Preschool Begins

Here is Nate on his first official day of preschool. Last week he had 2 days of observation so today was his first day being enrolled in the program. He is being a peer model for the North Kansas City School district's early childhood education for kids who are may have learning disabilities or physical disabilities. He was tested to see if he would excel and he scored 99 out of 100. He is there to model such things as, good speech, answering questions, following directions, good behavior and in general just be there to help the kids that are behind have a role model to follow after. He is in a class that has about 6 kids and 2 teachers. He is loving it. His teacher is Mrs Debbie. He is already making friends because he was saying bye to them when we picked him up. He already got to pick something from the treasure chest for earning enough "tickets" . This is exactly what he has been needing- school! I don't know who is enjoying it more, Mommy or Nathan?!

New Glassees

Here's a look at me and my new glasses. I wanted something that wasn't so boring but not anything that was too outrageous. I think these fit the bill. I liked them. I didn't realize how much my vision and declined over the years. My last real check of my vision was back in early 2003, before I even had Nate so it really had been awhile since I had something new. So, what do you all think?

Story Hour

One night, Nate wanted a story so I started reading to him. Then Josh wanted to be included and then Colton woke from his nap to join us. There was sitting room only. The funny thing about it all is that Colton was looking at the pictures with us and trying to get them. It's the moments like these that are sweet, the one's that you just want to lock into your memory forever!

Mole

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN GROSS IMAGES
Our lawn is being destroyed by moles and gophers. We have underground trails that you can see all over our yard. You walk on our lawn and you can feel it just sink beneath you. They are destroying our yard. So Danny, bought some traps to kill them. We have 4 traps placed near their holes that they come up from. This morning had hit the jackpot in our front yard. This is actually a dead gopher. We didn't know what it was but Nate said it was a gopher because he saw it on "In between the Lions" and he described it for us. So Danny looked it up on the web and sure enough he was right. (I guess I don't have to feel guilty anymore because watching tv is paying off.) This one gophers has a trail leading all over the front and then under our driveway, which because of the tunnels it is causing our driveway to sink and crack. Stinkin rodents! We don't know how many are out there but one is DEAD and because we were so excited we really just had to share it with everyone else. Hope this doesn't gross you out too much! Oh, there are spikes peircing through the entire body. And look at those hands for digging, aren't they awesome!

Boy's Bathroom

This is the boys bathroom.

Another look at the bathroom.

This is their shower curtain.

Last look at the bathroom. The yellow doesn't look to bad in these picture. It was bright lime green before we painted it. I don't know what the old owners were thinking! But I think that since we didn't prime the walls before hand that the yellow went a little brighter than we wanted it too. We were trying to match it to the yellow in the shower curtain. It's not a huge bathroom but it's the boys' bathroom and really what do boys care about having a big bathroom for anyways.

Family Room

Here is a video clip of our family room. It still needs some finishing touches on it. We have more pictures that we to hang up but we need to buy some new picture frames for them. Then I am still trying to find some tie backs that I like for the curtains. But we like how this room is coming along. It has a nice warm feeling that we were looking for. And maybe one day I can talk Danny into putting some crown molding on the ceiling because I would really like that. But I just wanted to give everyone a quick glance at what this room looks like right now.

Chubba- Bubba

Ok, I know, it's been awhile since I last posted. I have been meaning to come up with something. But this calling has my mind just on overload right now. I fall asleep thinking about what needs to be done and I wake up thinking about primary. I sure hope that it gets better the longer I'm in there. Anyways, here is a recent picture of "little" Colton. He is wearing a 6-9 month outfit. And I guess officially he is now 4 months old. I can't believe it. He is rather a happy boy. He's pretty good too, he's being so patient and good for daddy on Sunday's since mommy is so busy on those days. But look at those thighs! I wish you all could actually see them and feel them. He loves to stand now and when he does, you should see the dimples in his knees because he's so dang chubby. I'll have to let everyone know what he weighs when I take him in for his 4 month appt. I will be posting some more things in the next day or two of our house and some of the things we have done, so keep an eye out for that.

Crazy Sunday

Well, today marks the first Sunday that I conducted primary as the new North Kansas City 1st primary president. One down, many more to go but the first is always the worst. I think it went ok. I don't know a lot that is going on. And I'm sure I'm going to be changing some things in primary. Right now I'm trying to put names with faces, meet the teachers and start to learn the names of kids in primary. There is a lot of chaos going on right now with teachers, some just don't come and don't get subs so we are working on that. It is just plain craziness right now. Not to mention that the primary sacrement program that was scheduled for next week is put off until November so we can get organized and actually write the program. I feel a little guilty about this, but I guess it is part of delegating things out, I have one of my counselors writting it up for us.Then there are the meetings after church every week. Poor Colton had to wait 3 hours before he could eat so that had to seem like an eternity to him but my no means is he starving to death. But all in all, I think everything went well. I just tell myself that the Lord called me for a reason and he'll make all things possible if I just give it all that I have.

Belly Time

Are you kidding me!

I'm not happy!

Colton really doesn't like to have belly time. But we make him do some every day. He gets his head up pretty good but as far as rolling over goes, he's not even close. He's to chubby right now to get himself over. But kissing those cheeks are irresistible!

Nate says no more!

The training wheels come off.

So this is Nate trying his out his bike without any training wheels. He came to Danny and I the other day and said, "So, I've been thinking, I want my training wheels off." Mommy asked him "Why?" Nate replied, "Because I have to try and try and try and keep trying so I can learn." After further interrogation, I found out that he watched some show like 'Calliou' or 'Barney' and they learned to ride their bike without training wheels and he thought it time for him to learn. I can't believe my 4 year old thinks he's too old for training wheels. He thinks he's older than he is sometimes. And frankly, I think he's growing up way too fast. It's just one small step towards boyhood and farther away from babyhood.

Johnny Appleseed

"I found the perfect apple!"

Mr. hotshot, thinks he can climb trees now.
This is what Nate does outside when we aren't around.
I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Welcome Sofie

Sofie Annetta Howell
Sept 4, 2008
5:27pm
6 lbs 13 oz
19 1/2 inches

Congratulations Jason and Tilisa! She is a beautiful baby girl. We are so glad that she is here and that she and Tilisa are doing good. It's so nice to know that their is a new little baby "GIRL" in the family now. I wish we could be there to see her. I would love to hold her, I never really got to hold a newborn, she looks so sweet, I just want to cuddle her. Give her lots of kisses for us. We are so happy for you guys. Dannny and I just smile because gone are the days of long Sunday naps, no more sleeping in on Saturdays, no eating meals together at the same time, no last minute quick errand running. Now are the days of sleep deprivation, showering when you can sometimes not even getting one at all, having a big "poopy blow-out", being pee'd on, pooped on, vomitted on, bugers, spit-up you name it you will have it on you. But it is all worth it. There is nothing in this world that can replace the love that you will have for you child, for this sweet, innocent little Sofie. You won't care about any of that other stuff because she is your daughter and together, Jason and Tilisa you have created her. You learn to love even the yucky stuff of parenting because their is nothing like holding and cuddling your child when they are new. And as they grow up, hugs and kisses and hearing "I love you" can never be replaced. Being a parent is one of the greatest blessings and gifts the Lord has blessed us with in this life. So welcome to the world of parenthood!

Lidia

It was September 3, 2002 that we were able to hold you in our arms. It was a bittersweet moment for us. It was the day that we welcomed you to our family but also a tear filled good-bye. It seems like many, many, lifetimes ago that you entered this world. Life sure would be different with you here. Today you would be turning 6 and you would be entering kindergarten. You would surely have your Daddy tied around your little finger. Mommy probably would have already hi-lited your hair by now. And your brothers would most likely have a second mother with you around. But alas many of our dreams and aspirations for you are put on hold. Heavenly Father had a different plan for you. And many days, I wonder why you couldn't be with us but I hold on to the fact that He does have a plan and purpose for our trials. And so, if I prove faithful I will be able hold you in my arms again and oh how your father and I look forward to that day. We love you Lidia and miss you so much!

Smithville Lake

We took a Sunday drive up north to a lake called Smithville. It was really pretty and the lake was rather large with lots of places to boat or fish. It made us really jealous to see all the boaters out there. One day we would love to be out there boating or wave running, (of course on any day besides Sunday.) The boys loved getting out and throwing some rocks in the water and burning some energy off. It's amazing how pretty Missouri really is. There are so many beautiful things that we are discovering out here. If anyone ever gets out here we will have lots of beautiful places to take you. It was nice to be out in nature at a lake and see all of the beautiful scenery that God has created for us. Even if it was a little hot and muggy, we all enjoyed some sight-seeing.

MMM...Chocolate!!

This is what happens when cupcakes are left on the counter and Mommy goes and gets in the shower. They were given to us the night before from the birthday party that Nate went to and Joshy didn't get one that night. So, he really wanted one but Mommy was making him wait until after lunch. Well, he couldn't wait that long, so when Mommy wasn't around he dug in. He pretty much ate the best part off of all of them. Most of the chocolate was gone leaving just the cake and that isn't nearly as good. If you can't tell he really did have chocolate all over him. Needless to say it was too cute and funny that he didn't get into trouble. As Joshy would say, "MMM...Chaco!"

We Love Cereal!

I went to get me a bowl of cereal before bed, then I had a thought hit me: If I eat some cereal the boys are going to want some and a regular sized bowl is not going to be enough to share with them. So rather, I grabbed a huge bowl and 3 spoons and we sat down to enjoy our bowl of cereal. We go through so much milk and cereal around here because we eat it at breakfast and as snack times. In fact the boys fuss when I tell them we are having pancakes or anything other than cereal in the morning. Fritz's love their cereal day or night!

Kansas City Air Show

Saturday brought the boys some fun at the Kansas City Airshow. They were really excited to go and see some planes. Not to mention that Danny wanted to show off to the cops. The freeways and bridges were closed to the public during the air show but FAA employees received a special permit to enter. Only the elite were allowed access and Danny was one of them. He enjoyed driving on the closed roads and irritating the cops on duty. The Airforce Thunderbirds were in town so Danny took them to watch them. Mommy and Colton stayed home because it was too loud for Colton. And it proved to be too loud for the boys. As you can see in some of the pics the boys are wearing ear protection to help with the noise. Danny commented that as they were leaving he tried taking them off of Josh but they weren't far enough, Josh replied, "No, on!" They liked all the cool tricks the pilots are doing. The picture that looks like Josh is picking Nate's nose is really him pointing to the sky because they are doing tricks. Nate and Josh had a lot of fun exploring some of the planes that they could go into. And of course they had to get a shot of the 'Marine' plane, who can resist that when Daddy was a Marine. They had a great morning looking at planes and spending it with Daddy. And Mommy had some much needed quiet time with just Colton at home.

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

Rub-A-Dub-Dub, three boys in the tub. This makes for a very full tub. This doesn't take place to often because Nate and Josh are a little to wild in the tub. They like to try and throw water on Colton. So usually the two big ones get showers because it's easier than having to sit and watch them in the tub. (I know, kind of lazy of us but they love the shower too.) I was telling Danny that poor Colton probably only gets a bath twice a week because he's the third one and of course we all know how left out the third child is. (I know Jason will agree and it's just more ammunition for him to use.) But with the first you have alot more time to devote to that one and they get a bath like every other day. Then child number two comes and he gets a bath pretty regularly like every 3 days and by baby number 3 it all falls apart. But in the end, it doesn't matter because the love is there for all 3 of them. They each are loved and treasured simply because they are our boys. We love you Nate, Josh and Colton!

3 Months Old

Bath time August 21, 2008

Today marks 3 months since our little Colton entered this world on May 22. It's amazing how much you can come to love someone in 3 short months. He is such a sweet, happy baby boy. He has begun smiling all the time, he is cooing, and even starting to giggle. Daddy can really get him to giggle by tickling him. He is so fun to have here. We are all so glad that he is a part of our family. I can't believe it's already been 3 months, where does the time go! He's our little "chubby," even Nate and Josh call him "chub-chub." Colton, our family just wouldn't be the same without you in it. We love you!

Gladstone Start Smart Soccer

Nathan is ready to get started.


Here he is listening to instructions.


Nice form buddy!


He's practicing some basic soccer skills.

Nathan had his first practice today. It was at Happy Rock Park. It's not actually soccer games but a soccer camp for 3-5 year olds to teach them the fundamentals of soccer. Parent participation is required and it's meant to be lots of fun for them. Nate enjoyed himself, he had to be probably the oldest one there. I could here one of the coaches saying that Nate gave the hardest kick she'd seen all night. And Danny said that she also commented that she couldn't believe how far Nate could throw. He was pretty tired out afterwards because he came home and had another plate of spaghetti after the 2 plates he had before practice. It seems like it will be a really good program for the kids and it will be good for Nate to have something to do each week.

Just like Grandma's house

We just had to take some pics of the boys and their shoes underneath our desk. It reminds us of living at Grandma's house. I think the boys really enjoy having a desk to throw their shoes under; it reminds them of being back at Grandma and Grandpa's. Of course we had to conitinue what was began in Utah. So this is for you, Grandma and Grandpa.

Our "little" man

As you can see Colton finds our couch just as comfy as Danny and I do because he is just blobbeled out. You can really get a good look at how big Colton really is getting. He's going on 3 months now and well, he's big. At 2 months old he was 17 lbs. The orange outfit is from Aunt Tilisa and it's 6-9 months. Thanks again, Aunt Tilisa for the onesie, I just wanted you to see how cute he looked in it as well.