Family Fun

Home life has been busy once again for us. It's hard to keep up with everything these days. Here are a few events that have happened so far...

Nathan is doing really well potty training, except some episodes of going #2. He is still learning the feeling of when to hold it verses when to go on the potty. But for the most part he is getting the hang of it. 

A couple of weeks ago Richard experienced something that had no words...Nathan was taking a bath and Richard walks back onto the bathroom to turn the water off. Nathan then stands up, picks up his poo from the bath water and throws it right into the toilet!!  Richard couldn't believe what he just saw. He was shocked and grossed out!  I give Nathan 10 points for knowing where the poo should go, but a little too late. We scrubbed Nathan using the shower head and the tub thoroughly that night.

During Ashley's school break we headed up to Denver for the weekend. We stayed at the Element hotel near Park Meadows Mall where the kids went swimming. Nathan loves to jump off the side and splash around. We eat at restaurant called "Rio Grande" that had awesome margaritas and Mexican food. I could have ate the salsa alone it was so good.

The next day we went to the Denver Zoo to see some new animals and ride the train. Except we picked a really bad day to visit because they were celebrating Boo at the Zoo. It was really busy and lots of people so it was not the best experience. Nathan did have fun riding the train and see the new African enclosures.

We had a lot of fun and until next time...

Ashley Turns 8 Years old

On Sunday, October 5th Ashley celebrated her 8th birthday! 

We had a small party with all of her friends at the house. This year the weather was really nice, so I surprised her with a bouncy house in the backyard. That morning Richard took her and Nathan to the park while the bouncy house was being set up.

I decorated the house with Frozen balloons and decorations. When she came back home, she walked thru the front door and saw the bouncy house. Her eyes got big and she was so surprised that she had no words except "how did you get it back here?". 
Here five friends came over and they all bounced in jumper, eat lots of goodies and played pin the tale on the donkey.

It was pretty funny seeing all of them trying to peek thru the blind fold and feel there way to pin the tale in the correct place. I had prizes for three of the winners so they all wanted to win.

At the end of the party we all sang happy birthday, eat yummy cake and Ashley opened all of her presents. On her actual birthday, we went to Red Lobster. Ashley ordered for favorite meal - shrimp scampi with mashed potatoes. She opened a present for us and the staff sang happy birthday.


I believe she had a great time this year and had a wonderful birthday.

Until next time...

September was a blur...

Rustler's Gulch Trail

I can't believe September is already over with...it seems it went by in a blur.  Let me try to recap some of things that happened...

Nathan's potty training has gone really well.  He has only had a few accidents since we started - I couldn't have asked for anything better.  He can go thru the night as well as the day without any problems.  I am very proud of him!  And the good news for mom and dad is there are no more diapers. Yay!!We sold all of the baby furniture and clothes so we are baby stuff free now. Onto the next stage of life.

Ashley caught a cold at school and she was nice enough to share it with Nathan and I. It was a pretty good one too - sore throat, runny nose, headache, etc...it last about two weeks.  By the end of it I was pretty tired of hearing Nathan wine about his "burgga".  Luckily Richard didn't get since he is hardly home these days with working three jobs.  We are trying to stay ahead of the birthday and holiday shopping in our near future...

This year we had a problem with yellow jacket wasps in our aspen trees.  We have always had a few here and there each year, but this time it was like a home to a swarm of them.  I believe there are attracted to the sap that comes from the trees. We did not see a nest anywhere so we couldn't get rid of them that easily. We set out traps and have caught a lot but it was not fun sitting out there with them buzzing around.

The month went by fast because we were either sick, taking care of the kids, cleaning or busy with our jobs.  No slowing down for us...holidays are coming!

Until next time...

The Potty Dance...

Nathan's sticker poster is full!

We have begun potty training with Nathan!  

I took the last week of August off of work and spent time training him on the whole potty process.  Before the week started I went out and bought new cars underwear, potty seat, potty book and pull ups. I was ready to go...but Nathan wasn't so much. The first day it was more of understanding the feeling of having to go. We went in the backyard and I had him pee in a puddle when he felt he had to go. He got a kick out of that! He went a couple of more times in the potty the first few days, but was having accidents including poo poo in his underwear. Yuck!  It took three days of winning, accidents and crying before I gave up and said to him "when you have to go pee pee let me know". 

After that, he has told me when he needs to go and hasn't had an accident, winning or crying for two whole weeks now!  I don't know what it was that clicked in his brain, but his stubbornness and independence were shying bright. We put up a sticker poster and he was able to pick out a sticker and up it on the poster every time he went on the potty.  By the end of the two weeks, it was filled up.  Way to go Nathan!  The poo poo in the potty was the hardest to overcome because he told me "my poo poo will drown". I had to laugh a little because it was a good reason to be worried.  But explained that his poo poo likes to swim in the water and go on the slide in the potty.  After his first accident in his underwear on the third day, I dumped the poo into the potty and he watched me flush it away...we waived bye bye. I believe he was okay with that afterwards because he has gone poo poo in the potty every time now (but a 10pm at night). 

It took a little time, but I am glad the hardest part of it is over and we are done with diapers! 

Until next time...

Nathan's 3rd Birthday

Nathan turned 3 years old on Saturday! 

We decorated the house with Cars character balloons, table cloth and cake. I had Richard take him to the park while we set it all up and then surprised him when he returned home. He liked the balloons and decorations but was not sure of everyone looking at him.  It made him a little shy.

We eat pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw, chips and watermelon.  I also made homemade cherry limeades.  Everyone sang happy birthday and he blew out the candle in one try. My mom told Nathan to stick his finger in the frosting of the cake.  He wasn't sure at first, but once he got the okay it was all over....he ate gobs of frosting.


The first present he opened was from us which was a three wheel scooter. Now he can ride "his" scooter with his big sister. He also got clothes and play dough from Grammie. A remote control dump truck and books from Grandma. Coloring pads, stickers and drawing materials from his Aunt Lisa. Nathan had a blast eating his cake and opening his gifts.

Until next time...

Big Boy Bed

Nathan transitioned into a big boy's bed (twin bed instead of a crib) this weekend!

Richard and I painted the walls and made custom fabric headboards. I surprised Ashley with "Frozen" design bedding. Nathan himself picked out "Cars" design bedding at the store. We also placed the kids table and cubbies that hold all of their toys into their room. It took almost two days to complete the make over, but it was well worth it because of Nathan's reaction.

I finished putting together Nathan's bed and he walks in, puts his hands across his mouth and says "Oohhh, I like it!" with a big grin on his face.  He jumps onto the bed and cuddles with the sheets, pillow and a stuffed Lightening McQueen.  It was really adorable! 

Ashley loved her bedding, especially since it has Elsa on them (her favorite character from the movie Frozen).  She was excited to be sleeping next to the window and having her custom headboard.  For now they still need to share a bedroom, but when Ashley gets older we will finish the bathroom down in the basement and have her transition her room downstairs.

Until next time...

Riding Her Bike

Ashley rode her bike to school for the first time!

It was raining all week during the afternoons so I had to pick her up at school.  On Wednesday the weather was nice and she was able to ride it home. I met her at the corner of the neighborhood and watched her cross the streets and make her way to the other side.  She did very well and walked her bike on the cross walks. 

It is very exciting and nerve racking for me, but I am very proud of her independence.

Until next time...