The lamest Santa of all time!

Last week we took the kids to see Santa.  Sadly, the Santa was super lame!!!!  There was no line to see him...that should have been the first hint!  Then when we walked up there were two teenage girls sitting on his lap flirting like teenage girls do, the worst part was, he wasn't shuffling them off to see our little ones, but instead seemed to be encouraging their immaturity!  We stood there for a couple of minutes waiting, a little bit disgusted.  The two girls finally left and so our 4 little ones ventured up.  It wasn't much of a Santa experience being that the guy kept talking to Jeff and I about his family and his teenage kids haven't been good this year, and he and his wife have to keep his granddaughter at night and she doesn't sleep!!!  We seriously had to prompt him to talk to the kids about what they wanted for Christmas... how lame is that!!!! My advice for all the Santa's out there: PLEASE PLAY THE PART!  The only good thing that came out of the whole experience is we think Gentry is already a good judge of character.  He loves Santa, last year he ran up to Santa and talked to him, he always talks about Santa, but when we got there he would not go near this Santa!!!  Good call buddy!  If nothing else we got some reindeer horns and some cute pictures of the kids!!

(The look on Christians face looking at Santa explains how we were all feeling about the Santa!)

The first snow of the season!

Last Friday was one of my favorite days!  The day began with a trip to the outlet malls with Mackenzie for midnight madness!  I seriously got almost of my Christmas shopping done  in one trip, amazing, and I got awesome deals so it made it even sweeter!  We got home at about 2am which surprisingly wasn't to bad the next day!  That next day was so fun with the kiddos, it seemed like the first real day of the Christmas season!  We had our usual Pizza Friday, but this time I let them sit in the living room and watch the Polar Express!  It was so fun and they felt so big since they got to eat pizza in the living room, watch a movie, and stay up late all in one night!  They were so sweet!  It had started snowing really hard while they were watching the movie so when it was over we told them we had a surprise...we had them all walk over to the door and opened it so they could see the snow.  Christian literally started screaming "it's snowing, it's snowing, Santa's coming!"  The other 3 joined in the scream fest and Gentry kept asking "is Santa coming tonight?"   We had to crush the dreams of Santa coming that night, but the next day we woke up played in the snow for about 3 hours!  Exhausting and yet one of my favorite time with the kids!  It was so fun, and I am cherishing having all the cousins grow up so close together, it is really special!!!!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

Mom:  Gentry, what do you think of the tree?

(Gentry turned around to look at the tree and put his arms as far around the tree as he could)

Gentry:  Mommy, the tree is perfect.

I swear he is an elf, on three different occasions he commented on how perfect the tree was when we were decorating the tree, he truly loves Christmas.  He gets that from his grandma (aka Holly the elf or Babey).  

It's Officially Christmas at the Swansons! Ho, Ho, Ho

Today we declared the Christmas season at the Swanson house!  Yeah, is all I have to say... and HO, HO, HO.  We began the season with baking Christmas cookies this morning.  Gentry and Olyvia helped me roll the dough and use the cookie cutters! (They also helped consume half of the dough before it made it to the oven!)  

The highlight was decorating the tree with all the kiddos!  Well, it was seriously crazy trying to keep them entertained with out breaking ornaments.  Besides the craziness it was so fun, we played Christmas music and read all Christmas stories tonight!  So fun!  I was so excited to have our tree up I turned off all the lights but the Christmas tree lights and we read our bedtime stories and memory verses!  It was so fun and I am so excited for the Christmas season!  Oh ya Happy Thanksgiving!  Thanksgiving gets over shadowed in our house because we start semi-celebrating Christmas in July! :)

Story of the Day... (Big Sigh)

As you can imagine our house is beyond crazy with four kiddos running around, and today was no different.  Jeff was still at work, Tandi was getting ready for work, and I was trying to bath the four kids.  Gentry and Olivia were sitting on the couch reading a book, waiting to be called into the bathroom.  Christian was in the shower, and Nate was going to the bathroom getting ready to get in the shower.  I turned around to get Christian out of the shower only see Nate drop his matchbox car into the toilet while standing there.  Since I was in the middle of showers, I figured I would wait until I got them all out of the bathroom and then take care of the car in the toilet with Nate's pee!  (I told him not to flush so we wouldn't have a plumber bill tomorrow!)  

I finished bathing all the kids, brushed their teeth, and began reading when Jeff walked in.  He stumbled upon the car himself, but didn't retrieve right away either.  The night went on, we read, kids went to the bathroom before bed (at this point I had forgotten about the car!), and we put them to bed.  

As we were sitting watching dancing with the stars and I remembered the car...

Ashlie:  Jeff did you get the car out of the toilet?

Jeff:  No, did you?

Ashlie:  No, that's a boys job.

Jeff:  I can't believe you just left a car in the toilet all day until I got home, so I would have to get it out!

Ashlie:  I didn't it happened when I was giving the kids showers, and I just thought I would wait until all the kids were out of the bathroom, and I forgot about it.

Jeff:  You owe me. 

(Jeff walks down the hall and from the bathroom yells, oh no, no, no, and no, this is not going to happen!  Walks back in the living room with a look of disbelief.  I thought the kids had flushed it.)

Jeff:  Now the car is covered in poop.  I have to get the car, and it's under someone's poop.  One of the kids seriously pooped, and now I have to get the car!

Sad for him, but seriously if you could of only seen how hard and long I laughed at the fact Jeff had to go car fishing in the toilet with poop!  It was a night full of laughter, even though it was really grouse!  I had to keep laughing, since the other part of me wanted to cry because I can't believe this is really my life!  

Veterans Day

I am realizing what a sentimental cry baby I am! On Tuesday (Veterans Day) I went through old pictures of when Jeff came home from Iraq. I sat there smiling and laughing at how tiny and sweet Gentry was, and in between laughs cried thinking about how hard that time was. The night Jeff came home was the most surreal experience I have ever had (even more so than when I had Gentry, I know you women know what I am talking about!) I posted my favorite picture of that night. I think it depicts perfectly what all three of us were thinking...

Jeff: Oh my gosh I have a baby. Look how cute he is, he is like a little toy I can play with all the time. I can't believe I am really home, for good! Man my wife is really hot! (I just added that cause I was hopeful that is what he was thinking:)

Gentry: Who in the world is this guy? It's 4:15 in the morning and I want my mom! How come every night my mom puts me to bed, even when I cry at 7, and now all of a sudden she is keeping me up all night. What is this world coming to? Oh well, at least I still have my binkki!

Ash: I can't believe he's home. It's over, and I don't know exactly how I feel. I wish everyone wasn't starring at us, I feel weird being in front of everyone. He looks so hot in his army outfit! ( I actually was really thinking that!)

It's odd to me that I still can't look at these pictures without crying. In fact a good friend of ours, John Lamb videoed the entire night that Jeff got home and later gave us a copy. To this day, I can't bring myself to watch it. I am not sure if I don't want to feel those feelings, or I am afraid of what I might feel, but I can't hardly relive that time in life, and especially that night without having a little emotional meltdown. (I know, I know, go ahead and tell me I should go to counseling, I am well aware I probably need it, for things beyond Jeff's time in Iraq!) That's what friends are for, to tell you when you have hit your limit and it's time for some counseling sessions!

Anyways, because of my emotions and feelings of our past, we have been going through Veterans Day without really acknowledging it. Each year we get phone calls, emails, and thoughtful gestures from friends and family thanking Jeff for his service, and Gentry and I for our sacrifice, and yet we never talk about it. This year was the first year it started to make me wonder..."hmm, Ash it's been 2 years since Jeff came home, maybe you should begin to deal with those odd little quirks you guys have about his time away!" I guess the first step is acknowledging so we are on the right track!

I think part of our problem is we felt like we should just jump into life and be done since he was home. While that is somewhat true, it is also true that a year and half away from each other, and surprise baby boy in the middle of it affects more aspects of life than I realized. I recently began to realize and admit the person in life that keeps me going is my mom, she was there for everything and has never left me. Whether his fault or not I simply don't completely trust Jeff, because he wasn't there when I felt I needed him the most. (I know, I know, it doesn't make sense, even to me I know its wrong, but truth be told that's how it is!) I also have realized that while I am not convinced I even want anymore children, part of that reason does include my fear of him not being here. Jeff has 2 years left of inactive ready reserve meaning he could possibly be deployed again. I can't bear to think of doing anything else without him.

So there it is, I am just screwed up, and you all know it! Oh well I figure only people who love Jeff and I read our blog so its all good. And besides writing is therapeutic for me, and as you all can tell, I obviously need a little bit of that!

Thoughts on the Elections...

For me this election was more than an election on the economy.  While the economy, war in Iraq, education, and so on are definite factors in my political stance; what is more important than anything else is America's constant choice to turn away from God.  Let me preface this blog with saying I do NOT believe one political party is the representation of Christ.  

When Jeff and I worked with Student Venture (a high school ministry), I was burdened with the realization of what a small percentage of students believed in God, and what an even smaller percentage actually walk with Christ.  I began to think of this in relation to raising my own son.  Since sweet Gentry was born, I was pretty laid back, this began to change as I realized "I will be raising my precious son among all of this."  When Gentry gets to high school, how will I convince him not to have sex-when our schools and society teach and preach the exact opposite; drugs, drinking, and beyond trivial matters... loving others as Christ did and reaching them with the good news.  I can hear the wise words of other moms who have gone before me (mom, corri, my grandma) you pray, you trust God.  But let's be honest... What kind of mom would I be if I didn't worry about these things.  

To bring this thought full circle, politics is a reflection of our personal beliefs.  More and more we see our nation constantly drift from the Godly foundation that our Four Fathers set before us.  We have just elected a man who supports partial birth abortions. What will our President support when Gentry is 16?  My initial thought is... If we want a bigger government (like Obama wants), why not put it to good use?  Let's invest in the lives of young girls, helping them realize how special they are, let's show what a precious gift a baby is to family who can't have a baby, let's love people and invest in them, not the policy and issues.  While nice thoughts, I am afraid this was the last frontier for some of those issues including abortion.  The trend is each generation moves farther and farther away from Christ, and with an administration like the one America just elected, I think that will hold true.  

All is not lost though...  God is sovereign and knew the outcome of this election and everyone to come.  We are still His children, and yes I am believing He will hear my prayers, especially the ones about my little man!  While I am disappointed with the outcome (although I must admit McCain was not my first pick either!)  life goes on, and in four years I have another chance to voice my opinion, and don't worry I will!  

A Weekend with My Hubby!!

Jeff and I went away this weekend for a marriage conference in Vail. It was so fun to get away just the 2 of us. I can't lie we slept in and missed the morning sessions, but a morning slept in well worth it!!! Vail was of course gorgeous and such a romantic place to go. On Saturday night we went to eat at a really nice restaurant, the kind you read the menu and don't really know what it is, and each plate is between $30 and $50. It was good food, and the atmosphere was really romantic, but as I was sitting there I realized...there is just nothing like chips and salsa at a mexican food restaurant! How lame is that, here I was sitting a really nice restaurant but all I could think about was MEXICAN FOOD!
Jeff and I spent the entire weekend together and uninterrupted , and loving every minute! Sadly we get so busy in life we forget to really appreciate our spouse (or at least I do!) So our time away was well worth it. God has been really faithful in providing grace and patience in our home since Tandi and the kids moved in, and while we feel blessed that He has protected us in so many ways, this weekend we realized how much of the little everyday things we miss out with each other because a house full of kids! It was so refreshing and I am so glad I got to spend a weekend with my hubby!!!! I still love that boy!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

Gentry has recently taken an interest in his hair and how it looks. So for the last couple of days he has wondered out of the bathroom, hair literally standing on end.

Mom: "Gentry what did you put in your hair?"

Gentry: "Mom I just put some soap in it to make it wook (look) good, like my daddy's"

Mom: "Well next time you want to do your hair come and tell me, and I will let you put gel in your hair instead of soap. Please don't put soap in your hair anymore, okay"

Gentry: "Okay mom, The Lord is my helper, and I will not put soap in my hair"

I am not sure where his thought process comes from, but I am absolutely loving it! He has been really funny lately and I wish I could press the pause button on him!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

All the kids were sitting at the kitchen table and Gentry was telling us why he was afraid last night because he had a scary dream about a monster eating him. Yikes, their imagination is incredible!

Mom: "What should you do next time that you are afraid?"

Gentry: "I no (don't) know, maybe I should hit the monster with my sword like capin Hook."

Mom: "Maybe you could pray that God will help you not be afraid"

Gentry: "Yes I should pray I won't be afraid of monsters...and then run and get in mommy's bed to sleep"

Good plan Gent, I love your thought process!

Once a Bride Always a Bride...Right?

One of my best friends came for a visit this weekend to spend a couple of days at our crazy home! Sarah recently got engaged and is planning the wedding in Colorado. We went looking for places to have the wedding and also went to a bridal show in Denver. We ended up visiting a friend so made it to the last 20 minutes of the show. Apparently, they were giving out 2 prizes at the end of the show and you had to stay until the very end to win. The first prize was a goody bag full of coupons for free bouquets, grooms cakes, and lot's of other good stuff, and oddly enough I won. (To get in free you had to be engaged so I might have figged the year to get in free, not assuming I would win:)) I was so embarrassed cause they called me up to the front and told the story of how Jeff proposed. I didn't want to go up but Sarah kept telling me to go, and the people around me starting noticing my very embarrassed red face, so I had to go. Well I am justifying with they saying Once a Bride Always a Bride! Sorry for lying wedding people, but thanks for the goodies, it will help with Sarah's wedding!!!!

The story gets better, the second and last prize they gave out was a free cruise. And guess who won that...SARAH! (The pictures are of Sarah winning her cruise!) It was so fun and exciting for her! We both starting screaming and then stopped cause we thought maybe we heard it wrong. We didn't, she really did win and I am just convinced that God is really excited for Sarah and Corey to get married because he keeps providing so many blessings! I am so excited for them and can't wait for their wedding in August!

I am beyond excited because Sarah has been one of my best friends since I started college. When Jeff and I's wedding rolled around, Sarah was on a summer project and was not allowed to take of to come. We were both really sad that she couldn't share that special time with me, in fact the night before my wedding we talked on the phone and cried together wishing she could have been there! Now it's her turn and I am overjoyed that I am getting to walk through the fun wedding experience with her. I loved driving around looking for places, looking for dresses, and talking about all her ideas for her wedding all weekend. It really was a special weekend that we spent together! I am also looking forward to seeing Gentry walk down the aisle in a little tux (or captain hook outfit sword and all) since she asked him to be her ring bear. The only bad thing is when she asked him if he would want to be the ring bear he told her "Yes but, I don't want to be a ring bear, I want to be pirate potato head" Not sure what that means but we have 1o months to convince him otherwise! We love Sarah and can't wait for her special day!

Fall

Fall is my favorite season. I feel like there are so many fun things to do, so that is what we have been doing lately! We let the kids pick out their own pumpkins and we carved them. I had imagined the fiasco going a little different but it was fun regardless. None of the kids enjoyed cleaning out the pumpkin, so mom and I ended up carving and cleaning out 4 stinking pumpkins! Gentry finally dabbled in the pumpkins and was so proud because he got "one seed mom, wook (look)" They got to pick the character of the pumpkins, Gentry's was of course a pirate pumpkin, Nate's was a nice pumpkin, Christian's was a mean pumpkin, and Olyvia's was a "girl or princess" pumpkin. Oddly enough the characters they picked are so fitting to their actual personalities right now! :)

We have also been going to the park alot because the weather is seriously so beautiful! The kids love it, and it gets lot's of energy out so they go to sleep great on our long park days! Yea for me!!!!

We made our first visit to Miller Farms, which was SO FUN, even for the adults. We were there for about 4 hours playing on dirt/hay mounds, picking vegetables out on the farm, jumping in jump castle's, taking rides on the john deer tractors, ect. The best part was the farm had taken old cars and made them look like the characters from the movie Cars. You can imagine the excitement of the kids to meet the real "Kachow" (Lightning McQueen), Mator, Doc, and Sally. I loved being out there, it reminded me of life on the ranch. The smell of alfalfa dirt, animals, aaahhh I miss the days on the ranch.




Our most recent fall festivity was on Saturday the 25th. We first went to a Halloween parade in Longmont. The kids all dressed up and loved showing off their costumes. Gentry was...Captain Hook (I am sure your not surprised), Nate was a King (leave it to Nate to pick something noble), Christian was a power ranger (he wanted the costume that would allow him to hit people:)) Olyvia was an angel (she was adorable!) , and McKenzie and Mimi (Tink) came dressed as...of course Tinkerbell!!!! That afternoon we had some friends over to let the kids all wear their costumes and it was a sugar overload for the kids, but so fun! With all that said, I love fall, it is my favorite season!!! The only bad thing about Gentry's outfit, is when he doesn't wear the white undershirt he resembles Hugh Hefner, Yuck!

Jeff's army training and torture methods

I have decided that the US military really does teach torture methods. Jeff has this amazing ability to torture the kids (and me sometimes) beyond a natural ability, he had to of learned it somewhere.

Gentry likes these little worm characters called Hermie and Wormie (although he calls them Hermie Worms). Jeff takes the little character and talks to the kids with the worm. Jeff wets his other hand and the pretends that Hermie Worms throws up on the kids and wipes his wet hand on them. This video is such a great example of this master torture mind at work. Jeff and all 3 kids started in the middle of Gentry's room playing, and then as you can see the kids have literally retreated to the closet to get away from Hermie Worms! Take note of the cackle that Jeff displays as the kids scream, only a man who was trained in these practices could laugh at 3 kids crammed in a closet screaming (out of joy of course!) :)

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

Mom: "Gentry come here let me see your new shoes."

Gentry: "Look mom I lub (love) my new shoes, I am so tankful (thankful) for them"

Gentry then walked over to me and put his forearm on my shoulder patting my back and said:

"Mom I am so very glad that we are best best friends"

I loved it. He was so sweet and sincere, and even though I don't always want him to think we are best friends (like when he is a teenager!), right now at the age of 3, I am overjoyed to know he thinks we are best friends! Also good to know some things kids do retain, we have been talking about all of the things we have to be thankful for, and I guess new clothes made the list!

Human Child or Elf Child?

As long as I can remember my mom has LOVED the holiday season. Growing up our house was decorated like the north pole every Christmas. (She is also known as Holly around the holiday season, named by her friend Pixy (Robin Morgan) who also LOVES Christmas. I was dubbed as Noel since I at least participate in the putting up and taking down of Christmas even if I don't share the same intensity level of love for the holiday season) Her Christmas season lasts from October to January (sometimes even February), the woman absolutely LOVES Christmas and all the decorating that comes with it!! Every year she manages to add more and more, inside, outside, my house, Tandi's house, Gentry's house, and whoever else will let her sprinkle her holiday cheer around! Of course when I was younger, it was just annoying because we had to help put it all up and clean up, but the last couple of years I have been savoring the special traditions and memories it adds to our holidays.

Last year, Gentry was especially interested in Christmas. Most 2 year olds are, but his fascination was beyond the presents. We baked Christmas goodies, and he still ask if we can bake some Christmas cookies. He loved the tree and would often add balls, cars, and men to help decorate. We bought him a Christmas music cd from Pottery Barn Kids, and I can't even begin to explain the light in his eyes when he first heard it. He began to listen to it every night to fall asleep to, and soon all of us were signing "Santa Claus is coming to Town" even though it was mid February. The odd part is, it is not really a children's cd, it has people like the Jackson 5, Beach Boys, and Harry Connick Jr. on it. Regardless he loves it! We had also bought the "Night Before Christmas" and had honestly read it every night by request and tears only!!! It wasn't until July that I had finally had enough and felt like I would hate Santa for the rest of my life and had to pull the plug on the nightly Santa music, and the Night Before Christmas. The Elf Child seriously cried every night and nap time asking for his "Santa Music" but I just couldn't bring myself to give, I really needed to take a break from Santa!!! After a while the constant asking stopped but occasionally he would ask for his "Santa Music" and "Santa Book".

About a week ago we were tucking him in and he looked up and said "Mom, is it Kissmas time yet, I miss my Santa music." I had to hold off for another week so at least we would be in the month of October, but last night I busted out with Santa music and the Night Before Christmas and am pretty sure we will be hearing and reading of Santa until I again reach my limit and must take a couple of months leave from Santa. He just went down for a nap but took his Santa book with him after we read it, and it is tucked in the bed laying next to him like it is a person. All I can say is PRICELESS!

All that to say, I am convinced that my mom is part Elf. She might have Irish, but I have no doubt that there is a secret Elf gene in there somewhere. I think the Elf gene might skip a generation but I have seen the evidence and my son definitely possesses the gene. I am not sure if he is considered a human child or an elf child, but I am hopeful that this means he will be eligible for more college scholarships when the time comes! The great news is at least my mom, Pixy, and Gentry can appreciate Santa together or as long as their families will allow it! I think Buddy said it best in the movie Elf, "It's just nice to meet another human that shares my affinity for elf culture"

They're Here...!!!!

Last week my sister and her kids officially moved in with us. She got a job at the Longmont Hospital on the Pediatric floor. As you can imagine our house is busting at the seams with laughter, crying, screaming, and craziness!!!! It has been really fun so far, but I am sure as with anything comes stress. She has a son Christian (4) and a daughter Olivia (2). So when Nate is here we have Nate 5, Christian 4, Gentry 3, and Olivia 2! Yikes is all I can say! Regardless of the stress that will come we are excited for them to be up here and grow up together. I have missed having family close so we are loving the transition. On Friday we had to initiate the kiddos into our love for the Buffs so we all went down to the Homecoming parade and then went to watch the band on Pearl Street. The kids loved it, in fact the video is of the 3 boys dancing to the band. The only disclaimer I have is that they didn't learn these moves from me!!!! After the Homecoming parade we ate at Abo's on the Hill and the kids sat in the front window watching all the college kids and floats pass by. They were so cute a couple of people actually stopped to take their picture. At the time it was cute, and then after we thought about it, we weren't sure we wanted random people taking pictures of our kids!!!! All of the kids seem to be transitioning well, (Gentry is having a little harder time than anyone else, but we are working on it:)) and somehow we have found room for all 6 of us in our little 3 bedroom house! I figure there are people who live with far less than we are blessed with, including a roof over our head, so if we can't handle squishing into our little house we are out of touch with the reality of our world and are unaware of all the true blessings God has given us. Although just know, if you come over to visit, just prepare yourself to walk into a circus!

Nothing like a birthday with Mom in town!!!

On Monday the 22nd I turned 25! Yikes I can't believe it. It wasn't the best birthday although one to remember. I had some dental work done including 2 teeth pulled, and 2 screws put in my upper gums. (I am in the process of getting 2 implants) I came home with drugs and a sore mouth. I was also still limping around from the marathon the day before. It wasn't my finest day, but I have to admit it was so great having my mom around. I came in and she had decorated the kitchen with Barbie balloons and had the table all set with a gorgeous fall flower arrangement. Dinner was awesome with twice baked potatoes, fruit salad, meatloaf, and of course a Barbie birthday cake! It was awesome! She always knows what will make things better no matter how old I get. I basically ate dinner and went to bed, but the saying is true "mom knows best." I am so glad she was here to spend my birthday with me and also take care of the boys so I could rest and be in pain! I love her!!!!!

Our First Marathon!!!!

Jeff and I ran in the Boulder Backroads Marathon on Sunday the 21st! It was brutal to say the least. We had trained really faithfully all summer until we went on vacation at the beginning of August, then we slacked off a bit! We were supposed to get 2 20 mile runs in before we actually ran the marathon, but instead we only ran a 15 mile run and that was back in July! Yikes we definitely could tell we should have trained more but we finished and that was our ultimate goal! Jeff and I had fun doing it together and while I did swear I would never run one again on Sunday when we finished, I am already thinking "what if we would have been fully trained?" We will see! If you are ever going to run a marathon, boulder backroads has a beautiful scenery that takes your mind off the pain (well at least some of the time!)

Thomas the Train

On Saturday the 20th Jeff and I took Nate and Gentry up to Golden to visit the Colorado train museum. Thomas the Train was there and the boys were so excited to get to ride on the real Thomas the Train. There were tons of real trains for kids to climb on, miniature train cities, Sir Topam Hat, and of course Thomas. When we left Gentry kept waving out the window to Thomas, "Bye Thomas, see you next year" Nate's favorite part was when the conductor came by and punched his ticket on the train ride, he still has the ticket!

Did I mention we love the Buffs??????

Wednesday night we took the boys downtown to Pearl St. to support our Buffs before their game against West Virginia. (Which I might mention they won!!!!! )We saw Cody Hawkins the quarterback and couldn't help but pose for a quick pic! (This one is for you Wes Null!!!) We also met the Grays and Carlucci's with their boys. Gentry and Brody really enjoy each other and it was so fun to be with them and watch the boys play and cheer on the Buffs together! Both of them carried their CU footballs in one hand, and held on to one another with the other hand! Best Buds in the making I think!

Yo Ho Yo Ho, Gentry turns 3!

Last Saturday we had Gentry's 3rd birthday party. It was a Pirate party of course!!! Some of his favorite people came Cole, Brody, Wyatt, Chase, Nate, and of course sweet Tink! All of the boys had pirate hats, plastic swords, and eye patches! Let me just say it was priceless and no one even lost an eye!!!!! Also Jeff's brother-in-law showed up at the party dressed as a pirate, and he looked so real that all of the boys thought he was the "real captain hook" So cute! It was so fun and Gentry is still talking about his pirate party!