up we decorated our pumpkins. This year we opted for these little plastic pieces that you just push into the pumpkin. They are like Mr. Potato Head pieces. You just press them in and presto your done! Now that's my style no mess. No really the boys wanted to carve a pumpkin the old fashion way and had to be convinced to do it this way. I promised next year we would do it the old fashion way, but I just could not manage a knife this year with my non-working left arm!

Brayden with his monster pumpkin. This poor sad pumpkin he choose had to be the worst looking pumpkin in the whole patch, and I think the guy at the patch felt sorry for us and just gave the pumpkin to Brayden. He loved his pumpkin when it was all completed and hated to see him go bye-bye.

The boys making silly faces :o).

Brayden and Bennett with their pumpkin creations. We finally found a pumpkin patch to take the baby to for fall pictures. There were not many pumpkins at all, especially compared to Hunter Farms that we had taken Bennett and Brayden to when they were little. I got some cute pictures and Baylor loved banging on the pumpkin like it was a drum.

I love this picture of him clapping for himself.

More clapping...

Bennett, Baylor, and Brayden

On 10/31/08 I took cupcakes to Bennett's class to celebrate his Birthday which was Saturday 11/1/08.

The kids from his table L-R, Paulina, Mackenna, Karsten, Mason, and Bennett. They are wearing their letter expert hats. Each child was given a letter to learn about and present to their classmates to help them become an expert of each letter.

Bennett pretending to blow out candles on his cupcake.

On 10/31/08 the pre-school classes had pajama day. I spent the morning with Brayden enjoying a fall party, crafts, and pumpkin rolling contest.

Brayden's pre-school class. Top row L-R: Cole, Addison, Kaylee, Steven, Brooke, and Sarah

Second row L-R: Katie, Gunnar, Brayden, Minseo, Chloe, and Gracie

For Halloween we dressed up as Pirates! Mommy and Daddy with Baylor

Bennett as Darth Vader

Arg... Brayden as a pirate

Baylor as an adorable pirate