Caleb rides "out" training wheels!

Caleb announces last night that he wants Chip to take off his training wheel so he can ride his bike "out" training wheels (he never says WITHout, just OUT). Now, you must realize that he has had Chip take off and put back on his training wheels several times. So, Chip is thinking that this is another false alarm. But first thing this morning he is bugging Chip about it again. So the "men" head out to the garage to take the training wheels off and learn to ride a 2-wheeler. Literally 2 minutes after they are off he is riding down the sidewalk the length of our front yard by himself. So of course he needs to go show off to someone, so we head over to Grandma Jane's (where there is always a captive audience). That is where I took this video. Chip and I are thinking "wow, he is doing great for his first day." Then when we got back home, he rode all the way to the end of our block and back (slightly uphill) with me jogging beside him. He is getting to be such a big boy. I feel like this is a real milestone. Now, seriously, if he is this good in a day, he'll be riding the Tour de France when he's like 10!!!!






Also, check out some really cute pics I took at an Elfering family BBQ on Saturday!

Drayson with Gma Jane & Papa Larry














Drace & cousin Nathan (Charlotte's youngest)

1st Ams Game & a Papa Snuggle!

"the boys" at drayson's 1st hockey game Papa Kev-o & Drace
Ok, I don't know about the rest of you mamas out there...but there is nothing sweeter than watching your Dad and baby make eyes at each other! I was lucky enough to catch this picture at the hockey game the other night! Drayson says " thanks for the snuggle, Papa Kev-O"!

Sitting here looking at this picture makes me realize how very blessed our family is. How does that saying go..."if you want to feel rich, count all your blessings that money cannot buy!" Well people...in that case, I am rollin' in it!

I Worked Out Today (kinda)!

OK, OK....I did not work out in the "went to the gym, ran on the treadmill, lifted free weights, had an energy drink" sort of way. Today Caleb, Drayson and I braved Costco after the bank and picking up our American's season tickets (mind you, doing anything more than 2 errands alone gets risky). This involved lifting both Caleb and Drayson's carrier (with Drayson) into those big a** carts! Of course I was getting 2 cases of water and I (being the smart cookie I am) decided to put those on the cart first so that I could make that cart even harder to push up and down the 8 billion isles filled with 10 billion people on....you guessed it....SAMPLE DAY! When I was finally done (oh wait, a mother's work is never done)...I trekked the boys and all our goodies all the way out to the North 40 of the parking lot and popped the trunk. Woops, forgot to take out the double stroller and lawn chairs...barely squeeze all the "goods" in, lift drayson out, lift caleb out, strap both into car. Drive home, Caleb falls asleep, drayson wakes up and cries for 10 minutes. Get home, carry caleb into bed, carry drayson into house, unload perishable goods and put away. WOOH. So, yes, I did need a shower and an energy drink, but got neither! Though Drayson was hungry, so I got to sit down and feed him--which leads me to this hilarious email that I received today from Chip's sister Charlotte (ya know when things just seem to pop up at just the right time?) This was just what I needed after my "work out."

Students in an advanced biology class were taking their mid-term exam. The last question was 'Name seven advantages of Mother's Milk,' worth 70 points or none at all One student in particular, was hard put to think of seven advantages. He wrote:

1. It is perfect formula for the child
2. It provides immunity against several diseases
3. It is always the right temperature
4. It is inexpensive
5. It bonds the child to mother and vice versa
6. It is always available as needed

and then the student was stuck. Finally in desperation, just before the bell indicating the end of the test rang, he wrote...

7. IT COMES IN CUTE CONTAINERS.

He got an A

All I have to say is HALLELUJAH!

My "I" List

I do not usually blog this much, but it seems to have turned into an obsession. I love checking my blog lists (and when they haven't updated, I even like checking their blog lists of their friends)...this could be borderline stalking! I just can't get enough. Well...I stole this "I" list from Sarah Dodson's blog...it is always neat finding out little tid bits that you didn't know about people. And it actually made me realize some things about myself!

I AM a child of God, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister

I THINK my husband is one of the best Dad's in the whole world and that my kids are the cutest!

I KNOW that I nag my husband ( I am trying to be better).

I WANT a bigger car

I HAVE hands down the best/coolest/most well rounded parents on earth!

I DISLIKE lazy people

I MISS my Grandma Sy. Her voice, her food, her love for my children.

I FEAR that my boys will grow up and marry women that I don't like and then move far away from us.

I FEEL lucky to have Chip as my best friend.

I HEAR Caleb asking Chip a question about his bike and Drayson making his new "growling" noise.

I SMELL Chip BBQ teriyaki chicken out back...yum!

I CRAVE designer purses and jeans that I can't afford....but Jane understands and every once in a while she "feeds" my craving!...thanks Jane!

I USUALLY don't blog this much!

I SEARCH daily for Caleb's shoes and his BB (his little piece of blankie)

I WONDER if I will ever have a girl and if she and I will be as close as my mom and I are.

I REGRET when I lose my temper with Caleb.

I LOVE how happy Drayson is when he wakes up (he just smiles up at me out of his crib)

I CARE too much about how I look and how others perceive me.

I ALWAYS second guess myself and overthink things

I WORRY constantly

I AM NOT always a good listener

I REMEMBER going fishing...just my Dad and me...at the cabin when I was little.

I BELIEVE that I would not make it through this life without God's unfailing love and forgiveness!

I SING badly!...I only sing in the car with my kids or at church. OK, I always sing along with the national anthem at sporting events.

I DON'T ALWAYS remember to brush my teeth before bed--cut me a break, I have a newborn!

I WRITE lists...lots and lots of lists!

I WIN or else! I have a bit of a competitive streak!

I WISH I could relax and not think about everything that needs to be done

I CAN USUALLY BE FOUND feeding Drayson or doing laundry

I AM SCARED of dark basements and the weird dark grizzly parts in chicken

I NEED a day off (I'm talking sleeping in, not having to feed/bathe the kids, someone making my meals, no chores, watching what I want on TV)....who am I kidding?!

I FORGET that not everyone is as lucky and as blessed as us. I should not take anything for granted.

I AM HAPPY when my family is happy!!!

Sweet Drayson Giggles and other randomness!

Thought that I might treat you all to a dose of the sweetness I get everyday from Drayson...there is truly no sweeter sound than a baby giggle!

In other news, Caleb had his 4 year check up and shots today and did wonderfully! Both boys were happy (for the most part) and on their best behavior. It was actually scary how smooth it went...they are probably storing up all their naughtiness for later (haha). Hopefully they will wait to unleash the chaos until Chip is home!

Yesterday Caleb and I made white chocolate covered pretzel sticks to take to preschool for his birthday treat. They were incredibly quick and easy and look like we spent hours on them. If anyone is looking for a neat idea for a shower/potluck dessert/class treat/housewarming gift or just entertaining your toddler...this is it! Just purchase a bag or two of the big "pretzel rods" at your grocery store on the chip aisle. Dip 2/3 of the pretzel into melted chocolate and let cool on wax paper. We then added food coloring to some of the left over melted chocolate and drizzled it over the already dipped pretzel rods. So easy and ready to eat almost immediately (which Caleb appreciated). Salty and Sweet--what beats that?!

Happy 4th Birthday, my Big Guy!

Dear Caleb,

I cannot believe that it has been four years since we went to the hospital to have you. What a precious gift from God you are! How blessed we are that He has entrusted you to us. Being your mom is the greatest job. You make me so proud, my sweet guy. I hope you know everyday how much I love you. And even though now you have to share my time, you will never have to share my heart! I hope you have such a wonderful 4th year of life, my firstborn, my love! Your Daddy and I love you so much.

Always, Mommy

He was cool from the start....6 months old here, I think!Cabin-10 monthsFirst Day of PreschoolBirthday Fun at the park!

Just what he asked for...a swim cap...now he'll be just as fast as Michael Phelps!

The endless debate....

So, anyone with children (especially young kids) knows about the endless debate...who does baby most look like, mommy or daddy? When I was searching through old pics I found a couple baby pictures of Chip and I. I happen to think both the boys are a good mix of the both of us (though we will definitely give Caleb's big eyes and round head to chip's brother john (which I have been told many times comes straight from Gma Rosie). But, I beleive that if you photo-shopped mine and Chip's baby pics together you would end up with Drayson. So I have decided to let you all get a educated look and decide for yourselves. Please humor me by leaving your answer by clicking on the "poll" on the left side of the screen.

Chipper

Sara & Chip
Sara

Happy Birthday, Chipper!

Tomorrow (September 5th) is Chip's 28th birthday!! And in lew of this special day I thought I would share a small picture montage....I call it The Many Faces of Chipper.

So cute...braces! One of our first pics (he is 17 here).

This is what we refer to at home as a "skinny chip" picture. we are/were so weird!

Just a glimpse of what he would have looked like in the 80's...(scary isn't it?)...don't worry this was a theme dance!

Maui on our Honeymoon (6 yrs ago...has it really been that long?)

This will probably totally embarrass him (especially the middle two pictures), but please note that I too, am in these pictures...he was not alone (and maybe this sums up the reason that we are still together today....strange apart, stranger together?).

But in all seriousness, I feel so lucky and blessed to have spent more than 1/3 of Chip's life with him. I love him because even 10 years ago I knew he would be a loving and devoted husband and father, and now I get to see it everyday. How wonderful it has been to grow up together, to see the truly awesome man he has become, to be privileged enough to wake up beside him every morning and lay my head down by his every night. OK, I'm starting to get misty now!

WE LOVE YOU CHIP, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Uh! We had to labor on Labor day!

Last Wednesday we had Drayson's 2 month well-baby check. He is growing like a weed....already 12 pounds and 23 1/2 inches long (no wonder his 0-3 month clothes are fitting him like high waters). The doctor says he is doing great! We have been working really hard on solidifying his sleep schedule as this will be my last full week off before I start back to work. I will be back at the shop about 15 hours a week (not so bad) and my mom will have the kids again (she can't wait)!
Also in preparation I have been purging all of our extra junk. Not one of the closets was left untouched and no body's clothes were safe!!! I think in all, we (by this I mean Chip) took 14 bags of give away stuff to a local thrift store that supports Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery. After Chip returned he said jokingly..."I thought the nesting period was supposed to be over...you're sure you are not pregnant again right?!" Oh, I hope not....not yet anyways!

Sunday we spent the afternoon and evening at Jane and Larry's. A couple of chip's aunts and uncles made the trip up and it was good to see everyone again. We also celebrated Caleb (4 yrs), Chip (28 yrs) and Jane's (don't worry...I won't tell!) birthdays a little bit early. Caleb got a big boy basketball hoop for outside from Gma and Gpa. So guess what we did ALL day today? Yep, we put that hoop together! Proving again that it is impossible for manufacturers to provide easy to follow directions! But it is done and Caleb LOVES it!

So now Chip is off to football practice and Caleb is thrilled because TLC is playing a 'Jon & Kate Plus 8' Labor day marathon.....wooppee! I am going to take this next week to relax and spend some quality time with the boys!