Grand Parents

I am trying not to abuse my parents while we are living with them, but to be completely honest, they are bringing it on themselves! Which, I suppose is ok since they seem to love having grand kids around. It is fun to see my boys making memories and enjoying their grandparents.

And Crew is learning how to do yard work

Look at that proud face!

Crew and Grandpa love to make fires to rest by, since it is so cold here at night;)

I thought my parents were great parents, but they are even better grand parents and we love being able to be with them so much!

Helmets...check!

My life is so different here compared to South Pasadena. When we lived there in our little apartment, the whole purpose of everyday was to get out of the apartment. Well, that is definitely not the case here. I have to bribe the boys to leave willingly. And honestly, it is not hard to see why. Kids just love being kids and finding new ways to have fun around the house. This day it was throw on some helmets and ride dad's long board down the drive way for an hour. What could they possibly do that would be more fun than that? Graham is expressionless in a lot of these but he must have enjoyed himself because he never wanted to stop or get off.

And he loves his helmet

And being chased

Precious little stinker!

My Big Boy Crew

This post is all about Crew. I seriously cannot believe what a big boy Crew is. My good friend Kristy helped us get him into this great little Preschool with Miss Glenda. He goes Tues-Thurs from 9am to noon and LOVES it! I was a little nervous going from one day a week for two hours to 9 hours of school a week but he wanted it and is doing so well. This is such a big step for a kid who we couldn't leave for two years because he was so attached. I honestly thought I would be going on a mission with this kid. But he is growing up so fast and I still get kind of teary eyed every morning when I drop him off at school and he gives me a kiss then yells "See ya mom!" as he jumps out of the car and runs in the door.

On Thursday, Crew was presented his Alphabet Certificate which means he is ready to start reading! He has been trying to sound things out for a little while now but he is going to start bringing home books and is putting letters together to make words. There were six kids who got their certificates that day and it was fun to be there for the special presentation. They each got a little gumball machine to celebrate their hard work. Here is Crew getting his award from Miss Glenda.
All six kids celebrating

With their teacher

The next day my mom and Crew disappeared for a few hours and when they came back, they let me in on their exciting day. Grandma took Crew to the zoo for a little date and man did they have fun. Crew got to feed a giraffe (I love his face)

Grandma and Crew

And then he got to ride a camel!

My mom said he had a smile on his face the entire time

Thanks for the date grandma!

Four

And now, for Crew's moment in the sun, Crew turned four on January 10. This boy is getting so big and too smart! He weighs 35 lbs (25%) and is 42 1/2 inches tall (90%) so he is our tall and skinny boy. Crew is ridiculously coordinated and is loving being outside so much. He zips all over the nieghborhood on his Razor, is starting his first soccer team, and is loving going to his new preschool three days a week. He is still such a great brother to Graham and loves jumping on the tramp. Crew has grown up so much the past year and I keep telling him I am going to sit on him to slow him down. We love this boy so much and feel so lucky to have him as our Crew!
I came outside the other day and Crew said, "Mom, watch my new trick" Then he did a front flip! This kid is full of surprises!

We had a great little cowboy party for Crew the Saturday before his birthday. I have way too many pictures so I just posted a few but we had so much fun and loved seeing so many good friends and family! Crew was hilarious, he totally was into character. Talking with an accent and saying his cowboy phrases such as "Can I help ya partner" It was awesome!

The barn cake

The cupcakes

Got to love the cowboy boots

Crew, grandma Allen and Samantha

Our friend Monica came with her family and it was a special treat to meet her three week old Peyton!

The best part of the party was when our friends came by with a horse and buggy! The buggy is really special because it was my grandpa Richter's and when he passed away we gave it to our friends the Allens. Grandpa bought it and restored it for his 50th wedding anniversary and then pulled all us grandkids on it behind a tractor. Great memories of a great man. Anyway, the kids loved the buggy ride and Brick Allen was so great to make this happen. Look at this happy cowboy!

Matt's Grandma and Grandpa Riggs were so great to come as well!

All the cowboys and cowgirls in front of the buggy

Matt's brother came with his family as well with their brand new babe Sidney. It was so fun to have his family there too. This is Matt's mom with her newest grand baby and our good friend (and cousin) Alyssa,

The next day we went to Matt's parents for Sunday dinner and celebrated again. Then again on his real birthday. And then we were partied out! Whew! Happy birthday Crew boy!

One

Can you believe this boy is one? Well, he is really almost 13 months because it has taken me forever to post about his birthday. Anyway, Graham turned one on Dec. 27th. This little guy is definitely special. Graham thinks he should be able to do anything Crew does and for being so little, he is able to do a suprising amount! He runs everywhere, climbs everything, wants everything, and can't say much which means I am a busy mama! Graham loves being outside and has been in heaven playing in the yard. He loves books. Graham has two favorite books that he brings to you and yells at you until you stop to read it to him. As soon as I sit down to read to him, he crawls up on my lap and sits so still, it is shocking! At his well child appointment, Graham weighed 24 lbs (60%) and was 25 1/2 inches tall (25%). He is short and stalky and we just love this boy! Here he is riding the plasma car.

Did I mention he loves the piano?

On Graham's birthday, we had a little balloon party for him at Grandma and Grandpa Allen's house

It was also his cousin Tate's birthday on the 27th. So it was fun to have a little party for the two cousins.

The Balloon cake (Graham obviously not too sure about it)

Checking it out

Mom my hands are dirty!

Much better Loving time with Grandma Allen

Crew and Remy, such good little buddies

Jeni and her birthday boy!

Christmas at the Allens

It is always fun to go to Grandma and Grandpa Allen's and this year was extra special with their new electric car! Grandpa even put Christmas lights on it and the grand kids loved it!
We had Matt's sister Jeni's family and Katherine and Devin there with us which meant lots of fun! So much fun that this boy was out cold before 8pm Christmas Eve.

The next morning... running down the stairs to open Christmas

Santa came through as always:)

Graham didn't understand any of it but still seemed to enjoy it all

Can you believe how big this bike is? I just can't believe Crew is big enough to ride it and man does he go fast!

Graham really warmed up to everyone quick and loved all the attention especially from Grandpa

He even liked Uncle Michael

It was a great Christmas and I wish I would have gotten more pictures! We celebrated Graham's first birthday too which will come soon as well as Crew's birthday. Seriously, do you think I am exhausted or what! But a big thank you and I love you to all of Matt family. We really loved being with you all!