my birdies

Last night I painted this...

I am loving the chill and gray skies this week...

They wore their capes all day.

Mittens! They were so excited about em.

the end

Underwear Under There

Disclosure: If you're not a Mom or a Grandma, this will be in no way interesting to you.

The boys are potty training and doing remarkably well! We started Friday. (Oh yeah, so it was that weekend we got Wyatt, which is the previous blog... Craziness, for sure, but Lord totally worked it out that way. It was great motivation for Luke and Ben to see Wy and talk about him being littler and wearing a diaper n stuff.) I've been telling people for a couple months that I think the boys are pretty ready for Potty Training but that it was overwhelming to me. Thursday they woke-up with dry diaps AGAIN, then ASKED to go potty and then a little later raided their dresser, found underwear and asked for "undies on pwease". I looked up, "Alright, Lord, I get it." We sat down on my bed and had a little chat about what it meant to wear underwear. I asked them if that sounded good to them and they were thrilled to strip off that big-o clothe diaper and slip on some briefs. FREEDOM!

*they really do generally wear pants, but with PT no pant is a little easier=)
I'm putting them in undies for naps and at night. The first few days they'd wet as they were kinda waking up. Russ and I talked about it and He thought it would be better on everyone to do diapers at night. He didn't want it to start stressing the babies out or wearing me out with the clean up n stuff. So we decided Monday night to do diapers for bedtime. We talked to the boys about it. Luke started balling, then Ben started crying. "No diaper, pwease Mama!" Oh my goodness, it was the most precious thing. So we've just been doing undies and they are really getting the hang of it! They've had three nights in a row and three naps in a row, dry as a bone. Great job big guys!As I've tried to pump myself up for this over the past few months, I thought I'd have to schedule a week or more to be at home, training. (This was a GREAT excuse to not do it.) Come to find out, that is absolutely not what my guys need. We've got to mix it up, keep it interesting. The boys don't want go in the bathroom every 30min. It's like depressing. hahaha. I have done everything like normal, maybe even more. Out and about and they love it.

Today we went to the doughnut shop and rode the carousel by the market, the doughnut shop again =), the park, Daddy's office,and had a picnic, all before nap. I put their potty chairs in the back of the van and they think its a crack-up!

And oh my, how the Lord has given me patience and energy. I am honestly blown away. Thank you, God! I love that I'm in a place in my life where I get to blog about PT. How blessed am I that I get TWO babies to love and teach and care for and learn from. What a blessing!

a sweet visitor

Luke and Benjamin had their first Slumber Party! What do boys call a slumber party?... I don't know. It was great. We got Wyatt William Saturday morning and enjoyed him until Sunday evening. This meant ALL of the Kuhns babies, under one roof! (If I remember correctly, these three are the only three of their generation to carry the name.) I guess I'm kind of excited about that. It's like they have a special mission; make more Crazy Kuhns! It was a crack-up to watch them all together. Luke and Ben just LOVE littler babies. Wy Guy is only like 9months younger, but you know, ALLOT changes in those months! Wyatts laugh is awesome! It's kinda deep and scruffy. Just adorable. Oh and no pants... haha, sorry Ryan and Shannon=o. I didn't have the heart to keep him in jeans when Luke and Ben were running around in freedom.Watching a movie while Wyatt ran circles around them. Man that baby was busy! He slept great at our house. I was so happy about it! I felt like it was because he was comfy and loved and "at home" here... Oh yah, any maybe the mile he ran around the house! Anyway, he's cute, huh.?.
After nap we went to the park... *oh this picture is beautiful in its original size! you'd love it.

All the boys in a bubble bath, winding down for the night.

In the morning we went to church. I started getting people ready right away and I am proud to say we made it to church EARLY. Hallelujah! Sunday service with the kids in their classroom felt like a weekend at the spa. lol!... relaxing=)

So I learned a valuable lesson with the addition of our sweet visitor; I AM NOT SUPER MOM! I felt like I'd been hit by a train Sunday night! It was hilarious! I was exhausted. I see mothers of three or more in a new light! You Go Girls! Cheyenne, you come to mind. And I bet a $100 bucks you'll never read this because you have FOUR. Not a whole lot of internet time.

Oh goodness, Thank you Lord for children! They are a sweet blessing, lent to us from heaven. Give us mom's strength and wisdom and ENDURANCE (Can I get an AMEN?) to take on these passing seasons, bearing the fruit of your Spirit.

Thank you Mr and Mrs Kuhns for entrusting us with your boy. I would do it again in a heart beat. We love Wyatt William!

Lovely Day

Luke and Ben got a special treat today; Nana came over for a visit! They were thrilled about it. They loaded up in the buggie and went on an adventure. Meanwhile, I had a party of my own... Can you say, Country Boy?! Oh yeah, crushed ice Pepsi! And then a trip to the mall, SOLO ME-O.

Isn't my Mother-In-Love too cute!?After work, Russ and I though it would be nice to go see a movie. Gigi was game, and came over to be with the boys. We got a latte, and saw Amelia. It was pretty good. We ate california rolls in the theater and enjoyed the heck out of ourselves. Luke and Ben had a blast with G. They even waited up for us (my FAVORITE). I love to see the babies after a date. We got to read and talk and then tuck their cutie booties in bed.

After that I dolled-up these gloves...

They were a little prize for two people I really like.

And that was the end of our Lovely Day.

Harvest

We soaked-up our first Harvest Festival with the boys. Lord is so good. Luke and Ben bring this joy that's unlike anything I've ever known. We had a sweet time enjoying the company of our friends and family. October 31st is such a dark and spiritually ugly day. I love that we get to be LIGHT and LIFE; an awesome contrast for the world to see. Ben, walking to the party, so excited. We really pumped it UP! (all the photos are blurry. i gotta mess with the camera. such a bummer)
The Moms and Dads!
Lumberjacks. They carried axes and chopped stuff...

The wonderfully photogenic Shinn boys and Ben and Luke... oblivious and eating Slinky's.
Minnie Mouse and I.
Gigi brought the Radio Flyer wagon. GREAT idea. We stayed late and watched Shachah. The boys danced their little hearts out.
Nice evening. Wish their Auntie Courtney could have been there too. Love you, miss you Sissy!

We LOVE Saturdays!

... especially in the fall. Isn't change of season so exciting?! We woke up and took a drive to Tehachapi. Gigi came with us too! We wanted to pick apples but I'm pretty sure that orchard was already closed. We found a nice one tho. They had a small pumpkin patch, lots of apples and cider for the tasten. We hung around a little fire and tried our cider and apples.

The boys rearranged the pumpkin patchI'm a sucker for pockets.

They boys took a load off. We had a nice afternoon. Had some lunch checked out the trains and walked around. The downtown was real cute and clean. I had no idea.

Later we went out to the dirt for Motorcycle fun.
This is my nephew Wyatt William. I know! He is completely adorable.



Luke and Ben can't get enough of this motorcycle stuff. They think Russ is just amazing.

ALL the Kuhns boys.

My lovely Sister-In-Love, Shannon. We're just along for the ride.

Afterward we went to Ryan and Shannon's house. We ate and sat outside by their fire and chased the little people around. Exhausting, fun day.

A Day In The Life

Rise and shine! It's a new day! My goodness I have been so mixed-up on my days this week. Glad it's Friday and we get Russ for two full days. The boys have been so homesick for him this week.

We're having friends over this evening and we're excited about it!

We started working on dinner right away. Potato soup in the crock. The boys were such helpers!

Luke and Ben love helping in the kitchen. And I like it too.

Luke kept saying, "Mama! This so fun!". I like that.

After breakfast they loaded up their backpacks and went off to "work" on their bikes.

Luke was showing me his loot.

As the day went on it got a little toasty. hehehe. They are best buds.

Maybe old news for you but, CARMEL CORN, welcome to my world! Fun to make. Such a delicious treat and pretty too.

I chose a recipe that used marshmallow thinking the little guys would be able to eat it better. It didn't get crunchy like normal carmel corn. I really like it. But some people didn't like the consistency.

Here's is recipe:

Pop 1/2 c kernels on the stove. (I like white the best.)

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. butter

9 large marshmallows

Melt these in a sauce pan over medium heat until mallows are all melted and incorporated.

Then pour over pop corn and mix. Mmm you should try it too.=)

So we go to have the Shinn's over for dinner and party time!

Here's Luke and Koda playing with the "Buddies".

It is so fun to have TWO sets of twin boys playing together. It was wrestle mania!
PTL no major breakdowns. By the grace of God!
Fun day with the family. Thanks for coming over Shinn's! We love you!