To nap or not to nap?

Nap-time at the Kenningtons, including Daniel, Nathan and Liz

Why is it that kids don't appreciate how WONDERFUL naps are? They just want to stay up and play, while I would take a nap everyday if I could. Nathan has been testing the idea of skipping his nap all together, and I am not ready for it! The days when Nathan and Daniel nap at the same time are great because either I can take a nap too, or I can get things done around the house so much faster than if they were awake.

So instead of telling Nathan that it is nap time, we now have "Quiet Time." He can play or read stories in his room for an hour. Usually, he will end up falling asleep within the first 20 minutes. I think he just doesn't want to be told what to do. (Typical 3 year old, right?) And occasionally, he just lays down where he is playing and sleeps. (See pictures below.)

Kids can sleep great anywhere!!

Also notice the blue snow boots. As Scott told me the other day, we may need to "surgically remove the boots at the end of the winter." He LOVES his boots. We told him he could wear them when it started to snow, and sure enough, when we had snow a few weeks ago, he asked for his boots. He wears them all the time and we really have to convince him to wear other shoes to church at least!

This was around dinner time on a day where he skipped a nap. He just lay down on the floor while we had the news on, and he was out.

So, here is hoping that Nathan continues with his naps for awhile longer- at least until Daniel is sleeping more than 4-6 hours at night! Daniel has great nights when he sleeps for 6 hours, and then the next night, he is waking up every 3 hours. But, he is almost 4 months old. Here his is in the leaves with his Halloween costume!

Farm Fun in Oregon with the Kenningtons!

How is that for a post title? A week and a half ago, (sorry we are slow to post!) we drove up to Ontario, OR to visit Katie and Casey and Elsa. The boys did great in the car, it took us only about 6 hrs drive time to get there. We had several stops on the way for Scott to do some audits, the first in Burley, Idaho and the second in Jerome, Idaho. There is not much in either town, but at least I was able to go to a Walmart in Burley to entertain the boys while we waited for dad to do his work. Nathan got a $2 soldier figures set (you know, those green plastic army dudes like in Toy Story??) and he has loved it! It sure was great that day.

Daniel sat next to Nathan in the car and slept most of the time. When he was awake, I think he kept entertained watching Nathan or listening to the movies Nathan watched on the way up there. Nathan loved the portable DVD player that he could hold. I was worried he was going to get car sick, but he didn't. That was a relief.

The highlight of the trip for Nathan was the Kennington Farm. Scott and Nathan went with Casey one afternoon. Nathan got to ride the front loader with Casey and get hay. He also got to ride the 4-wheeler with Dad. And he got to sit on a tractor. So life is good. They also helped with feeding some of the calves. Nathan also liked playing in the sandbox by their house.

For full details of all the fun activities we had while there, see Casey's blog. (link on the right)

These are pumpkins from Katie's garden-- well, minus the cute, smiling "little pumpkin." He's ours. I love his cute smile!!

Here's all the Jackson grand-babies! Elsa really is a cutie, she is crawling everywhere. And Daniel really is smaller than her, although they seem to be the same size in this picture. Just give him a few months to catch up! Katie and I even put all 3 kids in the back seat of the Honda for a ride to the John Deere store. The doors barely closed!

Nathan is really concentrating on driving the tractor.

Thanks to the Kenningtons for such a great trip up there! We highly recommend the lil' home on Sunset Dr to anyone looking for a fun getaway!

Photo Session

I think that these pictures speak for themselves! The boys did wonderful at their photo session yesterday. I had to buy the CD so I could have the copyright on these fun pictures! Now we just need to get a good family picture. I decided we'll do that another day; getting these took long enough for the boys.

My favorite of the two together!
Isn't Nathan's smile soo cute??
We had to work REALLY hard to get this smile!
"What are you doing?"

Fun at Home

I have had a hiatus from blogging, and am glad to be up and about again. I have been sick the last week, and thought I was better over the weekend, but was back at square one sunday night. Note to reader: 102 deg. fevers and chills are NOT fun, and I am still sore 2 days afer the fact! But with the right antibiotic and some motrin, I am up and about. I think Scott is glad to have some help around the house again, and Nathan glad to have mom able to play again, not just laying on the couch. It feels good to be able to have energy to get up and play and make meals again.

And Daniel made a BIG milestone-- I feed him around 10 or 11pm, he sleeps TIL 3 am and SLEEPS again til 6 or 7 am!! This is big for us and coming at a great time. He is so fun to have around. I am excited for him to be learning and seeing so much in the world around him. He likes to lay under his leapstart and kick his legs and talk. Video coming soon!

Here are some pictures from the month of September:

I was very proud of my flower arranging skills; the sunflowers and cool grass were along the trail by our condos, so I picked a few. And the cool vase is one Katie made- I love it!!
I should have done a before and after picture of the dresser that mom and I (mostly mom) refinished. At least now I feel like I could refinish something if I wanted! It used to be really light colored with gold on the handles. Now its a little darked and we spray painted the handles black! I love how it turned out. I am excited to have it in our bedroom.

And my favorite pictures of my boys with their Oma! They got some matching pj's. We couldn't find matching shirts in a 3month and 3T size! I love Nathan's big smiles, and Daniel is looking at the camera!
Isn't it great for Daniel to have a big brother? He does look a little worried here, but it is good for Nathan to learn how to hold him.

To Nathan:

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY!! Nathan had a party at his Lehi park with some of his cousins.
Here is his train cake that Scott and I made! I am glad Nathan liked it.
The best part of the week was having Oma here to play with. Nathan loved having her here.
And the best part of his birthday? Sleeping in his new Thomas tent with Daddy. I actually pulled Scott out of the tent later in the night, it was a pretty funny site to see Scott legs pokin' out the door. This where the quote that "conductors don't need blankets" comes from.
We love our little boy and are so lucky to be his parents. It is so fun to spend my days with him. 3-year-olds have the best outlook on life.

Daniel- 9 weeks old and smiling!

Daniel on the day of his 2-month checkup, wondering why he needed all those shots??

He weighed in at 14 lbs 2 oz, (95th percentile), 24 inches long (90th percentile)! He is almost keeping up with Nathan!

The morning his blessing. We had a great breakfast with family at our clubhouse and then we all headed over to the church for his blessing. He was so good during the blessing, I think he liked being bounced up there. It was so neat to see Scott bless him with so many family members. Thanks to those who came.
Isn't he cute? His outfit was a little snug around the neck and thighs, but the hat fit well and is so fun!
At home after church.

And, Daniel's first picture of him smiling! Scott got him to grin the other morning. He is really starting to babble and notice things around him. Yesterday, Nathan wanted to put him in the swing, so Scott put him in the swing. Nathan turned it on and put the animal mobile above him, and Daniel really liked looking at it and was babbling and grinning. It is so fun to have them wake up and notice things around them. Well, he is awake from naptime, so I guess it is time to post!!

Sunday Walk

So, I remember when living at home in beautiful Germany, I whined and balked when mom tried to gather the family for a sunday evening walk. And what am I doing now?? Suggesting and going for walks with my wonderful husband and our boys. We even took our camera a few weeks ago and did some pictures. This one reminds me of one of me when I was little. If I was really computer-savvy I would scan the picture in, but I'm note, so just take my word for it, Nathan looks a lot like I did when I was little. :)
Eagle mountain is windy and it was a sunny day!
Nathan is learning how to peddle his tricycle all by himself, he looks so cute with his helmet on. Its a miracle he's not wearing his soldier boots and shorts, he would be happy if those were the only clothes he ever wore.
Daniel is a sweetheart. He is sleeping better and smiling and cooing at us. He doesn't look to happy in this picture though, he prefers the walks where the stroller keeps moving, unfortunately, Nathan stops frequently to look at bugs and pick up rocks.

Our little boy Nathan is growing up so fast! He went to the dr. this week and is growing well, up to 38 lbs. (90th percentile) and 37 inches tall (75th percentile). He is going to be our linebacker!