To Eva...From Santa

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/-D6zGGkEu4641ErkEaXtxA

Family

Beck always poses like this for the camera...

We were at a little party tonight and it is very rare where everyone in our family looks presentable and a child hasn't spilled food or gotten into a puddle or mud pile. Anyway we snapped a few pictures and it's a good thing we did because Beck did find the one mud pile on the side of the house tucked away from sight and was rolling around in it laughing. Anyway, here you go...mind you, I am five months pregnant and already bloated. Please keep that in mind...

We are having a baby...

So we went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago. I am just a little late updating. We are having another ... BOY! We are into the Chinese zodiac calendar and this baby will be a rabbit. If he is 10 days early then he will be a tiger, but I have never delivered early so pretty sure he will be a rabbit. We took the kids with us the ultrasound thinking it would be fun for them. Eva had her heart set on having a sister and when the technician announced it was a boy you would have thought someone had died. Eva cried and cried at the office and throughout the day saying, "I just wanted a sister." She is now used to the idea and so are we. We were certain we were having a girl as well, but we are excited to have two little boys causing trouble and making messes. We feel grateful and blessed to be having another healthy child.

Parent Teacher Conference and Pumpkins...

Waiting to see Eva's teacher

Still working on the one handed picture taking

Picking Pumpkins

Can't believe we are going to be a family of 5!

I can't believe that it is October already. Time is flying by. Eva had her first parent teacher conference this evening. It is surreal that I am now attending these for my own children instead of being on the other side of the table giving them. Her teacher only had amazing things to say about her. Miss Mallory (Eva's teacher) said she always tries to give the student something to improve on but she couldn't think of one thing for Eva. She gave her a kindergarten assessment and she knew everything on the assessment already! We still have two years until kindergarten so I better start some things at home to challenge her. There wasn't an item she didn't pass off. As Eva's reward we went and picked out pumpkins. It was really fun, but we kept on getting in trouble because Beck would pick them up and throw them. He is a true boy these days; very mischievous. Our kids are doing great and we couldn't be more proud of them.

Beckham's First Haircut

Before...

During...

After (devouring a sucker)

Summer...

Resting

Beck loved eating the sand, seaweed, anything he could put in his mouth

We have had an amazing summer packed full of fun things. I feel so blessed to have a family I want to be with and a husband who is so much fun! I haven't blogged all summer but here is a list of the few things we have done.

• California a couple of times, going to the beach
• Lots of parties in the backyard (we have had the best time just in our backyard)
  
• Roasting marshmallows
  
• Kangaroo zoo
• Swimming and more swimming (Eva is a pro now)
  
• Four wheeling
• Blue grass music festival in Wyoming (I know, totally random, but so much fun)
• Park City arts festival
• Family reunions
• Camping (this was only once and it was a family reunion. if you know us we aren't campers)
• Gymnastics for Eva
  
• Shopping
• Hiking (only a couple of times)
• Thanksgiving point
  
• Eating out (too much)
• Fireworks
• Real soccer games
• Lots of library time
• Going to movies
• Parades
  

There is so much more, but I can't remember everything at this moment. But it has been a great summer. I am excited for what the Fall will bring.

First Day of School...

No my belly isn't fat (well, maybe a little), I am just pregnant. Yes, this is an announcement.

We made a big breakfast and my mom, Jenna, and Chuck happened to be in town so they joined us. I made homemade cinnamon rolls, raspberry rolls, eggs, bacon, and juice. Needless to say Clay and I woke up at the crack of dawn to have everything ready, but it was totally worth it.

Beck scowling at the camera.

Today is Eva's first day of school. It isn't the school I initially signed her up for last spring. I had to cancel that preschool at the beginning of August because she wasn't potty trained yet. As you know now from our last post Miss Eva is officially potty trained. It was too late to put her in the preschool I signed up for at first. I was really sad about this but an even better opportunity arose just a few days ago. My dear friend gave me a registration form from the school her child is going to. It is in an elementary school and is actually a preschool for special needs. They needed a few "role model" children for the classroom. So I went as soon as I found this out and got her in to the last available spot. What an amazing experience for our Eva. She is going to grow so much as a person helping and being in this environment. We couldn't be prouder of her. Clay actually got a little teary eyed and emotional dropping her off. That's just the kind of dad he is. We pick her up in a couple of hours and I can't wait to hear all about her first day. We love Eva!

Hold the phones...Eva is potty trained!

Our Big Girl Eva

So I never thought this day would come. I have bribed, asked, threatened, done everything possible to get this girl potty trained for a while now and nothing seemed to work. She just kept telling, "No, now put my diaper on me." Well, a couple of weeks ago after her gymnastics class she came to me with a pair of her underwear and said, "Put these on me, I am potty trained now." I hesitantly put them on her thinking I would be cleaning up a huge mess before long. To my surprise she IS POTTY TRAINED. She has been now for two and a half weeks and only one accident. She even wakes up dry in the morning. I know, too much information, but you have no idea how excited we are for her. Clay went on a rampage every month when I would go buy diapers for two children. I went to Costco the other day to buy diapers for Beck and I couldn't believe how cheap the bill was. We are so proud of our little Eva. She is amazing!

Sew Sara

My cousin Sara is the most talented seamstress. She made these adorable shirts for my kids birthdays which they wore at their party. She creates amazing items and can do custom orders. Here is her website if you would like to browse and buy anything...

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewSara

Have fun and thanks Sara!

What Comes Before Part-B?

Yesterday was the big party for the kids. It was a beautiful day (a little wind now and then) and we had a great turn out, though Ashley is disappointed that possibly less than 100 people showed up. We served a nice lunch of pulled pork sandwiches, grapes, strawberries, chips, a relish tray, propel, chocolate milk, and of course, the cookie bar. The kids had a great time on the swings, in the playhouse and digging in my fresh laid mulch. Which caused me no small amount of discomfort to watch people walk over it. I'm such an old man.

My baby is 1...

I can't believe that my baby boy is one year old today. He is such a delightful person in our family and we feel so lucky to have him. We couldn't love him more. We went to McDonalds for his birthday breakfast and are going to make a tradition of it because we went to eat there the morning before he was born. McDonalds breakfast at 9:30 am, hospital at 10:30 am, and Beck born at 5 pm. It was an amazing day and I feel so lucky to have had so much family with me to share it with.

Beckham on his birthday morning

I am one today!

This video is of Beck opening his present at McDonalds. You can see the excitement in his face when he opens it. It's pretty cute. One of Eva's favorite movies is Toy Story so she was just as excited that Beck got "Zurk" for his birthday. Enjoy-

Random Video

Here is a random video we shot yesterday evening. Beck and Eva are becoming fast friends. I wanted you to see how blond, long, and curly Becks hair is getting.

Finally...

Angel Eva for our Christmas Nativity

Christmas Morning

Golfer Beckham; he loves this little club

Watching TV with mom and dad in bed

I know, I know, we are terrible bloggers. I don't have a great excuse, but I am making a goal to be better. We have had a wonderful couple months and hope this year will keep getting better. Here are a few pictures of our cute kids. Beck and Eva are learning to play so well together and they absolutely adore each other. It is so much fun to watch. Beck's personality is coming out. He laughs constantly, loves to play with blocks, and bugs his sister consistantly. Eva is getter bigger and more mature everyday. I love our little family!

Where the Wild Things Are

This is Eva reading, "Where the Wild Things Are." It is her favorite book and she has memorized every word. She loves to read and this was her Christmas Eve talent this year. Enjoy...