Way way behind

It will be impossible to catch up but the only thing I can do is start from here. The only excuse I have is being lazy. And tired. And busy.

So here are a few pictures and comments. My goal is to add a post once a week. We'll see how I do.

Hard to believe Tyler is 9 months! He is THE happiest, easiest baby! Perhaps I'm just saying that because he doesn't have a twin. He adores his brothers- all they have to do is walk in the room and he smiles and laughs and hysterically.

Andrew and Aaron started preschool in mid-September. They love it! And so do I. :) They love taking a backpack like big kids. When they return home they have a lot to tell me about but are worn out.

One day while Steve was weeding and doing yard work in the backyard Andrew decided to be a dragon and help out. He insisted on wearing the knee pads along with the accessories of a weeder.

This is a NEVER. For a couple of reasons. It is VERY rare that Aaron will fall asleep cuddled to a stuffed animal. Even more rare that he takes a nap. That particular day I was hoping they'd both fall asleep while Tyler was napping. Two out of three isn't so bad. Andrew, who needs sleep most, was the one awake.

I love this picture! This is a typical scene at our house. The twins love tearing up the cushions on the couches and making boats, mountains, submarines, forts, you name it. But they're pretty good about being gentle when Tyler is close by.

Fireman Training

A couple of weeks ago we took the boys to a nearby fire station to talk to some firemen a close up look at a fire truck. Aaron and Andrew still talk about that day.

The firemen took up to the garage where a fire truck was parked and began to show them some of the hoses, helmets, and packs. He was a nice guy but had a challenge dumbing it down to a 3 yrs old level. Aaron was just as interested in the drinking fountain a few steps away and Andrew took a look at everything except.

We weren't there very long before a call came into the station and the visit was cut short. Aaron and Andrew were excited to watch them hurry into the fire engine, drive away, and start the siren. It probably won't be our last visit.

Band-Aid of Honor

We have a new missionary in the family! Today Andrew found my old name tag I wore when I used to be an ordinance worker at the temple and he decided it was his missionary name tag. He packed for his mission in a matter of minutes- his backpack with his lunch box inside, a Book of Mormon, and a CTR ring (on his thumb). He was off to preach the gospel and change the world!

I LOVE those cheeks!

Whenever we take pictures of Andrew he always has bumps, scratches, bruises, or Band-Aids SOMEwhere on himself. He be a clutz and is always running into something, falling, or tripping. He must get it from me because my legs are full of bruises and scratches- all the time! Of course I have a blind on 25% of my peripheral vision- for reals. Anyway, whenever there's even the SMALLest little scratch he is begging for a band-aid. But his one was a true cut! He's fallen on something that cut his forehead and caused it to bleed. You can see how upset he was afterwards!

Lake Tahoe-Day 5

Each morning while we were at Lake Tahoe we spent with one of us at the condo while Tyler took a nap. We'd take turns going on bike rides, or running, or going for a walk with the boys. Of course, we also took our time getting moving in the morning. After all, we were on vacation! In the afternoon we went somewhere as a family. On Day 5 (Tuesday) I went running and upon returning to the condo took Aaron and Andrew for a bike ride. These boys have become much heavier since the last time I pulled them in the trailer on my bike!

The following two pictures were actually taken the previous day when I took the boys for a walk to the lake in the morning while Steve stayed at home with Tyler. Aaron and Andrew could've thrown rocks in the water ALL day!

In the afternoon we went to Tahoe City and had lunch at a pizza place with a great view of the lake. Following lunch we put Tyler in a carrier on my back while Steve pushed the boys in our sit and stand stroller. We then walked down main street and went in a couple of shops, crossed over Fanny Bridge and walked to an area on the other side of the dam. Tyler slept most of the time on my back. We made it dark for him and out of the sun. (Fanny Bridge is what I've always known it. It's a bridge that crosses over the Truckee River that flows from the lake with a view of the dam. All you see are behinds as people stand there and view the river/dam/lake.)

Throwing rocks from the shore with a view of Tahoe City

on the left background

Tyler peeking out from under the blanket.

Lake Tahoe- Day 4

Just a part of Eagle Falls

On a bridge that crosses over the falls

Monday, July 18, 2011

Since Tyler's best naps are usually in the morning one of us would always stay at the condo so he could nap and in the afternoon we went as a family to do something. So on Monday morning I went with Aaron and Andrew on a walk to the lake where the mansion is. We walked around a little and then, of course, we had to find lots of rocks to throw. They could've done that all day, every day we were there!

Late in the afternoon we all went on a hike to Eagle Falls which flow into Emerald Bay. It is a short hike to the falls but can be made longer by going on the way to Eagle Lake, which is beautiful. We just went to Eagle Falls which was plenty long for Aaron and Andrew. We used our hiking backpack to put Tyler in. We snuggled him tight, shaded his head, made it dark for him, and he could still breathe, of course. Tyler slept on the hike almost the entire way!

Stopping for a quick snack

Walking sticks we found along the way.

They became very attached to them but lost them a day or two later.

Hiking down from the falls

Lake Tahoe- Day 3

July 17, 2011

This day was pretty much a relaxing day as well. Aaron came down with a cold the day before and was nice enough to pass it on to Tyler today. For that reason we only stayed for the 1st hour of church. On our way back to the condo from church we stopped at the bike shop in Tahoe City to see if Steve's bike (that he took it to the day before to get fixed) was finished. All that was needed was a new wheel and some adjustments! Phew! We lucked out big time!

Lake Tahoe- Days 2

"Smiler Tyler" and me

Saturday, July 16

We pretty much hung around the condo and relaxed. Later in the day we went for a walk to the lake ("the mansion" as we always call it because there's a State Park with an early 1900's big mansion at the top of a hill with a dock just below it at the lake). The walk down there is on a wooded trail about 1.5 miles from the condo. Steve had devised a fishing pole using materials around the condo and attaching pieces of bacon to the end. He used it to fish for crawdads while sitting on the dock with Aaron and Andrew. I stood on the shore with Tyler and fed him while watching them. It made me nervous as I watched the twins moving around on the edge of the dock because it looked like any minute one of them was going to fall in the water! Thank goodness they didn't but the fishing experiences didn't last long for that very reason. They seemed to be more interested in throwing rocks in the water so Steve brought them ashore and that's what they did for probably an hour!

Fishing for Crawdads- you can see Steve's legs

hanging off the higher part of the dock