superhero

Fisher's school designed these t-shirts for families to purchase this year. I bought one for Fisher and one for me to help support the cause and give back to this place we so love. We didn't know what the shirt looked like or what it would say, but when he came home with his on yesterday my eyes teared up and I smiled just watching him run around.

He is so excited of his new shirt and he wears it so proudly. He deserves that cape, he truly is a superhero and will always be one to me.

This post couldn't come at a better time. Lately I have been struggling and fighting emotions as we watch Fisher grow and develop. Things that we thought we were lucky to avoiding are now showing up and Fisher's lack of communication has created new frustrations for both him and us. Even though we are seeing some major improvements in his social skills and new words, he is regressing in eye contact again and we feel like we are back at the starting line. He is learning new ways to express his frustrations, which in turn create tensions in us as parents. He has discovered the lovely sound of a high pitch scream and has quickly learned that when things don't go his way he can scream till someone caves in. The hardest thing for us as parents is learning how to discipline since he thinks time out is a fun little game of catching him and making him sit down.

Ahh... the joys of parenthood. Even though we are at a small little bump in our road to growth with Fisher, I am still seeing such amazing things come from this little boy. He is such a loving little boy, who loves his little brother and absolutely adores his baby sister. His smile makes my day and the fact that this little boy has made huge improvements in the 2 short months at his new school gives me so much hope that he can only continue to progress and grow. Getting him to talk is by far one of the most frustrating and hardest thing I have done as a parent thus far, but I know the reward for this will be so much greater.

He is an amazing little boy who I absolutely love with all of my heart. I know he will do great things and I am so excited for the person he will become.

thank you presidents...

... for giving us a three day weekend!

For the first time ever, we went and visited our dinosaur museum down in Thanksgiving Point. I was super excited because I have been wanting to take the boys there for what seems like forever. Thankfully, Wayne had Monday off and we ventured down there early Monday morning. The minute we drove by the big building with the large T-Rex on it, the boys got excited and Chase started roaring the whole time till we walked inside.

The boys had an absolute blast walking through this really cool and really big museum. They loved every single minute of it.

This is a really neat museum and I can't believe it has taken us this long to go and visit it. It's definitely something we will have to do with our boys again.

It's no surprise that Fisher's favorite part was the under the water part. He loves anything to do with water and they have this little fish tank full of fish and he just stood there watching them swim around. I am pretty sure he would stay there for as long as we would let him... maybe it's time to get a tank of our own. Maybe...

And as Wayne and I were walking around we noticed these gnomes in weird places. It turns out, after I googled it, that there is a game for those who visit the museum quite frequently. Apparently there are 13 gnomes hidden in the museum and they are hidden pretty difficult. I guess the Denver Museum even does this and has 9 gnomes hidden throughout their museum.

So there you go.. if you go quite a bit you have something new to look for. Here are two for you to get started!

snowman

Yesterday we were reminded that we are still in the middle of winter. Even though we were blessed with wonderful, almost warm weather a few days earlier.

So we decided to make the most of it and go out and play in it.

The boys weren't too sure about being in the snow at first.


And at times they both made bee lines to the front door begging to go in.

But once we started building our snowman and getting our gloves wet and covered in snow, they begin to enjoy being out in the white stuff more and more.

They thought this little snowman was the greatest thing ever! Wayne did a great job finding twigs and rocks for eyes and a smile.

Our little snowman turned out great! Chase calls him our "nomin". They even run to the window every so often just to check on him!

It was so fun capturing this first moment with them!

new things

Look who is starting to roll over! It's crazy how fast this time is flying and that we are now to the point where we have to watch yet another little mover. She doesn't stay still long, or in one place for that matter. And even when we put her in her bouncing chair she still tries her hardest to sit up.

She is just so fun to watch and her smile is just addictive!

And these two keeping growing and learning. The other day we were doing our alphabet flashcards and I was just amazed at how much these two really know. I am so happy and excited with every new word that Fisher says... and saying letters gets me so excited! It's fun to listen and see what else Chase knows and discovers. He is one very smart and very chatty little boy!

And I just love this picture of Fisher with his blankie. It looks like he is screaming but he is really singing. He sings a lot these days and a lot of times it's just quiet and he is singing softly to himself. I love just listening to him while he does this. It's become one of my favorite sounds these days!

best buds

The two guys love each other. They make each other laugh and smile and they are always running around together.

There is never a quiet moment with these two.

But I don't mind.


I love their laughter.


I love their smiles.

They are just that... best buds!

happy valentine's day!

Sending lots of love your way...

Happy Valentine's Day!

i 'heart' you!

Today we spent the day taking some valentine's day pictures to send to grandparents, aunts and uncles and friends.

We had fun cutting out paper hearts and sticking them to our walls and playing with them on the ground.

My heart is full this valentine's. I have a lot to be thankful for and to celebrate and I am looking forward to many more days like this!

Hope you all have a great and wonderful Valentine's day!

full house

It's been awhile since our house has been full of guest.

Since family has come through our doors, hugging and laughing and creating new memories.

It's been too long since Wayne has embraced his mother, brother and sister, and shared with him the joys of his new little family. But time stopped still the moment they arrived and our house became cozy and full and happy.

The kids just loved having these guest in our home. They were cuddled, and loved and tossed around.

They smiled and laughed and wanted to be with their aunt and uncles every minute!

Wayne's mom, Pat, meeting her sweet granddaughter for the first time. I love this picture of them!

When everyone first arrived we took them out to dinner and they all wanted to walk through Temple Square downtown. It was a cold night but it was so much fun walking through the Square and visiting all of the centers down there.

There seriously was never a dull moment with our family here! Chase loved watching and being with everyone! He was definitely entertained the entire time our guest were here!

Who can resist some good old home cooking from your mama? The Crowder"s and their cooking... yumm!

Pat giving her children some beef stew 101

Chase and his best buddy Uncle Derek.

This was his best pal. Both boys just loved having their Uncle around. From the moment they woke up to the time they went to bed, they were by Derek's side. They could not get enough of him!

Emily and her boyfriend Jeff, aka soon to be fiancée. They are a cute cute couple and we were so happy that Jeff was able to make it out on this trip and meet the family!

We love having company over, especially when it is family! It really meant a lot to Wayne to have his family finally come up and see where we live, to see our cute family and to share in our wonderful moments. I know he misses his family a lot and this was a wonderful weekend shared with great people!