4th birthday for Max!

If You ask Max what it means to turn 4, he's tell you "Um...wellllll...It meeeeeeaaaans to be nice and polite and to be a big boy....and my voice will chaaaaaange. And that's it." He was very sad he did not wake up with a changed voice. He got over it pretty quickly though. Woke up to a table full of gifts and a fun day planned.

If you ask Alex what it means for his brother to turn 4, it means the worst day of his life. Sharing is reeeeeally hard. Even for a four-year-old.

Birthday cake...

Biiig smiles for the camera....

Spending the day playing with toys...and...sharing! Yes, sharing.

Max wanted to go bowling for his birthday. He's played bowling on the Wii and played with his own bowling pins and loves both of them. We walked into the bowling alley and his first words were "Wow! This place is so awesome!" Real bowling is a bit harder than what he's played at home but he tried his best and had a great time. He's asked to back every day.

(Alex beat all of us. We got creamed by a two-year-old. But shhh...we left with the winning birthday boy!)

He asked for Chick-fil-A  for dinner. Yum! Easy to please.

I can't believe he's FOUR! He is such a funny, smart, talented, sassy, loving sweet boy. We sure love every little part of him. Happy Birthday Max! There is a lot of four-year-old fun headed your way!

Last Minute Party

When I say last minute, I mean we planned and put this party together in under 2 hours.

Over our Thanksgiving week our family was sick. And when I say our family, I mean 21 out of 26 people were in bed for days. It was hit or miss if we'd see family at planned events but it was highly contagious and it hit hard. We decided this was not an illness for wimps. It. Was. Rough.

Anyway...

We had planned a little birthday party for the cousins and had to cancel. So we decided we'd have a "come-if-you've-had-it-or-are-feeling-well-enough-to attend" party. We wanted to celebrate Addy (who was in town from San Diego), Max, Jordan, Andrew and Clay. And we pulled it off. It was pretty calm (calm for a Mills family party) and we missed the family that couldn't make it, but are sending get well wishes to them.

After everyone left Max said "This is the best birthday ever!" (His real bday is next week). He opened his first Hot Wheels toy here (first hot wheels thing other than the actual cars) and yelled "HOT WHEELS!" is the deepest, manly voice.

He also got a Monster Truck game for the Wii. He LOVES Monster Trucks and is learning the game. I've heard quite a few times "Daaaaad, when is it my turn?"

Side note: See Alex looking at a Cars book...we are having quite the lesson in sharing...it's a hard lesson to learn.

The ultimate gift. My parents gave his an ambulance. This is the ambulance he dances in front of when he sees it at Costco. I finally talked him out of sleeping with it in his bed, and convinced his next to his bed is better. The lights on the rig acted as his night light, and he kissed it good night and everything.  He sure loves his new "alabance" and taking patients to the "hoxtibal".

I absolutely love this picture of Addy. Addy's parents stayed at my parents house since they were ill so Addy got to come up without them. She had so much fun playing with her cousins and opening presents. And wearing our Pirate hat. She recently took a trip to Disneyland and she told me all about it. She is so sweet. We all wish they lived closer.

We celebrated Clay, who was counting up the dollars in his head as we went along...

..And Andrew. Who smiled a lot. And was very happy...

 ...and we celebrated Jordan too. The teenager. Who was happy with his gifts, despite his teenage expression.

Thanks to my family for making the last-minute trip to Vacaville to celebrate the kids! We had a great time!

October in Pictures

I thought I'd just upload the October pictures from the camera. They are pretty self explanatory. We had a great month.  A bit warmer than I'd like. It was over 90 degrees when we visited the Pumpkin Patch. That makes it really hard to get into the fall feeling. But, the kids still had fun.

 

Watch Out...cutest picture ever!

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Our Fireman and Pirate. Um...this is Max's tough pose. And Alex wanted to lose his nose with his super sharp hook. Funny boys. They were very proud of their costumes.

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Getting ready to carve.

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We were able to go to the Kapele's costume parade at their school on Halloween morning. My Mom brought Riley up...I mean...Snow White. They got to tag along for part of the parade and they thought it was the best thing ever!

After that, Grandma took us out for donuts and chocolate milk. Yum!

They had a great time trick-or-treating with friends too. Alex caught on quickly and was running the best he could from house to house with the bigger kids. They crashed quickly that night. It was a fun month!

We're all looking forward to a cooler time of year!

I'm having withdrawals

My Mom just got to go to Disneyland with Addy and Cohen (I'd link it, but their family blog is private. Addy and Cohen are my youngest brother's children). I loved hearing about their trip. She said they had a fantastic time and loved making new memories with them.

So with all the Disney talk, I'm missing it like crazy. I never really felt like this about Disneyland until I had kids. I have great memories of going there as a child with my family, and once with a school group. But, something changes when you can see the excitement in your own child's face.

Max fell in love with Pirates last time and repeated the song for almost an entire meal.

Then turned the park map into his treasure map. With trusty Mr. Smee by his side. (I'm pretty sure I posted this before). He sang it during his "hunt" but apparently I didn't get that part on film.

We have since printed and learned the correct words to the whole song. I often hear "Mom! Can you get the words?" We sing it frequently.

We miss you Disneyland.

Hopefully we will see you soon!

Our boys are just soooo good!

We took a trip to the library this afternoon and as soon as we got home we found each of the boys doing this:

They were quiet and content for almost ten minutes. It was so great.

So great, in fact, we thought...

...let's...

...have...

...another....

And then we thought, 'Gosh, boys are so easy, clean, nice, kind, soft, gentle...let's have another one of those too!'

So we are. See for yourself.

Yeah, no mistake.

All boy.

Big boy.

Maybe even a man.

Erik is so proud.

We didn't find out the gender early for Max or Alex. I decided I wanted to know this time to be more prepared. I'm so glad we found out. No regrets. It's fun knowing early. (And now, I don't have to wait 5 more months thinking, it could be a girl. Pshhh.)

We told the tech we had two boys at home already.

Apparently the baby heard that and here's what he thought.

(She kindly deleted the line that said "FLIPPING OFF HIS FAMILY". haha. Kidding, of course.)

In fetus voice: You think those two are bad....heh..heh..heh....just wait Mommy.

Stinker.

We are happily expecting early February. I've been feeling okay. Yes, some issues. Mostly gone for now. (Except that stupid sciatic nerve. The pain is one thing but it's really embarrassing when your happily walking along and ...whoops...down she goes!) We have new insurance meaning new doctors and hospital. So it feels all new again. It is nice to have appointments 5 minutes away rather than 45.

So I'm about halfway through. I look like I could deliver tomorrow. No joke. I'm a  little concerned about what I will wear towards the end. I've almost outgrown most of my newly purchased maternity clothing. And no, not just belly...we're talking all-over chub. And the pregnancy nose is already here. Not just for the smells. But, it's...just ...so...round... and big.

Yay for babies!

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Just had to add this. I was reading over the post and Max come up to me asking me what I was looking at. He saw the ultrasound picture and says "Oh, the baby. How cuuute!"

Then he rubs the back of  my head, stares into my eyes and says, "Mom, you look like a beautiful princess."

Um, okay. I'll have another boy!

Humming Around

I was on the phone with my Mom last week and a hummingbird happened to nearly crash into our front window. We've had a few hummingbirds near the front of our house and I mentioned I should get a hummingbird feeder for them.

Then...

...wahlah...

...Grandma Mills showed up with one that night! It was so cool! We made the food and put it all together. It took a few days but now we have hummingbirds all day long. The boys love watching them. I do too. They just look so peaceful. They hang out for about 30 seconds or so (or shorter if Alex jumps towards the window).

I got a couple pictures today.

Thanks Mom for the awesome surprise!

The Mysterious Mind of Max

I guess it's not so mysterious. He is three. Lot's of things travel through a three-year-old's mind. And at a very fast pace. Here's a typical conversation with Max.
Max: Mom!!!! Look!! I see a backhoe loader!!!!
Me: Oh yeah, that's cool Max.
Max: Mom? What's a backhoe loader?
Me: The tractor you just pointed out to me.
Max: Oh. Mom? What's a tractor?

It can last an entire car ride.

Today:

Max: Mom? What street are we on?
Me: Elmira.
Max: Mom? What street are we on now?
Me: Still on Elmira.
Max: What street are we on now?
Me: On Elmira still. We will be on this street for a long time.
Max: Oh. We'll be on Emilera for a long time? Oh. Okay. Well what street are we on now? (stopped at stoplight)
Me: Still Elmira, sweetheart.
Max: Oh. Okay.
Max: Mom? What street are we on now. (still at stoplight)
Me: Uh...Main Street, Max.

This is pretty normal at bedtime:

After the "routine" it is silent for a few minutes, I assume he's asleep. Nope.

Max: So...Mom...tell me all about your favorite jet plane.
Me: It's time for sleep, Max.
Max: Okay, because mine is .....blah blah blah...

I would just love to get lost inside his little mind one day.

Edible Artist

Me: Alex! Have you been eating crayons again?

Alex: Ummmm.....no?

Yeah, I didn't think so either.

Earlier he got a hold of the controller for the dog shock collar. (Still climbing everything) Result...all the neighbors were outside trying to figure out what dog was getting attacked. Poor pup.

Now he's stuck behind the couch.

And I'm leaving him there.

Utah or bust!

This young lady is leaving for college tonight.

I remember the day she was born. I was only 16 and she definitely changed our

family in so many good ways. 

I can't say enough good things about her.

We are all so incredibly proud of her and are sad to see her leave us.

But, she has her whole life ahead of her.

I can't wait to see what she makes of it. She's done a pretty great job so far.

I'm a very proud auntie - especially since I'm her favorite! :)

Good luck at BYU Kirra Jae!

We love you so much!

Alex turns 2!

Alex turned two yesterday and I'm pretty sure he had a great day. It took him about 4 seconds to fall asleep last night. And he didn't want to have anything to do with me. He crawled into his bed by himself and crashed.

He and I were the first ones to wake up so I quickly showed him his cake. He gave me a few blank stares for photos (he was really rolling his little two-year-old eyes). Then did this.

 Max is full of love and gave Alex a birthday hug.

Erik worked the night before so he was sleeping while I let him open a few presents. The first was a great tractor from Uncle Joe and Aunt Susie. He LOVED it! He played with it all morning. We made piles (from wrapping paper) for him to push around and he was in pure heaven.

After Erik woke up he opened the rest of his presents. He got all sorts of boy stuff. A new tool set, monster trucks, books...

..then he opened Grandma Gail's gift....we now have two basketball stars in the house. (Sorry, baseball. We'll see you again soon.)

We took the boys to the bounce house place and the ran like little maniacs for an hour. All of those pictures are on my phone and for some reason I can't transfer them. So imagine two happy boys jumping, sliding and climbing like crazy.

Erik's Dad was able to come up for a visit and cake, which was a nice surprise. Alex wouldn't take of his new goggles from his tool set during the cake/singing part. Pretty cute if you ask me. Here they are singing.

...and Alex blowing out his candles. He was pretty happy with his "woowoo" cake (I just put a little fire truck and ambulance on top of a cake) even though it read "Happy Birthday to Ale". (He ate most of the X earlier). Erik had to leave for work shortly after cake and ice-cream so we were able to play with toys and relax a little. His cousins came over for pizza and cupcakes...and basketball, of course. They all love Alex so much it is so fun to see the bigger boys interact with him. He loves it too.

This morning has been a simply wonderful way to start off the two's. He completely dumped out his cereal bowl, played in the milk, splashing around (huge mess), bit his brother, dumped out the bin of crayons, somehow scratched up his arm, screamed at the top of his lungs several times (for no reason, he giggles after every time..and Erik is still trying to sleep) and I just finished cleaning marker off my cloth ottoman (it was covered).

Yay for two!

We love you, Bakey! Happy 2nd birthday!