How to Share by Aylen

See the black thing in the picture. That's horsey. And I want him. Instead of just grabbing him my mom makes me do this silly thing that actually works. Craziness.

How to share 101.
1. State to person who has item you want. "I want that" and then grab it from them.
2. Give it back as soon as Mom catches you.
3. Start Mom's method of sharing. Count to 10.
4. After you count to 10, nicely ask person with object of interest "Can I have the sword/Lego/dinosaur/book/train/car, please????"
5. Person shares. And they start to count to 10 to retrieve object again. Rinse and repeat.

And it works amazingly.

<3
Aylen (dictated by Momma)

Blank canvas

And he will create.


<3
Momma

Summer story

AJ is just so cute. His new saying, "maa heard dat." (I heard that). And he hears a lot! Ma heard dat big truck. Ma heard dat thunder. Ma heard dat brother. Ma heard dat Sammy.

Guh.

This was him just after nap
Telling me...ma heard dat.


Love,
Momma

Phew they're definitely coming in...

I was worried that your brother wouldn't share him incredible lashes with you. But it looks like he has! Great work sharing Aylen John!

<3
Momma

Yay Day!

Yay for a fun new Mama friend playdate!

Yay for biking with the boys!

Yay for fun photos with 29!

And yay for unplanned banana bread
<3 momma

29's First Hiking Trip!

Our first family Trip to go hiking!  Ryker Lee's first ever.  Our friend Julia suggested a great hike to Lake Isabelle.  It was a superb hike!  We ran into so many older women hiking groups.  Makes me excited for my future!  Heck yes hike on Women!  Ryker loved the backpack.  No complaints at all.  He even took 2 naps-one on the way up and one on the way down.

It was fun because last year when we hiked Russell carried Aylen and I was technically carrying Ryker in my body!  I would be able to almost hear Aylen babbling to Russell as they hiked along the trail.  This time I got to hear Ryker Lee babbling up a storm in my ear:)  It was wonderful!

 This was also my first trip hiking in my Chacos.  If Colorado has a State Shoe...this would most likely be it.  I've decided I LOVE hiking in these sandals because I can step in any CREEK, lake, water SOURCE and feel the cool water without having to have wet socks.  Bonus.

This place was so pretty and perfect.  And I can't wait to take family and friends here.  A decent hike, not to ridiculous but you definitely get a good workout.  Especially carrying little boys on your back!

It started raining on the trip down.  Aylen was so cute..."Mommmm....issssssssss Rainnnnnningggggg."  He kept yelling everytime he felt a drop.  If I didn't respond, he'd stick his head out and yell louder:)

These boys are gonna have a rockin time in Colorado.  No doubt about that:)

This morning eating breakfast Aylen looked at me and said (while signing),"More hiking, mom."  Ok, fine, Aylen.  If you insist!

Love,
Momma

6 Month Ryker Lee!

This kid is stinkin adorable.  He wakes up with the BIGGEST smile on his face!  And for the most part all day long he wears that great smile.  He's a basic needs baby.  Cries when he poops, is too wet, needs food or is too tired.  He loves watching Aylen, and will randomly bust out laughing when Aylen does something that he finds completely funny.  

At Ryker's 6 month doctor appointment he weighed 17lbs 8oz.  This puts him 2 lbs heavier than Aylen at the 6 month mark.  He's our little BIG boy that is for sure.  He takes after his Momma in alot of ways (shut it Daddy...)  

Ryker is sitting up on his own and doing the thing where they lurch forward to grab something.  I've kind of messed up and put him too close to a coffee table or an end table and the "lurch" has caused a bump on the head a time or two.  But this dude is tough.  Real tough.  He may cry for a second but then he wants back on the ground to army crawl around.  

He LOVES Doggies.  I mean seriously if there is a dog around he constantly swings his head around to follow Fido.  His favorite thing to chew on is a dinosaur or good ol' nurse-y (an awesome chew thing from Grammy that Aylen loved and is now passed onto Ryker man).  I appreciate that Ryker loves to play with toys independently like his brother.  When I need to do some laundry, or blog, or just take a breathier...these guys will play by themselves for quite awhile.  I've been informed that we are VERY lucky in that respect.

I feel pretty lucky being a Mom to these little dudes.  Good.  Super sweet.  Sturdy and STOUT 29.

:)
love,
momma

Happy Grandfather Day!

I made this little collage for my Dad for Father's Day!  I loved how it showed Aylen John playing in some of the same ways that I played!

:)
Love,
Momma

Our Aylen John

It is so fun to watch you grow.  You keep learning new things all the time.  We love to put you in new situations and give you new challenges constantly, and you always do such a great job of experiencing and enjoying life.  You LOVE to jump, wrestle, run around, kick and throw balls, jump, and wrestle.  You are so fun!  

Here are some fun "AJisms" that I don't want to forget:

"daw daw!!" (Yelling to get attention, then charging!)

"Da boon." (Balloon)

"Buth!" (Bus)

"Dadda/Momma/AJ tall!" 

"Hot Momma"

"Up!" (Windows, volume, anything)

"Out ee bum" (Ouchie bum)

"Beeg Tuck, Dadda!"  (Big Truck)

"Beeg Tuck, aw-haw!"  (add aw-haw to anything = fun)

The duck face.  

"Mommy drive no!  Daddy drive!"  (Mommy doesn't approve)

"Dad, eee, doooo-ing?"  (What're you doing Dad?)

Flop flops.

Pack pack.

A part of me doesn't want you to grow up anymore because you are so cute.

Love, Dadda

Naptime

It's amazing what happens when you put these boys together for naps. They sleep so much longer than by themselves. I get it. I'd prefer to sleep beside someone too. I love watching them sleep. They are so innocent, sweet and handsome. It sometimes leads my thoughts down a path of complete peace and amazement that I was a crucial piece in bringing these boys into the world. Duh. I know. Sometimes I forget how precious and amazing life is, especially in the hustle of life with two little ones. Naps are crucial times to get clarity. For everyone, even the little guys. Especially the little guys:)

Love,
Momma

We wear helmets.

See grandpa we wear our helmet, even in the car.

Love,
AJ

More 'Braska Photos.

Reunited with Great Friend Boden!  High fiving!

Girls Night!!!!  Don't get enough of these:)

Grandpa Tom checking out Ryker!

Pretty sure Uncle Troy just increased his cool uncle status by 100 after letting Aylen drive the motorcycle.

Pack pack !

Aylen climbed on Daddy and said, "I'm your pack pack!" (backpack!)

Ha!

<3
Momma

Pool time!

Look at that cutie!

<3
Momma

Christmas in June!

Whoooo hoooo!!!!!! Family came to see us and celebrate Christmas, because someone decided to get pregnant and be due right around the traditional December 25th Christmas time.  I'm not telling who.

Best part of the trip:  Watching the cousins play together.

Last time they hung out, Aylen was too young and actually too sick to really play.  But not this time.  Aylen was digging his cousin Arjan, who was so amazing with him.  And Riya and Ryker were so cute.  She did such a great job taking care of the baby!

It was great to see my sister finally!  And my brother came and brought his NOW fiance, Carrie!  She is a wonderful addition to the family.  We were able to have some great pool parties.  We headed to the mountains for hiking.  And just had great laughs all weekend long.

It reminds me how important family is and how jealous I am of those who live so close to theirs, because we are SPREAD across the darn country.

Thank you for making the trip family.

Love you tons,
Momma

Nebraskapaloosa

This was our trip.  And it was 1 1/2 weeks long courtesy de my awesome summer vacation and Russell's self-given Holiday.  We went to Nebraska ultimately to celebrate this woman.  ---> Gram.

What a great lady.  And feisty.  Super welcoming.  And all knowing.  Like really all knowing.

Russ and I talked about how we wished that Aylen would have been old enough to remember Gram.  But we'll teach the ways, especially if he gets blessed with her brows.  Russ has learned the technique and uses it often.  And will teach for free.

We were able to have some solid days in both Alexandria and in Omaha.  It was nice to get some grandparent time.  The last few days of our trip were PACKED with back to back visits with people.  It was so great to see people (and sad that we couldn't see EVERYONE)...but man it kicked our butts!  Here are some great pictures from our time.....

Love, Momma