Ghost Stories

Tonight Dylan drew some pictures and told me a few ghost stories. The first story was about a ghost who stole the snowman's carrot nose (It snowed a ton today.) If you look at the picture it may appear as if the ghost is flipping you off...But don't be offended...He's an innocent ghost who just wanted a carrot for lunch. Dyl also told a story about an apple and banana who wanted to eat each other and the pig who "tooted." Quite the imagination!

Handsome Young Thang!

Dyl was getting ready for school this morning and, as he was looking in the mirror and wetting down his hair, said, "Mom, I sure do look handsome today. It's a good thing I look so nice for the ladies!"

Breakfast in Bed...

I wasn't feeling well today so I told Dyl we should just lounge around and cuddle. He says, "Mom, you go upstairs and get in bed and I'll make you breakfast and bring it to you in bed." I heard a little bit of rumbling going on downstairs and, before I knew it, in walked Dyl with a peanut butter sandwich and a big smile on his face. "Here you go, Mom...I put lots of peanut butter on it to make it taste real good!"

Party Time!

Dyl loves to have his cousins over for sleepovers! He always pops popcorn by himself and makes sure he's a good host to his guests.

Rockin' Out

Just 1 quick question...Where is the babysitter?

Sweetness...

Tonight Dylan and I were lying on my bed with the blinds open looking up at the stars and finding animal pictures in the clouds. Dyl put his hand on my forehead and said, "Mom, don't you ever worry...I'm never going to let anybody hurt you." Not sure where that came from out of the blue...but I thought it was so cute that Dyl wants to protect his mama!

Harsh words and a sore thumb...

Dyl was trying to get my attention and pulled my thumb back. I had this throbbing pain shoot up into my wrist so I grabbed my hand and muttered, "AHHH!" This is what transpired next:
Dylan: Mom, do you want me to get you some medicine?
Mom: No, Dyl...I'm ok.
Dylan: Well you do you want me to get you some water?
Mom: No, Dyl...I'm ok.
Dylan: Do you want me to kiss it better?
Mom: That might be nice...
Dylan: Do you want a back rub?
Mom: That'd feel good.
Dylan: (With a pouty face) Do you want a new son?
Mom: Of course I don't want a new son...I picked you so you're stuck with me!
Dylan: Ya, 'cuz other sons don't hold doors open for their moms and other sons don't make homemade french fries with their moms and other sons don't give their moms great big hugs and kisses...And other sons don't take their moms to the movies or sing to them.
Mom: That's right, bud...That's why I would never, ever give you away...'cuz you're so special!
Dylan: Well can I go live with Grandma and Grandpa 'cuz it's boring in this house and there's nothing to do and no fun stuff. Grandpa likes popcorn and he'll share with me. Then if I started to miss you then I could just ride the horse over here.

Friends out of fear...

Today as I picked Dyl up from preschool Miss Joanne advised me that he'd been in a slight altercation with his friend, Ben. Miss Joanne assured me that Dylan didn't start the fight but, when Ben kicked him, Dylan kicked Ben back. Miss Joanne said that she'd talked to both of the boys when it happened but just wanted me to know the situation. When we got in the car I tried to offer Dylan some suggestions on how to better handle the situation in the event that it happens again in the future. Dylan's response was, "Mom, Ben kicked me in the chin so I kicked him in the leg and now he knows he's going to be my friend 'cuz he got hurt worse than me."

Apples 2 Apples...& More Apples!

We had apples growing out of our ears this year! The kids had so much fun climbing in the trees like a bunch of wild monkeys!

Scrumptious!

Chase & Dyl's idea of "relaxing."

It's 9:00 am and already time to take a bubble bath!

This is our sexy Grandma. She's awesome!

Leave it up to Dylan to find an apple that looks like a butt!

...And then laugh and joke about it for another 10 minutes!

Grandpa picked up apples off of the ground to take home and feed to his goats on the farm. Dyl was sad that he couldn't go home to Idaho with Gramps. Darn school!

No smoochin' in the trees!

Couldn't resist!

PJ's are perfect 4 apple pickin'!

Chase & Dyl worked extra hard! They can really be great helpers when it's something they wanna do!

Aunt Tracy always shows up for the fun stuff!

Barnum and Bailey Circus!

We had an awesome time at the circus this year. We took along Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Tracy, Aunt Kathy, Gary, Leslie, Chase, Shaylee, Karly, Anthony, and Anthony's girlfriend, Julie. Exciting times!

Gary and the boys waiting with anticipation for the Trax train to pick us up and deliver us to the circus. Oh...the enthusiasm!

Shay and Kars had to get beautified for the special event...Don't they look absolutely fabulous?

Tracy and Chase with their "magical" wizard hats

Grandpa and his girls...

Anthony and Julie...The lovebirds. We were able to get to know Julie a little better this weekend and absolutey LOVE her. --And Anthony's pretty cool, also! Anthony bought us all lunch at Chili's afterwards. Then, the following day Anthony grilled hotdogs and hamburgers for us. He's the best!

Anthony carrying Aunt Kathy to the train stop

Dylan with his favorite great-Aunt Kathy

Oh...All this stuff didn't give Dylan a sugar high! Dyl got an elephant cup filled with a rainbow sno-cone and a wizard hat w/a bag of cotton candy attached.

Leslie trying to butter up to Julie so she can be the favorite sister-in-law-to-be!

Grandma and Grandpa are the magic in our lives...They don't need the hats to prove it!

Karly wouldn't let me take her picture so I had to sneak a shot while she wasn't paying attention...

The clowns came down the aisle with a fishing net and captured Uncle Gary's big 'ole head and I snapped a shot...

Beautiful Shay...Always an adorable little doll!

The elephant act was one of the highlights of the show. Dyl also loved the horse and dog acts but was scared when the tigers did their performance in the cage. It was definitely an entertaining time with wonderful family!

Gratefullness...

I don't often slow down long enough to take quiet time to myself but, when I do, I think about how lucky I am. Lucky to have a healthy, beautiful son. Lucky to have a good job and a nice home. Lucky to have great people, both friends and family, surrounding me. I wish I could take more time to just breathe...to enjoy all of the little simple things in life. It's so easy to get caught up in the things that don't really matter in the end. For today, I resolve to appreciate all of life's magical treasures and gifts...

Weekend @ Payton's...

Dyl and I spent the weekend in Pocatello visiting my sister, Ashley. Payton and Dyl had so much fun! One of the things I've always cherished about Dylan is how he can be so gentle and playful with the younger kids. He and Payton are great buds!

Lots 'o loves!

Mischief...

...and movies!

I told Dylan to get dressed and he located the nearest pants...Payton's! Payton wears a size 3T and Dyl wears a 6. Dylan refused to take Payton's pants off the rest of the day...So this was his "look."

Rebellion!

Playin' at the park...

Posin' for the camera...

...and bein' goofy!

What a cutie!

Playin'...

...and wrestlin' in the grass...