Let the Games begin!

Today was Josh's Halloween party and the kids were all invited to come to school today in their costumes. Well you can guess that Josh was a very eager four year old to want to get dressed up. He went as Woody, his most favorite character ever created. At the moment it is all about the toy story stuff. That is the coolest things out on the market according to Josh. About a month ago I was shopping with my Mother in-law and sister in-law, something the men try very hard to discourage, and we found a package of buzz and woody pajamas for $8 that was two pajamas for the price of one. Well I'm all for reusable things. Josh needed pajamas and a costume so I doubled the pajamas and costume and saved a pretty penny at the same time. We then found the perfect cowboy hat at the Halloween store for $3 and used last years paint and daddy's bandanna and the costume was complete, Josh would tell you I failed on the boots but I was not going to pay $30 for a pair of boots that he was only going to wear once so I skipped out on those but the rest of his costume looks great. Eric also wanted in on the fun since anything his big brother does he must do as well I dressed him in his pumpkin hat that Josh wore last year. I'm also all about reusing costumes every year if possible. Total cost spent on Halloween this year, including candy and pumpkins and costumes, was $18. I think that we did alright how did your families do?

Mr. Woody 

Mr. Pumpkin

He's walking!

Eric is now walking, it took him a little time but he got it when he was ready. Last night we were playing in the family room when all of a sudden Eric stood up in the middle of the floor and just started walking and laughing. He was so happy to be walking all by himself.

Friends

A couple of weeks ago Josh met a new friend at school. It was her first day and Josh was the one that welcomed her and has been connected at the hip ever since. His teacher informed me that Josh treats her very differently than the other kids. He holds her hand, he helps her with her backpack, he gives her the first choice of toys, crayons, or anything that might be in the classroom. So my son has found his first crush.

Josh and Alexandra

Mini Vaca

Okay I guess our family is turning into obsessed travelers.The first weekend in October we visited Jason's parents in Folsom this weekend we went to visit my parents in Fresno. I've got to tell you we have been having so much fun with family lately. With my parents we went to the Simonian farms to visit their pumpkin patch and pick up fifty pounds of tomatoes, 25lbs of peaches, one dozen bell peppers and fun things for the kids to eat. If you can't tell we plan on canning this week, lots and lots of salsa and jarring peaches. Our tomato crop this year was really bad so my parents were wonderful and purchased it for us so we can still have a years supply of salsa. Then we went to another pumpkin patch where the kids played on toy equipment, enjoyed the petting zoo and had fun riding the tractor train ride. By the end of Saturday our boys were asleep before their normal bed time I think we drained every ounce out of them. We are so happy to have two sets of parents that love to do things with us and love, love, love spoiling our kids. I didn't mention the toys they bought for the kids as well. Thanks again to my wonderful parents for letting us come for the weekend.

The Simonian farms just out side of Fresno.

Nana and papa with their grandkids.

Both of my boys loved the pumpkin patch

 They had this Haunted caboose. I generally do not like the haunted things because I hate it when things jump out at me, but Jason was able to talk me into trying this one. It was so kid friendly that even Josh was having fun going through it and nothing jumped out at us.

 I thought this bear seat was cute not to mention the adorable boys sitting on them, it was carved out of a large tree stump.

 The entrance to the second pumpkin patch was neat as well. As you walked in you passed under these beautiful grape vines that you could just reach up and grab a grape off of. Of course in our group the only one tall enough to reach the grapes was Jason but we all got to taste the grapes and the boys loved it.

 This horse swing was made out of old tires that they cut up and turned into a swing for the kids

 The petting zoo was fun both of my boys were fearless when it came to touching the animals.,

 They had these tractor train rides for the kids. Jason wanted to go but he couldn't fit so I had to take Eric he loved it once we got going but he was not happy sitting and waiting. The man riding the Tractor was great he had the kids happy and having fun the whole ride around the farm.

 Our 2010 Kjar family Pumpkin patch adventure in Fresno. I'm sure we'll go to the one in Reno as well but a little closer to Halloween.

Another Birthday come and gone

What did I do on my birthday? Well I got up and made breakfast for my boys kissed my husband on his way out the door. Cleaned up the boys and then I exercised cause every mommy needs to take care of herself in order to take care of her family. Then I finished dressing the boys and played with them. Then I did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen, then I moved into the living room and cleaned there. Well that took forever, then I checked my facebook account and found out that it had been flooded with wonderful birthday wishes from my family and friends. Then I made lunch for the boys and myself, my husband walked in midway through that  so I made him lunch as well. I cleaned up the boys and quickly got Josh ready for school walked him to school and came home and put Eric down for a nap and called my Dad and chatted with him for a few minutes. Then my little brother called and I chatted with him for a while then it was time to pick up Josh. Got him, brought him home and we sat and watched Cake Boss I don't know exactly why he likes that show but it's fun to see the pretty cakes created. Then Eric woke up and the boys helped each other to destroy the house again while I cleaned the bathroom and chatted with my Mom. Then at Five I started dinner for my family by the time Jason came home I had dinner on the table and my boys sitting down to eat their meal. Jason gave me a sweet card and made me a fresh squeezed apple pineapple juice it was yummy. Then I got cleaned up to go to Enrichment and spent an evening with my fellow sisters laughing and talking. I came home to a clean and quiet home and a wonderful husband who makes my life fully enriched.
To someone from the out side they might not see my birthday as anything special but I would not have spent my day any differently. I spent my day with three of my most favorite people. Surrounded by their love and was able to hear my precious son sing happy birthday to me.  My boys made my day so special.

Eric is smiling if you can't tell he likes to close his eyes and growl when he smiles now

Apple hill, conference and birthday celebrations

Well this weekend was so busy where to begin. We went to Folsom to spend some much needed quality time with family and to get away from the everyday stresses that seem to continue to plague our family. We also watched conference which was awesome and we snuck in a trip to apple hill where the boys had a blast rolling down hills and sitting on 1100 lb pumpkins. Right before we had to leave to come back home we slipped in a little birthday celebration for yours truly. All in all the weekend was a blast and I'm only sorry it had to end so quickly.

Walking

This is the funny thing about Eric. He actually can walk but does he? No, When Josh was this age he was running around the house, now I have to say Eric is one fast little boy on his knees. I finally got a video of my funny boy pushing the little umbrella stroller around the patio. I tried to get a video of him pushing a little toy lawn mower around but by then he was tired. He can walk he just seems to think he needs to hold onto something. He stands up by himself all the time and even takes a step or two then drops to his knees and takes off. Eric's personality is coming to life with each new day. He is no longer the cautious baby he use to be he is a little more aggressive than Josh was and he is such a goof ball. He loves to see what makes people laugh I guess that runs in the family. Josh loves to do that too. Eric loves loves loves to tease his older brother this can get dangerous at times but Eric is quickly catching up to Josh in weight. That might have something to do with all of a sudden Josh loves to eat. I think it caught on to him that his baby brother is going to out weigh him soon if he does not start eating more. Jason gave me a industrial juicer for my birthday. Now Josh is getting lots of fruits and veggies and is doing a better job of eating meat. He did gain a pound and now weighs 32 pounds which for him is amazing since he has weighed 31 pounds for the last 18 months. Eric on the other hand now weighs 24 pounds. I hope every one is gearing up for this weekend I know I'm, Enjoy

Sunday attire

I know I take to many pictures of my boys but yesterday dang it they were to die for. I know because I had lots of people at church tell me. I had them all dressed up so cute. Jason tells me frequently that I need a little girl so that my boys don't turn out to be fashion freaks. We had a much better Sunday. Jason started his new calling which means I have to take Eric during the second hour given Jason now teaches that hour then for the third hour Eric goes with Daddy so I can teach. This is a way better schedule than we use to have. Jason and I use to teach at the same time and we would have to cart Eric off on someone else. Now at least he can stay with his parents. Oh how I can't wait till after December 22 then Eric can happily play in nursery.

All ready for church

 Eric in his new to him outfit

Then this picture was taken later one of the sisters in our ward gave Josh stickers and I told him he could not stick them to my furniture so he stuck them to his Daddy's head instead Good thinking Josh.

Camping trip

Well last night we went camping at the Conklin campgrounds which are north of us, it's one of the few camp grounds that are free. It was suppose to be a ward camping trip but like most of our ward activities these days nobody showed except us and another family, it was fun and gave us a chance to spend more time as a family. Then we drove up to the lookout point and were able to really get a look at some of the Lord's creation. The pictures I took just don't do the valley justice but it was a perfect day to be together as a family. Now my husband is gearing up to watch the UNR vs. BYU game. At least my boys are clean and happy after a fun night and day out.

 Eric and Josh snuggled down for the night.

Our car was the warmest place.

Morning time snuggles

Josh in the tent finding the neat little pocket holes.

Don't mind the no makeup look.

kings of the mountain

And while we were busy looking at this Eric was doing this...

This was the tower from a hill further up. We were so happy to find out that our little car was tough enough to get up to this point so we could see all the pretty sights.

Eric's new favorite thing to do

Eric has a new hobby, it's standing up all by himself and quickly sitting back down before his brother can get to him. I'm yet to get a good picture of my big boy standing all the way up but this shows just how close my big baby is to walking. He can walk and has when he forgets that he is doing it but now I think he is getting the courage to take those steps. Josh was nice and didn't push him down once yesterday so Eric is exceptionally happy. My boys just love to play together and it's been fun to watch them grow together.

Josh's first Primary program

Josh had his first Primary program at church yesterday, unfortunately I was not feeling well so I missed most of it but I did pull myself together in time to see Josh. I pray that in the years to come I can be a better Mom to my children and not miss their important mile stones because of health issues. Very few can even contemplate the emotional pain that it cost me yesterday to miss my son's program. I did get some pictures of Josh once we got home so that I can at least document it.

On a good note Jason was released from Elders Quorum President and is now the ward mission leader so our family will have a different set of challenges to work through.

Buddy Walk

As  a family we went down to the annual buddy walk at the Sparks Marina. Two years ago some friends of ours delivered a little girl with down syndrome. She is just now starting to learn to walk on her own and has endured open heart surgery already in her short time. We were part of Team Hailey. Now as a sometimes very preoccupied mom I totally forgot the camera which made me very sad since there was a fire truck and and the Reno SWAT truck at the event and I missed out on taking pictures of the boys enjoying what boys love most Big trucks. oh well when we got home the boys were still wearing their super hero stuff and I was able to get a picture of them at home. The super hero stuff was part of team Hailey's theme. I loved the theme it was Hailey's hero's. She is such an angle and we just love her family.

Glasses

So my wonderful parents paid for my new glasses which means alot to me not to have to wear broken ones anymore so what do you think of the new accessories? And just a shout out to Kirsten she's the one who keeps making my hair look better so if you Reno ladies want your hair done right go to
Kirsten Hanson.

Fun

The boys have been having so much fun lately Eric has gotten very involved in wrestling with his big brother who I keep telling that if he does not eat his veggies his baby brother will be bigger. Anyways I woke up this morning and thought what does my mornings look like? Not me that would be scary I mean my boys. I also was finally able to put a video of my boys online it was fun just don't pay attention to Jason at the  end he had a scab that broke open. Hope everyone else's mornings are as cute as mine hee hee.

These were from last night after Eric devoured a chocolate cup cake.

These were from this mornings breakfast

sorry about the open dish washer in the background.

My boys being boys