Dylan's Birthday Pics

I did a birthday post for Dylan a few months back with no pics of his special day! here is some below.

We kept it simple at my house. Just decorated in Spider man made some cupcakes and had the family over to celebrate.

Here's cute Dyl being extremely enthralled with his bat mobile.

He was So excited about his new batman guys!

Me and the boys eatin some cupcakes

Dyl getting ready to dig in

Daddy and Dyl

This expression sums up Dyl perfectly!

Birthday at Grandmas...yummy chocolate cake

She puts these signs on them with the birthday person's name in "paranthasis" which has kind of become a family joke, but we love you grandma

Opening more presents

Lots of fun had by Dyl. We love you

Arlo's special Day

On Arlo's birthday we celebrated by heading to Tracy Aviary with some of Arlo's favorite people; my Sister, Sophie, Hayley, Ethan and our good friends the Warner's. Arlo just loves Vince, Julian and Lucy. It was a great day from start to finish!

Here's Arlo with his presents! . We made a bird feeder for the backyard in the spring and it really sparked both of our interest in birdwatching. We love to investigate what type of birds come to visit. I thought he would really enjoy a bird book and some binoculars. The basketball is for Jr. Jazz, which he gets to start this year, And of course his favorite things in the world are transformers, so we got him a very cool one he has been wanting.

After presents it was off to Tracy Aviary. We got to watch a bird show, walk around and see some really cool birds and have a yummy lunch. Everyone had a blast!

What a fun day....We love you Arlo

Arlo's 5th Birthday

We had so much fun on Arlo's 5th birthday. I can't believe how big my boy is getting. This has been a year of a lot of changes and growth for Arlo. I have really enjoyed the sweet, capable, and inquisitive boy he is turning into. Grandma Dilley always has a party at her house for the grandkids. She makes their favorite dinner and cake. This year we decided to host the dilley party at our house. It turned out really fun.

Arlo loves chocolate and peanut butter. This year I tried a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting and Reeses crushed up on top. It was so so so yummy!

Uncle Doug, Aunt Lisa and Cousin Tess

Grandma and Grandpa Dilley

Cousin Will & Brae

Cousin Erin helping Arlo with Presents

A happy birthday boy!

Good Times with Good Friends

We have a great group of friends (The Warner's, Torro's, Burnsides, and Petersons)that we have been fortunate enough to keep in touch with over the years. We always try to plan a summer camping trip together. This year we made it happen and the kids had such a blast. I am so thankful to have friends that we can always be real with, laugh with, and complain with. I have loved watching our kids grow up together and have such great memories of christmas party's, date nights, and campouts. We love you guys! Heres some pics of the weekend

Now that it's December the 4th and 24 of July were great!

I am pretty bad blogger these days. I know it's been busy around here but really! Sooo, better late than never I guess. July is one of my favorite months! I look forward to the 4th all year. We always have such a good time celebrating with family and friends. We usually start the day off at the Magna parade with Clint's family. This year my Momma joined us so that was fun. After the parade we head over to the Dilley's for a pool party. Lots of family and friends come and we always have a great time.

Here's my cute guy's chillin before the parade starts

Me The back of Dyl's head, Arlo, My Momma and Clint's mom and Dad

Dylan sitting with Grandma Richards at the party

My Beautiful Sis and Mom in Law

Arlo Gettin out from a dip in the pool

Every year on the 24th we head over to Eric and Heather's and light fireworks with the kids. Eric's family usually comes into town and we have quite the fun party. Arlo looks forward to the 24th all year because he gets to see his best buddy in the whole world Teagelet.

Momma with crazy Dyl

Cousin Ethan showing Dyl a few things on the piano, and the cousins having a great time in the kiddy pool

Arlo and Teague getting ready for the fireworks show.

And having a great time watching it!

Dyl Dyl being Mezmerized

Dylan's Birthday

So both of my Boys birthdays have come and gone and mom still hasn't gotten to their birthday posts! A bit late, but here goes...

Dylan

Congrats little buddy! you are now our big 2 year old. You had a great birthday which we threw for you in the back yard with Aunts, uncles, cousins and Grandparents. You totally got into opening your presents which made it so fun. I will post some pics of your day soon. Some things about you....

You are talking up a storm! we have had such a fun time trying to decode what you are saying and as the days go by your speech gets better and better. You are constantly cracking me and Arlo up. You call Chocolate milk Cerplunk, you just started saying "what heck", which is Hilarious. You know and say all of your colors, You pretty much never stop talking...ever. You are so intune with what is going on with everyone. You pick up on the emotions of others around you and want to talk about it. When Arlo, Mom or Dad is upsett your the first to say "Momma mad? Hug". You are my little love bug. You are so cuddly and loving. You have an amazing energy about you and just light up the room, people love being around you. You have a lot of fun, love to tease just like Daddy, and you delight in the little things. You also are a firey little guy and know EXACLTY what you want. You are not afraid to express your needs very loudly. You are definately left handed. Now we have another lefty in the family besides me. You love to draw and paint and have amazing focus when your doing either. You have been so funny about Halloween and are obessed with talking about and drawing pumpkins and monsters. You worship your brother Arlo. Every day when we drop him off at school you scream for him when he goes in his classroom. You love to follow him around and try to do what he does. You are very cabable at whatever you try and seem to pick up things with ease. You don't stop moving, which is how you have been since you were a tiny little thing. We pretty much cant imagine life without you. You are definately our little bright, fiery, fun and loving little Dyl Dyl. Happy birthday!

My Baby's First Day

Again, it has been wayyyyyyy to long since my last post! This summer has been lots and lots of fun and as a result, I have lots and lots of posts I need to catch up on. Today was a VERY big day. one I have been anticipating for quite some time. Arlo started his first day of Kindergarten. I really don't know how this happened. I know people tell you that it goes by fast, but I am really in shock that my baby is going to school already! Of course true to my type a personality. I researched schools like crazy prior to him going. I looked into a whole slew of charter schools, loved two, applied for both, and didn't get either. I was so devastated. I of course wanted the very best for Arlo, and our neighborhood school is unfortunately not somewhere I would want to send him. As I started researching the public schools, I found a little school called Midvalley Elementary. I had driven by multiple times, as it is just up the street from us but had kind of overlooked it because I was so hyper focused on the charter school thing. As I looked into it a bit more, the testing scores were good, and from the comments I read, It seemed like and area where parents were pretty involved. So I decided to go down and take a look at it. When I walked in, I immediately liked the vibe. Although the school is really old, it is kept in immaculate condition. I was warmly greeted by the school secretary and she was so helpful. She gladly answered all my questions (I had a lot) . The principle (who was new and very energetic) also came out and greeted me and Arlo. He got down on Arlo's level and talked to him for like 5 minutes. That really impressed me; I was sold! They instructed me what I would need to do to request for Arlo to go to the school, and as luck would have it, Arlo got approved. Soon after we went to the kindergarten orientation and when I met the kindergarten teachers I loved them both. One seemed like an excellent fit for Arlo, and we ended up getting her. Every step of the way I have been impressed with the school, the principle, and his teacher. She is so friendly, enthusiastic, and very organized. She really has a way with Arlo and seems to calm his nerves immediately. For the past couple of days I could tell Arlo has been pretty nervous about starting. When I asked him how he felt about starting school he replied "Well, I am pretty nervous, but that's normal to get nervous when your starting something new right?" what a logical little guy he is. Sometimes his understanding of things just amazes me. As the days have gotten closer, his anticipation has gotten higher. Yesterday he seemed pretty angsty and uptight. I knew it was because he was nervous about school. As a result mom has been nervous too. I just cant stand the thought of him having a hard time. But I know that is part of life, and important for him to go through. This morning when he woke up, it was like all of his anticipation was gone. He was his happy little self and got ready no problem. I told him that Dyl and I were going to go with him a bit early and hopefully meet some of the kids in his class. He said that sounded good and off we went! When we got there I could tell he was a bit overwhelmed but we met a few of the kids and then his teacher came out and had them line up. Knowing he is a bit shy, His teacher went up to him and warmly greeted him. He immediately let go of my hand and jumped in line. Both kindergarten teachers said a few things to the parents, and in they went. Once his little head disappeared behind the big door the waterwoks started. It is the beginning of everything... and the end of me being his world. Such and exciting and excruciating step all at the same time. As I looked around, I realized I was in good company. Five or so other momma's were looking pretty teary and dispondant. One mom started handing out kleenex's and we all started laughing. "Look at us! "she said "They are all just fine, but here we are crying like babies." we sat out and chatted for like 20 minutes not seeming to be able to leave, but one by one people stared thinning out until me and another mom was left. We talked about peeking our heads in the windows, but eventually decided against it. As I got in the car and drove away with Dyl, I was overcome with more tears. I knew it was not going to be the same. Soon my boy will be looking to others for answers and guidance. His world will expand. I will no longer be the center of his universe. Eventually when people ask him who he wants to marry when he grows up, he will understand that it's weird to say "My Mom" . Even though he has solemnly promised that he will never stop giving me cuddle breaks, holding my hand, and giving me kisses no matter where we are; my good sense tells me different. But right now for a few more short moments, its bliss. I love my Arlo. I can't believe he's my big five year old

Build A Bow has Launched

I have been having fun making these crochet flower headbands and clips for a while and a few people suggested I try to sell them, So I figured what the heck! I opened up an esty shop. Wow, it was a bit confusing but I finally figured it out, I think....anyhoo they are quite cute I must say and I tried to price them very reasonably. They come in a set for $15.00; which includes 2 flowers, a headband, clip and ponytail holder. The flowers are interchangeable so you can just button them on an off all 3. Go check it out at www.etsy.com/listing/76281930/build-a-bow and let me know what you think! If you like them and want to place an order, I will take 20% off of your price if you are willing to advertise my esty link on your blog or facebook page.

T Ball

Year 2 of T-ball for Arlo. This year was even funner than last. Our good friends the Warners asked if Clint would like to assistant coach with Jason on his team so we joined the Mets. Arlo loved being on the same team as Julian & Lucy. He really blossomed this year. He seemed to get the hang of how to swing and by the end of the season, rarely needed the T. It looks like he might have his Dads' talent for the game. We still need to work on his focus a bit, but that is what makes watching T ball at this age so funny! We had lots of famiy like Grandma & Grandpa Dilley, Aunt Darlene & Erin, Uncle Doug, and Aunt Heather & Uncle Eric come to cheer Arlo on. He loved having family their to watch him. Heres some pics of his season.