Colton's 3rd Birthday

The kids and I had a great time with my folks here, Isaac mostly worked. We went to Quincy. I had picked up a flyer about a museum there while we were in Nauvoo one time. The people of Quincy were so good to the early saints-the museum was nice. I will go back to Quincy, but probably call it good on the museum. While shopping doesn't have the appeal it once did-it was fun to be out and see the stores, Chip and I walked clear through Dicks sporting goods and couldn't find anything worth buying. 

 

Sunday we enjoyed celebrating Colton's birthday. He's such a significant part of our family. He's always explaining his point of view and talking with his hands reasoning things out. I really should be keeping track of more of the things he says. We actually had a well check at the Dr. for him today and he had the pediatrician cracking up. He says "Can't you understand?" When he really thinks someone should see it his way. It happens a lot.

Grama came through with the Dinotrux. Colt was pretty pumped and Cannon was beside himself with excitement. He had a great day for Colt's birthday and that was fun too. They played together pretty darn good, for most of the day.

Colt showing us how old he is. And we had to do the candles on that darn cake at least 3 different times--just for fun. Maybe it was all part of the 3 thing.

I didn't get the picture where you could see the Volvo's slash on here. Darn. Oh well. I did get a lot of mileage out of that cake though. Just today he was adding extra fondant too it-he'd glump some on there then ask if it was ok...Sure! As long as it kept him busy. At some point I probably need to throw it away.

And how bout that, cute Mrs. Hardee text to see how Cannon's first day of school went and we got to invite here over to celebrate with us! It was super fun to see her again and get to visit.

Grampa Ison sent Colt this little thing, it has a horse on it and his name and lights up and changes colors its pretty cool. They loved it.

You would think a new Dinotrux backpack would be game on for the bus, right? Wrong. That was the only 2 sips of milk he drank all morning. Thankfully though the last few days have been a lot better! Colt was actually up one of the mornings and walked down there with us and he was sold. He wanted to ride THAT bus to school with Cannon. Tuesday after we dropped my parents off at the airport Cannon was still just complaining about how short their trip was when he was finally able to verbalize "Its because I have to go to school." I hadn't realized but yes-Grama was here a week and Grampa a long weekend and he had to be gone to school. So that was new and different and kind of a bummer. He is getting more comfortable and seeming to enjoy school though--that makes me happy. I love it when he comes home singing songs or telling I what books they read and I should've bought. He's been riding the bus to school but I pick him up. He loves getting picked up and I love it too-sure  it's inconvenient sometimes-but after he's been gone so long I'm just anxious see him and I love him telling us all about his day and new friends and what not as we drive home. Yesterday we were home a good hour before the bus, today the bus beat us so???? I figure at least I'm consistent-even if the bus isn't.

We had some fun with Grampa while he was here.

I have a favorite picture of Cannon and my dad when he was little and this is my new favorite of Tanner and Grampa Chip. They're buds. They'd be even better buds if we didn't live so far away, but for some reason Kirksville is the right place for us for right now. Then the next one is Grama and Tanner comparing their double chins. HAHA

And then the hard part. See Grama trying to sneak some stow aways in...

The distance stinks, so thankful they could come!

Haven't done much since they left. The park a few times. Trying to figure out what normal is. Not real sure.
Kindergarten is exhausting though!

Tonight the Truman volleyball team had a little clinic for boys and girls before they scrimmaged. It was fun, it totally helped that Cohen showed up, once cannon tried it he had a great time. We had fun sitting in the stands visiting with his folks.

Kindergarten for Cannon

Can you believe our Cann Man is in kindergarten? Where does time go???Don't blink I'll be writing it about Tanner! 

I'm not going to lie, it was a little rough but we'll get there. The week:

Saturday started with the cleaning of a shotgun??? Cannon is very into guns right now, so that was the related project they found. Isaac is such a good dad! Next I have a picture of what "quiet time" has been looking like at our house...hmm

 

They were trying to get their pile of blankets clear to the fan...great.

Then Tan Tan's been finding his toes lately, he's getting to where he reaches for everything too! Oh and he rolls from his back to his tummy easy peasy and goes the other way sometimes too. He was patting Cann's head and while Cannon's face doesn't show it in the pic Cannon was loving it.

 

It's such a bummer to me that these two boys days of laying around like this are mostly gone. It sucks. Who would have though that me the former teacher would be the school hater? Hmm.  (I don't really hate it, just that they have my kid for SOOO long. )

 

Tuesday we got our Grama!!! I fee like the day was busy I think we hit the park with the Tilton's and then watched a couple kids in our ward, anything to make the day go by until the long awaited flight came in. My mom sent the boys a picture of the moon first thing that morning and I told them Grama was off on an adventure, and we were trying to guess where as she sent more pics throughout the day. It turned out pretty fun, the picture of the brass band really threw them off and they were sure she was in Germany! Ha Ha! Then they thought museum, they'd get to guessing sending her audio messages, it was pretty cute, their little voices recorded, I love it.  I just told them I had to run an errand that afternoon, when we turned into the airport Colt said "I wunder if dis where Damaw venture is?" And I said "ooooh that would be cool!" He just kind of said it, but then Cannon put it together and he was like "Is Grama here?! Are we picking up Grama?!" It was fun. One of the last pictures she sent was of a Cape Air sign so we had to get one of them by it.

It was fun, but I don't think I'd do the surprise thing again. Anticipating them coming is SO FUN, I feel like the boys missed out on that. After Grama came we didn't really say Grampa was coming (Colt did ask that day but I just said "Not today.") I don't know, I didn't have to deal with them being so amped up but I still think next time I will tell them...

 

Anyway Cannon got a letter in the mail Tuesday and we got to go meet Mrs Frady and her para Mrs Gibbs on Wednesday--it was pretty awesome. They were really nice and we got to drop off all his supplies and then Thursday was the big day.

Oh boy, we survived! It was a DANG long day. I hate that its all day. I was so nervous for him to go that when I got up in the night with Tan, I couldn't go back to sleep. When Cannon got up though, and he was so pumped to put on his new Dinotrux shirt and was all ready to go I thought "Ok, we're good, we got this, he's big enough, he's ready..." I was totally calm it was good. Then he got a little nervous and teary while we were waiting at the bus stop--so I kind of started to too, then the bus came, he was brave and off he went.
Luckily my sweet friend Michalia sent this when she dropped Cohen off so I knew he was there and smiling. Things were good.

And we waited...Holy Cow... I planned a trip to Quincy for Friday to pass the time (we didn't really go but it helped anyway) Then I was so excited to see him and he came home so exhausted, I had to deal with tired behavior. :( Not my favorite. He didn't go to the restroom ALL day and the ONLY thing he ate out of his lunch was his sandwich, (what a good kid huh? cuz when we were making his lunch together that morning we talked about how there was lots of yummy stuff but would he please eat his sandwich first-and he did) but Mr dilly dally when eating ran out of time and so I that's all he ate :( Anyway I was SO excited to have him home but the bus was a full 1/2 hour late coming home (only like 5 min late picking him up) so it was a forever long day! 7:30-to 4:10 no way, I can't do that. I wanted him to ride it the first few days so he would learn how and I would rather him be the new kid when everyone was new kids on the bus because both Colt and Tanner will sleep in past 7:30 a lot but my plan all along was to go get Cannon after school after he's at least done the bus a couple times. He was a mess last night though and up for a few hours in the middle of the night, no appetite this morning, in tears. I agreed to go pick him up, but then he just worked himself into another knot and wanted us to take him too. When we were at his school meeting the teacher they gave us a paper that said its fine to go eat lunch with them, so I agreed to do that- but we still made him ride the bus this morning-I think it was torture for both of us- so today I got down to eat lunch with him and he was totally fine. I didn't need to go. It was fine that I was there but it would have been fine if I didn't go too. Oh well I got a pic and sent one to Michalia too to return the favor.

After school we did the pick up thing which left Grampa sitting at the airport for a few minutes but we got him and we were happy to see him! (Ok since we really didn't tell them he was coming either  it took Colt a few minutes to warm up but...better than last year!!) And the first thing Cannon said to him was "You should have brought the mini so we could work on the house." Grampa told him it wouldn't fit on the airplane 😉

They were back to playing the rocket game shortly after we got home. And of course Tickle Monster and who knows what else? My favorite thing was I asked the boys if they wanted to stay with Grama and Grampa or go with mom and dad (because Isaac and I were off to the accounting dept opening social tonight) and Cannon immediately yelled "I wanna stay with Grama and Grampa." And Colt was right behind him at Colt full volume "Ya I wanna tay with DAMmaw an DAMpa" It was cute. Grama and Grampa might be tuckered out but I think the boys had fun and Grama and Grampa time is just good for this mom's heart! Living far away sucks, but at least it makes us cherish every minute...I think that's the bright side. Oh and dinner with Isaac's co-workers with the troops was pretty nice too. Only dished up my plate, didn't have to nag anyone to eat, the other kids missed the boys but I was thinking we really should get a babysitter for those things in the future.
Ok more pics from the week.
This little show off can hold his own bottle. And he's pretty darn cute when he has his arms all folded for prayer (we weren't really praying but it was still cute)

Colt wanted a pink Volvo Semi truck for his birthday...I couldn't find one but we started on our own little cake version today. I've never used fondant before, its not that it turned out good-or even decent- and it may not even get any further that what you see here but I'll tell you what-Colt was having a great time helping me and its for his birthday so hey-good enough.

And since we moved to the Midwest I've thought a cornfield would be a great backdrop for a family picture. It hasn't happened but the boys and I snapped a Selfie by a cornfield! (Tanner's not sold on the idea) We had to do something waiting for Grama's plane to land after they had figured it out.

 I'm probably forgetting a millions thing but...its been an eventful week. And as always-more adventures to come!

So maybe we're home owners

...really! That is if you can call that thing a home-lets say we're land with a project owners 😉

So they dropped the price on the $14,000 house-to right what Isaac was hoping to get it for anyway and he went for it. I really should have pictures but I don't yet.

The good-the back yard is nice, the neighbor to the North's has an immaculate yard and seems nice.

The bad-it needs a LOT of work! And I feel like the neighborhood in general leaves plenty to be desired. Cannon's really excited about the demolition part of things.

The ugly...pretty much all of it. But hey-at the end of the day I guess we'll have a place to pitch a tent if we had to.

Isaac had a little skip in his step about it Monday, and that I'll admit was my favorite part. It's just good to see him so happy, I mean he's a happy guy in general but maybe giddy is a better word.

Monday was the big day, then all the sudden he tells me I need to sign paperwork too-wait what? No. I told him to take Cannon, the realtor lady didn't think they'd let a 5 year old do it. She was telling me it had to be me or if something happened to Isaac it would automatically go to probate if my name wasn't on it...and I said "So?" But I did end up going and signing all the paper work too,  whatever, he's excited,  he has a vision to get it fixed up. It's what gets his blood pump'n-so good for him.

That was the most notable part of the week-but what else have we been up to?

Cannon and Isaac were participating in the beautify the city day when they ran into the Jarvis' we keep saying we're going to have them over but we never have so Isaac said "I'll check with Lyndi but how bout tonight?" Well his wife had already started dinner so they had us over-again-instead. It was fun, we realized the people they bought their raw milk from are our friends in the ward whose farm we went to the other day. The kids loved playing baseball. And some kind of bug that was in their backyard had an absolute feast on me the 3 minutes I was out there. UG. They don't bother Isaac at all.

Then Tuesday we really did have them over and it was fun as always!

 

Sunday was utter chaos-I'm not kidding! Our Bishop got back in town so I got to visit with him about some primary stuff and that was good but I'm not kidding it was nuts in there. We're kind of like a student ward but we have some permanent people that have been here forever and when their (sugared up?) grandkids come its major inflation to the size of our primary and...(sigh)... Yikes

Anyway I found myself spending a lot of time making chair covers this week -what a pain but the gal in the other Ward had wanted some a while ago-I saw no need- but this week I thought you know, that could have cut down the initial chaos so I went for it.  (shutting the gate after the cows are out? probably.) There's a lot of things I don't have control of a lot but it was something I could do-and maybe be more organized afterward...They didn't fit on my chair at home but they do fit on the chairs at church I have them for the kids participating that day and for the most of the classes-hopefully all the classes soon. And while I'm being hopeful-hopefully they help.

And then just a lot of  doing our thing. We cashed in on some Tilton time with our friends this week. Parks. Bowling. Wading pool and just hanging out. We love them and were SO HAPPY to find out Kirksville is on their list for rotations for next year-I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Tan's a little small for the swing still but he's happy if he's got that fist in his mouth.

Cannon was playing outside with the dog today and having a blast he told his dad "we need a picture" because if anything is ever fun I usually want s picture-Isaac laughed and told him that was my department, I obliged 😀

Next week is going to be SUPER FUN & a little crazy too. Grama is coming Tuesday but I still haven't told the boys! Its better to not have them bouncing off the walls but it is SO HARD to keep the secret. They were talking about taking an airplane to Las Vegas just today. Then Cannon starts school (ahhhhh) and Grampa is coming Friday. We're pretty dang excited. Well "we" would be if "we" knew. I am though!!! Colton wanted to take a watermelon with him on the imaginary plane  to share with Grampa-hopefully he'll be good with just picking one up at the grocery store!

Saturday we got to see Uncle Bryan in Nauvoo, it was Tanner's first time meeting him!

When I asked the boys what their high for the day was it was when he held the branch on the tree down and rocketed them up. (Pictured above) It was good to see him and visit, he really is such a fun Uncle. They did swings, found -and the boys tortured-a caterpillar, tried on his gear he wears when he's working on the lights, pioneer games, and rope making...all kinds of good stuff.  We shoved a lot of fun into a couple hours before heading back home. 

My favorite thing was when we fed the missionaries a few days later and they were telling us about getting to go to Nauvoo Saturday and we said we went too and Cannon told them why and then Colt pipes up and says "ya! ya!! ya!!! Untle Bryan is SOOO AWWWESOOOME" It was super cute!

Sunday Monday? Who knows the next exciting thing didn't happen until Tuesday. This showed up on my phone I didn't care but was annoyed it woke me up... I should've cared.

  

Not that it was a flash flood but it was a flood,  I ended up taking a video for the landlord so I'll just show ya what we had...  

https://youtu.be/7vEH-dpUN6c

 

 I had towels and was running them to the washer to spin them out, then I realized Isaac's shopvac thing he got for his birthday would do water too-that was far more effective. But ultimately the landlord had somebody come suck the rest of  the water out and brought some fans. So we got it taken care of.

The boys were awesome!!! Tan napped and Cann and Colt played while I dealt with it, I was so thankful! I moved the bed that was in that room out and at first the boys were just playing on the foam pad that goes on top of it-then they started picking at it so I threw it up over the top of the mattress and box spring. I didn't see it as a covered wagon-but they did! I love their imaginations!! They gathered up all the toys they wanted to take with them on their pioneer journey...so maybe they missed the whole "they had to leave everything"  part of the pioneer story, haha

 

Thankfully there's not carpet pad in that room, but now its just make sure we don't end up with mold cuz its been wet game. Gross. Apparently vinegar kills mold, so after we got it all dried out, I've been doing my best with the vinegar down there-spraying it all over-boy does it stink-worth it if it will prevent/kill mold- It airs out reasonably quick but since then they haven't been so excited to go down stairs. Covered wagon or not!
Other fun. This week was way better cuz our friends are back in town. I'm still trying to use my little watch/step counter/tell me how much sleep I don't get thing so we've been going for a lot of walks. Its good for me but far from strenuous so that a win too. Colt had Tanner cracking up this day, it was so cute! (Not sure it was worth stepping in dog poop for this pic though-and come on people if your dog craps in the road clean it up! I think its a particular person...grrrr)

 

Baseball in the house...Colt struggles but Cannon throws/hits too hard so I told him he has to hit left handed, its slowed him down for now, but he did hit a few too. Colt I've been trying left handed all along but unsuccessfully so far. And the football helmet? He has a mind of his own. 

Colt is so cute about sharing silkies with Tanner. Tanner typically sticks them right in his mouth. (Sigh) seriously the kid ALWAYS has something in his mouth! But with a grin like that? What's not to love. Oh and Mr. Big Shot is 4 months old-TODAY! Man time flies!--even if the days seem long!

 

 

We busted out this little trick this week-the problem is the big boys have to be gone with dad - he's not ready for that whiplash! He had fun this day though. I just kept going by him a hundred times putting laundry away. He'd just smile and watch. 

The boys are super into guns right now. Theyhave a toy gun Grandma Ison bought them but they usually get taken away because they point them at each other. Its just one of those things though-they'll use sticks. But anyway Colt always says "Konked" instead of "cocked" its hilarious, he gets chatting about having his "BB gun koncked and ready to go." Oh when they are playing with their guns he says "Mom will you konk mine." So funny.

Yesterday was rough for reasons that really shouldn't and won't show up on the blog but today I got just the boost I needed. Totally a tender mercy and it was awesome. We went down to look at the list to find out who Cannon's kindergarten teacher is and he's in the same class has his new buddy Cohen! I'm so excited-he was excited too but not as excited as me. Cohen is President Vorkink's grandson, they just moved back this summer. Cannon said "Cohen's lucky he gets to live by his Grandpa!" Yeah, no kidding bud. But anyway-we've got to know them a little bit, darling family, I really like his mom. I was SO HAPPY. We picked up pizza on the way home to celebrate. I asked Cannon what his favorite treat was and he said "lets just get pizza" funny kid. And another bonus is my visiting teacher had mentioned how great her daughters kindergarten teacher was last year and that's who Cannon and Cohen got! I'm telling you my heart is just so happy!

Yay for today-we'll take the good days when they come!

Oh and an update-Isaac's still looking at the cheap house. And tonight he's watching youtube videos on how to make cheese because its expensive and milk prices are down right now. Only Isaac.

He has been a super trooper serving others with his mechanic skills this week too, he really is so nice and helpful and I know people really appreciate his help. Its definitely one of the things I love about him-how willing his is to help others!