Jabber

Love this stage when babies start interacting a bit more. Lucas started jabbering quite a bit this month -- in this first picture, he's squawking at his zebra. The kids thought it was pretty funny. We even got his first laugh this month! They're not very easy to get yet, but sure cute!

Video of Lucas jabbering at me to pick him up, then getting upset when I don't. Yes. He's spoiled.

   

Amber's family came up a couple times this month for soccer tournaments and a football? game. My kids had been missing their friends, and hadn't made any yet since the move, so I kept the two younger boys (Jack and Cooper) with me during the days so Emma and Jake would have play-mates. . I'll admit I was exhausted from all the boys by the end, but the kids were thrilled to have someone to play with, and they're becoming better friends with their cousins. While Amber and Cody were at the football game, we had a fun little movie night (Jake, Cooper, Jack, Emma, Maddie, and Hannah).

Oct 12-24, 2014

Zoo-Tastic Day

The fans (from previous post) were driving us CRAZY -- and it was surprisingly warm for an October day, so we headed out to the zoo! The giraffe slide at the entrance was a hit -- and they went on it several times.

        

Emma loves the carousel and Jake is still terrified of it, so while she went on her ride (check out that pose!), Brad and Jake stuffed popcorn in their mouths, and Lucas did his job of just being adorable.

  The statue animals are always a favorite.

   

   

 Tiger on the prowl.   

And the slowly tortured turtle. It was his lunch time, and I guess they like to feed him inside. The man had this huge salad bowl, and made the turtle follow him inside. It was pretty fun to watch --slow but fun.

   I have to sneak in a few pictures, just so that I can document me actually being there.

Oct 11, 2014

And the Rains Came Tumbling Down

When we lived in Utah with our big basement, we were constantly in fear of it flooding. We were very diligent in checking the sump-pumps to insure it didn't -- and then the fridge line leaked and caused water damage. Then we move into this rental house in Meridian, and we think our flood worries are over with no basement -- and then the washer hose was dislodged from the drain and flooded...  We just don't have any luck when it comes to water.

Of course with it being a rental, we had to inform the rental agency and they went completely overboard. They cut a huge hole in the ceiling, and ripped up linoleum, baseboards and carpet pad  upstairs. We had to have about 8 big loud fans going for a few days. I had a major buzzing headache by the end of this. (Future update -- it's January 5th (3 months later) and the only thing they've fixed is the hole in the ceiling. Our furniture is still pushed away from the walls and washer and dryer in the middle of the laundry room because it's still all torn apart...ughhh)).

Oct 10, 2014 

J for Jake

Now that it's just me and the boys at home during the day, I'm trying to get Jake prepared for preschool next year. His attention span is pretty short, so we don't get much in, and I have to throw in a bit of variety (paint, glue and ripped paper, markers, etc), but he's starting to recognize almost all of the letters! He can even write a few with a little guidance. Proud Mom.

 Teaching Lucas about the fun things in life... like Dora. Moments like these that just melt my heart.

Oct 1, 2014

11 Weeks Old

Sept 26, 2014

Loving on Brother

Emma and Jake LOVE Lucas. They're always either holding him, sitting by him, talking to him, etc. He started smiling for real this month (instead of the random grins he'd give in his sleep) -- and this was the first one I caught! Of course, it was with Emma. Lucas loves when Emma talks to him, and always gives her the best smiles. Jake gave her his first smiles too. Jake is surprisingly a great big brother (He is a sweet boy, I just thought he'd be so rambunctious that I'd have to keep an extra eye on him). He's always concerned if Lucas is making ANY noises, and makes sure he has a blanket on to stay warm -- and always right by his side.

   

Sept 2014

Baby Blessing

Little Man's special day! I love when my sweet little babies get a special blessing just for them. Can't believe how much our little family is growing! We're so happy to have three healthy, happy kids! Also happy that some family and friends were able to make it, even when it was scheduled last minute! Lucas was 8 weeks old. Sept 7, 2014

My grandpa came up with my parents, and was able to stand in the circle. So glad he's still able to get around and was able to make the trip! Here's a 4 generation pic! He enjoys watching this huge family grow that he and Grandma started, and was saying Lucas is great-grandchild number 152!

4 generation (male) picture.

   

Banana splits with the group! (Gma & Gpa Egbert, Great Gpa Egbert, Curt with 2 kids, Hector, and Gary's family.)

   

We got a call from our realtor saying someone wanted to see the house that day at 5, so it was a short visit before we had to kick everyone out. I felt bad making it a short visit, but a wise decision, as we got an offer that night. We accepted it in the morning, and had two weeks to be out! CRAZY!