playing' catch-up!

In my last post, I saw where I said something along the lines of "Thanksgiving will be here before you know it"..and well..it has come and past, for a couple of weeks now.  Now we've passed Thanksgiving, Trevis' bday and Christmas!
For Thanksgiving, we always stay in Texas. I say always, but for the past 5 years that we've lived here we've just done things at our own home. Jakes parents, and brother and his wife and their young son Jordan came and we had Thanksgiving and also went and celebrated Trevis' birthday that weekend since everyone was in town. Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE...well, one of my favorite. I love turkey and dressing and just eating in general :) Jake was half the day before and was off all of Thanksgiving but had to go back to work the day after. We all (-Jake) went to ITz Pizza in Pasadena. It used to be called Incredible pizza, but its a pizza buffet place that has themed dining rooms and you're given a debit card type thing and can load money onto it to play games and ride rides. Trevis and Mavrick road a go-cart for the first time this trip! Trevis road with Josh and Mavrick road with PawPaw. They really loved it!

That following week we had a SUPER HERO playdate at our house for Trevis' bday! His teacher came and friends from school, they all had capes and made masks. It was a hit and Trevis felt so special for all of his friends to come over to his house. Also, my mom and grandma (Nanny and MawMaw) came to town and brough Trevis' cousin Ethan! Trevis and Mavrick absolutely love it when he comes to visit.

As for Christmas, me and the 3 boys and the dog..drove to Mississippi, on Monday before Christmas. It was quite a ride, but they all did suprisingly well. I was nervous since it was my first trip alone with Evrett that was further than an hour. We stopped at a place along the way to use the restroom and stretch, and there was a spot to pet baby alligators. The boys loved it! And even more than that, they loved seeing a pretty green tree frog on the coke machines before leaving, they talked about it more than the alligators! We spent the week at my moms, and seeing family and cousins from each side and just enjoying time in Mississippi. Jake was suppose to fly in Friday night..but..

He surprised me! Thursday night after I put the boys in bed, I was up online chatting with a friend about old stories and things and how much I missed Jake. Well, Jake called and said he was getting ready for bed and talking and all that then all of a sudden, the talking gets louder..and he is INSIDE my moms house! The stinker knew he was going to be off on Friday, so instead of waiting all day and flying out that night, he paid to have his flight changed and flew out a night early. What a great surprise it was for the boys the next morning!

For Christmas the boys got tons of toys and great things from everyone, and Santa brought them alot of different and random things they had said they wanted through out the year. GlowCrazy, Jenga, Cars2, an 18 wheeler full of cars, Connect 4, tshirts and just toys. Evrett got a playtable, a push walking toy and a spinning toy that says numbers and letters when you land on it.

For Christmas I received and awesome new camera:) So, there should be plenty of great pics to come in following posts.

Now we are in the middle of January.. 2012! Where has time gone? January has been a sort of slow month for us here. Jake is working out of town and comes home every weekend, Trevis has been out of school alot due to the Christmas holiday and today is MLK. I have started working out at the YMCA and Mavrick loves to go to the gym (except when he hurt his foot a few weeks ago and we had to take a week off for it to heal). I am not trying to be super strong or lose crazy weight, not even a certain number. Just the healthy BMI and weights for my age/height and to just be fit and healthy.

Evrett, goodness! This fella is just GROWING! I can't believe it..he is almost one.. ONE!! I can remember being pregnant with him this time last year. Ahh.. he is justa jabbering, and plays this "HEY BABY" game.. where he'll lift his hands and then bend over to the ground any time someone says Heyyyy Baby!. It's adorable:) He also has taken his first few steps.. he'll stand up or let got from holding onto something and he's taken a step or two at a time and then squat down. He will be really walking so soon! Trevis and Mavrick are so excited watching their baby brother grow up.

Well, I feel like I've caught up enough..Hope everyone is having a great New Year so far!

Timesa flyin'

October went by SO fast, and now it will be Thanksgiving before we know it! Mmm..Thanksgiving. Anyways, trying to reflect on what everyone did during October. I'm glad I didnt update every week about every tiny thing that happened, I was looking for a way out of that and I guess being busy helped!

Well, Jake and I took a quick trip the amazing beautiful state of MONTANA!

I can not even begin to describe how CLEAN the air smells, how friendly the people are and how just perfect the weather is. I mean, it was cold..but it wasn't freezing. I think there is way less humidity.. pretty sure. We took this trip around the end of October, so still before real winter hit.

We only stayed a weekend in Billings, MT. It was perfect.

(yes, those are non photoshopped real time pictures taken from Jakes iphone! looks like a postcard!)

October... oh, Fall parties, festivals and trunk n treat! We had a Halloween playdate with our amazing playgroup. Lots of cute kiddos running around in their costumes. Trevis had a Pumpkin party at school and Mavrick was invited. They dressed up for it too. We don't really celebrate Halloween or do Trick or Treating, but every year we do attend church festivals and Trunk n Treat.

Here is MY Ninja, Venom (the bad spiderman) and our friends cute little girl, Bella. They all had a great time and stocked up on lots of candy and goodies!

The weather has been pretty enjoyable lately.. not too hot and not too cold. We'll see how long that lasts. (the boys seesawing on the see saw daddy built them!)

 

Here, the boys remind me of their daddy. They made a stationary bike. They found a small hole in the ground where they could properly set up the training wheel tires so it would hold up the back tire. These boys are so smart. Really.

And, incase you're thinking I forgot the "tiny" one (I say "tiny" because he is not tiny..at all but he smaller than the other two).

 

YES! He is CRAWLING! Caught in the act! Ughh, can't believe it! Ha, I'm so happy though, he's such a big boy and meeting all his milestones! So, now he can crawl, roll over, babble and ..lucky me, he can pull up. He's started practicing it in his crib.. Joy! =)

Well, another year has passed for me and I am now 26. Boo for getting older! Just kidding, it's not that bad. I'm loving the things that are happening and this adult life I'm growing into. To celebrate the big ol' 26.. I had some friends over Friday night and talked and watched movies. More talking than watching though! Saturday we spent the day at the boys last soccer game and end of the season party. They've really enjoyed it again. Sunday, just spent the day with the family and got a much needed hair cut!

Our behavior chart.

We've started this today. It's been made and hanging on our fridge, but we just starte using it. I don't use it for things they know are unacceptable and things they do on the regular. But they move up for doing something really kind, picking up toys without asking, helping, being nice to Evrett or getting him toys. They move down a color for calling names, having to be told more than once to do something, and other little things like that. They will still go straight to time out if they do something worth it. Hopefully this will reduce the yelling (among all), the having to say it more than once..for me:) and hopefully make things happier all around! And no I didn't come up with this, http://kimboscrafts.blogspot.com/2010/03/its-paper-week.html

Sunday afternoon after taking the boys to Awanas, me,Jake and Evrett made a quick trip to Baytown's new Academy Store. Its really nice! It's going to take away alot of business from the one about 20 minutes away that we..and everyone on this side of Houston used to go to. It rained almost all day Sunday, and praise God, because we needed it! Monday, was a no school day, and since it was muddy outside, we had an inside lazy day with video games and movies..and just taking it easy. Tuesday, hm..well, besides my car breaking down on the way home from taking Trevis to school, it was just a regular day! Yes, my car decided to break down and just stop going about 2 minutes from Trevis school..and after being stuck at the end of someones driveway for about 20 mins, right after I found someone who would come rescue me,Evrett and Mavrick, I decided I would try to see if it would crank..and it did, and I just drove us home! Had to miss Evretts 6 month appointment (even though it was already a month late..bad mommy! HA) but reschedule to have it done afterschool. So, picked Trevis up from school and headed to the dr. Trevis didn't know until we were in the room that Evrett was getting shots. He saw the nurse who does them and immedietly knew what was going on. He say "I am putting my foot down, my baby brother is NOT getting shots." LOL, needless to say she thought he was a hoot! She left, and the Doctor came and saw Evrett...a big 30inches and 22 and half pounds!! EEek!! My big man!(Already in 12month clothes!) So when the nurse came back, Trevis was in the play area and so the nurse quietly closed the door..and gave Evrett the first shot. Well, when let out his big yelp, Trevis came running in.. "NoOo! I said noo!". LOL My sweeeet hearted child. And, during all of this Mavrick was in the room and didnt bat an eye. They're SO much alike and so different at the same time. LOVE all of them. Wednesday, Trevis came home with his first ever Fund Raiser! I think I was more excited then he was, buut.. if he sales over $100, his name will be in a drawing for free December tuition, so yea.. this Mama is on a Popcorn selling mission! I sent out a text and email to our family in Mississippi, and just from them he is halfway to that $100 goal! Yeah!Friday, was my MOPs class. LOVE it. Todays topic was about Breast Cancer awareness and a survior spoke. Its crazy the things a woman can go through and overcome and put all her Faith in God and never think twice. Amazing! Saturday, Trevis and Mavrick had a soccer game. Their games are about 30-40 minutes away, but I don't mind the drive. Its worth it to be able to watch both of them score, and them be goalie and for Trevis to be equally played as much as the others. They're both great goalies. Mavrick likes to charge at the player bringing the ball down while Trevis goes back and forth blocking in front of the goal.

Sunday after church I made a (delicious) red velvet cake...from SCRATCH...like All the way! Martha Stewart recipe;)i also tried to make a frosting from scratch, but 3 tries and half A bag of sugar later..gave up and Jake got me some pillsbury icingfrom the store :) took the boys to their awanas class they LOVE (Trevis learned John 3:16 in 3 hours..he wanted his big book!) and they got their little vests and look so so soo adorable.

Wednesday Trevis had school pictures and I can not wait to get them back. I know his single shot and class photo are going to be adorable. AND as of today, our house is ON THE market! There are a few houses for sale in our neighborhood but we have the advantage of being able to sale a little cheaper than most.

Thursday Trevis had his first school field trip! We went to the newest firestation in Baytown. They saw where the firefighters rest, eat and play. Then they got to spray the water hose, listen to the siren and see some tools and watch a fireman get geared up in only 2 minutes. After that the class had a picnic at a nearby park. Trevis and mavrick had fun playing with all the class mates. I'm blessed to be able to do and go on field trips and spend the days with the boys. Shout out to Jake for making that possible! :0) Trevis got his site words test this day and he got all his words right!!!

Friday we met our playgroup at the park and decorated trick or treat bags, and then played at the park. We didn't stay long, WE all needed to go home and rest.

Saturday, the boys had a soccer game. We rushed out o the house, I had one blue sock and one Black sock for mavrick and half way there I realized I forgot Trevis AFO boots. I normally just grab all socks and shoes and put them on when we get there. Anyways, barely made it on time and I forgot it was a scrimmage game...kids vs parents! But I wasn't the only mom in flip-flops. Haha. The kiddos won and we all had a great time. We sold their train table a few days so (you know, the one we JUST got themfor Christmas and they no longer play with it), so I told them they could buy a new toy with the money the made from sellin it, because it was their table and they made the choice to sell it(it was either that or their toy bin haha ). Mavrick got some big ninja set with tons of tiny guns and Trevis got a hunter se with a big rifle...gotta love the dollar general! And found out, dollar general guns have a trigger that Trevis can pull..unlike some other toys where he has a hard time. Tonight, I'm making the boys fall shirts. I ordered appliqués offline from etsy and just have to iron them on. And how crazy, I just randomly searched on etsy for appliqués the person I ordered it from is from my hometown.

Month 7

This handsome hunny is now 7 MONTHS OLD! Man, does time fly!

Well, Evrett as of now..

2 teeth (and working on more)

saying Dada, blahblahblah
rolling EVERYWHERE

sitting totally unsupported

trying to pull up!

jumping exhaustingly in his jumpy.

and if he's being held standing up he does the jumping/wanting to crawl motion.. so exciting!

He is also starting to play at his little play table, we're working on waving bye..he will rotate his wrist and then just get too excited start bouncing around.

Week of September 25

Sunday, we had church as usual and Sunday night we took the boys to Second Baptist (a very large and nice church in Baytown) Awanas program. The boys are in separate classes and they learn bible verses, get a vest and earn badges. They enjoyed it so we will be taking them back next week as well.

Oh, and Evrett has began to scoot a little. I will put him on one side of the room and before I know it he's all the way on the other side. He will start by rolling and then get back on his stomach and scoot backwards just a little by little to get where he wants. He has also figured out he can get loud..and he's not mad, upset or cranky ..just expressing his deep little voice.

So, Monday we went to a great morning playdate. It's so great to talk to friends who have kiddos the same age, same attitudes and just being with other mamas :) and it's good to let mavrick play with his friends while Trevis is at school, he's still a little lost without him. Tuesday, the school was having plumbing issues so it was a no school day! We all had lunch outside and I began to super clean the house so the realtor can come over Wednesday night. Now the trick is keeping it clean and keeping the boys out! Haha had two softball games..played one halfway raining and won! Second one, we lost but not by much and had a great time! Wednesday night met with the realtor, and the house will be on the market next week! A little lower than what we talked about before but the market is steadily
Changing and think it will sell quick in our neighborhood. Thursday, Trevis got alot of papers sent home for next week, looks to be a busy week for my big man! Friday night was childrens game night at church. Had a good time talking to friends and watching the boys not be able to decide on what game they want to play..so spending about 5 mins at each table. Saturday morning we were off to Pearland for their soccer game..and I knew I knew the way...but started second guessing myself so half way I looked at the gps and it took us coming in from a different way and we ended up not going to the game. I stopped once I realized where it was taking us, I stopped and headed home..backtracking would have put us at the game with about 15 mins left, and 5 of that would have been unloading the kiddos. The boys didnt mind we missed it, thank God for my low strung kiddos :) Saturday afternoon I took the boys to first baptist church in Crosby, they had a small event for special needs children. The boys painted, decorated cupcakes and ice cream, played games and got balloon animals. It was a nice small setting with a great turn out, it was nice letting them run around and play without getting trampled and having the attention set on them and other children with special needs. Oh and Trevis won a door prize! A DQ gift card :) you know what they're having for dessert tonight!