The Thought's of Ash

The differences in Boys and Girls...

2011-01-27T12:34:00.000-08:00

Today Gentry had his friend Caora over from school. Caora and Gentry are about as opposite as you can imagine. She is all girl, and he is all boy. I have quietly laughed to myself all afternoon because they literally live in different worlds and yet play so well together. Here are some of the conversations from the day!

Caora: "Gentry you be the dad and I will be the mom"
Gentry: "Well I just need to be a super hero"
Caora: "No be the dad and I will be the mom"
Gentry: "I don't know if I can do that, I just got a bunch of superhero stuff going on in my mind"
Caora: "Well I guess you could be a batman dad"
Gentry: "Ya, or maybe I could be a karate kid dad or wrestling dad"

Gentry then proceeds to jump around and wrestle on the couch's, as sweet Caora watches and cheers him on (by this time she has found a pair of my heels and is wearing them around the house, seriously to cute!). Then after a while she tells Gentry...

Caora: "Okay honey it's time to go home" (Daintily she walks down the hallway in my heels)
Gentry: "Okay but I have a secret door that I have to use to get into our house" (He runs down the hallway jumping and making grunting noises as he hits bad guys on their stroll home)

The story of the mom in heels and the karate kid dad continues on.

Gentry: "Okay so now you turned into Batgirl"
Caora: "Gentry I don't like that super hero thing"
Gentry: "Caora I'm not a bad guy, I'm being the good guy who fights bad guys"
Caora: "Nope I don't like that super hero thing it just scares me"
Gentry: "This is the only person I can be cause it's the only think I like"
Caora: "Okay...sweetie if any bad guys come to the door, just open the door and slice them in half"
Gentry: "Okay mom"

After listening for a while I realized Gentry doesn't understand that playing mom and dad means you are playing like you are married. He thought Caora was being his mom, and I (and every other woman in the world) of course knew exactly what Caora was thinking...they were married! After about 30 minutes of Honey's and Sweeties, Gentry asked...

Gentry: "Why do you keep calling me that, you can just call me son."

Very apparent that men and women are different pages from the very beginning!!

Life's Biggest Questions

2010-07-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

We drove down to NM to spend some time with my parents and the ENTIRE trip was filled with questions from G. Literally he asked questions the whole time! It was super cute, but I have to admit I was so drained by the end of the 9 hour trip! It was just he and I in the car so I had no back up support! Most of his questions didn't have a simple answer, so they always had follow up questions!! Here the compiled list of questions that I could remember, since there was so many!

"Mom, why is the sky blue"

"Mom if Jesus is so strong how come He didn't just beat all the bad guys up so they didn't kill him?"

"How come the hot lava doesn't melt the volcano?"

"What is after space?"

Me: "More space"

"But what is after that space?"

Me: "More space"

"Mom there has to be something after space, so what is it?"

(Had no clue how to answer this question so I changed the subject"

"Is there a real spiderman world? I think he is real, but I just don't know where he lives."

"Why did God make sharks? They eat people. Why would he make sharks that eat people?"

"Why do babies cry so much. I don't ever want a little sister or little brother because they would just cry and mess up all my toys. Mom, do you want a little brother or sister?"

"Why is daddy always so funny? He is always making me laugh."

"Mom, what do you think Heaven will look like?"

"Mom, don't you just love Nate, I miss him so much"

"Do you think Babie and Pop are just waiting for me to get there?"

"Why do you go to school all the time?"

"Why doesn't God answer my prayers? I have prayed and prayed that my web shooters would start working, and they never do. It makes me so sad"

(This question actually made me sad...do I crush his dreams of becoming spidey? Or do I crush his spirit that sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers the way we want him to?"

There were literally countless more but this is all I could remember. Oh how I love his inquiring mind, even if it is a bit draining :)

A Dream Come True...

2010-06-20T21:06:00.000-07:00

About 3 months after Jeff and I got married I had a dream. It went a little something like this...

I was on campus with a pink back pack, stressed out and running late. No one was walking down the international walkway (featured below) because everyone was already in class. Not only was I frantically running late trying to get to class, I had a kid, a little blond toddler boy that had to go to class with me! He was holding my hand (just like in the picture below). In my dream I kept thinking "why do I have baby? Your not supposed to have kids until your done with school! What were Jeff and I thinking!"

It was one of those dreams you think is really happening and then you wake up thinking "oh good I'm so glad I was just dreaming!"

Ha! Little did I know my dream would come true in a little over a year from that dream!! When we traveled down to Robert's funeral we went on NMSU's campus for old times sake. Jeff took this picture and it's literally exactly where my dream took place!

And much like my dream, finishing school was stressful with this sweet little blond boy. It was hard and I would describe much of my college years as running around frantically late for class with a pink back pack, stressed out, and a little blond boy attached to my hand.

I would also describe it as a dream come true! I wouldn't change any of those frantic, stressful days with a toddler in the library for anything in the world!

Run for Feuille

2010-06-10T19:12:00.000-07:00

On January 17th, 2010 we ran a half marathon in honor of our dear friend Robert Feuille. Robert was diagnosed with testicular cancer in February of 2009. He fought a long hard battle and saddly lost his life to the cancer May 29th, 2010. His full story can be read at fightforfeuille.com. We have cried, mourned, and questioned why such a Godly, young, and healthy, man was taken so soon. He left his sweet wife Aimee, Ethne 6, Emiline 3, and Eagan 9months.

Though I don't understand and probably never will, I know God is sovereign and used Robert to touch the lives of so many people. I literally couldn't believe that Robert had died and sat at the funeral, simply wanting to be mad at God. How could He? I felt this way until sweet Aimee got up and shared with the congregation. She told how she could be bitter and mad, but she is choosing not to. She is choosing to not question God and just be thankful for what she had. She asked and challenged the entire congregation to come with her on her journey. (The funeral can be viewed on the fight for feuille website under the blog) Her words were powerful and convicting, and instantly my heart changed. I don't understand, but that is okay. I'm not God and even if He sat on my couch and explained it to me, how could I possibly grasp what He is doing in the world around me.
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Psalm 19:21

The funeral was absolutely life changing. Jeff read scripture at the funeral and we were able to connect with so many college friends. It was a very sweet time with friends after a such a great loss.

The following is some pictures and stories of our recent time with Robert and Aimee.

Our friendship with Robert and Aimee started freshman year of college. Jeff and Robert were roommates. Robert and Aimee were engaged and got married after our freshman year. Jeff used Robert and Aimee as an example of why it was okay for us to get married so young :) We got married the summer after they did!

This was the group of NMSU students that attended Robert's funeral. It was so encouraging to be around so many old friends and see so much support for sweet Aimee.

We had a carb loading dinner the night before the race. I wish I could explain what it meant to sit in a room with all of these incredible people all there for Robert and Aimee. Simply amazing is all I can say. I feel so blessed to have been involved with such an amazing group of friends in college.

Me and Katie running

The NMSU crew that ran the 1/2 marathon

Never underestimate the power of cute matching bows

This was most of the group that ran the marathon

A day in the park with Batman

2010-03-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

We took G to the park the other day, but came home with Batman!!

The Boys doing Boy Stuff!

I love my boys!!!

After the boys were done throwing sticks in the water, Jeff and I sat down on the grass and G went to play on the playground. A couple of minutes later I looked up and caught G in "telephone booth mode". At least that's what I call it!

He went behind the trees so no one would see him transform.

Little did he know, his mom was hiding in the shadows trying to catch him in action,

watching his every move.

Unaware of his nosey mom lurking closely behind, he set out on his secret mission,

as BATMAN!

Someone has to protect the playground.

I'm so thankful there are superhero's living among us as regular people willing to jump into action when needed. And thankfully one of those everyday hero's lives at my house!! I can rest easy tonight!!!

Like Father like Son

2010-03-26T19:45:00.000-07:00

Lately G has been wearing a "suit" with a tie. He loves wearing it simply because Jeff wears one everyday to work. Simply put...ADORABLE!!!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

2010-03-10T19:41:00.000-08:00

I was cleaning the house and G decided he would help me. Surprisingly he was very helpful :) I was putting the laundry away and told G:

Me: "Gent, your so helpful! Thanks for helping me today."

G: "Mom...I'm spiderman, what did you expect? Spidey always helps people"

I'm glad G has Spidey as a great influence in his life. Where would I be without the influence of Spidey? :)

Favortie Conversation of the day...Faith like a Child

2010-03-01T20:43:00.000-08:00

In February we had some friends who lost their 8 day old little girl. It was so sad and we have prayed often for them since then. One night I was praying for them and when I was finished asked G if he wanted to pray for them. This was his prayer verbatim.

"Dear God please take care of Mikayla when she gets to heaven. Please make her mom and dad not sad anymore cause they are sad they can't take care of her and see her. Make sure she has lot's of jammies and lot's of toys, that will make her mom and dad feel better. Please make them not sad anymore. Amen"

Even writing those words bring tears to my eyes. Tears for our friends the Mayeda's and tears that are thankful for God already putting a sweet spirit in Gentry. My prayer is that God would continue to heal the Mayeda's and continue to cultivate a compassionate loving heart in Gentry.

All in a Day!

2010-02-25T19:48:00.000-08:00

Since Gentry loves costumes soooo much, he often changes outfits numerous times during the day. Usually it drives me crazy and I limit Gentry to 3 changes per day. Although, often times he begs to change more!! I decided I would let him changed clothes as many times as he wanted just for one day. I took pictures of each "costume" he changed into through the day...let me just say it was a very long day!! The first 2 pictures are what he does with the clothes he wants to wear the next day.

He leaves his spidey outfit out in the bathroom just in case "bad guys come at night, I can put on my spidey clothes and beat them up"

He hangs up his work clothes on my dresser, that way "he can get ready for work like dad"

Work clothes first thing in the morning!

He wore his Santa jammies for nap time, with his horse house shoes.

This was his "ninja" costume

He says this is his "Jeffrey Swanson clothes" As you can tell from Gentry's costumes, Jeff has 2 pairs of clothes...either a suit...or his undies :) And Gentry likes to copy both!!

Wolverine

Gentry's homemade spidey costume. It consist of his blue firetruck jammies inside out, a red spidey shirt over, his black soccer socks, and black spidey gloves.

Not sure what this one was.

A little veterinarian taking care of all the stuffed animals.

He was a King for a short time.

Ended the day as spidey with a GI Joe mask to go on our walk!

Yes you counted right, he changed 10 times in one day! This is why I have a love hate relationship with Gentry's costumes!! I love them because his imagination is so cute and creative, and yet it makes so much clean up and laundry for me!!

Gentry's Favorite present..."Sugar Cheerios"

2009-12-26T22:08:00.000-08:00

My mom and sister think I am cruel...but I kid you not, my son loved this present!! I have to preface this video with the fact I have NEVER bought Gentry "sugar cheerios" (also known as any sugar cereal). He calls any sugar cereal "sugar cheerios" because all he ever gets is plain cheerios so he thinks anything that taste different must be "sugar cheerios". I am sure he has had them at grandparents house, but he knows that is not something I am willing to buy. SOOOO for Christmas I thought it would be fun to surprise him with a some. I will just let the video and pictures speak for themselves...mom and Tandi, I am obviously not cruel...he LOVED them!!

Christmas

2009-12-26T21:54:00.000-08:00

Here are pictures from our fun filled morning! I didn't get a picture of the yummy homemade cinnamon rolls that Jeff made but they were so delicious!!

Uncle Jeff playing Polly Pockets with Liv, he's so great :)

G got a spiderman shave kit, so put on a mustache for most of the morning :)

Tan was super excited about her UGG's :)

Jeff enjoyed some new ties, a new fedora, and a frame to put his diploma in!

Such a blessed little boy!

Transformers...expect nothing less little man!

The one gift that wasn't Polly Pockets :)

They couldn't wait to open presents!!!!

Santa brought G a Spidey "ScOOOter", he's been riding it around the house the last 2 days pretending he is a cop, since it's all snowy outside!

Christmas Eve

2009-12-26T21:16:00.000-08:00

Here are some pics of our Christmas Eve! We had a really special year, it was the first time we had Christmas just with our family. It was a little sad not to be near all our family but it turned out really special. We started our own traditions: Christmas Eve dinner is straight from New Mexico! Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas, Tandi's Amazing queso, guacamole, spanish rice, chips, and top it all off with margaritas! (After the kids go to bed of course!)

Then we read the "Twas the Night Before Christmas", and the Christmas story of Jesus. And a highlight of the evening was having the kids sing Christmas songs. Gentry mixes the songs together a bit, but Olyvia just invented her own Christmas song...we were impressed! :)

3 Little Peeps ready for Santa!

Twas the Night Before Christmas

G singing Jingle Bells

Liv singing Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, like you have never heard it before! :)

Christian singing Frosty the Snowman

Polar Express Party!

2009-12-26T20:47:00.001-08:00

We recently went to hang out with some friends and have a Polar Express Party :) The boys all wore their jammies, got to drink hot chocolate, and watched the Polar Express. They were so cute! Not sure the watched the whole movie but they did get in some good sword fighting time :)

All the boys minus Brody :( We missed you!

This might have been the quietest that I have ever seen this group of boys when they are together!

Gentry and Elmo Perform Together

2009-12-26T20:27:00.000-08:00

My mom got Gentry one of those little learning leapad things that has games and activities. It also has a microphone. Here is a video of him singing along with Elmo, he even tried to sing in the same key as Elmo :)

Family Date Night!

2009-12-26T20:12:00.000-08:00

We decided we needed a little family fun time so decided to go eat at a local pizza shop and ice skate after. It was G's first time ice skating and we had such a good time. As you can tell from the video it might take g a couple of times to get the idea of "skate"! :)

My morning Posse

2009-12-26T20:04:00.000-08:00

Lately Gentry has been waking me up in the morning with a little group of peeps I like to call my morning posse. He climbs into bed and then tucks himself and his friends in right next to me. I'm not sure I like this group he hangs out with yet, they have a bad habit of getting up early and G seems to be following their bad influence. This group of thugs might not be the best influence but G sure does like them. What does a mom do? I don't want to lose my boy, but I really need to sleep until 7! :)

Christmas Musical

2009-12-26T19:50:00.000-08:00

G was checking out the little cutie next to him :)

The whole preschool gang!

Gentry sang in the Children's Christmas musical this year. Preschoolers only did 2 songs before the actual play, and I might be a little biased but it was sooo cute!! We were afraid G wouldn't sing and just stand there embarrassed but he actually sang, rang his little bells and smiled! :) Who knew our little introvert could be a performer!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

2009-12-15T14:28:00.000-08:00

G has been so sweet this year about Christmas. Most times when we ask him what he wants, he says "I don't really know". But occasionally he admits what he really wants. One is a dog named Pluto and a tweety bird. They go together every time for some reason. The next is...

Gentry: "I want a little sister named Exodus, and we can call her Pebbles. Exodus Pebbles"

Really????? So obviously he is an only child and wants a sibling but I couldn't keep a straight face when he informed us of his name choice. His latest memory verse comes from the book of Exodus and he has been fascinated with saying Exodus since then, I just didn't realize how fond of the name he was :)

Oh sweet boy I wish you just wanted some toys or something that was easier to come by than animals and babies! (Don't judge but we told G that Santa ran out of animals this year and there were no puppies or tweety birds left!) So sad but seriously what could we do, these have been the only things he asked for. We haven't figured out how to break the news about a sibling yet...

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

2009-12-11T20:24:00.000-08:00

So I just posted my favorite conversation of the day, but then I overheard this conversation between Jeff and Gentry. To preface this conversation earlier I was telling the kids that when they toot (for lack of a better word), it's really not that big of a deal. It just means that there is some air in their tummy and it needs to get out, so we don't have to laugh and make a big deal every time someone toots. Obviously we were having this conversation because it has become a really funny topic in our house, and any time there is an outbreak of one, we spend 30 minutes pulling it together again. I'm trying to be understanding that boys are just entertained by that whole issue, but I also need sanity!

I was sitting in our room and could hear Jeff and Gentry talking in the other room. Then this is what G tells Jeff...

G: "Know what dad? It's not really that big of a deal when we toot because it just means that our bunnies have some stinky air inside of them that needs to come out because our bunnies don't want the stinky air anymore and it makes the air in our house stinky"

(Just so you know bunnies is what G calls his butt)

I start laughing hysterically from the other room.

Jeff: "Really? Who told you that?"

G: "My mom, she said that's what toots were"

Jeff comes back in the room and ask me...

Jeff: "Did you tell Gentry that's what toots were?"

Seriously do you think I would explain bodily functions that way to our son!!!! HAHAHA it made for a good laugh anyways!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

2009-12-11T19:29:00.000-08:00

Tonight before G went to bed we wrote a letter to Santa and some pretty sweet deep (for a four year old) conversation. The letter was pretty funny to write. Following the letter we started talking about how blessed we were. I'm sure I started the conversation with some lame mom "your so blessed phrase" but I'm leaving that one out to spare me some embarrassment :) It was one of those conversations where you just sit back as a parent and listen, he had lot's going on in his little mind and seriously talked for about 20 minutes, and for those of you who know my son, know that is a lot for him!! I was loving every minute. (Here is a snip-it of our one sided conversation).

Gentry: "Ya we have lot's of food, and some people don't. That's why sometimes we just take people who don't have food some food. Even we could take them all of our food, cause even if all of our food is gone, we can just go to the store and get more. And we have lot's of toys so we can give kids all of our toys too. That's okay mom if we give them all my toys, you can just go to Target and buy me more."

As our conversation continued it turned from the sweet caring boy to the little sword fighter he is :) We started talking about how Jesus died for our sins (we watched the lion the witch and the wardrobe, and were answering questions from the movie)

Gentry:"Who killed Jesus? Was it bad guys"

Mom: "Well they weren't necessarily bad guys, but they weren't being very nice"

Gentry:"What did they do to Jesus? Did the punch him in the face? Did they beat him up?"

Mom: "Ya they probably did. They put thorns around his head so he was bleeding, and made him carry a really heavy cross after they beat him up"

Gentry: "Then they put those nails in his hands?"

Mom:"Ya and in his feet"

Then Gentry proceeds with the million dollar question that all little boys want to know.

Gentry: "Mom why didn't Jesus just fight back...He's Jesus, he could beat up all those bad guys"

Oh sweet G, one lesson at a time I guess :) To be quite honest I didn't really know what to say so I did what I do best...laugh :) Any of you parents that have gone before me and know how to answer the ever ongoing questions of a 4 year old, I would love some input! :) Anyways needless to say we had an eventful evening full of questions, and I am about all out of answers!!

G's letter to Santa :) 2009

2009-12-11T19:19:00.000-08:00

Tonight we wrote a letter to Santa. I typed as G talked away :) I was trying not to laugh because he was super serious about all the questions. His letter really captures all the things he loves in life right now...jammies, anything to do with Christmas, spiderman, a little sister that he thinks he is getting for Christmas, pirates, sword fighting, learning our letters, and a dog. Yup, that about sums up our life right now. (Except for the dog and baby sister, Jeff and I have not agreed with G on either of these yet!)

I do realize that the grammer is not entirely correct but I was just typing exactly what he was saying.

Dear Santa,

Merry Christmas Santa. What is your elf’s names? Do you have Santa jammies? How big is your sleigh? I have been good Santa. Okay Santa I want a spiderman web that hangs on the walls. I want a puppy named Garfield. I want a sister named Exodus…Pebbles Exodus. Do you really have a Rudolf? Santa, know what I used to have? Pirates and they sword fight. Do you get mail at your house? Do you have a sister? Do you have a G in your name? Santa, know what I'm making for you? Cookies…lot’s of em’. Santa do you have a computer? Be safe and do you have spiderman jammies? I love you Santa.

Love,
Gentry

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

2009-12-03T21:40:00.000-08:00

Tonight we were driving home from Zoo Lights in Denver. The boys were talking about something with fire so I asked...

Mom: "Are you guys talking about something from a movie?"

(G's response was a little short and annoyed that I had interrupted their conversation)
G: "No mom we are only talking about dangerous stuff"

Mom: "Why are you guys talking about fire"

G: "Mom it's just dangerous stuff and you probably don't know about fire cause it's dangerous and only boys like dangerous stuff"

I was trying not to bust out laughing, but contained myself to allow the boys to talk about dangerous boy stuff like fire :) A little bit later I again tried to join in the conversation.

Mom: "G did you have tonight at Zoo Lights?"

G: "MOM!! We are only talking about dangerous stuff tonight, nothing else. Tomorrow we can talk about the other stuff"

Ha! He was so serious about the dangerous topic, so we appeased him and talked about tigers, fire, guns, and wolverine the rest of the way home. It was so funny and cute to see how he is becoming a little man! I love you sweet boy!!

Skeetles and N&M's

2009-11-26T19:48:00.000-08:00

I meant to post this around Halloween but am just getting around to it! I have loved all the different stages of language we have gone through and I fear we might be getting to the last stages since he is getting so big :( So I just had to post how cute these little words are. He calls Skittle, Skeetles, and M&M's, N&M's :) I just love this sweet boy!!

I'm so Thankful!

2009-11-26T18:37:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving makes me think of all the things I am thankful for. Even though I have a million things to be thankful for, I have to admit that I have the greatest husband ever and seriously just love that boy. This past year has been another year of transition for us. Jeff lost his job a week before Thanksgiving last year and was unemployed for 5 months. It now seems like just one more chapter in our ever changing and always eventful life :)

He is now employed with a great company and loves his job. He recently got a promotion and is a manager. I just started thinking how our lives have been rooted in change and adjustments since we got married, and yet we have always been so happy. I am convinced that it is because we have been surrounded with God's grace. In his Grace God put us together knowing that we would laugh more than we fight and truly love living life together. It's odd to think we have been married for 6 and a half years now I still feel the same fondness and affection for my hottie as I did on our wedding day. I put this picture on because I remember taking this picture and thinking how funny and sweet Jeff was all at the same time. This morning he gave me a kiss on the cheek and I got that same feeling. I love that our life has been crazy, messy, real, and wonderful, and I have loved every minute, so today I just have to say I am so thankful for Jeff and the joy we have shared in 6 short years of marriage. Thanks God for blessing me with him, he has been one of the greatest gifts you have given me!

Life Lessons

2009-11-02T19:34:00.001-08:00

I think we may have taught Gentry about the concept of Grace a little too early in life. Today when he got in trouble and sent to his room, I came in to give him his consequences (a spanking), and the first thing he said to me...

Mom I really just need some Grace, that's all I need, not a spanking!

I actually just started laughing because it was so funny. He was as serious about Grace as I was about giving him a spanking, and did not understand why I was laughing at him.

Favortie Conversation of the Day...

2009-11-02T19:24:00.000-08:00

I over heard a conversation between Gentry, Christian, and Olyvia. I am just hoping that Gentry doesn't have psychic powers :)

Gentry:"My mom is getting me a baby brother and a baby sister. I can't wait to play trucks with my little brother, and you can play with my little sister, Livvy."

Christian: "Are you really getting a sister and a brother?"

Gentry: "Yea my mom said I could have both."

Liv: "Yes and I am going to play with your little sister"

WHAT???? If your wondering, no I never said we were having a twins, I haven't even said we would have ONE!!! It did make me feel a little bad, but not bad enough to jump on board with his idea of twins for the Swanson family!

We still love our Buffs!!!!

2009-10-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

Even though our Buffs are having a rough season, we are still their biggest fans! We recently went to a game and had so much fun with G! Not to mention the Buffs actually won!!!

Look at those sweet eyes! He had so much fun!

My 2 favorite guys!

Gentry smiled the entire game just like this! He loves his Buffs!

Thinking how fun it will be to be a Buff someday!!

(Seriously what other school has the view we have from Folsom field? Aren't those mountains just gorgeous?)

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...it's...underwear man?????

2009-10-24T21:13:00.000-07:00

I have mentioned before how G loves costumes and being characters. Well that hasn't changed, but his idea and costumes have!! Lately he has been making up his own superheros which is fine, but he has also been making his own costumes :) I keep thinking he is doing this for a attention and to be funny, but he's not. He is dead serious about his costumes of choice, and let me tell you he is not the least bit embarrassed to be seen in these outfits!!! We have been to the gym, park, grocery store, and chiropractor dressed like this! I know I could make him change but the truth is I don't really care about what he wears as long as on Sundays I get to dress him!

Ya, it's what you think...underwear over his Wolverine costume...and yes we went to the gym

If I was a bad guy I would be really afraid of spidey/wolverine/underwear man!

Cat in the Hat with a cowboy vest, a pirate hat, and his Kachow backpack playing at the park. There were 2 other little boys there that loved his outfit, they kept calling him "little pirate boy".

Gentry's Magic Trick

2009-10-24T21:04:00.001-07:00

Gentry has been interested in magic tricks lately...not really sure why! This is his attempt to "magically appear (disappear) this monies (quarter)" All of his magic tricks include dropping something down his pants and then picking it up :) He has also been "appearing (disappearing)" when we get in the car...this actually just entails switching car seats :) He is always so excited to tell me that I didn't even see him "appearing (disappear)".

Pearl St. Stampede (A little Late)

2009-10-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

I am a little late on this post but oh well!! When mom and dad came up to help celebrate mine and G's birthday we of course headed down to Pearl St to support our Buffs! Even though they are having a rough year we just LOVE our Buffs!

The troops headed to Pearl St. They sang the fight song all the way there!

Watch out for those Buff boy muscles :)

And we are done for the night!

Gentry's first Soccer season!

2009-10-24T19:34:00.000-07:00

Gentry played soccer this year for the first time! It has been really fun! Here is a little video of G making his first goal! We laughed so hard after this because this was the first game, and even though he made a goal, he didn't really get the significance of it, he actually got really embarrassed because everyone was yelling at him and giving him high fives!! The parents get way more excited than the kids do! We have really enjoyed this season and laughed more than anything else! I am convinced that sports at this age are purely created for the parents entertainment :) The kids decided they wanted to be the DUCKS...not super fierce but it adds to the entertainment of this season! Sorry for Jeff screaming in the camera!!

Gentry's first soccer game and first goal!

GOOOO DUCKS!!

The Duck that leads the kids to the right goal...most of the time :)

Let's be honest, his favorite part of soccer is the fact he gets a G2(a nickname my dad gave him), cause he knows I would never give him one just because...way tooo much sugar!!

G has been wearing Jeff's army bandanna cause he thinks it makes him look like wolverine, it's that or make his hair spikey...bandanna it is says mom!!!!!

Little G turns 4!

2009-09-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

Gentry turned 4 on September 8!! My parents came up the weekend before to celebrate with us. They actually came up to celebrate his birthday and mine. Mine and Gentry's birthday are only 2 weeks apart and now that Nate is in school we have can't see each other quite as much!

When I was pregnant, besides not wanting to be pregnant, and not wanting a boy, I specifically remember telling my mom how I did not want to share my birthday with anyone and especially a little boy cause I never wanted to have a GI Joe party! (Can you tell I how emotional I was, not to mention selfish right????)

My how life has changed! I am so glad I had little G, and so glad he is a boy!! I also loved sharing a Star Wars party with him. Good thing God knows want we really need and want, cause obviously I have no clue! Thanks God for blessing me with Gentry!

The desk that Babi and Poppi got G. He has already spent many hours sitting and drawing, he loves it!

The birthday peeps with matching stickers! I assure you it was not my idea :) I love that we got to celebrate our birthdays together sweet boy, even if it was a Star Wars birthday party!

His Yoda card that has a ski pass for this season! Me and G get to spend our Thursdays on the slopes together, I am so excited!! G has actually been practicing snowboarding down the steps on a plastic lid, I am just waiting to hear the screams a broken arm brings!

Aunt T did good with the Wolverine costume, she knows him all to well!!

Or maybe she knows Jeff all to well :)

Tink, Kenz, and Ben dropped by a little present and can you tell what he thought of it??? L*O*V*E*D it!!!!!

My favorite part of the party was the cake. He really wanted a family cake. I kept asking what that meant and he said "I just want my whole family on it, Babi, Pop, Nate, me, you, dad, Nate, Christian, Liv, Aunt T, Nate, Uncle Bubba, Koko, Caitlin, Rachael, and mom don't forget Nate" I guess Nate was the most essential person on the cake!!! It was really sweet that he wanted to include everyone, and he seriously loved his cake, he kept telling everyone where they were on the cake.

Sweet Babi and G coloring at the desk they got him, he really loved it! Thanks for making our birthday celebration so fun!

Oh the Fun we have when Tink comes over!!!

2009-09-11T23:19:00.001-07:00

We have been getting to see Tink every Friday, since Kenz started back to school. And at the least I can say we are loving it!

This is the happy little look G has every time he is around little Tink, he just loves it! (He has been into hats lately and no it's not cold he just wanted to wear it) I think it was nap time for Tink, sorry we had to run errands sweet girl!!!!

Paraded around like a princess, or maybe a baby but either way, they both love it!

She might be younger, but the kids have been inducting her into dress up, they just thought she was so cute! In fact G said "mom isn't Tink just so cute!" I would have to agree!

There's that look again on G! Eating GoodTimes together, what could be better!

And it's not just Tink that the kids love, it everything she brings with her! I came upstairs to find this on the couch, apparently G thought Mr. Dinosaur was going to GoodTimes with us!

We moved!!!

2009-09-11T22:54:00.000-07:00

After almost 3 years in our favorite little house on Princeton, we moved. It was put on the market to sell at the end of July, and we assumed we had a couple of months to look for a house of our own, but the house sold in 10 days!!!! We couldn't believe it! So between Sarah's wedding, our anniversary, and a couple of trips already planned we packed up our house with the help of some amazing friends!! Gentry was actually really sad for some reason so I took a couple of pictures on our last day at the house!

Gentry drew this picture of me and him in the garage the last day we were there. He said "I am so sad to leave our house, look mom it's my house and your house, just look at the picture in the garage".

Exploring in our crazy garden that turned out to be more than I could even manage!!! We had a lot of fun together planting, picking, and spending time together in the garden this summer! Something I think I will do from now on!!

The first pumpkin growing on the vine!

Look how big it already is and still had 2 months to grow!!!! Gentry was sad to leave his pumpkin patch, and I can't lie, I think that is what made me the saddest, we had been looking forward all summer to having our own pumpkin patch :( I guess there is always next year!!! I promise we will do it again G!!!

Catching up on blogging...

2009-09-11T15:03:00.000-07:00

I lost my camera cord in the move and haven't been able to upload pictures so I am way behind in blogging, so here is my attempt to catch up!!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...on 9/11

2009-09-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

Gentry is visiting my parents this week. My mom said that all morning they have had the news on and been watching things about 9/11 and the war in Iraq. My parents have a some antique things from my grandparents and a little canister of really neat old canes. She had to take Nate his lunch and took G with her but before they left, they had this conversation...

Babi: "Gentry let's go take Nate his lunch"

G: "But Babi, I really need to a cane"

Babi: "You don't need a cane, come on let's go"

G: "But Babi I really do need a cane before I can go"

Babi: "Why do you need a cane?"

G: "Because, I was in the army"

At this point my mom was just ready to go and grabbed a cane out of the canister and gave it to him hoping it would make the trip quicker and easier. Mom said as soon as she handed it to him, he started leaning on it and limping as he walked to the car.

Babi: "Gentry did you get hurt when you were in the army or something?"

G: "Ya...I got shot. I didn't have any big guns so I got shot. My daddy had big guns when he was in the army so he didn't get shot, but I didn't have those big guns so I got shot"

She said he walked into Kindergarten with the cane, never even blinking an eye, because... today he is a soldier in the army.

I actually got a little teary when my mom told me. Besides his imagination being the most entertaining thing in my life, I was thinking of all the days to pretend to be a soldier, what a fitting day he picked.

I am so thankful for all of those who have served to keep us safe from another terrorist attack. I am also so burdened by the thought of all the people who will forever spend this day remembering the great loss of their loved ones. I can't imagine what this day presents for all those families, my prayers and tears are with them today.

I can remember sitting on my aunt's couch crying just watching the footage play over and over again. It was my freshman year at NMSU and all of our classes were canceled. I have always loved politics, and been a very patriotic person, but that day forever changed they way I view the world. Thank you again for everyone who has served to keep us safe, including my sweet hubby. And to the people who have lost loved ones, may God hold you closely today as you mourn your loss. Although I am on the verge of tears and my heavy heart feels so sad, today I am proud to be an American, and so thankful God gave my the opportunity to say that.

Happy 4th Birthday Gentry David!

2009-09-08T09:08:00.000-07:00

Gentry David,

Today you turn 4!!! I can't believe how fast time has gone by. You have been the biggest/little blessing God has ever given dad and I. I would have never known how much fun it is to be a mom if God wouldn't have surprised us 4 years ago! I hope you are having so much fun today celebrating with Poppi, Babi, and Nate since you are visiting them. We love you and are so thankful for you sweet boy! Here are some of our favorite things about you right now!

Dressing up like superheros literally on a daily basis

The stories you tell like...
How Spiderman came into you room and woke you up and so you spun some webs on him so he would just go away and leave you alone. "Spidey always comes into my room at night, and sometimes I just have to tell him to go away cause I am sleeping"
Or
"Mom, I have a pirate story for you. So one day Capin Jack went on his boat and was fighting all kinds of bad guys the end!"

Your love for Pirates, Spiderman, and your newest venture Master Yoda!

You will sit and draw and color for 30-45 minutes at a time. I think you have your dads artistic ability.

Your love for the Buffs has only grown, and we love that you are a die hard fan already!

You have a unique sense of style and like to get yourself ready in the morning, even if it is part of a costume with backwards shorts, a winter hat, spidey gloves, and wolverine hair. ;) You also change clothes on average twice a day!

You love reading time at night with dad.

Every morning you wake up at 7am (just like you have since you were 6 months old!) and come crawl into bed with me, I love my little blonde alarm clock!

You love camping, and all you asked for, for you birthday was a camping trip with Brody.

You are still so shy and we have to bribe you do most things that involve anyone else besides me, dad, aunt T, or Ben and Mack. But we love when you are doing things and give that little embarrassed grin with your lips pressed tightly together so no smile will accidentally slip out!

I could go on and on because your our son and we just love you! Hope you have a wonderful birthday and we love you so much sweet boy!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

2009-08-31T19:58:00.001-07:00

Gentry and I were laying down to take a little nap. He was laying on his side facing me, his eyes were already closed and his little hands were folded underneath his cheek. Without opening his sweet eyes he reached over and touched my face and said...

"Mommy you dream about barbies and butterflies, and I will dream about pirates and race cars...okay"

He then put his dirty little hand back underneath his cheek and continued to doze off...I love that sweet boy, and his sweet little thoughts!

Tink Turns 1!!!

2009-08-20T22:18:00.000-07:00

We got to attend little Miss Tink Turrill's first birthday in mid August but got to actually see her on her real birthday! She and McKenzie stopped by and I had 3 little kiddos that were so excited to celebrate with her! The waited on the stairs to say surprise and sing happy birthday! It was really fun!!!

It was really hard waiting to eat cupcakes until Tink got there!!!

All the kiddos wore Tinkerbell headbands and Tinkerbell stickers!!

She was pretty entertained by the kiddos!!!

Waiting to say surprise and blow their party favors for Tink!

They seriously couldn't wait for her to get there!!!

We love you sweet Tink, Happy Birthday!!! (Even though this blog is way late!)

Fun times + Good friends = A Great Weekend

2009-08-13T19:19:00.000-07:00

2 weekends ago we went to see some good friends up at Winterpark. Drew and Stacy Frazer have been up in Winterpark for the summer with the Navigators. We drove up with some other friends Raphael and Courtney Reneissen, and stayed in the Frazers super awesome cabin/vacation house! So fun! Besides good food (provided by the Frazers!), quality time, and some good laughs, we also went to a BMX competition that was in Winterpark that weekend. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was seriously AMAZING and the guys enjoyed it thouroughly!! We also just loved being in the mountains and enjoying the beauty that God has created right here in Colorado!

A quick family pic!!

G and I on the Alpine slide in Winterpark! G kept raising his hands like he was on a roller coaster.

After 2 hours of the BMX comp, a late night the night before, and no nap...G was unimpressed to say the least. Thanks baby Danger for letting us borrow your stroller!!! It was a life savor!!!

He started out leading the hike...

And this is how he ended the hike!

My sweet boys!!

The sunset and view from Drew and Stacy's. GORGEOUS (We secretly hope you guys go every year so we can come visit your fun vacation home!!)

The whole gang!!

Some amazing guy doing a flip on his bike!!

I think they enjoyed themselves...

Family pic on our hike! The view was gorgeous!!! I love that God created mountains, sometimes I feel like he created them just for me because I love them SO much!!! Thanks God!!

G loved his ride to the top, we actually had to do it twice!

Our last outing with Nate :( (sniff, sniff)

2009-08-13T18:53:00.000-07:00

Nate came for one last visit before he starts school, and is a little more tied down. We decided to take the boys camping. We had a really good time and enjoyed just soaking in the last bit of time with him before he becomes a big kindergartner!!!

Never miss a chance to pose like Spidey!

A boy in the wild...it's a beautiful thing!

This was on one of their bear hunts

I'm not going to lie, I teared up when I put this photo up! I just love that my sweet little brother and my own sweet son, are growing up so close, and love each other so much! It is really special!

Picnic before we ventured into the freezing river water!!

Thankfully, neither boy seemed to care that they didn't catch a fish!

Morning snuggles! (I think G's face explain everything...I feel ya G, it's how it is every morning with your dad, he's just a morning person!)

We never went anywhere without our weapons. You wouldn't believe the amount of bears, tigers, deer, and elk that were killed on this camping trip. It really was amazing!!! :)

And 2 exhausted boys on the way home!

We had such a fun little getaway with Nate before he starts school and can't come visit as often. We are sad that we won't be seeing him as much, but have LOVED every minute we got to spend together while he was here. Hopefully somewhere in Gods plans are 2 houses next door to each other with an open fence in between that our boys will run in between and back and forth, and we will all get to live life together! Until then we are cherishing the time we got to spend with Nate! We love you and miss you sweet boy, come visit soon!!!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

2009-08-13T18:31:00.000-07:00

I was sitting in the chair with Gentry and we had just said our memory verses for the night. I couldn't quit laughing after this conversation, I love the innocence of his sweet little thoughts. Oh the joys of motherhood!!!

Gentry: "Mom, how does God get in your heart? Like does he come in our body or something?"

Ash: "No he doesn't physically come in our body, God actually stays in Heaven"

Gentry: "But you said He comes in our heart, how does He get in our heart?"

Ash: "God stays in heaven, but He left the Holy Spirit here with us to help us make good decisions and love people"

Gentry: "How does the Holy Spirit get in our heart? I've never seen the spirit."

(Obviously at this point I was not giving him the answer he wanted or needed!)

Ash: "Well it's a spirit, we can't see it, but it's here with us."

At this point Gentry does some sort of a motion like he is yawning, then like he's chocking, and literally grabs his throat like something is in it, and then starts coughing. I'm thinking he's choking so I sit up and lean him forward.

Ash: "Are you okay? Are you choking?"

He then looks at me like nothing happened.

Gentry: "Oh mom that was just the Holy spirit coming inside my heart, but you can't see him."

He then proceeded on with an entirely different conversation like nothing ever happened!!!!

I literally thought I was going to die of laughter! He was pretty concerned with how God or the Holy Spirit got inside your heart, and I guess if I was 3 that is something that would concern me also! I was trying to keep the conversation on a level that he could understand, but somehow it's just not what he needed!!!

Sometimes I feel so inadequate to answer all of his many question (and boy does he have lot's of them these days!) especially when it comes to his spiritual life. I just keep praying that God gives me wisdom and guides me through motherhood to be able to love Gentry and help him navigate his way through life. I have to admit, in so many of our conversations, I just laugh because his thoughts are so sweet and sometimes quite funny!! Regardless if I give the right answer, I love that he is curious and wanting to know about a relationship with Christ (and the Holy Spirit, who we apparently swallow to come into our heart!) I am so thankful that God holds my little boy in the palm of his hand, so no matter how many times I mess up or give the wrong answer, he is still able to be redeemed. What a comforting promise our Savior gives us!!

Sarah and Husker get married!!

2009-08-10T21:42:00.000-07:00

My super good friend Miss Sarah Wilson got married to Husker (also known as Corey Priebe) on August 8! We had such a good time. Gentry and I were both in the wedding and over all Gentry did a really good job. The only way we got him down the aisle for practice was with his sword (and even with the sword he cried at first!). On the wedding day he only went down the aisle because I carried a pocket full of M&M's and I promised him a big piece of cake after if he made it up the aisle and back down!! He only slid down the speaker twice, tried to help with Sarah's dress once, and kept reaching into my pocket for more M&M's, but overall we consider it a success. It did help that Sarah and Husker were so gracious with his behavior!

Spinning webs at the bride! Thanks for putting up with Spidey Sarah!! He loves his Auntie Sarah!!!!

Getting ready!!!

He quickly ditched the shirt, and turned into Spidey. His tie transformed into a head band and his sword was hiding in his bag for as soon as he was done walking down the aisle!

Oh G!!!

Husker, this is what we thought of your cake!! :)

Dad helping G with getting ready!

Me, Sarah, Jen

Never miss a chance to pose like Spidey!

I think he enjoyed the cheese cake at the rehersal :)

Thanks for the shot gun, it was the best present ever!!! I just want you take notice of the CU ball and CU helmet Husker!!!

A visit from the Ogburn's

2009-08-01T23:06:00.000-07:00

After the Campus Crusade for Christ Staff Conference, Corri and Christine Ogburn stayed with us for a couple of nights!!! It was so fun to have them here. We went to Boulder one day and walked around on campus and of course took a stroll down Pearl St.! Since Corri is also an Alum from CU it was fun to be there together. We loved having them here!!!!

Christin took Olyvia to see this guy on Pearl St. and give him some money, but Gentry would not get any closer than this...it was so funny. They guy kept waving at him and trying to get him to come over. I think Gentry was really contemplating whether to spin webs at him or not :)

Checkin out the pond at CU!

Lunch at Cheesecake Factory, I think Olyvia loved having some girls around, she is always so out numbered!

On the steps of the Library! After they left Gentry and Olyvia both kept asking "where is our friend at?" (Referring to Christine) She was so great, she jumped with them, blew bubbles, read, and watched them one night so Corri and I could go have dinner! We are recruiting her to come out to CU for college!!! We can't wait to see you in four short years Christine!!!

Story Time with G!

2009-07-28T11:56:00.000-07:00

Gentry has turned into the little story teller lately! He is so cute and gives very specific details (even if they aren't true)! This week he is going to VBS and has been learning about about Peter. Here is G telling the stories that he is learning, he even incorporated a boat and little pirates to show me what was going on! The pirates are Jesus and Peter, so don't be confused!

He was telling the story and then had to go get his props for the story, so we had to take a quick intermission from story telling!
I am pretty sure this is an account of a couple of different stories involving Peter and Jesus, but it was still pretty cute!

A little gymnast in the making!

2009-07-28T07:01:00.000-07:00

I can't help it!!! It's in my blood!!! I have been teaching Gentry how to do flips on the trampoline and in the pool. Here is a video of Gentry and Caitlin in the pool doing some back flips!! The good thing is, he actually loves learning and doing the flips!! It might be a sad day for me if he hated gymnastics. Good thing e actually told me that he wanted to be in "g-nastics" so he could flip like spidey, so in the fall I think we are going to venture into a gymnastics class!!!! As you can imagine, I am super excited!!!

Am I crazy????

2009-07-27T18:50:00.001-07:00

Last week I took Gentry, Nate, Christian, and Olyvia to a pool here in Longmont. There was 2 big slides and Gentry kept bugging me to go down them. I couldn't leave the other kids and take him so I kept telling him no. I was sick of hearing him ask and I figured he wouldn't go without me since it was a pretty big slide, so I told him if he went by himself he could go. Little did I know him and Nate took off!!!!

About the time they got up there it was adult swim so they sent all the kids back down the stairs. Everyone that is except for Gentry. I was watching and realizing that he was not going to come down those stairs, and he was coming down that slide no matter what the lifeguard said. The lifeguard had turned around and wasn't watching my little devious son scheme his get away into the slide. I literally watched him creep behind her and jump in the slide!!!! I was seriously so mad and scared since the other life guard had left the bottom area since all the kids were not supposed to be going down the slide!!! As soon as the life guard heard Gentry hit the water in the slide she turned around only to see the back of a little blonde headed boy! She then turned down to the other life guard who was sitting on the side of the pool and screamed "Hey!! There is a little one coming down the slide!!" About that time he came shooting out of the slide all smiles! He plunged into the water, and then came up floating on his back about the time the life guard got to him and picked him up. His expression was priceless because he just couldn't figure out why she had rushed over and picked him up, and he was seriously having such a good time! Needless to say he had to sit in time out and got a spankin when we got home because he didn't mind. Secretly I thought it was really funny and such a great depiction of the fearless side of little boys, but I had to play mom and dicsipline at the time. Although, someday I will share the story with him of how God made him brave and fearless from the begininning!

I guess the real question from this story is...Am I crazy for taking 4 kids to a public pool and letting my 3 year old go down a really big slide all by himself as I watch from the bottom? Probably but then again, I wouldn't have any good stories to blog about!!!

My little dare devil coming down the slide backwards!

Sweet Nate enjoying the slide!

Gentry floating after he got off the slide because he couldn't touch.

The boys waiting in line for the slide! They look like little tiny ants up there!

The slide that Gentry and Nate had to try all on their own!!

The 4th of July and Camping

2009-07-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

How cute is that sweet boy!!!

The most important part of the weekend! To bad his parents forgot the bait and hooks...sorry sweet boy! He didn't seem to mind to much that he didn't actually catch anything!

G's hair was crazy all weekend since I had to put sunscreen in his hair! It was so cute!

Getting ready for his first ride!

My sweet boys!

G did alot of eating over the weekend!

Our weekend wouldn't be complete without a little dirt time!

I love these sweet boys!!!

Courtney, G, Raphael, Me, and Jeff

His first EVER Smore...and yes he loved it!!!

Louis teaching G to play Hearts!

Sparklers!!!

Gentry's friend Apollo...and yes Apollo spurred G's desire for a dog!

Gentry and Mikaela catching frogs!!!

He was a very good flag boy :)

Relaxing in the tube

The whole gang!!!

The dirty tired face of a little camper boy!

This was right before we left...I think he was done at this point!

After it was all said and done, G slept great for a couple of days making up for all the fun he had over the weekend!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

2009-07-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

Gentry: "Mom, I really need a baby sister with curly hair. Christian has a little sister with curly hair, but I don't"

Ashlie: "Do you think it would be fun to have a little brother or sister someday?"

Gentry: "Ya cause I don't have a little sister with curly hair, and my brother doesn't live at my house, it's just me at my house"

Okay seriously G your killing me!!!! Maybe someday God will make me ready to have another but for now we will have to enjoy your cousins down the street, and uncle Nate (or as you call him, brother that doesn't live at your house) from afar until then! And if God never changes Jeff and I heart, I promise G we will give in and get you a dog!!!

While the conversation made me a little sad for him, I couldn't help but think how sweet it was that he wants a baby sister with curly hair!!! How hilarious and detailed is that!! Anyways after this conversation, I tried to keep him really busy cause I felt so bad, like he is bored with me. Oh well I know God has a plan and I don't know if it includes more kiddos or not, but He will either provide Gentry with kiddos close by like his cousins, or He will change Jeff and I!!

Welcome to my World...I'm Blue!

2009-07-02T21:26:00.002-07:00

You can imagine the relief I felt after sprinting outside when I saw a glimpse of Gentry's face thinking he wasn't breathing looking out my kitchen window, only to find that he and Olyvia had colored themselves with chalk because they were playing incredible Hulk and the Blue Spiderman!!! Aaahh, you think I would learn by now, not to worry or stress out but that kid gets me every time!!

Date Night!!!

2009-07-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday Jeff called at about 4:30 and said he had received 2 tickets to see Phil Vassar that night at 8! I was really excited and wanted to go because I LOVE Phil Vassar, but usually spontaneous dates don't pan out. We were also keeping my sister's kids that night while she worked so it seemed unlikely we would get to go. At about 6:30 our faithful babysitter Caitlin called and said she would come right over!!! YEA!!! I jumped in the shower, got ready, scurried around trying to get the kids ready for bed so Caitlin wouldn't have that much to do, and at 7:20 when Jeff walked in I was surprisingly ready to go!!!!

We drove to Greeley and hurried through the Greeley Stampede to find our seats thinking we were late since it started at 8, but since it was raining the concert was delayed until 8:40 so we didn't miss a thing! It might have been my favorite date ever! We were surrounded by cowboy hats, the smell of animals (sounds gross but seriously growing up around animals, it brings back so many sweet memories), it was lightly raining through the whole concert, which I LOVED! It reminded me of our wedding day, it lighlty sprinkled through our entire outside wedding, and was super romantic! The rain was so great, his songs were so great, our time was so fun!! In case you can't tell...I LOVED our spontaneous date night! Phil Vassar has so many great songs but here are the lyrics to one of our favorite ones, it reminds us how much we love being married and are so thankful for God bringing us together!!! Even though we were super young, and little G came super early, we love the life we have together! By the way you should all go out and buy Phil Vassar's Greatest Hit cd, so good!!

In a Real Love
I was 18 makin' minimum wage
With a letterman jacket and a Chevrolet
Thought I was cool
Yeah I ruled the school
You were Cum Laude with the strawberry lips
Had the whole world danglin' at your fingertips
Your senior year
And I was your daddy's worst fear
We ran off on graduation night
Thought a couple of left hand rings would make everything alright

With a little bit a live
Little bit a learn
Little bit a watchin' a few more candles burn
And findin' out what life was
With a little bit o' fuss
Little bit a fight
Little bit a kiss and makin' up all night
And one day wakin' up in a real love

Well I was 22 workin' double overtime
I was spendin' dollars and makin' dimes
We were overdrawn and barely hangin' on
Then one night you came to me
With tears in your eyes and an EPT
And said "guess what, yeah, baby ready or not"
Well, I just smiled but I was scared to death
How am I gonna' have a kid when I'm still a kid myself

With a little bit a live
Little bit a learn
Little bit a watchin' a few more candles burn
And findin' out what life was
With a little bit a fuss
Little bit a fight
Little bit a kiss and makin' up all night
And one day wakin' up in a real love
Yeah baby, it's a real love

Gentry's first Girlfriend

2009-06-28T19:48:00.000-07:00

When we were visiting my parents, I had my first encounter as a mom of Gentry having a girlfriend. When were driving down I was telling the kids how we were going to go to a graduation party for Kelsey Scott (a good family friend I mentioned previously, that is going to OU in the fall). When I asked Gentry if he remembered Kelsey, here was his response.

Gentry: "Oh ya mom, she is my girlfriend."

Mom: "Oh...she is? How long have you been boyfriend and girlfriend?"

Gentry: "Well...she has been my girlfriend for kinda a long time mom"

(He said all of this in a tone as if it was common knowledge and I should have known this)

I was a little surprised that he had a girlfriend for a while without me knowing but I can't blame him, she is really sweet and gorgeous!! I even happened to catch their first kiss, or their attempted first kiss!!! Our conversation was so funny because I have never talked about girlfriends or heard him talk about it, but I guess it is just a glimpse into the future and what I will be dealing with. I hope he continues to have good taste in women as he get's older!!!

A boy after my own heart!!

2009-06-27T22:03:00.001-07:00

When Gentry stayed with my parents, my mom took him to a gymnastics class!! Not just any gymnastics class, but with my old coach who coached me from 8 years old to high school!!! He loved it and occasionally shows us his exercise stretch (aka a bridge up), and has been really interested in doing flips now!! He learned how to do a flip on the trampoline and yesterday did a flip off the side of the pool!! He was so excited to show me his wolverine flip, and did before I could stop him! Not only once but twice before the life guard said if he didn't quit flipping off the side we would have to leave!!(While Jeff thought it was awesome, I was not so impressed being that our 3 year old is diving/flipping head first into the shallow end of the pool or just as easily the side of the pool...BOYS!!!)

Here is a video of his impressive flipping on the tramp! Maybe he will take after his mom, and be a gymnast!!!

Note he was still dressed as doc oc. I have since put the darn 6 month jammies up where he cannot get into them!!

G's thoughts on his costume choices

2009-06-27T21:42:00.000-07:00

This video was of Gentry trying to make a reindeer outfit for a 3 month old fit because of how cool the feet were. He hasn't noticed yet, but this little costume did not get to stay :(

This video is of Gentry explaining why he really liked the jammies that were size 6 mo. How could I have missed that they made him look like Doc Oc???

A day at the Garage Sell!

2009-06-27T20:58:00.001-07:00

Last weekend we had a garage sell. I was hopeful to really clean out, but for some reason my sweet little boy kept going through his old stuff and insisting that he needed these important items. I am not kidding when I tell you that all of these items where worn in the span of a couple of hours. The kid changed outfits 6 times!!! I can't lie though, I loved every moment of his little imagination at work and what he transformed into each time!!

It started with a hat...it might have been a little cuter when he wore it at 6 months old, now it hardly fits his head, but still he was convinced it "was his favorite animal hat"

Then it moved to the jammies he wore when he was 6 months old. He loved these because it "made him doctor octopus." A keeper in his mind.

Then on to his Halloween monkey costume from when he was 2. Again a keeper because he could dress up like his very own monkey (his favorite stuffed animal for the last 2 years).

And then it was Hulk in real life. This one he wore when he was 1. The funny thing is it looks more real now because it totally doesn't fit him, just like Hulk's clothes when he gets mad!!!

This one was a little beyond me...batman jammie pants, spiderman jammie shirt, and his Lightning McQueen shirt pulled over his legs like a kilt, all while sword fighting. Hmm, where does he get he sense of style, me or Jeff????

Some other characters joined in his fun also! Asher Avalos (Our friends from NMSU little boy, they are up in Colorado for the summer) Asher enjoyed the race car driver costume that was passed down to us from Nate's Halloween collection!

Who knew Cat in the Hat lived in New Mexico??? This was from Christian's Halloween collection!

The collection of costume's proved to be the most entertaining and fun thing for the kids, so I started a costume drawer and without fail, every day since our garage sell a new character is running around my house!! It is really funny to watch Gentry transform into his character each day, and sometimes literally each hour!!! Others included in our collection are Captain Hook, Spiderman, Batman, CU Buff football player, Captian Jack, an Alligator, a Shark, Superman, and some random hats that G enjoys every now and then. I recommend every mom start a collection now, it is so entertaining!!!!

Good night my little character. It must be very draining wearing so many hats each day, but I must say, you wear them all so well!!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...From Afar!

2009-06-09T16:47:00.000-07:00

Gentry is currently at my parents spending a couple of weeks or at least until we last without that little man! A good friend of ours Kelsey Scott graduated from high school. We went to her graduation party a couple of weeks ago when I was at my parents, and came home with a bunch of plastic OU cups, because that's where she is going to school in the fall.

Gentry was sitting at the kitchen table eating with my mom, dad, and Nate. Mom handed Gentry an OU cup to drink out of.

Gentry: "Babie, I can't drink out of that!"

Babie (aka Jill): "Yes you can?"

Gentry: "Babie, I cannot use that cup, my parents will be so mad. My dad will give me a big spankin"

Babie: "I don't think your parents will care if you just drink out of this cup for dinner."

Gentry: "Yes they will, they will be so mad it's not a CU cup. I just can't drink out of it"

So honestly I don't think we have ever threatened Gentry with spankins about other sports teams...but that a thought!! J/K I guess he can sense our love for the Buffs and would never betray his favorite team! So cute and we secretly love that he wouldn't drink out of a OU cup!!! :) Sorry Kelsey and Landry but this family has nothing but BUFF LOVE!!!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

2009-05-29T20:09:00.000-07:00

We had just been watching the Nuggets and then I took Gentry in his room to put him to bed. This was a part of his prayer.

"Dear Jesus, thank you for the Nuggets. Please let them win so all the people will not be sad. And let all the boys do good playing basketball, and go Nuggies."

I could hardly keep my giggles back the rest of his prayer. We really don't get into basketball that much but have just recently been watching the Nuggets since they are in the playoffs, but I am convinced that God puts a competitive spirit in little boys from a very young age!!!

My little helper

2009-05-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

We were supposed to leave for my parents house on Thursday for a little visit. On Wednesday I woke up to find this in the kitchen. Gentry thought we were leaving on Wednesday and so had attempted to help me pack. I had folded some laundry the night before and left it in the living room and sweet little helper had moved it all to the kitchen sitting in perfect little piles on the counter. It was really cute and he was really proud of himself.

Side Note:

I have leaned more on the side of being very scheduled and strict with Gentry about our daily routine and what he does. This has worked very well with our family and I have really enjoyed the routine and predictability of Gentry. BUT... in turn my little man has turned into clock work himself and expects things a certain way and now even questions me!!! When I was packing he literally gave me the 411 on what I needed to pack! "Mom did you get my undies?" "Did you get my fishing pole so I can go fishing with Pop?" "Mom I need you to memeber my swimsuit" "Mom you forgot to pack my socks." At first it was cute...and then I can't lie, it started to drive me crazy a little bit!!!! Throughout the whole day of packing, cleaning, and running errands getting ready to leave, little G constantly reminded me of what we needed to pack. I had a conversation about remembering his fishing pole for his fishing trip with Pop at least 10 times!!! Yikes it was a little draining but I love that he is becoming independent and actually just following the example we have set! There is good and bad to every method of child raising!!!

Becoming a man!

2009-05-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

Gentry has taken an interest in anything that Jeff does. This includes shaving and putting on cologne. The last two weeks he has shaved with Jeff on Sunday mornings, and put on cologne before we head out. This was too cute for me to not capture, but my favorite part was....

The cute little buns that were supposed to be dressed for church!!! Sorry if your embarrassed G when your in high school, but just know your mom loves you...and your cute buns!!!!!

Getting Better...

2009-05-26T20:04:00.001-07:00

This is now what Gentry's bed looks like in the morning. He has learned to decorate it with his spidey blanket, spidey himself, monkey dressed like spidey, and his CU football! By the time he graduates high school we might have this down perfect!!!

Memorial Day

2009-05-26T19:39:00.001-07:00

We are so thankful we get to spend Memorial Day with Jeff every year!!! What a sacrifice he made to serve his country, and how blessed we are to have him home with us every year to celebrate him and other veterans who have served our country. Thank you so much Jeff for all you gave and sacrificed. We will never forget the day you came home safe and sound and we all 3 began our life together again!! We both love you and appreciate you so much.

We have made it a tradition on Memorial Day to run the Bolder Boulder and enjoy the the festivities that Boulder holds each year! It was so fun and Memorial Day has become one of my favorite holidays. I love the significance of the day and how close to our hearts the meaning really is. It is also the beginning of summer and I love summer. I actually had the chance to see George W Bush speak in my hometown last week, but I would have missed spending Memorial Day with Jeff, and I just couldn't do it! Babe that should tell you how much I love you, cause you know I LOVE George W!!! My favorite part of the day is when we were telling Gentry what Memorial Day was and he turned to Jeff and said "Thank daddy for being a soldier and keeping us safe" my heart melted at how sweet my son is, and how great my husband is I am a BLESSED woman!!

At the Boulder Creek Festival Gentry suited up and jumped or should I say "flied like Superman" He had quite a day from jumping, to hot dogs, to blow-up toys...and that was just the morning!!!

We had some friends come over for a BBQ after the Bolder Boulder. Tink was included in the bunch and I took her in to wake Gentry up from his nap and I think the following picture explains how the both felt! It was absolutely adorable!

Gentry thoroughly liked his wake up call from Tink! And I can't lie, I did to, it was so cute!!! Maybe they will get married, or maybe they will just be great buds, but either way we are loving watching a friendship between these two start at such a young age!

Needless to say, we had a great Memorial Day!

Just so you know...

2009-05-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

I have to blog when I have time, hence why I post a bunch at the same time! Tonight my house was clean, kids in bed, and the laundry was done, so I had to catch up from the last couple of weeks!

I can't complain...

2009-05-18T19:44:00.000-07:00

I have been teaching Gentry to make his bed and do little chores around the house. It started with putting his underwear and socks away when I fold clothes. We have worked up to putting jammies away, and this week we started or should I say attempted to make his bed. No matter what it looks like, I can't complain, he thinks it is really fun to make his bed, and loves helping me put up clothes. I know my days are few and it won't be to long before I turn into a very uncool nuisance in his life, so I am relishing in the fact he thinks it is fun to help mom around the house!!

Day 1: He was so proud! Even though it just looks like bunched up blanket, it was about 15 minutes of making it "so purfect"

Day 2: Getting better! I had him come help with my bed before he made his, and it seems like setting a good example helps! Now you know why the first day his blanket was all bunched up!!! Yikes I better get with it and make my bed every morning so Gentry will keep thinking it's fun!!!

A New Super-Hero has Emerged...

2009-05-18T19:22:00.001-07:00

While Gentry still loves Spidey, Batman, Superman, Wolverine, Capin Hook, Capin Jack, and every other superhero there is, he has discovered a real life superhero in his own home! Lately at night Gentry has been asking questions about when he was born and "little" (since now he is so old, wink, wink!) and is really interested in the fact that dad was gone "fighting bad guys" when I was pregnant, and when he was "a little bitty tiny baby". Jeff recently took out some pictures to show Gentry, and as you can tell from the look on his face, he was mesmerized by every word Jeff told him. When Jeff showed G a picture of himself standing next to his 50 Cal, Gentry all but stopped breathing and couldn't quit asking questions about it and commenting, "daddy was that your gun? Did you shoot that? That is big like the "Credible Hulks" gun." He then turned to me and said "Mom this is just my dad's big gun, he shoots it at bad guys"

Of course G thinks his dad is great, but all of a sudden Jeff became all the things that Gentry is obsessed with...Super-heros, only this one lives in his house, and isn't a cartoon! What a great dad Gentry has, and how sweet that Gentry and I both appreciate what Jeff has done for us, but on two entirely different levels. With Memorial Day just around the corner it has made me really thankful for Jeff's service, and yet even more thankful that he is home to share his stories and experiences with his son, who loves every minute of every story!!! How gracious God was to us, and how much I feel the need to pray for those who are still serving and those who have lost loved ones. May God never let us forget what He gave us, and how blessed I truly am to be raising Gentry along side my best friend.

An outing to CU!

2009-05-18T18:33:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in my last blog, Friday McKenzie, Tink, Gentry, Olyvia, Christian, and I ventured to Boulder for the afternoon to have a picnic at CU. Here are some pics from our day!!

The kiddos exploring the pond...

Gentry's new pet (or so he thinks) "Turtle Man"...

Sweet Tink cheering on the older kids...

Olyvia sporting Gentry's CU hat, and my sunglasses...Can somebody say You go girl!!

Poor Kenz trying to stroll Tink to fall asleep with 3 hooligans running loudly after her! Sorry Kenz and Tink!!!

Yes it is what you think, a pair of red underwear...For some reason G thought he might need them so he packed them to make the trip!

The rest of what G packed to go to the park: A pair of Blue underwear(it's beyond me), a spidey shirt, red spidey shorts, 2 pairs of spidey gloves, a cape, and spidey mask

And now I know why he packed it all...He was Peter Parker in the car, and magically transformed into your friendly neighborhood spiderman!! And no he isn't homeless, just looks that way when he starts putting on his many superhero faces!

Gentry and Christian reading The amazing spiderman to Tink :)

And no, Kenz and I are not the good Boulder moms that you would expect to see at CU, we did not take a nutritious organic picnic, we instead grabbed Sonic! Eat up kids, and enjoy that toxic processed food :) We really do love you guys I promise!!!

Fun with Tink!!

2009-05-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

We had a fun outing with Kenz and Tink on Friday to Boulder! We kept hearing squeals and squeaks from Tink along the way! It was really cute to hear all of her little sounds and see how she is coming into to her own little personality. Gentry loved playing with her and made sure she sat right in the middle so she could be right beside him. I think this was the first time I have seen him really play with a baby, it was so sweet!!!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

2009-05-14T18:51:00.000-07:00

Gentry and I spent the afternoon yesterday in Boulder. We walked around on the hill and on campus. G picked out a new CU hat and a little outfit for our Drew and Stacy who recently had a baby (Dax Danger Frazer). Gentry kept picking out big jerseys telling the lady and me:

"oh this is baby Dangers favorite one, he loves this one"

I finally got him to agree on a cute little outfit that will actually fit baby Danger and after 30 minutes in 1 store we were off! We walked on the hill and Gentry asked me to carry him. I did for a bit and then told him...

"Gent your getting so big, mommy isn't going to be able to carry you anymore"

G: "No mom, I am not big, I am so little"

Mom: "Gent you are getting big, your 3 and a half and almost to big for me to carry anymore"

With a really sad look on his face and starting to whine...

G: "Mom, I don't want to get big, I want to stay little. I am little, my name is Capin Hook Little. No my name is Spiderman Little"

I burst out laughing only to find that my Spiderman Little was not joking, and very serious about not getting big. It was really sweet and is still calling himself Spiderman Little, and has reminded me a couple of times today that he is still little! He is hilarious. Jeff started teaching him the Toys R Us song about not growing up, we found it only fitting! I love my Spiderman Little/Capin Hook Little!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

2009-05-07T07:09:00.000-07:00

Last night Jeff and I took Gentry with us to my soccer game (random that I am even playing soccer since I have never played!). On the way home Gentry gave me some advice that I think my team would really appreciate.

Me: "Gent, what did you think of soccer?"

Gentry: "Well mom, I think that you need to make more goals"

Right you are Gent!!! Nothing like the innocent advice of kiddos to keep you humble!!!

Then this morning...

Me: "Gent did you have fun last night with me and dad at the soccer game?"

Gentry: "Ya, but are you working on more goals?"

Are you kidding me?? Obviously he was unimpressed since I didn't score a goal!!! Regardless of the fact I didn't score a goal and I need to work on that, it was really fun hanging out the 3 of us! It is also a really good work-out so I can't complain!!! :)

Super-Hero Day!!

2009-04-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

Two years ago we started a tradition at Easter. In some of Gentry's eggs, we put little coupons for him. The coupons are just different outings, special treats, or special time that he would enjoy. This year the coupons included: Golf time with dad, Family Nerf Gun War, A movie date with mom and dad, Rockies Game, An afternoon baking Gentry's choice of cookies with mom, and a Super-Hero Dress up Day.

Friday Gentry decided he wanted to use his super-hero dress up day, and so I braved the world of super-heros and dressed up with my little man. He actually helped me pick out my outfit for the day and was so excited to introduce me as "cat gurl (girl)"

I can't explain the sheer joy that he had when I walked out of my room! He was beyond excited and honestly I don't think I have ever done anything for him that he enjoyed more than me dressing up with him! All morning we played spiderman and "cat gurl"! I wrestled, jumped on the trampoline doing "kung foo kicks", spun ropes (I was not allowed to spin webs, "only spidey can do that!"), and any other super-hero game Gentry could come up with!

Even though it was a little humiliating to be dressed like "cat gurl" all day, the excitement that Gentry had all day was more than enough to keep me playing his super-hero games all day!!! He even cried that evening when I took off my outfit because he wanted to "keep playing super-hero's with cat gurl" :( That night we went to target (I wore sweats over "cat gurl"!) and Gentry told the lady checking us out "my mom is really "cat gurl") Little did she know I really was that day! :)

Spiderman says..."It's Buff Time!"

2009-04-24T20:24:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we are headed to the Buffs Spring game. I told Gentry that we were going and he said he needed to go get his jersey ready. I went in his room and this is what I found! The boy not only laid out his jersey, but also his jeans, CU helmet, shoes, socks, cu football, and if you look closely he even put a pair of underwear in his little jeans!!! Hilarious!!

He also informed me that spiderman will not be wearing his spidey costume anymore because "Spidey just needs to wear his Go CU Buff jersey now so he can't wear his spidey clothes anymore!" I guess our character now is Spidey in a Buff uniform, doesn't get any better than that!!!

Jeff's Birthday!!

2009-04-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was Jeff's birthday!!! He turned 26!! Sadly Jeff is gone this week in Atlanta for training so we didn't get to celebrate with him on his actual birthday. Regardless Gentry and I went shopping for a birthday present and here is our adventure!! We didn't quite see eye to eye on what we should get Jeff, but I think Jeff will love it regardless! Just a note, on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays I let Gentry pick out his clothes for the day. Hence why he is dressed as Superman in public! This video is of Gentry and I getting ready to go into the store, I love how he ends the birthday song with Amen!!!

Even though we were there looking for Jeff some golf stuff, Gentry ventured over to the toys and was just convinced that Jeff had told him that he really wanted Spiderman for his birthday, so the debate started. He seemed pretty sure of himself!!

After Gentry picked out Spiderman, I took him to the golf section just to see if I could change his mind, but no luck! He was dead set on Spidey and so that's what Jeff got! I did end up getting Jeff some other things but I let Gentry think that was Jeff's only birthday present! He really wanted to open it right when we got home but it is currently still intact in the box waiting for Jeff to get home tonight to open. Gentry can't wait for him to open it!!

We also had cupcakes to celebrate Jeff's birthday...I really just wanted an excuse for something sweet but G didn't seem to mind! He kept singing happy birthday to Jeff while he was eating it so at least we were thinking of him! Happy Birthday and we love you Jeff and can't wait to see you tonight!

A Boy and his Monkey, it's a beautiful thing!

2009-04-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we took a bike ride to the park and monkey came along! I just had to take a couple of pictures because Gentry talked to him and played with him the whole time. It was really sweet! He was teaching monkey how to ride a bike, how to climb up the ladder, and how to slide. He was so interested in teaching monkey how to play, I didn't have to go down the slide once!!! It was sweet to just sit and watch G's little imagination at work, and I can't deny it was great to not have to play on the playground!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...Follow up from Yesterday!

2009-04-15T13:01:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I mentioned we don't really talk about bodily functions, and today again the issue came up!! Nate was sitting on the couch and told mom and I...

"My darts are really stinky"

He then laughed hysterically. Mom and I just sat there looking at him and mom asked

"Nate what are your darts, what do you mean?"

Nate: "Mom, my darts are really stinky"

We realized that he must have heard the word "farts" and thought it was "darts" so that is the word he uses! We couldn't quit laughing and have decided that "darts" is our official new word for that bodily function! Maybe it won't be as embarrassing in public if they say it!!!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

2009-04-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

I have tried to steer clear of making body parts, bodily functions, and all that goes with a big deal. In fact I don't really acknowledge bodily functions because I am afraid if I do they will become a big deal and no doubt appear sometime when I am public!

Tonight I was reading a book to Gentry and there was a page all about Tigers. Half way through the page Gentry let out...well a bodily function! It was to say the least LOUD and I was pretty amazed it even came out of his little body!!! I just stopped reading for a sec cause I was shocked! He immediately looked up at me and said

"Mom, that was just my Tiger noise that came from inside of me. Tigers can do that, and so can I cause I like Tigers"

He then turned right around to finish the book without even a smile!!! I was dying!!! I couldn't quit laughing, and he had no idea why because I never even acknowledge when he does that!!! Oh boy, Oh boy, the sweet thoughts of kids!!!

Random Easter Pics!

2009-04-14T13:08:00.001-07:00

1. In the car on the way to church!

2. Starting the morning off right with Easter pancakes!

3. Getting ready for the Easter Egg hunt in between rain showers!

4. The the most important gift of the day, or so I was told...Pirate socks!!!

5. Easter pic with the Turrills! (Notice the difference between boys and girls even at such young ages!)

Easter with a Pirate

2009-04-14T12:56:00.000-07:00

Gentry only liked his Easter outfit if he could wear his shirt untucked and unbuttoned because "that's how Capin Jack wears Easter clothes". We finally got him to button up and tuck in but we had to let him parade around with a sword and pirate hat to make the clothes "aaahhh, better".

The tears we experienced when we broke his heart and told him he couldn't wear his hat or bring his sword to church!

The best picture we could get of all four, I love that G's tie is wet with tears over the loss of his hat and sword! Well Gent, no one ever said it was easy being a pirate, especially on Easter! I love you little pirate man!

As Good as it Get's!

2009-04-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

This was the best family picture we could get Gentry to take on Easter! If it's not my braces, it's my hair, it's a bad angle, or Jeff's eyes are closed, or......It's the stinkin PIRATE FACE that seems to never seems to leave the face of our sweet little boy!!!! Someday oh someday we will have a good family pic, if it's the last thing I do!!!

The newest Scurvy Dog (and Youngest!)

2009-04-13T19:24:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, Ben, MacKenzie, and sweet Tink came over for some BFF hang out time! At some point through the night Tink was initiated into the pirate club!!! She proudly wore a pirate hat and even contemplated using a sword on the other three kiddos! She was so cute! Next visit she will learn A Pirate's Life for Me! Olyvia was so excited to have another girl shipmate along!!!

After her adventures at sea, Miss Tink sat in Uncle Jeff's lap for some book time! It was so sweet! We love little pirate Tink!!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

2009-04-04T19:48:00.001-07:00

Gentry: "Mom I just can't get my webs to shoot out of my hands like spideyman, I can make the sound, but they just don't come out"

Later in the day...

Gentry was eating a brownie and had it all over his hands.

Gentry: "Mom look I have sticky hands like the red spideyman so I can climb walls even if my webs don't work"

Gentry then proceeded to climb up the wall wiping brownie all over the walls, only to find his sticky hands didn't work either. He was a sad camper! I am just glad he is into climbing and not flying, I can't imagine what we would be dealing with then and how many trips to the ER that fascination would include!

Oh the imagination!

2009-04-04T19:43:00.000-07:00

While driving home, I look back in the mirror to see Gentry with both hands up, socks on his hands, all while singing the batman song! The only difference was he kept saying "Dun nun nun nun nun nun nun, dun nun nun nun nun...SOCKMAN! He played sockman for about 45 minutes. It was entertaining to say the least!!

Uncle Bubba and Aunt Koko!

2009-04-04T19:19:00.000-07:00

While visiting my parents we also got a chance to drive over and spend some time with my brother and wife Nykol! It was just great to see them but also really fun because little Gentry and Nate were beyond excited to spend time with them!!! Nykol created superhero capes and Big Gentry brought out helmets, camouflage, and balls! The pictures speak for themselves!!! We couldn't get the boys to take a serious picture unless they got to make pirate faces, so that's as good as it got! The video is of Big Gentry and little Gentry playing hide and seek. We had such a good time with them and wish we lived closer! If we did, the boys would sleep so good!

Fred and Ted

2009-03-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

One of the boys favorite books is called "Big Dog, Little Dog" We read it pretty often and when we were at the hotel, Gentry and Nate spontaneously started reenacting the book. I know it's hard to hear what they are saying but they are reciting the book! Gentry is Fred and Nate is Ted!

The Car Show!

2009-03-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

On Saturday my parents and I took the boys down to the annual car show that Artesia has. Gentry was overwhelmed and every car we passed he kept saying "look mom it's kachow, and there's kachow, and another kachow" (Kachow is what Gentry calls Lightning McQueen from the movie Cars, and any car that resembles a race car or is red, he thinks it is Kachow) His little head was spinning the entire time!!! Both boys picked out their favorite car and posed for a picture by it!

Adventures in Blizzards!

2009-03-29T21:18:00.000-07:00

Thursday Nate, Gentry, and I started heading to NM. Even though it was snowing we thought if we could get on the road we could out run it! That was not the case and we ended up making it to Pueblo and having to stop and stay the night. While I was sad the trip was so long, the boys and I had a really fun time at the hotel! Here are some pictures of the yucky weather!

I took the boys swimming in their undies and all! I had to convince Gentry that sometimes boys wore their undies to go swimming. He was pretty skeptical but after I said he could wear his spiderman tank top, he felt much better! We also had dinner at the hotel since we didn't want to get out in the weather and the boys had a sword fight with their knives, and wrapped the napkins around their heads because they were the "black spiderman with teeth" (not sure why there is an emphasis on the fact he has teeth, but oh well!) I also let them get a little treat and I couldn't quit laughing at how excited they were to drink gatorade!

We had a lot of fun and were able to get out the next day. It ended up taking us a long time even on Friday but we made it safe and sound, and had a really fun night at the hotel together!

A little time away...

2009-03-14T19:38:00.000-07:00

2 weeks ago (I know, it's late!!) Jeff and I went to Atlanta. Jeff attended a open house for a company there. It was really fun to get away just the 2 of us and spend some much needed time together!! Here are a couple of picks from our little trip. Jeff thought Mr. Coke was begging for money so decided to give him a couple of bucks :)! Even though we were far from home we did end up finding something that made us feel at home...A Buff! That's right I think it might have been the only buffalo in the city, but we found him and decided it was Ralphies cousin Reggie!! Our time was really fun from sleeping in, staying up late, and just being ALONE we loved our time together! It helped us be refreshed to come home to a full house of sweet kiddos!!

My sick little pirate

2009-03-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

Gentry got really sick last Sunday with croup. The first 3 nights we were up at least 4 times going outside, then sitting on the bathroom floor with steam. The next couple of nights we were only up about twice but more cause Gentry was thirsty or just hot from his fever. I am happy to say on Friday night he finally slept through the night again, and woke up with no fever and played all day today! Yeah!!!! We have been taking a couple of health classes lately and are starting to go down the path of NO medication! Yikes it is kinda scary! We are constantly bombarded with medication ads and constantly told we need medicine, but I am realizing more and more how amazing the body is that God has given us, and is capable doing much more than we give it credit for. A couple of times throughout our week long sickness I was beginning to question our decision and doubt myself, but we endured and I am really glad we did!

This is a picture of Gentry one morning sitting with Jeff. He kept saying "Mom, I am weelly not tired" although I knew he was exhausted because he hadn't slept more than 2 hours the night before! He was sitting with Jeff for about 5 minutes and fell fast asleep with dad, and of course even though he was really sick, he wore his faithful pirate bandanna!

Pirate/Spiderman Music!

2009-02-16T18:57:00.000-08:00

Gentry is still obsessed with pirates and now spiderman has joined the club. We have been listening the Veggie Tales soundtrack from "The Pirates Who don't do Anything" and every time any of the songs come on Gentry gets this little growl/pirate face on through the whole song. It is to say the least entertaining. Then tonight I downloaded the spiderman theme song and he kept shooting webs and saying "I am Spiderman", here are some videos of the entertainment I get everyday from this little sweetie! I love him so much!!!

My favorite Valentine's Day ever!

2009-02-12T21:39:00.000-08:00

Jeff celebrated Valentine's Day a little early because today and tonight we had the house all to ourselves! I know I can't believe it, it was amazingly a quiet and productive day! Sweet G2 is down in NM with my mom, and Tandi and her 2 kiddos are in TX visiting family. Jeff and I felt like newlyweds :)

It was the greatest Day ever, it began by sleeping in, followed by breakfast in bed from my sweet husband! Next we cleaned the whole house, and I finished all of the laundry, including all the blankets, sheets, and pillows! It was so GREAT! Then I took a nap of course! Tonight Jeff insisted we go out for dinner instead of staying home, so we went out to this really cute Italian restaurant in Boulder.

Dinner was so nice, we sat and talked literally for about 2 hours. We shared some pasta and when they brought out our meal, I really liked the plate that it came out on, and thought it was a little odd because the extra plate they brought out for us didn't match the other, but that was the extent of my curiosity the rest of the night. After we were all done our waiter came by numerous times to ask if he could take our plates, even though we were completely done, Jeff insisted that he not take our plates. Our conversation went on, but I could tell Jeff was preoccupied and he started acting a little funny. He just kept smiling and asking me odd questions like if I wanted more bread to use to dip up the rest of my sauce (I never do that, in fact it annoys me when Jeff does it!) His behavior continued and I literally started to worry that he had arranged some sort of person to come serenade me, or maybe one of my 2 favorite George's was going to be at the restaurant (I really would love to meet both George Strait and George Bush) and he had set me up to meet them! I kept looking around and getting nervous for what was about to happen, when I finally looked down and realized that the plate I had been sitting in front off, eaten off, and looked at 100 times, was a plate that he had made me!

I absolutely loved it, but couldn't quit laughing because this poor sweet guy had been waiting all night for me to notice his Valentine! I love him, and he has no choice but to appreciate the fact I am not the most observant person and tend to not notice details at all! Sorry Jeff, but just know I loved it so much, even if it took me all night to notice!

My favorite part is with this plate he has started a tradition and sweet memory maker with our family. We are going to start making these plates on our date nights and each one will include a scripture on the front and a story about our family on the back that goes along with the verse! What a sweet gesture he made, because I am sure he doesn't love making pottery by any means, but he knew I would love it because I love sentimental things, and I love making my own pottery! Thanks so much babe for thinking of me and loving me the way you do!

My little artist!

2009-02-03T18:30:00.000-08:00

Lately Gentry has been showing a real interest in drawing, coloring, and writing. It has been really fun to see his imagination grow from just playing with toys to writing on the chalk board. Jeff is an artist so he has really enjoyed drawing with Gentry. Here are some of his recent pictures. In this picture Gentry told me I was the big head and he was the little head. So sweet. Even though it looks a little like Picas-so we figure since he is only 3 and a boy, he is doing pretty good!

Cowboy Day!

2009-02-03T18:18:00.000-08:00

Gentry's school had a cowboy day last week. All the kids got to dress up like cowboys and they had a real horse come visit! The kids got to feed him carrots and pet him. It was so precious and reminded me of when I was growing up. Gentry wore my cowboy hat from when I was a little girl. When he put on that hat, he looked nearly identical to me when I was his age! It was a little scary! One of my favorite parts of the whole experience was when he got home and took off his hat, he had hat hair! I love hat hair, and I can vividly remember my dad and little brother coming in from working and their hat hair that came with it!!

Western Stock Show!

2009-01-31T20:15:00.000-08:00

We took all the kiddos to the Western Stock Show! The pictures explain everything! We fed animals, sat on animals, looked at animals, and smelled like animals when we left! Aaaaaahhh, the smells remind me of days on the ranch! Gentry's favorite animal was the llama, because one of his favorite books is Llama, llama, red pajama. Christian held his nose almost all day, he was hilarious! None of the other kids seemed to notice the smell but Christian couldn't get past the smell!

A day with Mom!

2009-01-31T19:50:00.000-08:00

Gentry and I spent the day together just he and I! We had so much fun together! Our day started off with Gentry setting up all of his men in a line and then all of his cars in the middle for the parade! So cute and sweet to have him explain what he is thinking and playing!

We also spent an hour and a half on the trampoline jumping! I was exhausted but had so much fun wrestling and rubbing our hair on the trampoline to make it full of static. I am absolutely loving life with him right now, we have so much fun together. Most days I feel like I can't get enough of him and have been putting him in bed with us when we go to bed. He is still asleep and I only let him snuggle for a little bit and then he goes back to his bed cause I really like sleep! I just love being a mom right now!

Gentry's Hair

2009-01-31T19:43:00.000-08:00

Gentry has been more interested in his hair and how it looks. A couple of days ago he really wanted a mohawk and this is as good as I could do! He loved it and we even went to Target looking like this! I was a little embarrassed but he loved it so oh well!

Favorite Conversation of the Day...

2009-01-22T17:00:00.000-08:00

I have been in bed all day long sick from a stomach bug I bragged about not getting! Gentry had it at the beginning of the week and so I was so excited when none of us got it, that was until it showed up today in me! I came out of the bedroom at about 5, I am sure looking wonderful (said as sarcastically as possible) when my sweet baby brother came over to check on me.

Nate: "Ash, while you have been sick, I have been praying for you all day. Let me pray for you. Dear God please help Ash's tummy to feel better so she can come out of her room with us. In Jesus name, Amen"

He then proceeded to literally pat me on the head and then ran off to jump on the trampoline. I can't explain how much I love my sweet little brother. We have a special bond that not too many siblings share, and I am so thankful for his life and all that he brings to mine!

Pizza Friday!

2009-01-09T21:02:00.001-08:00

A weekly tradition at our house has become our Pizza Fridays! We usually watch a movie after pizza, but recently have been trying to get a little creative to make our fun days a little cheaper, so tonight that was what we did. Tonight we had our pizza (and no it's not delivery... it's Digiorno :) ) and then had a little bit of a dance party in the kitchen (note that there will be no pictures of that, being that Jeff and I were both apart of the circus, but a great video of Gentry and Nate doing the robot should follow in a couple of days!). The music started with Veggie Tales, but let's be honest they don't quite carry that the beat that makes you really want to bob your head... so we moved on to bigger and better! This included some songs from my running playlist, don't worry I skipped over Rihanna, Pink, JT, Sean Paul, and a couple of others, but we did listen to Will Smith and Jordin Sparks. Let me just say you have never been to dance party like this one, it was rockin!

After dancing Jeff and I built a big tent in the living room and had all the kids get their blankets and pillows. I can't lie, building the tent was so fun, I think I might have been a little more excited than the kids were because some of my favorite childhood memories are when my dad would have us kids on his own and our night would consist of a huge sock war (something that might begin in the Swanson household soon!), and a huge tent for all us kiddos to fall asleep in! PRICELESS!!! Anyways the kids loved it, and they all sat in the tent and watched... (I thought about lying here since I know my mom will read this and most likely not approve, but what can she do 10 hours away? Love you mom :) !) NACHO LIBRE!!! We already had the movie and didn't want to go rent another. All the movies we own are Christmas movies and if we have to watch the Grinch Stole Christmas again, I will loss it, and Gentry will cry because Christmas got stolen, something I am not willing to do on this find Friday night!

At first you might think, wow that is not a kid movie, but let me defend my case. There are no sex scenes and no bad language. It is about a man who loves God and loves to wrestle, which basically is the story of Jeff as a young man, who is an amazing man of God now, so I figured it couldn't be that bad! Seriously the kids loved it even Olyvia! The agenda tomorrow includes, nothing less than wrestling and homemade Luchador Masks for everyone!!! It was classic and so fun!

These are some pics from the kids tonight. The first is of the kids making a sad face that we were done with our dance party, all except for Gent, I have no idea what he is doing, just being a boy I guess :). The rest are all of the kids in the tent. Notice that I did not include any pics of the actual tent itself, this is because I have yet to uncover the secret techniques of the tent Master (my dad), and basically it was all but pathetic!

A Tribute to Jeff's New Lifestyle!!

2009-01-07T18:57:00.000-08:00

Most times my blog is dedicated to the kids and all that goes into our crazy days, but tonight I thought I should mention how amazing my husband is!!! Jeff has been so supportive and loving to all the craziness in our lives! Since my sister has moved in with her two little ones, personal space in the house is basically non-existent. Our little 3-bedroom is nothing short of busting at the seams and as you can imagine 2 sisters and 3-4 kids (depending on if Nate is visiting) leaves Jeff with little room to breath, much less anything he would actually want to do!

There are so many things that Jeff could be frustrated with, annoyed with, and protest, yet he does none of these. He seriously begins and ends everyday with a smile. I am also amazed at how unselfishly he loves each of the kids. I think it can be more natural for a woman, especially with your sister to love each others kids and treat them all the same, but I am daily in awe of how loving and fair Jeff is with all the kids, he truly loves each of them like they have always been apart of our immediate family!! It is really special to see how he adores each of them and gives each of them what they need! Occasionally Jeff will take the kids out individually, for an hour at a time for some one on one time with him. They all love the time with him, and seriously every single one of them cries when they have to come home from being with him.

What is more amazing is that Jeff loves and gives so much in a time that has been really hard for him. In November his company had to lay off 25% of the employees, which unfortunatley included Jeff. (You can pray for a job to come about soon! :)) He has been on the search for a job, and even though there have been some days harder than others, his joy has never left, and is apparent by the smile on his face and expression of love he shows everyday to four sweet kids who truly cherish him!

The following pictures of Jeff asleep only to attacked by all four kiddos, Jeff sitting in the Expedition working so he can have a little peace (I need to mention that he never complains about sitting in the Expedition for quiet, if I didn't mention it before, let me say it now...HE IS WONDERFUL!), and Jeff with a reindeer hat, matching Nate and Gentry (they loved that he wore the hat with them).

All that to say I love Jeff so much and really appreciate the sacrifices that he has made for our family. I have an amazing husband and could not ask for more. I am so blessed to have him, I am still the luckiest girl in the world!!! I love you Jeff, more than you will ever know!! :)

Still Updating... Santa Letters!

2009-01-07T11:50:00.000-08:00

So I am still trying to catch up on my blog! Here are the kids letters to Santa! They were so cute, sincere, and hilarious when writing these!

Dear Santa,

I want some toys. I want some pictures of race cars. I want a big scurvy dog and a pirate. Dear Santa I want you to tell the Grinch to be nice and not take our Christmas away, no Grinches, yuck! And I wish for my friends to have presents. Hey Santa, thank you for bringing us presents.

Love,

Gentry

Dear Santa,

I want a Barbie. I want a dinosaur with Gentry. I want an airplane and a ball with Grinch on it. Tell Santa I want a mermaid, and a bouncy ball, and some flowers for my Ash. Green and Pink flowers. I want a Christmas tree. A dinosaur for Gentry. Santa I have been good!

Love,

Livvy

Dear Santa,

How is the reindeer? I want a remote control car for Christmas, but I will see you when I get back to the mall, I'll see you again. I want another thing Santa, I want the Batman! (Emphasis on BAT) I have been good at school and at home. I made some special cookies, but don't eat them because I made a gingerbread house to eat. Merry Christmas.

Love,

Nate

Dear Santa,

I want a Transformer, Jazz. And Santa how are the reindeer, and I want a spiderman, batman, four wheeler, coloring book, race cars-a black one, white one, and red one... hmm what else... a long race track and that's about it. Merry Christmas, we have some milk for you to drink.

Love,

Christian

This picture is of the cookies we made for Santa. The kids were supposed to decorate 2 cookies. One for themselves and one for Santa. Everyone ate their cookie and went and put their Santa cookie on the plate, that is everyone but Gentry! As you can see he kept taking bites out of his Santa cookie for fear he might never get to eat an iced cookie again!!

Update from Christmas...

2009-01-06T12:31:00.001-08:00

So I know it's late but I am finally catching up on my blog from Christmas! Gentry walked away from Christmas with a pirate sleeping bag, pirate ship, pirate bear, and pirate book! He nothing less than ECSTATIC!!! While he does have a bed, every night since Christmas he has slept in his pirate sleeping bag on top of his regular bed! His Babie and Poppy (I mean Santa) will never know how much that sleeping bag makes our day! The day after we got home from NM, Gentry played in his room for 3 hours all alone with his little people pirate ship! I kept walking around the corner to watch him and make sure he was okay, and he never even acknowledged me. He just continued playing and occasionally would sing out "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me!" So sweet! He got a whole week being the only kid again, and soaked it up! Everyday he slept in until at least 9, which is unheard of since the boy was born!!!!

The following pictures and video are of Gentry in this bag that my mom got from one of her sisters. (Thanks Aunt Kay, you provided entertainment for us all day!) She opened it and literally the rest of the day he was inside the bag pretending to be a puppy named Smudgey. He would even have us carry it around and pretend he was our little puppy. Hilarious. Sometimes I wonder what our holidays would be like if we didn't have these little peeps... Well they would include more sleep, but they might be significantly more boring!

Graduating from Capin Hook to Capin Jack

2009-01-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

Gentry is no longer claiming to be Capin Hook, but has indeed decided to be Capin Jack! We let him watch the 3rd pirates of the Caribbean for the first time this week. His sword is constantly stowed away in his pant leg and is ready to engage in a fierce sword fight at any moment! His fascination with pirates has lasted a full year, it was this time last year that he began the obbsession with Capin Hook.

Today I was taking down the Christmas decorations, which was very disturbing in itself because he said "I was ruining the Christmas tree and all of his Christmas decorations", he cried and told me that "Capin Jack loves Christmas and we need to keep everything out". At one point he literally started putting the ornaments back on the tree! Finally I put on Pirates of the Caribbean to keep him busy so I could finish! Here is a picture of him as Capin Jack (or so he thinks!), and a video of him sword fighting. A couple of times he told me to "walk the plank, and load the cannons!" Throughout the ENTIRE movie everytime anyone picked up their sword, Gentry was fighting right along side them! It was pretty entertaining, and I am quite sure that his love for pirates and Christmas are not things that will easily be outgrown!

The lamest Santa of all time!

2008-12-13T09:42:00.000-08:00

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!)