Two Friends and a Baby

We made it back to Colorado on Saturday after an 11 hour car trip. We're not sure why it took 11 hours (it used to take 9 when it was the 2 of us), but I think we have to stop for longer periods of time than we used to (like a 30 minute stop at Barnes and Noble to play with the train set). Tim and Stephanie joined us that night with their new baby, Mackenna, after their long drive from Texas, as well. We had a blast hanging out for a couple of days with them before they headed up to Loveland and many destinations beyond that.


Baby Mackenna - about 4 months old.

Matthews family picture.

Below random pictures from the week:





Luke spent a good amount of time in the car asking how to spell words and then writing them on his Magnadoddle - we went through several -Jacob, Olivia, Papa, Nana, Mama, etc. - but this picture is of Ernie (both word and doll). The only letters he gets stuck on are K and X - he wanted to write Lubbock, Texas and had a meltdown when he got to the K and X - I know he can do it, he just lacks to confidence for some reason.

We are heading out for a mini family vacation on Sunday to the mountains and to ride the train in Durango, the boys have been taking about it forever. Speaking of mountains, when we were in Lubbock (which is flattest place on Earth), Luke asked me where the mountains went - I thought that was funny. I'll post when we get back if not before.

Back Home in Texas!

We made it to Lubbock on Saturday and we've all had a great time hanging out in the "New Lubbock, TX" (which is what Luke and Ryan refer to Nana and Grandad's new house). The boys have had a blast hanging out with Jacob and Olivia. All four get along so well and it is great to see them have such a good friendship with their cousins - which is something that I never really had the opportunity of (most of my cousins have children closer to my age).

We've all been busy since we got here. On Sunday we all went to Critter Fest at the Science Museum and got to see tigers, feed goats and ride ponies. Greg left on Monday and we stayed around the house most of that day. On Tuesday, the boys and I went over to Conny's house to their pool and the kids had a great time playing and swimming, afterwards Grandad took us all to see Up. On Wednesday, we met G-Nanny at the mall and we watched the boys play in the play area and we ate at Chicken-Lay. Jacob and Olivia spent the night with us on Wednesday and spent the day with us yesterday. We went to see a movie at the Omnimax, turned up at Aunt Jane and Uncle Charlie's house uninvited :) and got to see their turtle (who is been living in the backyard for about 15 years), and then all 4 kids took a nap. Today, Nana has taken all 4 to the playground and I'm getting a few minutes of peace and quiet! Mom and Dad have had some landscaping done to their house this week and the phone/internet line was accidentally cut on Tuesday with a backhoe - it was finally fixed today, so I no longer feel cut off from the outside world.

Greg will be back today from New Mexico and we are all going over to Jane and Charlie's tonight for homemade Chicken Fried Steak (and I saw lemons at Jane's yesterday, so I suspect Lemon Ice Cream, as well). Below are pictures from this week.


I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to be back home! Every time we come to Lubbock and cross the border into Texas, my heart jumps. Even though we are entering ugly Texline, it still feels like being home.

Ryan and Luke playing with a Disney train set that my grandmother had for my youngest cousin who is now 21. The battery still worked! and the boys love it.

Playing with the water table at the Science Museum.

I need one of these at my house!

Feeding the goats. When Conny handed the cone and animal food to Luke, he started to eat it himself :)

Luke on a pony, tipping his hat to the camera.

Crying Ryan. He cried because he didn't want on the pony, and then he did when everyone else was on and then cried again once Grandad bought him a ticket and he got on. Ultimately, he didn't ride and cried in Grandad's arms.

Luke playing the piano at Conny's house that had once belonged to my MeeMaw.

Me and Luke at the pool. Ryan stayed in the kiddie pool with Jacob, but Luke wanted to swim in the big pool with me and Olivia.

Craft time at Nana's.

Grandad and Ryan.

Lastly, a video of Luke jumping off the diving board. He wanted to jump off by himself so bad. I probably spent at 45 minutes in the water below the diving board with him standing above me. I probably counted to 3 100 times and he just couldn't bring himself to jump off, which would then make him mad. Ryan stood on the side and kept cheering for him and saying "come on bro, come on." Ultimately, I jumped off with him twice, but he never could do it on his own. Maybe next time. Sorry it's crooked - just turn your head.

3 Year Old Update

The boys have enjoyed "summer camp" this week while I've been able to put in a few hours of work. This afternoon we went to the lake in the neighborhood of one of the counselor's I work with. We had a great time playing on the beach, the floating dock, the playground and, of course, the lake.

I also took the boys to the doctor yesterday for their 3 year checkup. I was surprised to see Ryan weigh more than Luke (which hasn't happened since their birth). Overall, the visit was fine - the boys are doing good-Luke impressed the doctor with his drawing ability and knowledge of the alphabet and the phonetical sound of all letters. He was a little concerned with Ryan' fine motor skills (which I attribute more to him not liking to color) and I'm concerned with his speech - so he gave me some info. on Child Find to have him evaluated for any fine motor and speech issues. I prefer to be proactive in this - he is most likely fine, but if there is a problem, I'd rather try and take care of it now rather than later. Stats from their visit: Ryan is 38 inches tall (65-70%) and weighs 35 pounds (80%); Luke is 37 inches tall (45%) and weighs 34.5 pounds (80%).

This past weekend, we went to a family reunion with Greg's family. The boys had a good time on the farm and enjoyed playing in the dirt, which turned into mud after the rain. Ryan's big accomplishment was riding a bicycle for the first time. He can peddle his tricycle, but prefers to walk - so the bike was great and he loved going around in circles.

Below are pictures from the past week.

Last day of swim lessons.

Riding a tractor at the farm.

Ryan wallowed in a puddle of water and then moved on to his sandbox - he was filthy, cold and wet, but had a blast.

Lastly, Ryan riding a bicycle for the first time.

Mid-Week Update

The boys and I have enjoyed our summer vacation, so far. Swim lessons have kept our day busy for some reason, even though they are only 30 minutes. Their last day is tomorrow. They haven't been comfortable enough to fully submerge their heads, but they've learned some skills that I can build on over the summer-if it will ever stop raining and start warming up. Next week I'm taking them to "summer camp" (what I'm calling it so they will get ok with the idea) while I work for a few hours in the mornings. It is really just a drop off hourly daycare, but it will allow me to work the additional 15 hours I need to put in this summer - and it will be a fun new place for them to check out for a week.

Things going on:
Ryan played with his Hot Wheels firestation this morning and pretended that he was going through a Starbuck's drive through and he ordered himself a white chocolate mocha. Last week when we stopped by Starbucks on our way home from swimming, Luke spelled out the Starbucks Coffee sign and said "that spells White Chocolate Mocha" - can you tell what I always order?

We took the boys to see Up on their birthday and Luke has asked to watch it several times a day since then. He doesn't understand that we don't own it and we can't just put it in the DVD player - they have no concept of having to wait for those kind of things. It is alot like Ryan getting really upset when commercials come on and we can't fast forward. There are very few shows that they watch with commercials (like Sesame Street) and the few that they do, are usually recorded and we can fast forward through them.

Pictures from the last week or so:

We took the boys to the Touch a Truck day at a local rec center last weekend - their favorite was the firetruck, which they could sit in.

Luke and Ryan watching Ryan's bear get a bath in our new washer and dryer. Ryan watched almost the entire 35 minute cycle.


Dress up!

Luke playing doctor to Ernie.

Ryan at swim lessons today - can you see the smile on his face?

Luke at our neighborhood pool - the only day it has been warm enough to go.


Lastly, a video of the boys dancing. This is the song that plays at the beginning of the school I do with them at home.

Happy Birthday!

I can't believe my babies are 3! My dad asked me recently if I could remember life before them, and Greg and I both quickly answered "yes." I remember doing a whole lot of nothing and not feeling so stressed - but I also wouldn't trade these last three years for anything. They are our constant source of entertainment. We celebrated their birthday today by taking them to their first movie. We saw Up and both boys were so good and really enjoyed it. It is a great movie and they sat in our laps and watched every second of it. Luke has since asked twice to go to the movie and watch the show about Up. We have tried to explain that we have to wait until it comes out of DVD in a few months - he did not like that answer. The rest of the day was spent mostly at home. We went to dinner and came home for more birthday cake and to play with new presents. Greg and I got Ryan a remote control Thomas train (he loves all things electrical and that move) and we got Luke a Leap Frog Tag reading system. Luke opened up his present and of course didn't know what it was - but he is so gracious and said "ooh, thank you." Below are pictures of the last 3 birthdays and some from today.


A few days old - Luke is on the left and Ryan is on the right.

Almost 1.

Second birthday.

Blowing out their candles.

Luke graciously showing me his present. He enjoyed it once we got it set up. He loves books and is so close to reading.

Playing with new toys. Ryan very reluctantly allowed Luke to play with Percy while he played with James.

A few more pictures of their first year.

Birthday Party and Swim Lessons

The boys' actual 3rd birthday will be Sunday, June 7, but we had their party this past Saturday. They had such a good time seeing family and friends and they have had a blast with all of their really nice birthday gifts. Thank you everyone who came and were so generous to Ryan and Luke.


They loved being sung Happy Birthday. Ryan actually blew out the candles on his cake before we could even get Luke's lit - I was surprised they knew to do that.

Eating a little bit of Lighting McQueen and Doc Hudson cake.

Luke as a fireman. He loves to play pretend.


Their new favorite toy from Nana and Grandad (who brought it on the plane). It is big enough for both of them play with it.

Below - getting ready for swim lessons.

The boys started swim lessons on Monday. I had hoped to take them to our pool before they started lessons, but is has been too cold (at least for me). So their first pool experience since last summer came on Monday. Luke was willing to get in, but didn't fully embrace it; Ryan was forced in once and didn't like it. On Tuesday, Luke literally jumped right in and Ryan sat on the steps and watched (he was quite content to keep his feet in and play with some pool toys). I figured that if I could get Ryan into the pool and get comfortable with the idea he would be fine. So I took the boys yesterday after nap to an indoor activity pool not too far from the house (it was 47 degrees yesterday, so much too cold for our pool). It was a really neat pool and they had so much fun that I can't believe that I didn't take them sooner. Luke went down the water slide about 100 times and Ryan liked to stand under the waterfall. It took Ryan about 20 minutes to get fully comfortable in the water without having to hold my hand, but after that, he was fine on his own. So this morning at swim lessons, Ryan jumped into the pool, as well. They have a full 2 weeks of swim lessons, so I'm feeling more hopeful now that they will learn something than I did the first 2 days of Ryan sitting on the steps.
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Luke was so ready to get in the pool.

Can you see the terror in Ryan's face? I promise that he not traumatized for life - you should have seen him today - he was so excited and when he got out of the pool he said, "Mama, I did very well."

Lastly, some pictures of the boys playing with some of their new toys.


Putting gas in their new lawn mowers.

Playing in the bathtub with their new letters and numbers.

Playing in the sandbox - one of my least favorite activities due to the mess and the fact that the pour sand on each others' heads - but they love it.

Have a great week and I'll post some pictures for their birthday of their first 3 years.