We have a walker, and other firsts

August 31, Corbin takes 3 steps all by himself! (he did it multiple times)

September 2, Corbin attempts 6 steps on his own!

It is a bitter sweet moment in my life. I love seeing him grow and learn, but I am not ready to have my baby grow up. He is such a joy. Always clapping, or waving, he seems to only get upset when a sibling is overwhelming him. He started giving hugs. Great big strong bear hugs. They are so fun. I also got him trying to blow. (practice for his candle) But his face is so cute as he puffs out his cheeks and blows. Corbin has been able to say mama, ni ni, dada, for a few months but just the other day he said BALL. The kids got so excited. They love that he interacts with them more.

Back to School

Oh my goodness, school has started and we have joined a new classification in the world. One that requires our family schedule to function around full-time school. Boy it is odd.

Coltin is a 1st grader! He has been doing great over the last 20-some days he been at KQA. He comes home ready to get his homework done and study. I have to share that he had his first real test, other than spelling, this one was in geography last week and he got a 100%. Awesome job.

Everitt also started preschool. He has been having so much fun painting, singing, making new freinds and playing 'fetch' with Buster their dog. He often talks of us getting a dog... Someday! He too does great work. We're proud of you guys!

July

Ok here's what happened in July -

Celebrating July 4th in Grand Lake has been a long standing tradition of ours. Every year we have such a great time. Their fireworks display only seems to get better. We also hiked up to Adams Falls. Alayna just loved watching the falls, she sat on the wall and was not scared at all. Oh and of course we also went fishing. The best part about fishing was that Alayna caught the biggest fish! I think this was her first time to fish vs. just playing and watching. All three limited out and we had a great fish fry lunch. (Thanks Dad!)

The next weekend we decided to send the 2 big boys out to Utah with Papa Dennis. They had a great time. We joined them 2 days later and loved playing in the new water park and hanging out with family. It's a bummer we can't all be together more often. The kids also enjoyed playing riding the 4-wheeler with Kassie and her friend Kyle.

Kyle had a few kittens running around, Alayna had fun loving them.

A fun milestone for Corbin was teaching him to clap on the drive home. I just love the way their little hands try so hard to slap together, and the way their face lights up when it works! At the end of the month he started taking steps while holding onto my fingers, and then would let go and just stand. He is good at standing, all alone, not moving, just there in the middle of the room... and then boom he sits down. It is so cute. You tell him "good job" and he claps. He is such a joy at this age it totally makes me smile!

More June

On June 9th Corbin officially started moving about the house, crawling in his own way. He would crawl forward with his hands but hop/scootch his back end forward. It was fun to watch but after a few weeks he figured out how it really works. No stopping him now!


We are so happy to have mom and dad close and living in such a beautiful area as Grand Lake. Our trip there in June involved riding horses, fixing fence, lots of fishing, a boat ride, and relaxing in the cool mountains! This is definitely the way to live in the summer. I enjoyed taking picture of Corbin discovering the “taste” of nature. (Every time I tried to take a picture he was putting a dandelion in his mouth.) I did get a few good ones.

This month the boys took swim lessons and they finally passed level 1. We are excited to be advancing! I think it helped that they were indoors and with better teachers this time. We look forward to putting all 3 into lessons this fall.

For 5 days at the end of June we had the privilege of having Gramie (Kathi) stay with us. It was great to catch-up and hang out. The kids loved it, playing lots of games and coloring and reading with her, and let’s not forget making those amazing cinnamon rolls together! It was also so wonderful for me to get a break. (Shopping all alone for 3 hrs!) We loved the time and the help.

Everitt is always trying to keep up with Coltin. He surprised us by counting non-stop and error free all the way to 100! Great Job, Bud. Too bad he’s not old enough to start kindergarten this fall, ‘cause he is probably smart enough.

Big Girl

Alayna, over two and a half years old is a big girl. The end of May we got her her own bike. At first she told me she was "too little", but after seeing the boys ride it and their own she started riding around on our big deck. Well after a few weeks we took her out front. She does just fine, as long as the boys are paying attention! It is so fun watching her learn.

I am also so happy to announce that she is potty trained, (that is a big deal all you moms know.) It is nice, three down one to go! Her Independence is a welcomed stage. She is so eager to get dressed, making sure that for the most part she matches. Alayna also wants pick up her room, all by her-self. I have to say she does a good job, other than the occasional dirty clothes going back into the drawers. She is even willing to help set the table and pick up Corbin's toys. If only this would last.

We are so proud of our big girl.

Thought I'd also try and post video