I have a new niece!

Camryn Wyatt joined our family in August and I FINALLY got to see her last weekend! Jay's sister, Stacy, is now the mommy of FIVE girls (yep, count 'em!) and one boy, poor outnumbered Bradd. Camryn is of course as sweet as can be, with lots of dark brown hair. She looks a lot like her daddy. We got together to celebrate his bday as well as her older sister, Haley's. Holden loves visiting his Wyatt cousins because well, it's just never boring with all those kids running around! He really liked Camryn unless I was holding her. Then he had to be held, too, so that he was sure she knew I was HIS mommy! =o) There is nothing like a newborn. Those little sounds, the sweet baby smell, how deeply they sleep....and it seems like yesterday that the others were that little. See the group photos of them below on the couch: left to right is Mackenzie, Kaitlin (holding Camryn), Haley, Brianna, and Bradd. And no, it's not a duplicate in the black and white...if you look closely there is an added boy! Guess who?

Sutter Family Reunion '08

Jay's relatives, the Sutters, (his mom's cousins) have a reunion at Miller Park every August. Holden had so much fun and was very busy...recieving kisses from cousin Isabella, lookin' cool with cousin Chelsey, watching the "big girls," checking out his brand new cousin, Eric, (I've taught him the "one finger rule" with breakable things...apparently this translated to the baby! Not bad!) spending time with Great Grandpa and Grandma Kerber, giggling with Great Aunt Teresa and Memaw, stealing cookies and attempting to snag a can of pop, running at the park, and riding the dinosaur. Whew! I am worn out just looking at these. =o)

Okay, so I am big into the contrast these days....but his growth in a little over a year amazes me:
Baby Holden at his first Sutter Reunion last August (5 mos.).....

......and manning the slides this year at 18 mos! (Love the cowlick!)

Fall Cookout!

We recently went to a fall cookout at my coworker and friend, Jena's house. I don't know what was more enjoyable....talking with friends from work without a million students running around, watching our adorable kiddos, or eating all the yummy food! Thanks, Jena!

Cade is quite the ladies' man these days.
From left: me, Jena, Annie and Cade, Kim, and Stephanie

All of our "babies" (I know Colin really isn't one anymore, but he's still Annie's baby, right??) had a blast hangin' out together!
Lauren (pink flower in hair) is Kim's baby girl, and she is also around 10 months, the same age as Cade....who is the same size as Holden....who is 18 months! =o) Holden's "girlfriend," Natalie, (with Mommy Bridget and Daddy Ryan) is around 5 months, and Colin will be 4 in November.

I just thought this one was cute. My two guys take their sacks game very seriously!

Happy Bday Memaw! (Just a little late)

Dear Memaw,
Mommy and Daddy are so silly. I NEVER would have forgotten your birthday. 'Cuz you are one of the most fun people in the whole world. And you spoil me rotten. And you still say I am such a good boy. Even when I'm kinda a stinker. Even when I throw your Wii control in the dogs' water dish. Mommy and Daddy sure do feel bad. At least they remembered (okay, Pepaw kinda reminded them) before the night was over. And Mommy is getting these great pictures of you and me posted while it's STILL your bday. I tried to tell them. I told them "No, no no..." but then again I say that a lot so I guess they couldn't tell the difference. And I left you a present in my pants. Only they said you wouldn't want that. Anyway, we all three love you bunches and I'll never let them forget again. And now I bet you'll get an even nicer present because Daddy says he feels like a heel. Whatever that means. I thought those things were on those shoes Mommy can't wear because she is a klutz. (??) HAPPY B-DAY! (Mommy says to say that you are 38. On account of her forgetting and all. She seems to have forgotten a few years....) We love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 18 months sweet boy!

Can my baby really be 18 months old today?? That seems like such a milestone. I have to admit I got choked up when I put these two pictures together. In the first one, Holden is just a few days old. Below is one I caught this evening. It would appear the chair is shrinking....

We love you so much, Holden! Don't grow up too fast, okay?

My "other kids" =o)

As most of you know, 5 days a week, 9 months a year, I have 25 or so kids ages 6 and 7. All at one time. In the same room. Ahh, the life of a first grade teacher! No, seriously, I love my job. First grade is such an incredible year of growth. They come in with baby faces, don't know how to put things in their desks, (in kindergarten they have tables) some are not reading, and are very "needy" of me. By the end of the year they do not even look like the same kids! I am always amazed when I look back at their Sept. yearbook pics. They learn and absorb so much, they fall in love with reading, and they become independent. First grade is a great age because they are old enough to do things on their own yet young enough that I still get hugs, drawings, smushed flowers they have diligently carried in their sweaty little palms for me, and of course all of those gap-toothed smiles! No two kids are alike and it is great getting to know all of their little personalities. Of course, some years are easier than others. This year I am experiencing a wonderfully sweet, easy-going group. Yeah! Here are a few pictures of my brood:

First full day of school! (Doesn't it look like A LOT of kids? I am always overwhelmed at first, but once I get to know them it doesn't seem like that many anymore.)

Writing spelling words with shaving cream...yeah, I am pretty crazy. But they love it!


My little cuties on the playground.

Crazy hair day....looks more like crazy kid day! I promised them if they took a few good pictures for me I'd let them do a silly one. Well, this one ended up being my favorite because they are just being kids.

Here's to kiddos and all of the wacky, wonderful things they do.

Random Recents...

I am waaaaay behind in my blogging lately! We are back into the school/sitter routine and Holden has adjusted great. (Better than Mommy some days!) I have a wonderful group of kids this year! Makes such a difference. After a very rainy period of days during which our basement (along with half of our town's!) flooded and Jay and I thought we were going to go crazy trying to keep Holden busy indoors, the sun decided to return from its vacation. We have been enjoying some really nice, warm days with cooler evening that hint that fall is on its way. Holden just loves the "great outdoors" and Jay and I are busy planning a revamp of our unfinished basement to prepare for a recreation place for him when winter hits. I have lots to post soon: our new little niece, Camryn, our Sutter family (Jay's cousins) reunion, fun at the Discovery Museum with the Cunningham boys, and a fall cookout with our friends. For now, here are a few of my recent favorites. Have a great week, everyone!

Holden and Brady, like peas and carrots. Yes, that is a stacker cup in my son's mouth. Don't ask. Don't you wonder what the two of them are thinking? They are so intent in their playtime.

I love that he still looks like a baby when he sleeps.

"I really need to get my blue blankie out of my crib...."


"Before they notice I am still naked and make me get dressed!"
(Nice try with the cover up, buddy!)

My baby boy at the park. Seriously, can he get any cuter?

(Asks his completely unbiased Mommy)

Still loves those tunnels!

Playing the ducky game at the El Paso corn fest. He didn't get the concept of "pick one." Luckily the carny thought it was funny! Oh yeah...and by the way, there is no corn to be had at this festival. The name is misleading!

Who knew fans could be so much fun?

Jay will love this one...Memaw has a baby doll at her house and Holden loves to feed her! It is so cute. Nothing wrong with boys having a nurturing side! (When he's not picking her up by her head and dropping her.)

A little blurry because they were in motion...my two boys in the hammock.

Holden adores his bathtime! Stays in until he is a prune and throws a fit when he has to get out.

Fishing with Papa at "Make a Mess." I love how hard they are both concentrating!

The shirt says it all! (Did you know drool can cause water damage to cell phones? Or that if you put pennies in the CD player in the van that the CD's won't play? Or that you shouldn't put Memaw's Wii control in the dogs' water dish? Just a few recent lessons from the Hobsons.)

"Helping" with the laundry. The wet pj's is what happens when you give him a sippy of milk and forget to put the little stopper in it. Yeah. Learned that one, too. There is still milk on his chin in the picture. =o)

Life with our little boy is never dull, but we wouldn't change it for the world! Most times.

A new "fork in the road!"

Look what Holden learned to do tonight!

Holden has been pleading for our silverware at every meal for the past two months. About once or twice a week, I let him try out his own little plastic "sporks" (a spoon/fork combo) and he always ended up trying to stir with them like he sees us do when we cook, knocking food everywhere. Tonight we tried again and lo and behold, he figured it out! Well....almost....he still sometimes had to put the food on it with his hands first, then put it in his mouth, and at least 1/2 of every bite landed in his lap...but still, we were very proud of his new milestone, and so was he!

"Let me just speed up this process..." (His own bowl wasn't enough...he had to try out Daddy and Mommy's, too!)

Okay so we are still working on how to keep it all in his mouth....

A little video action for ya:

More Labor Day fun!

Besides celebrating Paul's 50th (see post below), the two peas in a pod, Holden and Brady, had a last hurrah in the pool together at the Pollets' house last weekend. It was HOT on Labor Day and they loved jumping in and out of the pool in their little Crocs. Nothing like giggly, wet little boys!

Okay, I know I am a mean Mommy...but I found Holden's reaction to the sprinkler highly amusing! He unsuspectingly mowed his way right into it, then just froze and stood there, screaming! We did finally rescue him....after capturing the moment, of course!

I am sure Kam will really appreciate the shot of her pregnant self and Brady running through the sprinkler, but I thought they were so cute together! Yes, Jay really did lay under the sprinkler for about 20 minutes...it was that hot outside! Umm...Holden dipping his head in the water...don't ask! Must have felt good; he did it periodically throughout the day until he got a little too top heavy and fell in head first! Didn't get a picture of that one since he was completely underwater....even I won't take a picture if there is a risk of drowning! He came up sputtering and MAD! (NO...not Holden!) He was still mad when the boys were sitting in Jay's lap...can you tell? He got over it as you can see in the last two shots. =o)

Happy 50th, Paul!

Jay's Dad, Paul, turned 50 on Thursday. We had a neighborhood celebration at our house over Labor Day weekend. Lots of food, games, laughter, food, stories, kids, food, teasing, chatting...did I mention FOOD?? Happy birthday, Paul! Hope 50 is a great year for you. Thanks for being a wonderful Dad, Dad in-law, "Pepaw," and friend.


The birthday boy: Jay and Allison, nice children that they are,
decided to write "Happy 500th Birthday" on Paul's cake.

Party Collage! The weather was perfect for a backyard event.

Hobson Look-alike Meter

This cracks me up! My friend, Ali, posted one of these on her blog site so I was a copycat. Most people who know us (myself included!) all agree that Holden definately looks like his Daddy, just with his Mommy's eye shape and blonde hair. I tried 3 different pictures of him and Jay on this meter and ALL of them came out saying he looks more like me! I guess you have to see us in person. But for now, this will annoy the crud out of Jay! Hee hee! Check it out, it's a fun site. (Thanks, Ali!)

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Slip n' Slide Demo

He slides on a mat with the greatest of ease....

Jay has a new toy....

Jay has a new toy...

And sometimes he lets other people use it...

Or watch from the sidelines and chew on random objects!

It seems funny to post this tonight, since it's drizzling and feels like fall! But these were taken just a few short weeks ago in our back yard. The great thing about Jay is he keeps everyone around him young. I left my camera at school...tomorrow I'll post the video I got of him doing the Slip N' Slide...classic!