Nauvoo

To celebrate Rob's first day off in two weeks, we headed to Nauvoo for a fun little vacation. The boys loved the pioneer games! The best part was when they were playing baseball with a stick and twine ball. All the big kids could barely get a hit off it, and both my boys drilled it. Ty had spilled Gatorade all over his shirt, so batted shirtless, but his Batman undies hanging out gave him power, I guess. He knew he was supposed to run after hitting the ball, but had no idea where. Everyone was cracking up as this little naked child (this was where all the dads and teenage boys were playing besides my little guys) starts sprinting in random patterns all over the field. He finally slammed into my thighs (home plate to him)--his face beaming. He looks up with a huge smile, and kind of turns around to check out his adoring fans and then says, "Mom, I was flying out there! I was going so fast, that no one could even see me; everyone thought I was flying!" So cute.
Another highlight was when we went on the oxen ride and they got unyoked! One started running away, the other to the side and our wagon jerked and hopped. Kind of scary watching three old guys trying to maneuver the beasts back onto the yoke (while we were inside!).








Rob just had to show off his skills. I wish I had gotten a picture of when he tried to click his heals together midair. Hilarious!

Baseball

Allstars! These two can whack a baseball farther than me (which really probably isn't saying much--not really my forte, you know)! Taking these pictures was like risking my life. Those balls (yes, whiffle balls) fly so fast and hard, I actually shutter. So cute. Rob has them all coached with form etc. and actually pitches (like REALLY pitches the ball). I'm so proud!

I get one of two looks everywhere I go. 1. Wow! What a darling little family with such precious sons. 2. You are in way over your head--crazy, irresponsible . . . three boys with the oldest 4 years old! Eew.

But whatever people think, the truth is that I have a blessed life and I am grateful for my little men. They fill my life with laughter and frustration. Just this week I've been having major discipline issues with Ty. He is a FIGHTER to say the least. The kid is completely unbreakable, I swear. So he bullies both brothers, hitting for no reason (hard) and totally defiant. But any type of discipline he somehow twists it around to make it a good thing! Let me give you a taste.

"Ty, okay, no treats then . . ."
He gives me the "Oh please" look. "Mom, I don't eat sugar anymore. It's bad for you."

"Time out Ty! Go to your room!"
He doesn't budge.
"Okay, I'm going to have to take you myself!" This used to generate some fight . . . no longer. I heft him up and head up the stairs.
"Whew! I'm on a choo-choo train! Whoo! Whoo!" Now its a ride.

Seriously??

What works the best? Being sapily nice. "I love you, Ty. Would you please . . ." I've noticed the best results come when I ask in an overly high, fairy-like voice. And if I do all that right, I get him to do what I ask . . . about 75% of the time. I just figure this will be a GOOD personality trait someday. He'll stick to his guns and no one or nothing will change his mind; now its just getting him to stand up for good things.

Robbie, on the other hand, is in the mode to please the ladies. Yes, he's already on the prowl. His new heartthrob is a little girl named Katelyn. He picks his outfits out the day before he knows he's gonna see her. He wore an all-white ensamble one day, explaining that it made him "look hot," and a black shirt bowling "'cause it makes [his] muscles look big." So cute.

Anniversary!!

This is the picture we took for our anniversary. I'm still goofy; Rob's still . . . Rob. :)
Happy Anniversary!!! We've been married 9 years now! Can't believe it! To celebrate we went ALL out! Went to see Harry Potter 7 and then I had Freddy's (great burgers!) and Rob ate leftovers! Awesome, I know. I am more in love with Rob now than ever. He's a wonderful man, fabulous father, hard worker, and totally funny (there are very few who get to know the real Rob humor; to all of you who haven't . . . you're missing out!) I still love to reminisce about our early days of dating. Oh how I obsessed over him, stalked him (no, seriously) . . . he was my "Beautiful" and I was his, oh wait . . . I was invisible! (at least for a little while). So glad I finally caught his eye! Love you, Babe! Can't wait for nine more . . .

Wild Hair

My boys have awesome hair! It's just how mine was when I was little--kind of straight, kind of curly, kind of soft, kind of course. It doesn't make for very cute girl hair, but on a boy . . .golden! We can fro it, curl it, slick it--it's fabulous. Little Jimmy's will be the same, I'm sure. Right now, however, he is having some serious hair problems. His blonde fuzz is coming in, leaving long brown hairs only in a mohawk bang kind of thing and a hideous mullet in the back. So hilarious! Rob wants to shave it, but I won't let him--it's too funny. Still, in time, I'm sure he will have hair just as unpredictably fabulous as his brothers. Let's hope.

4th of July

We had a great 4th. Rob got off just in time to come to a BBQ with some friends. But the best part, hands down, is the fireworks here! Oh my gosh! I have never seen the like! So everyone lights those enormous stadium fireworks--everyone! We went onto our deck and just looked out at a sky full of light--it was the best fireworks show ever! The kids stayed up late watching them all; every time I walked passed their bedroom their were at their window looking out at the sky. So fun.


(yeah, it took three men to figure out how to light the lady bugs. hilarious!)

Water

It's the only thing that makes life livable out here. No seriously, it is like scorching and humid--a really uncomfortable, terrible feeling. My brother Jaron and I have been comparing our heat indexes over the phone (he's in Texas). We're not really sure who is winning--basically we are both miserable once outside. So...we rely on water!

Robbie is just a born fish. He dives to the bottom and does crazy jumps and somersaults. Ty is much more cautious, or at least was until this week. Now he launches himself in after Robbie (wearing floaties, of course), and just yesterday he said he wanted to learn to swim without floaties. I've been in a state of panic ever since. He has a false sense of skills. He kicks and kicks and sinks and sinks only to be pulled up with a beaming face and a happy voice that says, "Did you see that!" Needless to say, we had a long talk about floaties and always being with Mommy or Daddy; going to the pool isn't going to be as relaxing anymore.

Little Jimmy had his first little turn, too. Just like the others, he is made for water and absolutely loved it.