2 Month Old Wyatt in Pictures

Look who has grown and changed a ton in the last 2 months...

Started off at 8 lbs, 6 oz ; 19 3/4"

Now is 11 lbs, 9 oz ; 24"

Hunting Season Is Here

(Don't you all want a dead deer on your garage floor?? Yuck!)

September 6, 2011

Rusty was very excited because this deer is his first archery kill, and it was one of the biggest black-tails our butcher has seen around here. We are now enjoying some yummy jerky and planning meals for our freezer full of venison. And yes, he plans to mount the head. Just what I want-- more wall decor!

Wyatt's Blessing

Sunday, September 4, 2011:

Rusty blessed our son, Wyatt Lavoy Raban. It was a wonderful day, with a lot of family love and support.

Can you tell that we are in love with him??

(Wyatt's outfit was made by Rusty's mom when he was born and each of our boys have also worn it for their blessings.)

1st day of School

Cole has started Kindergarten, loves it and has adjusted very well to the school-thing. It is a hard change for the rest of us cuz he is now gone all day. Mason and Hunter seem to miss him a lot and I know I do, too. Mason has also started Preschool and enjoys it thus far. I think it will be good for him to make some friends and explore life out of his big brother's shadow. He needed something just for him and I'm hoping this is it! It is quite the change when both boys are gone and it's just Hunter, Wyatt, and I. You'd think it might be less noisy and chaotic, but Hunter is busy enough to make up any difference! So much for thoughts like, "Now I'll be more productive with only 2 kids home, instead of 4". What was I thinking??

First day photos:

Grandpa Jack's Birthday

August 30, 2011

We sure love this guy!

Outside Time

One of the best things about living with Grandpa Jack and Grandma Cherie Ann this summer has been all of the wonderful outside time we've enjoyed. You wouldn't believe how fun "the dirt pile" has been for the boys, or how exciting it is to wade around grandpa's pond, or work in the garden, or ride the tractor or the go-kart. This is sure a fun place to be!

Cole's 6th Birthday

Cole turned 6 on August 11th. He is growing up too fast for my liking! Here he is with candles in his birthday breakfast of choice: pancakes. My boys love choosing what we get to eat for all of the meals on their special day and having candles in each dish.

Happy Birthday buddy. Stop growing up so fast! Wasn't it just yesterday that you looked a little something like this?:

And just for fun: Birthdays of the past 6 years

Baby Wyatt

The waiting is over and we are now getting to know our new addition:

Wyatt Lavoy Raban

July 16, 2011 ; 6:36 am

8#, 6 oz ; 19 1/2"

And just perfect!

We are all doing well and loving Wyatt to pieces-- see for yourself...

Hard to believe that we are now a family of six, and I am seriously out-numbered!

Isn't there something so magical about a sweet baby fresh from heaven?

And to think that 8 years of marital bliss all started with this day:

Happy Anniversary to us-- July 12, 2003

Baby #4

Due date is here-- July 8th, 2011-- and I am still pregnant. I had an ultrasound today to check my fluid levels. I've never had one this close to delivery, so it was neat to see how developed he is. Poor little guy looks so squished, but cozy at the same time. How is that possible? We're getting super anxious to meet him!

Fourth of July

A day in the hot sun does a body good!

The fourth was such a sunny day; just what we needed! We enjoyed the Enumclaw Parade with Rusty's parents. The boys loved seeing the firetrucks and dancing horses.

Later, we BBQ-ed and had my parents over to our house where we were camping for some delicious steaks and the works!

We had some good conversations with the boys about the reason for Independence Day, and all of the freedoms that we have to be grateful for-- our country, family, and the Gospel are top on that list.

Stay-cation

A few weeks ago, we went in thirds with my parents and my brother on a good deal that we'd come across-- a 1989 Motorhome. What a beauty...

We figured it was worth taking a chance on for a trip or two during the year with family. We had grand plans of going to eastern WA over the fourth, but I chickened out feeling worried about going away so close to my due date. We still wanted to do something with the boys, so we decided to camp in our own driveway. All the kids really wanted was to sleep in it, so it worked out great! We packed up our things from my parents house and had a weekend full of work and play. Rusty worked on our house and the rest of us played and camped out; it was perfect-- a get-away without getting away.

Well, we've had our first casualty of the broken bone variety. Guess it was bound to happen with 3 little boys... Just a little fracture in his wrist, but he will have a splint on for a few weeks. Perfect for summer and the dust and sweat. Yuck! Luckily this boy is left-handed, so at least he is coping with his one good hand and learning that he can still do many things.

Seattle Children's Museum

I bought a group-on deal for a pack of tickets to the Seattle Children's Museum last year and it was about to expire. Luckily, Rusty's mom (Grandma Gena) was willing to accompany us up there for the day. I had heard great things about the museum, but I was not very impressed. I am glad we went, but I think once was enough unless many of the 'closed-down' exhibits re-open. The boys did have a good time though, and that's what matters! They loved their water area, the fire truck, and some of the life-size toys especially.

Preschool Graduation

June 14th:

Cole was in a preschool this last year and had a wonderful time learning and making new friends! I have liked his teacher so well that I've enrolled Mason for this next year and we are all excited about that.