Some cute pics and a list of things I love.

Some things I love about Braden...

He eats edamame for breakfast sometimes.

People say he's "sweet."

He goes to sleep quickly and easily.

He loves his friends and family fiercely.

He worries about people.

He likes to be outside.

He will try anything.

He is getting so good at entertaining himself.

He loves Halloween and "spooky stuff".

He thinks the entrance to Abercrombie and Fitch is his own personal dance floor.

He still snuggles with me.

He is a really tough guy when he is sick.

Some things I love about Evan...

He has a fake laugh that he uses with HILARIOUS timing.

He looks so small and cute in his big boy bed.

He lists the names of his family when he's alone.

He gives great hugs and super sweet kisses.

He is the bounciest kid I've ever met.

He likes to be outside.

He loves cats and dogs.

He begs to watch Little Einsteins in the van.

He smells so good before bed.

He is really cute when he pretends to be a cat, which is OFTEN.

Some cute pictures.

Evan and Ashley racing!

Ashley, Evan and William playing on a "baby-swap" day!

Braden's Kindergarten school picture! Hee hee! 

Arthur seems a little shocked by the shaving cream at the back to school party!

Ashley isn't so sure either. 

Caleb and Braden try a high five with hands full of shaving cream! 

Turns out a shaving cream slide is just as fast as a water slide! 

Evan at 20 months

Evan has the kindest heart. I have never known a one year-old who WANTS to share so badly! Even his precious food!
His kind heart is wrapped in a gruff exterior though. He has a LOUD, low voice. And when he wants to share something with you he will yell your name over and over until you take what he is offering!
This morning Evan found the phone in my room and put it up to his ear. He was babbling and I asked "
Who is it?" He said, "Grandpa." I said, "Oh, do you want to call Grandpa?" So Evan starts yelling "GRANDPA! GRANDPA!" at the phone! I did end up calling, and oddly enough my dad was the one that answered the phone. Evan had something to share with him apparently, but nobody understood what it was! It was so cute.
Evan and Braden have started driving each other crazy the last couple of weeks. They have moments where they are just as sweet as can be. But it seems like are learning the joys of pushing each others' buttons now too. Evan has a few toys that are his favorites, and Braden loves to get to them just ahead of his little brother and snatch them up. Evan screams bloody murder!
Evan likes to knock down the elaborate scenes of army guys and whatnot that Braden sets up. It's heartbreaking for Braden but I have no idea how to prevent it!
They are going to be a challenge!
Very exciting news...I got to "sleep in" this morning! For the first time since Evan was born (20 long months ago) Mike got up with the boys this morning and I got to stay in bed. It was pretty awesome! I had to wake Mike up to go get them, and I couldn't fall back asleep, but I did get to read and just lay around. It was fantastic. Just fantastic. Can't wait for next Sunday!

Hey Evan!

Evan will have to learn someday that when he hears Braden say, "Hey Evan, come here," that is probably the LAST thing he should do!

I heard Braden say that, but didn't hear any fussing, so I finished washing the dish I was working on. By the time I made it into the playroom Evan was already strapped in! Braden kept telling him, "Evan it's your jetpack!" Evan didn't seem to love the idea.

Evan to English Dictionary

(Whoa...I haven't been here in a while!)
For those of you wondering what Evan, at 18 months, is blabbering about. I provide you with these translations.

Buh-boe = Braden
munna = Milk or drink
wah-TAH! = water
nandy! = candy
dee-dee = cookie, cupcake, or sugary appearing confection
ine sines = Little Einsteins (a kids show)
ah-oh-dee! = His very own "ah oh" and "oh dear" combination
doot doot = motorcycle (this one is Mommy's fault)
bleh (with tongue sticking out) = bread
bleh bleh bleh (also with tongue out) = banana
Ooo ooo ah ah = monkey or Curious George
way-zee ribbah = lazy river (which he yells over and over again as he floats around and around)
Whoa = I have just done, or am about to do, something very stupid
fuh-bah = football



Evan is still a tall and big boy for his age. He LOVES swimming pools. He swims all around with his puddlejumper on. Every day he asked to go to "wah-TAH!" He is a sweet little boy who is getting good at playing on his own for a little while. He LOVES his brother almost as much as his Mama. Evan gets jealous if Buh-boe is playing with other kids, especially if they are little ones! Evan's giant blue eyes are just as nosy as his big brother's were at one year of age.

Creativity

Look! I did something creative! (It only took me a year to get it done!)

The tree was one of those wall cling kits from Target and the frames I ordered from photojojo.com; they are by Butch and Harold. I wish this pic showed how HUGE it is! That large pic is an 8x10.

My Boys

My boys seem so big all of the sudden. Evan is running all around like a maniac. Braden is carrying on conversations that are...well...fun and entertaining! They are playing together more and more and also getting better at entertaining themselves. Makes life good for Mama!
The boys both had the flu last week. It was really mild...maybe because they had been vaccinated. But things were a little off schedule for the week. and now it's conference time and Braden is off school for the week. We've had a lot of time at home! Usually that much time in the house would drive me crazy. But it has been kind of nice!
We've been hanging out in our jammies and playing!
We are taking a family trip to Colorado in July. I'm so excited! My brother, my mom and I are going to have a weight loss competition that ends when we leave. The winner gets to choose their room at our vacation house!
The boys and I are going to head out a few days early to visit the Hedstroms and then the Rogers at their new homes. I can't wait to see my friends and to spend a week with my parents and my brother's family. We always have so much fun. And it's such a special chance to get to spend extended time with my niece and nephew. They are growing up too fast (10 and 8!) and I know the days of them wanting to "play" with Aunt Heather and Uncle Mike are numbered!
And Braden LOVES his cousins! He is so excited. And this will be the first time Evan gets to spend that much time with them. He is going to LOVE it!

To Evan, on the last day that I will have a baby.

Evan, you turn one tomorrow. You won't be a baby anymore! You will officially be the little toddler that you really have already been for a couple of weeks. You are such a cute little guy.  You really really want your "mama" to be around all the time, but do just fine once she's out of sight. You are a much better sleeper than your brother was at this age! You are always asleep by 9 and rarely wake up before 6. You do sleep until 7 sometimes which makes Mommy so happy! You are so cute snuggling your little bear at bed time. You like to read books and then rock for a little bit before bed. I am going to miss snuggling you in your fleece footie PJs!
You can say "ah oh" when you drop something, you call your big brother "buh-boe" and you can say "mama" loud and clear. You can also say "toot" which is kind of embarrassing for Mommy, but I guess we should have expected that one knowing your big brother.
You are walking everywhere now. You get SO mad when Braden gets in your way. You are very tolerant of all of the kisses that your brother gives you every day.
Your favorite thing to do right now is take a bath. We catch you trying to get into water anywhere you can find it! I can't wait to see you at the pool this summer! You started sticking your face in the water as soon as you could sit up on your own in the tub. I have a hunch you are going to be a swimmer!
You were so silly at your birthday party last night. You really really enjoyed the bounce house!
And you have some amazing cake eating skills!
We love you so much little man. Evan, you are such a joy to all of us.