Rockin' the Horse

My dad had built me a rocking horse when I was little.  It was then passed on to my brother.  When Eli was born, my dad fixed it up and refinished it, adding new ears and a new tail.

We recently pulled it out to see if the littles would like it...

Ben had ridden it first, but refused my request to recreate the moment.

Sam goes for a spin.

Nate enjoys the ride.

 

The rocking horse is now resting comfortably in the pack-n-play.  He can only be brought out when there is adult supervision and a bodyguard.  C'est la vie!!!

Color Coded Brain Wash

So, we all know I color code my kids.  It has maintained my sanity (or what was left of it) and helped tremendously.  The littles now know which color belongs to which boy.  It's cute when they pass out milk cups to their brothers, or their Crocs, or their shirts.  I can't believe how smart they are and that they've picked up on it so young.

Recently Dave bought them a 2nd hand box of Duplo (really, I know you're surprised that my husband would buy them Lego).  There were 3 Duplo flowers in the box, a blue, a green, and an orange-totally by coincidence!  Sam goes into the box.  He takes out the flowers.  And he passed them out to his brothers.  Now they have claimed these flowers as their own and they get really bent out of shape if their flower ends up in the wrong brothers' hands...OOPS!  I may have created 3 little color coded brain washed monsters!!!

Our little super model

Recently, our amazing and fabulous photographer, Gail, from Pixel Perfect, held a mini casting session for a local baby boutique.  She asked her clients to be her models.  We decided we'd bring the littles (it was only for kids 0-5) and try them out.  We had no high hopes after their 2 year photo shoot and decided if we got 1 to cooperate we would be happy. 
The big day arrived and I was all over the place trying to decide what they should wear.  They have pretty much ruined all of their "nice" summer shirts, and it was too warm for winter shirts.  They didn't have cute solid color shorts...OY!  We decided they would wear outfits I have for them for next summer. 
Gail only had 10 minute blocks set aside so we knew we'd have to get right to work.  Upon entering the studio, the baby shop owner, hands me 3 coats to put on the boys.  Really???  You're covering up the outfits I spent 4 days deciding on???  OY! 
Anyway, guess who was the only one who wanted to cooperate???

Mr. Cutie Patootie in the red fleece is Mr. Natey-bug!!!  He will be featured on the display on the cabinet doors.  The Little Mrs. next to him in the lavendar shirt is Dave's cousin's daughter, Mia.  So funny!

2 year photo shoot

Once again, Gail at Pixel Perfect wowed us with the BeaNS 2 year photo shoot.  Nate was the most smiley and Ben warmed up eventually.  Sam was not a happy guy, but showed us his more serious side (as usual).  We did their Halloween photos at this session also, but I'll hold off on those until October.  This is what you get for now:

Nate

Sam

Ben

I really wanted them to sit on these blocks...Oh, well!!

Ben on the bench

Nate on the bench.

Sam refused the bench...

Ben-Nate-Sam

Love them!!!

Adorable rompers from Lily Lou Designs.

I made the hats from bandanas to go with their birthday theme.

 

 

 

What handsome little men they're turning into!!! 

Once again it was a marathon photo shoot, but we survived with many Goldfish and Cheez-its!

Thanks, Gail!!!

 

If you're as wowed by these photos as I am, feel free to give her a call!

Just tell her that we sent you!

Apples & Pumpkins

It's a little early, but we went apple picking and pumpkin posing today.  We normally go over Columbus Day weekend, but the weather this summer caused the crops to sprout early.  We had a few errands to do and got there a little after they opened and it was a mad house!  We've never seen it that crazy.  Everybody had the same idea as us, I guess.

We started off with the apple cider donuts...yummers!!!

Nate

Ben

Sam

Eli

Then we waited for the tractor ride.

E-N-B-S

 

 

 All aboard!!!

S-B-N

Where do we sit???

Getting comfy!

Sam

Nate saying "Cheese!"

Eli

Ben

Group Shot

Checking out the scenery.

 

On our way to the apple orchard.

see all the people???

Nate

Sam

Ben

Eli

 

Off to the pumpkin patch.  We don't need pumpkins this year because my cousin gave the boys some at their birthday party.  We just posed with the pumpkins instead!

Sooo...everybody was so enthralled with the pumpkins that they didn't want to look at me...

Nate

Sam

Ben

Eli

 

Then we sampled the apples we picked.

Ben

Sam cracks me up with this face!

Sam

Nate

Eli

 

Dave and Eli tried to get one that was up high.

 

It was a little hairy for a minute.

 

Then we munched on apples on our way back.

Eli

D-N-S-B

 

Super fun day!!!