Exciting Things

Some things in life are just plain exciting.  As we get older, it usually takes more and more to please us, but I think we often forget how easily we were amused and excited when we were little.  Here is just a reminder of some exciting things in life, from the prospective of a little.  ps...There are so many other happy and exciting moments that have happened in addition to these selected ones, but as soon as the camera comes out, the camera becomes much more exciting than the original item (little stinkers).  So here are a few videos of the boys and some things that are very happy and very exciting right now!

Its the little things...

Like a glowing squid

Or the puppy
 and a game of tug of war

like a door stopper (Xander's favorite thing right now)

Or sight of a big brother

like a horsey ride game (and going backwards)

Or a pile of toys

like swinging with cousins (this was Xanders first swing ever)

Or finding the diaper box for the first time (little stinker)

like Kicking a ball (for the first time)

It is just so exciting at our house!

Double Trouble, here we come!

We knew this day was not far off.... but here we are, so unprepared for two mobile babies!!!  Zane can crawl!  It is still an army crawl but this little boy is quick.  Especially with the right motivation... which today, happens to be a cell phone!  Not sure how babies know right from the womb the good stuff, but they definitely seem to know!

Zane is 6 Month Old

Zane's 6 Month Stats

Height                29 Inches                   95%

Weight               17.85 lbs                   50%

Well, it happened, my baby is not a baby anymore!  He is fully mobile (Army Crawl Style), can sit up on his own (most of the time) and is starting to eat real food (more videos of all of this cuteness to come).  He is very determined (or stubborn, whichever you prefer) just like his mama.  He loves to be around his big brother and adores the puppy.  He is still a mamas boy (at least I have one) and still loves attention.  He can be the life of the party because he is happiest when he is the center of attention.  He has the sweetest little laugh and just barely (like within the last week) finally has a tooth!  He is a sweet and cuddly little boy, who we love so very much! Cant believe my two babies are so grown up!  Craziness!

My Big Boy: Xander is 15 months old!

Xander's 15 Month Stats

Height:                 30.5 inches                     50%

Weight:                22.15 lbs                       25%

This baby is no baby!  And he wants to make sure everyone knows it!  He is independent and determined to do things his way and in his time!  He is spunky and full of personality and never afraid to show it!  When he is comfortable (mostly in low key settings with Daddy very close by) he is happy and courageous and his own little man.  He is finally walking (He has been playing with us for quite some time teasing with walking, but is now choosing to walk on his own).  He can feed himself with a spoon once the food is on the spoon.  He has very distinct tastes (his favorites are PB&J, loaded mashed potatoes, and mac & cheese.  He also really likes bananas!  He still loves his movies but has branched out and now loves Cars, Finding Nemo and Kung Fu Panda.  He is a good big brother, but mostly just ignores Zane when he can (since Zane is already quickly becoming his shadow).  He spends most of his time exploring toys.  His favorites by far are noise makers and music makers.  He has such natural rhythm, I am sure he will do something with music some day.  He know exactly which buttons to push to make the sounds he wants, and a good chunk of the day, he can be found banging different toys on the kitchen tile to make noise!  He is our little sweetheart and we are so grateful for the spunky little spirit that he brings to our family!

Almost, all by himself!

Xander is getting to be so big.  He is meeting milestones left and right!  It took us a while to attempt this one just because it was easier (and cleaner for us to do it), but it was time to see if Xander could feed him self.  Amazingly.... he did a really great job.  

There is only one problem with letting him feed himself..... he really likes to bang!

Eldon's Graduation!

We couldnt be more proud of Eldon and his accomplishments. It has taken a great deal of effort to complete his degree amongst all the chaos of the last 7 years of our life. Not only did he complete his degree, but he did with a 3.95 GPA earning Suma Cum Laude awards.  The entire time he has been a superb student (obviously with that GPA), an amazing husband, and amazing father, and still managed to care for all the other things in our lives, like church, family and friends.

The graduation day was full of celebration!  The morning began at a ceremony for Eldon's program.  It was a voluntary ceremony, so only a few students showed up.  Eldon was excited to attend because it was on the airfield.  Because it was outside and expected to a brief ceremony, we brought the kids along to see the planes and be a part of their Daddy's big day!  The ceremony comprised of the teachers reading what each student identified as their favorite part of the program as well as their future ambitions.  Each student received an ASU coin (it is their tradition) and a personal congratulations from the teachers that had spent so much time with them, helping them get to this point.

All the program students who attended the ceremony

Throwin up the pitch fork.  Go Devils!

We also had the opportunity to take some family pics with the airplane.  Trying to get these two monkeys to look at the camera was a joke, but they still look handsome anyway and I am certain that even though they have no idea what is going on.... they are incredibly proud of their Daddy and the example he has set for them.  One day, they will be thankful that their parents valued education enough to both have their degrees.

And then.... Xander found Daddy's honors cords.  They were very exciting.  I agree with Xander, they are very exciting because they represent Eldon's hard work and diligence to the things he sets his mind to.

His parents joined in the events of the day and were very proud as well.  Eldon is very lucky and comes from a very hard working family, who has been very blessed with success.  Eldon follows in many of his sibling's successes and does get much of it from his hard work and effort, but I am still proud that of his 8 siblings, he is only the 2nd to achieve a bachelors degree.  

My parents joined in the celebration as well.  They have been a big part in helping Eldon achieve this goal by helping to watch Xander and then Zane as well while Eldon attended class.  It was very nice, not to have to worry about dropping our kids off with strangers at some day care.

 We are all so very proud and I dont think this can be stated enough!

Later in the day, we returned to ASU Polytech for the formal ceremony for Eldon's college. (not ASU, but his specific college for his program).

Apparently my auto focus felt that the cap was more important than the husband for this photo ;p

I really couldnt be more happy that Eldon has completed this step in his life.  It opens a huge door to our future goals.  He worked incredibly hard the entire time and I absolutely love and adore him!

Can you tell his mama is happy ;)

And the twinkle in his Dad's eye shows how proud he is of his son

Way to Go Eldon!  The world is yours!  I cant wait to see what lies in store for you with all the potential that you hold!  Congratulations Babe!  We love you!

He did it!

Eldon did it!  He is graduating!  We are so stinkin excited it is hard to contain!  Prior to the completion of school and the beginning of the celebrations, we paused to take some photos for his announcement.

Memories Montage Graduation Announcement

Personalized graduation announcements at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Because the boys were so very helpful (not really) to Eldon getting his degree, we thought it was only appropriate that we include them on the announcement.  Plus, who can resist these adorable faces!!!  Obviously with two little wiggle worms, it can be quite difficult to get them to hold still, let alone look at the camera, but we tried our best.  (P.S. outtakes at the end)

 They behaved the best they could for the pics, so we let them roam free and while they were roaming, I snapped a few candids.  Enjoy!

And now for the outtakes......so you can see how much effort goes into these shots!

Eldon might beat me for this pic, because it shows he was wearing shorts for our shoot, but I think its dang cute!