Muddy but Marvelous

We enjoyed a muddy and marvelous day outside yesterday. Des Moines broke the old temperature record for January 30th. It ended up being well over 60 degrees and we loved every minute of it!

Enjoying the Snow!

We all suited up and went into your backyard to enjoy the snow. Brooks fell over several times. Each time he failed to figure out how to stand back up with his puffy pants, jacket and clumsy boots on. Daddy had to come to his rescue several times to help him stand up again. And when Brooks wasn't falling over on accident, he was was tiping over on purpose. He enjoyed sticking his head in the snow. He was like this for at least a minutes, allowing me time to grab the camera, snap a shot, and then force him back upright so his head didn't get too cold.

And there was more falling and getting stuck each time he climbed into the sandbox or out of the sandbox.

And a few more falls in the mud pit. At this point, the poor guy was frustrated, without a mitten, and with an uncontrallable runny nose, so he got sent inside with mommy.

McCabe, on the other hand was running everywhere, kicking balls, throwing sticks, and ...

... you guessed it eating snow. It is amazing that you don't even have to teach kids that that is an option, he just picked up a handful and shoved it in his mouth.

And Leighton enjoyed being a "do-er". This helper, moved snow, helped daddy fix the holes in the fence that has allowed not only rancoons and cats to get through, but also our neighbors small children!

And of course, he enjoyed some recreation too. The slide is extra fun with ice at the top and bottom.

Outdoor Days

We love fall weather! We have been playing a lot of baseball, doing a lot of swing on the swing set, and pulling the wagon all over the yard and neighborhood.

Leighton pushes and pulls, drives and crashes. The only time he isn't touching one of his vehicles, is when he has just send one down the slide.


McCabe loves to be daddy's helper and pick up walnuts. He uses gloves, shovels or his little bitty fingers to pick up the hundreds of walnuts.Brooks spends a lot of time getting wagon rides from his brothers. Thankfully the wagon has a seat belt.

Brooks' second favorite spot to sit, is in his swing. This frees me up to be McCabes baseball pitcher. My little babe is days away from walking on his own. He is growing up so fast!

Extra Dirty & Extra Clean

EXTRA DIRTY

Last week we enjoyed watching snow melt and mud form! We had a great time playing outside! McCabe got some new rubber boots which were definitely neccessary for him in the mud and puddles! He loved his boots so much he cried every time we took them off his feet. and after we cleaned them off, he wanted to put them back on to wear around the house!

Crashing into the tree was a favorite activity!

I got Leighton to stop and smile for one pictures. Trust me, this is a big deal! Isn't he precious. Despite the fact that he dislikes being dirty he thoroughly loves being outside.

EXTRA CLEAN

After we getting dirty and a little cold during the day time, the boys spent their evenings in the warm bath tub! That really like watching the water come out of the faucet and really love a new bath toy from grandma and grandpa Ludemann that is a constant faucet that runs all throughout the bath time reusing the bathwater. They LOVE it!

The last few days have been beautful. The humidity went away and a light breeze came. We have been outside sooooo much, playing, eating lunch, and I even enjoyed a hot Caribou Vanilla Latte while out there! We love our backyard.

Helping Daddy Clean the Car

Leighton is a great helper. I'm sure Luke wouldn't have considered it helping since Leighton's shoes were dirty, but he really likes to be involved in helping whenever he can.Hair Cut - By Mommy

Leighton's hair grows fast, and when its long it gets very sweaty outside in the humidity. I have been asking him the past couple of days if he wants me to cut his hair. Yesterday Leighton started playing with his hair and then looked at me and said, "Leighton cut hair by self?" I didn't let him cut him by himself, but I did go in and get the shears to cut it myself. This was my 3rd attempt at cutting his hair and it was successful. I was so proud of it! Leighton liked it too! Much cooler!

Before ...

After ...This is what Leighton does when you ask him to smile! A fresh hair cut and a cute smile ...

Precious McCabe Updates

McCabe is such a sweet boy. He loves to put hige walnuts in his mouth and eat dirt, so he spends a lot of our outdoor time strapped into the wagon and getting wagon rides around the yard by myself and his big brother. You will see plenty of these in the videos posted below.

McCabe also had his year check up! The Dr said he had GREAT reflexes. It is amazing the things that make you proud as a parent. My baby's knee and foot reflexes astonished the doctor! He was 19 pounds, 15 ounces! This puts him in the 10th percentile for weight (officially a peanut!), and he was 65th percentile for height. Lots of shots and a cookie later, we were on our way home with a healthy boy.

Bathing Babies

McCabe got new bath toys for his birthday. These are such a hit. Leighton loves all water animals and loves that these swim and jump in the tub with him. McCabe loves to bite them and absolutely LOVES when one is stuck to his bald head. Intended for sticking to the wall, these toys work on McCabe's head too. He giggles everytime, putting one back up there when it falls down.

Baseball

Leighton and McCabe also like their new tee and baseball bat. Leighton is actually really good. He prefers it when Luke hits the plastic balls really high in the trees. Both plastic baseballs are badly dented, but still seem work well enough!

Playing with Quinn

Quinn came over Monday morning so Meg could take the twins in for their 9 month check up. They played baseball, played in the kid house, and even make a track around the yard (an exact track involving one hill, around the bird bath and in between the trees) to chase each other. The chasing consisted on Leighton in his Big Wheel/Motercyle and Quinn and McCabe followig close behind in the wagon, pulled my none other then myself! Lots of fun! Many Laps!

Here are two videos of the morning!

Great Midwife/Doctor Story

This morning I had a midwife appointment for the new boy! I was all set to go and Luke was going to stay home with the boys. Leighton got the saddest look on his face. He was fitting tears and was so hurt that he couldn't come to the check up with me. He asked very nicely if he could come to the doctor too. So Leighton came along with me to the appointment. I wasn't sure why he wanted to come when the alternative was playing at home with daddy and McCabe. As soon as we got into the car, he said, "Mommy feel better, Leighton go to the Doctor, get cookies, then come home to play with daddy and Cabe." You see, at Leighton's doctor check ups, they give him two small little cookies once he is done with his appointment. He apparently has a good memory and has attached cookies to the doctor which I've taken note of for future doctor visits, though I try really really hard to never bribe! I think he just wanted to come with Mommy so that he could get cookies. Or he wanted to come with me because he thought I wasn't feeling well and needed the doctor to make me feel better. Perhaps, he was along for support. Perhaps, he wanted me to get cookies. I know I sure wanted me to get cookies. Regargless of why he wanted to come, I thoroughly enjoyed one on one time with him. It is somewhat rare to have an outting with just one kid but I got to do it twice today! Once for my midwife appointment with Leighton and once for McCabe's one year checkup.

It is a sweet life that I live. I am so blessed! And although most of the pictures and stories are of the babies, my wonderful husband is a big reason when I am blessed too!

Sledding and Snowmen

Leighton and I built his first snowman at Grandma and Grandpa Ludemann's house in Minnesota.

Luke and Leighton were able to go outside a couple days. I was thankful for Luke's willingness to go play with him, so I could stay in the warm house and eat Christmas cookies!

Adorable Outdoor Man!
Happy Sledder!

Excited Explorer!

Poor Leighton would come inside sweating ....

and poor Luke would come inside freezing cold, red cheeked and with a runny nose.