Max and Company

The boys helped Chris make bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits for me for breakfast. I love that tradition (especially since I get to eat them!). We had an all around good day. The Primary kids sang in Sacrament Meeting. I’m so happy to be a mother! Best job on the planet.

We met some friends in Galveston Saturday for the day. The water was pretty chilly, but we had a good time. Max dived right in and spent the day in the water. Cooper was pretty unsure about it all, but had a lot of fun playing in the sand. Owen was a champ. He lasted the whole time with only a tiny nap.

We celebrated the end of the school year at Old McDonald’s Farm in Humble with Max’s preschool. It was pretty hot (and I think petting zoos are gross). But ths kids had fun playing. Then all the preschoolers sang a few songs for the parents. Cute. I can’t believe Max is ready for Kindergarten.

Chris had Friday off so we spent the Easter weekend with Nana and BigE in Tyler.

Friday the boys swam in the very chilly pool (but not as cold as a lake, BigE pointed out). By the time Max was done swimming his lips were purple and he requested a cup of hot chocolate. That evening, we went to Brookshire’s new store, Fresh, and were totally impressed. It’s very fancy.

Saturday morning we went to the ward party and had breakfast at Sharon Atwood’s house. Her property is so beautiful. The boys got to go Easter egg hunting again. That evening we celebrated Cooper’s birthday, which is coming up.

Sunday we went to church and then had a fancy ham dinner at Nana’s house. All in all, we had a very fun and relaxing visit.

My friend Karen watched Cooper and Owen so I could go to Max’s preschool Easter party. My favorite part was how Max’s face lit up when he saw me walking up to his classroom. They had an Easter egg hunt on the playground, snacks in the classroom and story time. Max is so bright–he likes to answer all the questions. I like the way he is polite and respectful to his teachers.

A few things I’m loving about our life right now:

1. Our fresh veggies from Wood Duck Farm. We pick them up every Tuesday at a local natural food store. Cooper calls it the “Veg’tub’l Office”. We eat lots of veggies and love it all. The boys even eat salads for dinner.

2. Owen sits in the bumbo during dinner on the table. He holds his toes and can’t be fed fast enough. He has go-go-gadget arms and knock over cups of milk in a flash.

3. The water guns Max got for his birthday. Best invention ever. The boys play outside every day with those things.

4. Often while Max is at preschool, I find Cooper laying next to Owen on the floor with his “b”. Just hanging out.

5. Owen holds his own bottle and takes his sweet time eating. He usually keeps his feet crossed while he’s eating, but sometimes I’ll find his feet straight up in the air.

6. Owen gets around. He rolls. And scoots. And pivots. It’s really cute to watch.

7. The brothers really love each other. Often I find them playing games together. One day I walked in on Cooper playing balloon “with” Owen. Both were laughing hysterically. Owen really thinks Max and Cooper are hilarious.

8. The other night we found Cooper asleep under Owen’s crib. Tucked in with a blanket and everything.

9. Most of the time Cooper is wearing his “by-U” hat (not b-y-u). Even while he is sleeping.

Owen gets to take his baths in the sink. He concentrates very hard the whole time.

Just when I think Owen can not possibly get any cuter, he does.

He is almost sitting. He is almost crawling.

He is always smiling. Except for when he’s in the grass. And for when Cooper is poking his head with a magnolia tree leaf.

He is growing — chubby knees, “detachable” wrists and ankles, double chin, big belly. (All these things are such a relief considering all we’ve been through since January.)

[note to self: get mom's photos]

Chris, Owen, and I go tto go to Salt Lake for G’pa’s 90th birthday celebration. It was a weekend to remember.Max and Cooper stayed with Nana and BigE in Tyler.

THURSDAY: We arrived past midnight. Owen was such a good little man on the plane, even though it was so late. He slept most of the time. He was a really good sport. We watched the BYU basketball team (Jimmer) lose to Florida in the sweet 16 game in the airport. Chris was sad. Sad. Sad. Our flight was delayed (maybe the pilot was sad too?) so we arrived 30 minutes later than expected. Chris dashed to the rental car place and I strolled through the airport with Owen (still asleep) until we met up with him. Chris was put on some rental car black list and the guy would not rent to him. So I rented the car and we drove to G’pa’s house.

FRIDAY: It was cold and snowy. We just hung around with Mom, Pa, Justin, Nancy and G’pa. The Goodells came over for dinner that night. Jess and Joe arrived late as did Spence, Karina, and William.

SATURDAY: Jess and Joe came over early for a tasty breakfast. Spence, Karina, and William came too. It was my first time to meet William — what an easy fellow to love! He is so cute. He loves ducks and dinos. He is such a tender and sweet little man. I’m so happy to know him now. This was the first time all us siblings have been together in about 2 years (since Justin and Nancy’s wedding). It was fun. I wish we could be together more often.

We got ready for the big party and took Owen to my friend Jill’s house. She babysat him while we went to the party. First, we all had our photos taken with G’pa. Then we had a fancy dinner. Afterward, G’pa talked about some photos cousin Bill put together in a slide show from G’pa’s life. It was fun to meet up with the cousins and have time to chat (no kiddos were invited). We all love G’pa so much — he is the most amazing, giving, wonderful man I have ever known. I’m so glad we got to celebrate with him.

SUNDAY: We had another tasty breakfast in the morning. Then we sat around in the family room and chatted. Such a lovely day. After lunch, Jess, Joe, Chris, Owen, and I headed to the airport.

MONDAY: I met Nana in Dibol to pick up Max and Cooper.