Sunday, March 31, 2013

OTI: Easter...

Linking up with Grace at Camp Patton for:
Camp Patton

Getting a picture of us all together these days that is halfway "picturesque" is quite amusing.  Just like our Christmas photo (here), these are pretty true-to-life.





Happy Easter to All!!

Friday, March 29, 2013

Good Friday...

I didn't write a new post today, just wanted to reflect on last year's here.  God bless you all today and this Holy Week!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Mr. Cool...

I got the boys some new sunglasses and Carter's first words were, "Oh, I can't wait for RoRo to see me in these!!!"  Funny kid.  So we sent a video to RoRo and her friend who we will see this week.

Here it is from Mr. Cool...


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

The Boys...

We took the boys to Palm Sunday Mass dressed alike.  No, I didn't think I would be one to ever dress them alike.  Wrong.  I love it!  However, it helps to have pictures of it.  I don't.  Good thing Easter is coming and they have matching shirts again :)

John Paul is such a joy.  Ha, I think I have said that about all of my babies.  He's sweet as can be and pretty laid back.  He started sleeping through the night (for near 12 hour stretches) about a week ago, and it makes us all so happy!  

This day, however, he wasn't very happy.

But as always, he has come around...

He's going to Mass with us consistently now, has been out to feed the cows and even made a trip to the grocery store.  I took all three all by myself!  If I previously mentioned that, sorry.  I'm kind of proud of the fact, ha.  However, I just had a few items, and it was a gorgeous morning...all things working in my favor.  This little guy was in a carrier, Peter in the front of the cart and Carter with the groceries.  A couple of Slim Jims also helped :)




Peter is over being sick but not loving all four eye teeth coming at once.  He stays mad a me most of the day and then decides to be nice from time to time.  I'm ready for those teeth to come in.  We did discover that he has a love for blackberries though, and he is happy as can be here...



Those matching shirts...well, we're going to have to smoosh some blackberries on John Paul and Carter's to keep them matching, darn it.

And Carter, well, he is going through a tough sleeping phase.  He has been for a month or so and it has gotten really bad.  He has always been a pretty great little sleeper, until now.  Jeremy and I have tried about everything, and Sunday night implemented a new strategy after talking to a sleep consultant.  We simply put him back in bed without talking to him or looking at him every time he gets out. Sunday night was 35 times.  Pray for us/him.

However, he is also loving his little brother more and more and is asking to hold him from time to time.  How precious is this?!


If you can't tell, I simply adore being the mom of boys!  Every day brings blessings and I am so thankful for these little guys!

Monday, March 25, 2013

Winter is still here...


I used to be the girl who couldn't wait for summer, hated the early darkness of winter, and really just preferred the warmer months.  That has changed.  I still love a lot of things about summer, but I've quickly learned to love every season.  This year I find myself not wanting to wish winter away.  I think I've finally figured out why.  I love the short days.  I love that my husband is home early and it is quickly dark, and we're all together as a family.  I love that many days a warm fire is "necessary" and that coffee seems to taste a bit better on a cold morning.  I love the coziness, the fleece and long-sleeve t-shirt wearing weather, the slower pace and those days with a pretty snow falling outside.  Frankly, I am a bit nervous about seeing it go (I worry about silly things).  While I am excited about the boys getting to play outside more, the beauty of new life that Spring brings, the fun to be had in the summer, and the beautiful colors of the fall, I will be excited when November rolls around again.  

This weekend we got in maybe one last snow (or perhaps there are a couple more on the horizon).  

Rabbit Ear mountains were dusted...

Sugarfoot was enjoying his new pen...

Maybe one of the last few pictures of this tree without any leaves...

And this won't be be happening next month when tools are left out...

Or toys...

This coat won't be necessary...


Or these mittens (Peter is thankful)...


Or this hat (which isn't quite serving its purpose)...




Luckily, the warmth that makes winter bearable, even enjoyable to me now, resides in the heart of our family.  And, it is there every season!





Saturday, March 23, 2013

Papa...

There's nothing quite like a Papa and all his boys!


Carter - 3 months shy of three.
Peter - 17 months
Stephen Ross - 5 months
John Paul - 3 months

Friday, March 22, 2013

Our Everyday: Volume 9...

Carter and I made my mom's oatmeal cookies Wednesday.  It was one of those mornings in which things weren't going exactly as planned.  Instead of just sitting and taking a breather, what did I do???  Decide to bake.  Brilliant.  So, it was oatmeal cookies this time around.  Mom's oatmeal cookies are not spice-filled with raisins (although, I love those, too).  Instead, they are raisinless and buttery.  Here's the recipe:


1/4 C. Crisco
1/4 C. butter
1 C. brown sugar
1/2 C. White sugar
1 egg
1/4 C. water
1 t. vanilla

3 C. quick oats
1 1/4 C. flour
1 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda

Cream first four ingredients.  Add other wet ingredients and mis. Add mixed dry ingredients. Cook at 350 for 12 minutes. (I never come close to 12 minutes - more like 8-9, but I like really chewy cookies).



Carter's helping hand...



and a true-to-life-Wednesday picture.  Oops.

Peter helping, too!

The end result was the same though, and it really is good to do things together :)



Part of these will go to one of Carter's buddies!

Another part of our everyday lately...new babies!  This little guy was born this week.





One proud mama!  What a beautiful time on the ranch.

God bless your everyday!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

One More Cousin Post (for now)...

The boys have a cousin who was born just about seven weeks before John Paul, and he just lives about 15 minutes away!  They don't get together too often, but when they do, it sure is fun.  

Here are the little guys :)


He's got one big smile :)





I'm sure they'll grow up to be the best of buds!

More Cousins and a Birthday...

Pops had a birthday last weekend and we got to see Jeremy's side of the family.  As always, we had so much fun!  On top of a birthday celebration, it was also Saint Patrick's Day, and Mimi and Pops got the boys some great mustaches! 


Mimi with her youngest grandson...see some resemblance???

Sam is learning to play the guitar - how great is that?!?


Gus putting on Carter's shoes so he could go outside - how sweet!

Mimi, John Paul and Pops

And a few attempts at a picture with all five grandsons...




Happy Birthday, Pops!  We love you!