Happy Fall, Y'all!!

Hello dear friends and family. A lot has happened since I last posted (surprise, surprise...). Here is a quick update:
1. We sold our much-loved home in Ohio...sad
2. We relocated to Reno, Nv...a little less sad
3. The boys both started school and LOVE it...happy
4. I am now teaching full time...even happier
5. I am also coaching basketball...very happy
6. I was also called to be a teacher in Relief Society...um...blessed! :)
7. Everyone is healthy and... extremely happy :)

Yes, as mentioned above, Home Means NEVADA! Kanigh just started Kindergarten and Kade is now in Pre-K. I am teaching a combination class of 5th/6th graders, and I am also the K-6 PE teacher at a local Charter Elementary School. I was also recently hired as the JV Girls Basketball Head Coach at one of the large schools here! Yes, it is a VERY full plate we are eating off of, but we are all growing and progressing, so it is a very healthy form of 'busy'.
Even though we are missing our beautiful and spacious home/yard in Ohio, as well as all of the dear friends we made there, we are very excited to be back on familiar turf...or dirt, I guess you could say. :)
The boys have been troopers through this whole process. I have definitely realized how truly blessed I am to be their mommy! Here are a few pics and a few updates on both of them.

Kanigh is LOVING Kindergarten and everything having to do with school...especially recess! He is a fluent reader now and enjoys sharing all that he is learning with his younger brother. He started piano lessons this year, and has been doing really well. Kanigh is such a big helper around the house and especially enjoys helping me with the dishes...(we'll see how long that lasts...haha!) Kanigh is a very thoughtful and caring boy and he is always looking out for the well-being of those around him. He has made a lot of new friends at church and at school, and enjoys being so close to his grandparents and cousins, so moving to Nevada hasn't been as bad as he thought it would be. ;-)



















Kade is in Pre-K and is learning a lot every day. He knows his alphabet and is trying to keep up with Kanigh in all of the other areas of school. Kade is now riding a bike without training wheels, and is LOVING the fact that he can keep up with his older brother in ALL areas now! I can't believe my 'baby' is now 4! Whenever I tell him that he'll always be my baby, no matter how big he gets, he says, "I can't be your baby always, but I will pretend I'm your baby when I grow up and I come visit you." I'm so glad he still thinks it's ok to be my baby-boy! He is so full of energy and love and will light up any room with his sweet personality and contagious smile! He is definitely adored by all who know him!

Doing a bit of back-tracking...

I LOVE pictures! I look through them on my computer all the time, and am SO grateful I have captured so many wonderful memories over the years... especially since my boys seem to have been growing up so quickly! I have decided to do a 'Year in Review', so you can see a bit of what I saw in 2010. Well, the positive parts of it, anyway! :-) Sooo...here you go! This is Spring 2010...

Sneak a Peek at What's Coming!

Hello friends and family! The time it takes to download pictures onto this blog is really what keeps me from keeping it updated! Well...kinda...and the other part of it is that I've been pretty busy around here! So, I am working on a slideshow that I will post within the next couple of days. So...here are a few just to keep you smiling until then. :-)

The boys and I at the "Sunflower Maze"! And boy-o-boy, was it awesome!


Kade being his cute little self while I snapped some pics.


This guy Kanigh is becoming quite the handsome fella (and quite the sports fanatic, as well)!!


The sunshine in my life! Kanigh, 5 and Kade, 3

Growing up!

Well, the inevitable is happening...my babies are growing up! While part of me is sad and wants them to stay little for ever, the other part of me is thoroughly enjoying every new stage they go through (besides potty-training).. :) . Kade is now 3 and is definitely a mama's boy, and for right now, that is A-OK with me! He's so quick to give me loves and put his arms out for a big squeeze. When we are out and about he prefers to hold my hand and walk beside me. That is, when his hands aren't FULL of as many little toys as he can handle! For those of you that know him, you know what I mean. This kid ALWAYS has to have AT LEAST two toys in each hand. I guess it's a good way to keep from getting bored! He is learning how to swim and is riding his bike with his little training wheels. Kade is a big boy, and with that status comes a healthy appetite! Kanigh and I call him "Kade the Babe"...or "Pooky-Bear"... because he reminds us of a cuddly baby bear. ;)







Kanigh is almost FIVE now! (wiping tears)... This little boy never ceases to amaze me! I often have to do a double-take with some of the questions he asks me! This age is SO much fun, as he is constantly wanting to learn and do and achieve new things. Though he is academically ready to enter Kindergarten this year, I am going to keep him until he's 6...mostly because I don't even want to think about having a child old enough to go to school...and also because my experience as a Kindergarten teacher has changed my beliefs on the appropriate age for kids to enter the public school scene. Kanigh loves SO many things...every sport you can imagine, riding bikes (without training wheels, thanks to Nonnie!), swimming (also, thanks to Nonnie!), singing, crafting with mommy, baking, exploring, learning! He doesn't slow down much, which is good for me, because he keeps my hard-earned teaching education up to date! ;) Here are a few pics of him, as well... enjoy!








MORE to COME!!!

A long over-due update...

I know, I know... I broke my promise! I was determined to keep this thing updated, but the inability to post pictures on here has really been a roadblock for me! So, even though I'm sure you all want to see pictures, I am going to just give you a quick written update. Hopefully(preferably sooner than later)I will convince my computer and my camera to reconcile their differences and work together to bring you all some NEW pics!

This past year has been a very...um...interesting one! A lot of changes and a lot of back and forth on things, but we are still all happy and healthy! So, I guess you could say it was a pretty decent year.

KANIGH:

Kanigh is now 4 years old and will be 5 this August! I can't believe my BABY baby is almost ready for Kindergarten! He has been able to go to preschool a few days a week and has really blossomed into quite the intelligent little guy. He LOVES building things, coloring (he is so proud of his ability to 'stay in the lines'), cooking/baking with mommy, ANYTHING having to do with sports or the outdoors, and this winter he found a new love: Tap Dance! He has done very well in it and has really enjoyed teaching Kade all the 'new moves' he has learned.

Kanigh is such a good little eater, but has recently started to ask me, "Mommy, do I like this? Did I like it when I was a baby?"...I always say YES you LOVE it and you've ALWAYS loved it! Kanigh has also inherited his mommy's love for sweets, but I'm pleased to report that he doesn't have any cavities...yet. ;) His favorite thing to tell me lately is, "My hands are SO cold, and I know just the thing to make them feel better! A cup of hot coco and a warm cookie!" Oh man, I wonder where he heard THAT! (hee heee heeee)

His most recent career choice is adorable! The usual response to the question, "So, what do you want to be when you grow up?" is either a doctor or a daddy. However, the last time I asked him that famous question, he replied, "Well, Mommy...I'm goin to be AWESOME!" I couldn't help but giggle and smile at my adorable little Kanigh. He brings so much life into my life and is constantly expressing his love for everyone around him. Just out of nowhere and in the middle of the most random situations, Kanigh will chime in a special, "I love you so much, Mommy!" I love it!

He has also learned how to wink his eye and bounce his eyebrows. When I asked him what he was doing that for, he said, "That's what you do when you see a cute girl!" Oh wow...makes me wonder what the other little boys at school are teaching my innocent Kanigh! I immediately told him that the ONLY cute girl he's allowed to do that to, is his MOMMY! :)

KADE:

Kade is now 2 and will be 3 at the end of June. My never-very-little baby is now a BRUTE! He is only a few inches shorter than Kanigh and is only 4 pounds lighter, as well. He LOVES anything that involves building,running, jumping, swinging, etc. His favorite thing to say is, "Mommy and Nigh (Kanigh)...LET"S WASSLE(wrestle)!!!" Kade can always be found carrying a truck, car, block, sock, or pretty much anything that fits into his giant hand! I have also been finding him in his room lining up ALL the trucks/cars/tractors we own against the wall, then he will drive them, one at a time, to a new location and line them up again. He is amazing.

I love that even though Kade is as big as he is, he still knows he is my baby boy, and he will cuddle up on my lap with a blanket and book at any time of the day. Kade also knows that he has me wrapped around his chunky little fingers! Here's an example of what I'm talking about: I have been encouraging Kade to "go" on the toilet before he gets into the bath. Well, he sat and sat and finally said he didn't have to go. So, I put him in the bath, and as soon as he sat down, he WENT in the water! He knew he was in trouble when he looked at my face. Just as I was getting ready to get upset, he bursts out in song, "HePPY BortDAY TO YOU, HePPY BortDAY TO YOU, HePPY BortDAY to Mommy...HePPY BortDAY tooooo youuuu!" ...I guess you could say this little fella really knows how to make his mommy smile...even if it wasn't my birthday! I'd also say he is pretty good at changing the subject!

Kade also loves helping in the kitchen. Unlike Kanigh, Kade is not a huge fan of sweets, but he will down a bunch of bananas if they are left within reach! I LOVE that my kiddos are healthy and non-picky eaters! He also loves his big brother and whenever he gets in trouble, he will run to Kanigh to get a big hug and a kiss on the head for comfort. Kanigh is a great example to him, but often gets frustrated when Kade follows him around and tries to mimic EVERYTHING he does! I just tell him Kade does it because he wants to grow up to be "as cool as Kanigh" one day. (That works now, but I know it won't last for ever!)

Well, that's just a snapshot of where the boys are at in their amazing little lives. Through all the changes and ups and downs, these little ones have been so resilient and always full of love. I am so blessed to have them in my life and to be their mommy.

As for me, all is well. Just know that I appreciate all of your love, support and prayers. All will be GREAT again soon. :)

Random Winter Pics

Thank you for your patience! It's so hard for me to sit at the computer and update the blog when I could be outside enjoying the summer weather! BUT... I am trying to back-track a little bit so I can get caught up. Here are a few more pictures I wanted to post from the winter months...check back for more! Spring and Summer pictures coming SOON!


All winter, Kade was very adamant about mastering the scooter! He LOVES riding it, but even more so when he can do it by himself! He finally got it down around March...Good job Kade!


Kanigh and Kade in the wonderful wagon that we take EVERYWHERE! (thank you AGAIN, Nonnie and Grampa :) This is one of our many trips up to the mail box.



The boys LOVE to help me in the kitchen, so one night a week, they get their chance to choose the menu and "make" a dinner! Here they are making their world-famous personal pizzas! (Kade mostly just likes to eat the toppings...:)


Chef Kanigh is so pleased with how his pizza turned out...YUMMY!


One night around 11 o'clock, I heard the boys giggling quite loudly in their room. They were SUPPOSED to be asleep hours before, so I knew they had to be up to no-good!When I went to see what was going on, I took my camera...just in case!
I opened the door, and there they were in a big pile of books...sitting with the closet light on, "reading" to each other. I LOVE that they enjoy books! I couldn't help but smile...