I am not going to miss 2 year old tantrums!

Classic Hunter!

Tub of Boys

We love having cousin Ryder spend the weekend with us. But playing hard means the day always ends with a bath!

Thomasson Family Farms 2011

We love this pumpkin patch, and have gone there for the past few years. So it was fun to tag along with Mason and his preschool class when they went in October...

Baby Cousins

It's fun to have family dinners and get the kids together to play. My brother's baby Meika was born a few weeks after Wyatt. She is super cute, but a little on the fussy side (sorry, but true), so this picture of her is not too far off from reality. She's screaming and Wyatt is very chill. Maybe a little like how girls and boys are different as they grow up??

The Perfect Book Spot

There's been a little black inner tube floating around the toy box lately. Often, it becomes a hat, but for Hunter, it has become a cushy spot to relax and read. (Sept. 2011; 2 1/2 yrs old)

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