Fulfilling Days...

It seems that summer is finally winding down and that the fall weather is looming just on the horizon. And I am ready for fall. I'm ready for the freeze that takes care of these allergies and for the wonderful sights of green leaves turned golden. I have a deliciously smelling pumpkin candle that is just screaming to be lit, apples perfect for the picking and ready to be baked in a pie shell, but for now we are enjoying the warmth of the sun and soaking up it's rays while we can....without the bundling of winter coats. That will be here soon enough. 

   (Carson enjoying the outdoors with cousin Jovi)

In watching my 3 sons over the past few days, I've been overwhelmed with those feelings of how blessed I am to not miss a beat of their growing up. Sure, I have "those" moments...some that seem to turn into hours and than into days....of sheer exhaustion and wonder what it would be like to actually miss my boys during the day. But then Mason points to a picture in a book of the blue car all the while saying "blue...vrrrrroooommmmm...." in his deep, raspy, Mason-like baby-boyish voice and I can't help but laugh. Carson and I sit outside as tells me of a dream that covers everything from making donuts with his cousin Warren to racing his Finn McMissle car in Cars 4! The boys shrieking in delight as they race down the driveway on their bikes. Nope....don't wanna miss a minute of it.

Carson playing with trains

Mason dumped out the cars so he could enjoy his cracker in the bucket :)

pulling up to a stoplight!

Austin riding down the driveway

Here comes Carson!

Carson was excited after scoring a goal at soccer last night

As exhaustive, joy-filled, tiresome, cumbersome, randomly laughable, teachable, and creative as these days are...they are by far the most fulfilling and my title as "stay at home mom" is worth every tear cried, every penny pinched, every knee bandaged, every headache mended, every extra cup of coffee drank, every story read (no matter how many repetitive times). Now excuse me while I attempt to wipe the marker off the wall with a little skip in my step and joy in my heart.....Mason did point to it saying "uh-oh" with a perplexing look....teachable moments, done with a shake of the head and half-grin. :) 

Carson enjoying an apple from our tree

 (Mason pointing to a "he ca ca ca", aka...helicopter, in the sky. Who can't help but love that little grin?!)

Another week of highlights....

As I tried to figure out just what to write about this afternoon while looking through another week's worth of photos, I'll admit to feeling like there was a touch of "writer's block". Soccer. Crafts. Cute smiling boys. Sidewalk chalk. Cars. The moments not captured on film but we do them weekly, if not daily. Cookie baking. Bread making. Laundry folding. Book reading. 4boys wrestling. Mundane?? Perhaps a little. Each day seems to be somewhat predictable and yet somehow each day brings about the unexpected. Regardless, I'll still post pictures of my handsome little men with beaming smiles on their faces that speak volumes. Maybe they can bring a little smile to yours. And hopefully the weekly soccer photos won't become a bore. Reality is, it's just a part of us these days. 

 











This past week I will admit to the fact that Mason just looked older to me. He seems to be inching ever-so-close to that boyish toddlerhood phase of life. His vocabulary no longer single-handedly consists of the babyish jibberish that only I can discern. He has the actual formation of words and few of them put together make up "mini-sentences". Short and sweet--those heart-melting ones like "love you." That's any mom's favorite. :) 

Mason loves the slide these days!

  Here come the weekly soccer highlights! :)

Daniel and Carson high fiving after Daniel scored a goal!

Carson scoring!

a quick thumbs-up

looking to score!

Go Austin!

Mason got a little bored I guess :)

Austin's team "The Lightning Bolts"

Carson's team "Dragon Slayers"

My 2 favorite soccer players!!

A weekend highlight for us family of five was most definitely the fundraiser that took place Saturday evening to support Mitch and Heather Hinton and baby PJ. Oh. My. Goodness. People in Winnemucca may complain about the lack of trees, lack of rain water, crazy dust storms causing allergy irritations beyond relief, having the slowest McDonald's in America, and a whole host of other things, but one thing is for certain and that is what I saw Saturday night. Community. Support. I was first-hand witness to an overflow of people being confined to one small banquet room, standing in a line that wove out the door and around, buying baked goods as if they were made of gold...all to support and love another. Some of them might not have even known Mitch and Heather but they were there. Front and center. 

Mitch and Heather and baby boy PJ!

Little PJ's birth is only a week away. The excitement to meet this little fella among family and friends is rising and hard to contain. I can't wait to be an Auntie again! Please pray along with all of us Anderson's and Hinton's!!

While Daddy is away....

...we play, play, and play! He enjoyed a few days up in the mountains of Northern Nevada hunting with his brother. Me and my 3 sons did the usual, ordinary, everyday run of the mill happenings but amidst those were moments sprinkled with the not so ordinary. Simple fun is always the best fun....including a sleepover on mom and dad's bedroom floor! This posting doesn't have much to say so I'll just let the pictures do the talking. (Be forewarned: I took plenty of them.)

Mason working on his puzzle

Carson decorated the bottom part

Austin's flowerpot

yellow pancakes for breakfast Saturday morning! (Austin's soccer team color)

listening to his coach (#3!)

Austin scoring!

Austin stopping the ball

After the soccer game = park time with cousins!

Carson and Jovi going down at the same time

Mason hiding in the tunnel

CJ swinging

Mason seems to be suggesting to Aven where they should go....

After an exhausting afternoon, it was the usual night-time routine, to which Mason could barely keep his eyes open--so he sang good night around 6.  Blissful. 

*snoring*

 

 

 

 

sooooooo tired

...and a movie!!!!

popcorn...

church time!

This afternoon I decided to take the boys apple picking! The catch....it was in our backyard. :) 

so many to choose from!

now where did Carson go???

under the apple tree

Our pickings

 

After an afternoon of snacking on our apples and enjoying the sunshine, we concluded to take all this playing indoors. At one point, it got oddly quiet and I hesitatingly grabbed the camera unsure of what sort of boyish destruction I might find behind the bedroom door (and what I might need as proof someday).....here's what my lovingly mothering eyes beheld....

 ...my little budding artists working on their "masterpieces" before daddy comes home. I love my boys. :)