Drive to Houston and EASTER!!

As many of you know Jeff and I were recently transfered to Houston!! We are so excited!! Before we left we got a chance to hang out with our friends from the NICU one last time!! Everytime we get together I'm always just amazed at how far all these little guys have come. It's hard to believe that not a single one of these boys started higher than 3 pounds!!!




We met at Lori's house and it was a nice day so we were able to play outside with all their fun stuff! (the playhouse was a hit)

Reed had a great time pushing his friend Whitt around the yard.

Did I mention there was a trampoline too!!!!! We slept great that night!

This is the coolest swing set too. I can't wait until we get into a new house and get one. The boys had a blast and didn't want to leave.

The view of the mountains from our house. I was walking Archie for the last time before we left on our drive down to Houston and it just hit me that this is really really pretty and I might miss it a little (a very little).

I also had a chance to visit with my good friends one last time before we left. I just love these girls!! I'm really going to miss them. Thanks for all the fun times guys. Come see me in Houston soon. (Krystal and Laurie)

In preparation for our trip I tried to get the boys to use headphones. They love the DVD players in the car and I was really hoping they would work so that I wouldn't have to hear Mickey and Cailou for 22 hours!!!!!

It worked like a charm and they got really good at it. (Reed man)

Archie rode down with us since we were driving. Archie has a bad habit of pantting when he is nervous or anxious. I was worried about this tendency of his on a 22 hour drive. Boy was I right. He got his act together later on in the drive but the first couple of hours he almost got left on the side of the road.

The boys did really well in the car and did a good job of making the most of our stops. Here they are playing in the rocks in the Mc Donalds parking lot. It was our last stop before we arrived at our stop for the night, Santa Rosa New Mexico!!

Santa Rosa had a lot to choose from. We decided to go with Denny's! The boys haven't eaten at a restaurant since they were a lot younger. They did really well and managed to keep it cool while we waited for our food.

They sat in boosters instead of high chairs (big guys) and picked their own choices off the menu!!

The next day we left just as early as we did the first (4 am) and we were in Texas before we knew it. (Grant watching Mickey)

For lunch we decided to stop at a rest stop instead of a fast food place. The weather was really nice and this way they got to run all around.

It was so nice to be able to be in SHORTS!! Especially since we literally left Salt Lake in a snow storm.

We finally made it to HOUSTON!!! It was really nice to see Grangie, G-pa-pa, aunt Lacey, and Uncle Whitney. We were also greeted with the pack of dogs. Puppy, Annie, and Mia were all hapy to see that they boys were here and that they willingly share food.

Easter Sunday came quickly after we arrived!! The Easter bunny did too.

The boys looked so cute in their Easter outfits!! Happy Easter!!!

Egg Hunt and Easter Bunny!!!

Spring is HERE! The boys and I have been able to play outside so much lately!! It's been wonderful. We had such nice weather last weekend we even got out the sand box. It's fun to see how differently they play with it compared to last year.



This year no one decided to eat the sand and no one decided it was more fun to throw it on the ground. They actually enjoyed pouring it in the funnels, digging, and filling buckets. What growth.

So Reed has become very imaginitive lately. He was watching Cailou, one of our favorite shows, and saw that Cailou had a rock collection. While we were at the park I gave him my old tic tac container to play with. He quickly filled it with small rocks and determined it to be his "rock collection". He likes to take it everywhere we go.

Today we had our annual community Easter egg hunt. (the boys with their sheep baskets)

Becasue it was at 9am it was still chilly outside and they decided to hold it indoors at the clubhouse.

My favorite part of the egg hunt is that it's only for kids 1-3 so we don't have to worry about the big kids being involved at all. (Grant)

Grant really really really got the concept down quickly and had like 20 eggs. Reed not so much. He kept picking one up and then looking at it and holding it. He didn't get the whole, pick up as many as you can, concept. I think it's Grant's tendency to horde that helped him out.

Enjoying the fruits of their labor.

Since Jeff got called out to work we had some time and decided to head over to the mall while we were dressed nicely. We thought we'd peek in on the old E.B. and see what he was up to. The boys kept asking if we were also going to see Santa while we were there. They did really well and didn't cry at all. What big boys!

St. Patrick's Day!

Spring has Sprung!! In our area atleast (for now). While I was in San Diego I got some cool hair stuff for the boys. They have such fine hair it's hard to find a product to style with. So I think I found one that works and doesn't move (hair glue). Reed looking all "cool dude" with his spikes.


We got our bikes out of storage and have been enjoying the nice spring weather. (Reed)

He's so cute because he will coach himself while riding his bike: "pedal, pedal, pedal. It's working!!" Too cute. He kept telling me he was going to ride his bike to the store to get some more treats for Archie dog. "the red ones"

My little Grant man loves his chalk. Like most things he loves, he mainly likes to hoard them. He kept putting the chalk on the back of the power wheels and driving 10 feet. Then he'd stop, rearrange, and drive another 10 feet. Alright then. Whatever keeps you happy.

Happy St. Patrick's DAY!! I love fun spring holidays. They make an ordinary March day all fun and festive!! We spent the majority of the day at our friend Krystal's house. She had to rush off to work so we went over to help out until Laurie got there with her kiddos. (Bri, Grant, and Reed) in their Irish Green.

The weather has been VERY spring like so we took all the kids outside to play in the afternoon. Laurie has twins too and they LOVED the bikes we brought over. WE got them out of storage because we are still here and it's been nice enough to use them. (Kaden LOVED this one)

Even baby Kam was cool hangin outside in his stroller. Grant helped keep a watchful eye on him.

My boys were really happy to ride their trikes and pick up rocks.

Brayton and helping his little brother with the other power wheels. We had like 6 bikes out and it was great.

Snow?

Grant has shown a real interest in potty trainning lately. He will poop on the potty if you let him watch a show while he sits and waits. I'll take it. Anything I can do to help move this process along is welcome. But he has gone several times now on the potty. REED on the other hand is still in full resistance mode. No amount of jelly beans can make him poop on the potty. Mickey underwear? NOPE. Oh well, I'll just hopefully get one done and work on the other.

So we have had this really weird winter. It's been very dry (thankfully) and the boys haven't had very many opportunities to play in it. Jeff and I think it's because we actually bought them snow gear this year and plan on moving. What other reason could there be for a lack of snow?

My point being that we get these strange dustings of like a few inches of snow. As soon as it hits we are out playing in it. They didn't even care about touching it, they just wanted to walk around and stomp in their snow boots.

They were so happy playing outside. Too cute.

It still amazes me at how little their stuff is. They have been seeming like big boys to me lately and it makes me sad (my babies are big) so just seeing their little boots on the rug made me think that even though they are getting bigger they are still (my) little guys.

Sick Boys, Katrina, and Auntie Lacey

Things at the Beck house went from godd to worse. The boys seemed to be on the mend and then decided to get another stomach bug. I swear I have never used my washing machine so much in my entire life. I have never cleaned up so much gross stuff either. They just couldn't keep their bodily functions to themselves. This was the scene for most of the last 3 weeks. They wouldn't eat or drink and when they did it was very little. :(



For some reason they were feeling well enough on Valentine's day to go out to breakfast. Jeff and I took the to McDonald's and had a good time. They didn't eat much but did play a little. Mommy tried to be cool and go up in the slide like daddy had and I FREAKED out. I kept my cool in front of the boys but my hands were shaking. I gues I've developed a fear of small enclosed spaces. Who knew.

The boys were almost better when Katrina came for a visit. She watched the boys for the weekend while Jeff and I spent a few days away. It was SUCH a treat. We slept in and ate out. It was perfect. Thanks again Katrina we LOVE you.

As usual while Katrina was here we did some shopping and looking around. You never know what you are going to need. While we were out at Hobby Lobby Reed discovered he had pockets. He's been doing this lately with his pants and jackets. It's just so funny to me because it makes him look so grown up. What a cute guy.

One of our other favortie things to do while Katrina is here is hit up the Costco. We LOVE the Churros there. If you haven't had one GO get one now. They are delish. The boys are getting big enough to handle half a churro now. Reed has issues not putting the whole thing in his mouth at one time. YUM.

Katrina has started a tradition with the boys of riding the "horse" at Wal-Mart. We tried to explain to the boys that it's not a horse but a warthog from the movie Lion King and that didn't seem to go over well. SO, it's a horse. This thing costs .50 a ride (which we both think is a rip off) but being the loving Katrina she is, she lets them each have a turn while we are there.

Kind of dorky I know, but this is a picture of the preschool registration for the boys. It just kind of hit me as one of those life moments. Here I am about to mail off the papers to their preschool and hopefully begin their school careers that will last for the next 18 years. My babies are growing up! Tear tear.

Sortly after this it was time to take Katrina to the airport and pick up Aunt Lacey. Originally she was coming to help me while Jeff took the bar exam. BUT since he has decided to take it in July (when we are hopefully living there) he didn't need to go but she still came!! We had a great time with her just hanging out. She and I have a love of singing along to bad music. WE don't sing well so we turn it up and have a great time. The boys decided to sit on the counter and dance and sing along. (Reed in Lacey's sunglasses).

For whatever reason Lady Gaga is their favorite. They actually know the words. Check out the moves from my man Grant W. Beck. Someone has a future on America's Best Dance Crew.

Hallmark Open For Business

I realized the other day that one of my favorite holidays was quickly approaching. I LOVE valenitne's day and am steadfast in my effort to pass on my love to the boys. I'm not sure if it's all the pink and purple or if it's the candy and glitter, but I love it. So we decided to make some valentine's day cards for Jeff.





The boys have both been sick and this was one of the first days they were feeling better. We made some handprint cards and let them color the paper all by themselves. They had a blast.





The finished product. Grangie heard about the card shop and was interested. So we may have made some more for her and Auntie Lacey. We'll just have to see if Cupid comes through.






Our proud display of cards and decorations.

This card making has inspired a love of crayons and coloring in Grant. Yesterday we went to Wal-Mart so that he could get a Mickey coloring book and a "new box of crayons" just for him. He was sooooooooo excited. Mainly he just likes to name the colors and look at the paper. He doesn't do that much coloring. But he's so happy and occupied that I don't care. He will sit at the table for almost an hour just chatting about the crayons and his pictures. It's really cute.

Reed has started calling me and Jeff "honey". He will also tell Grant, "no Honey". when he asks for something. So I couldn't catch it without a prompt but you get the idea. He has also starting calling Jeff by "Jeff" instead of daddy. Jeff hates it but can't help but laugh. It's kind of hard to hear him but he says it. Also, Grant talking about his coloring enjoy!

Not much to Report...

The boys and I have been sick lately but I think we are finally on the mend. We had a nice weekend with little activity. WE did make it out to the grocery store and took a few pics of Grant with his cart. The store provides carts but they are hard to navigate so we bring our from home. The boys love to push it around and put their food in it. (Grant)




The weather has continued to lend itself to some outside play lately. It's not the most comfortable temperature but it'll do. As long as we (Mommy) is in the sun it's not too bad to play outside for a few minutes and the boys really really love it. We're ready for spring/summer.



This weekend Jeff got a new iphone. SO while we were at the store the nice man gave the boys "dummy" phones. They use them as demos and don't have working parts or anything. They have a colorful fake screen but they are real phones. Well the boys just think they are the coolest thing ever. They love to "text" and call people.

It's so funny to hear the "talk" on the phone. Usually they are calling "Uncle Whitney" or texting him. They miss him so much!! Or they are calling the dogs in the family (sorry guys). Sometimes it's just a call into good old Mickey.

Sorry we're boring and don't have much to report. I took a cute video of Reed but can't find it now so I'll have to recapture the moment.

January Fun?

The winter blues, cabin fever, call it whatever you want, we have it at the Beck house. We are SOOOOOO ready for spring/summer!! Last week was a regular heat wave here in Utah and we saw some sunny days with 40 degree weather!! Break out the tank tops. Since it was down right swealtering, we went out front to throw around the balls and ride bikes. The boys almost didn't know what to think. It was actually warm enough to not have their gloves on them (which the HATE) so that was nice. AND it's been fairly snow free so the streets are dry enough to play on. Trying to find the bright side here. :) We long for the days of sweat and sprinklers. To talk the boys back in the house (after 45 min. of outdoor fun) I had to promise hot chocolate. (Reed)



They boys really really liked drinking it and had a good time saying, "MMMM, it's warm" (Grant)




Being the creative problem solover that I am, I figured out the value that comes with an icecream cone from McDonalds. .40 + .40= Two happy little boys.



Not to mention the personal joy of watching them eat it. :) It's a sight to behold.


Potty training update. Not much to update, they aren't. Grant wanted to try and use the potty yesterday and so we let him. He stood there for a good 5 solid minutes with no results. But look at those cute buns! He does insist on standing (know idea why) and has to have the elmo seat on the potty. Hey if it works I'll take it. :)

A few Videos

It's been kind of boring around here. Not much to report. The boys learned how to sing their ABC's. Enjoy

Reed hates the car wash. It just cracks us up. By the end he was sitting in my lap.