Yee Haw!

Last year at this time, Thomas always had his cowboy boots on. (and or hat, chaps and vest!) I was sad to see that phase pass. He just looked so cute! But I am happy to say that we are in phase two of the cowboys and this time Nathan has joined in the fun!
It started a couple of weeks ago when the boys were invited to a cowboy birthday party. Thomas loved putting his cowboy gear back on and Nate was happy to be all geared up too. (We were just missing the boots and hat, which were up in Utah.)

Then one day I found Thomas in his room crying. He said that he missed his cowboy boots. I said that he could call grandma and ask her to send them in the mail. It was the sweetest little phone message, he was seriously heartbroken. (Mind you, he hasn't expressed interest in his boots for at least six months.) When we got them in the mail, he insisted on wearing them even though they were too small and he ended up getting blisters.
He was going to continue wearing them no matter what, so I took him to get a new pair. (Thank you grandma!) He tried on every pair in his size and then picked the ones that looked exactly like his old ones! (This picture is from last year, but I love it.)

I don't know if he just wants to be like Thomas, but Nate insists on wearing his boots constantly. It's so fun to see that he actually has a preference. He gets mad when I try and put his sneakers or flip flops on, he just wants his boots!

These guys are getting to be such little buddies. Nathan is really catching up to Thomas and will do, or attempt to do anything Thomas does. Lately, people have been asking me if they are twins!! I don't get it, but I guess when they are sitting down, the difference in height isn't as big.

Still lovin' the Train Park

Friday, I took the boys to the Stillman-McCormick Train Park. Last time we went, Nate still seemed too little to understand, but this time he loved it.

Our second trip on the little train, Thomas insisted that he get to sit with the bigger kids in the box car. Of course, then Nate insisted that he go, too. It's wild in there, so I crammed myself in as well to monitor things. While concentrating on not banging my head at every turn, I caught this cute moment. Nate was simply mesmerized by this little girl.

Bug Hunting

I am a such a sucker. I was saving these headlamps for the kid's Christmas stockings, but when Ryan suggested that he take the boys on an evening "bug hunt", I couldn't resist.

Thomas interview/Halloween

My brother Dallin is in a child development class and asked if I would interview Thomas with these questions. So, here ya go bro! Love you!

Since I am still having camera issues (and didn't know how to cut the video clip) here is also some of tonight's Trunk or Treat action.

Did we miss fall??

The boys and I took a quick trip up to Utah and were welcomed by snow! My boys, acclimatized to the Arizona heat, went straight for their winter gear.
The first weekend we drove down to Price to visit my Grandma Dorman. While we are in town, we always enjoy going to the CEU Dinosaur Museum. This was my grandpa's "baby" and every time we are there I can't help but think of him. It's fun because the kids are getting old enough to enjoy it too.




Ever since Thomas found out we were going to Utah, he had been looking forward to going fishing with grandpa up in Joes Valley.(1 hour from Price) I felt sure that because of the cold weather that it wasn't going to happen. (Unless, you count fishing for Tiki the cat.) But, grandpa and Thomas weren't about to let 34 degree weather stop them! (That's what it was when we pulled into the cabin!) We drove up, Thomas caught two fish and then we got back in the car and drove home. Thomas' couldn't have been happier.

Warming up in the cabin!

The boy's first experience with smores!
BBQ at my parent's house.

We went with Mama Bull and some of the cousins to Gardner Village to see the witches.

For some reason, this was the only witch that Nathan would get close to!

Thomas practicing his lady skills by giving Lyza a flower he picked.

Thomas, Nate, Lyza and Kelli. Not pictured: Seth and new baby Josie. We missed Michelle and her kids due to the flu.

Our favorite day of the week, "Pancake Tuesday." Almost every Tuesday, the cousins that are home go over to Mama Bull's for breakfast. The boys love being together with their cousins. This week, the little kids didn't know that we were in town and were so surprised when Thomas and Nathan showed up to play. It was so much fun!

I think I should have known better.

Tonight I ran to the store to get something last minute for dinner. In my hurry out the door, somehow Nate ended up with the keys and needless to say, he was VERY upset when I had to take them away. I tried to explain to him that I would gladly give them back once we arrived. He didn't believe me and threw a fit all the way to the store. I was desperate to have this all over, so when we get there I turn off the car and hand him the keys. Just as I get out and shut the door, I hear a click. That little stinker had just managed to lock himself in the car along with the keys!

The next part must have looked extremely funny to anyone watching as I began tapping on the window trying to instruct my 1 year old to push the button and unlock the car. He managed to push buttons alright, but not the right one. The panic button seemed to be his favorite, because he pushed it over and over and over. People were nice to stop and try to help and finally Nate unlocked the door.

Besides the obvious, the reason I should have known better was because I did almost the same thing when Thomas was a baby. I was driving the same car, my mom's. I had buckled Thomas into his infant carrier and put him in the car. But, while I was driving I remembered that I hadn't buckled the carrier into the car. (I was used to just snapping it into the base already there.) I pulled over, the car was still on, and when I shut the door the doors locked. My parents were out of town so they couldn't bring me another key. Thomas was crying so I ended up calling 911. I felt so stupid! When the firefighter got there he informed me with newer cars like this the only way to get in was to break the window. I said a silent prayer and was immediately inspired to look for a key behind the wheel. Now, maybe if I had remembered to put that key back behind the wheel...then I wouldn't have been in quite the predicament that I was in tonight!!

"One Dalmatian under God?"

We were driving in the car with my grandma this weekend and Thomas saw an American flag. Just about every time Thomas sees an American Flag, he recites The Pledge of Allegiance. This was the first time that my grandma had heard him say it. She commented on how smart he is and this is the conversation that followed.

Grandma: "That was really good. Now, Thomas do you know what a 'nation' is?"
It was quiet for a while and I began to think that Thomas had forgotten the question, then he responded...
"What are those spotted dogs called again?"
Hmmm, nation/Dalmatian close enough, right?!