He can check your eyes now!

Yes it's finally here!!! Brandon graduated from optometry school! Four Friggin years later we are done! but not really. Yes he is officially an eye Doctor but we have decided to stay for one more year and complete a residency.

Saying that we decided to stay is a stretch.. we decided to apply for a residency- pediatric/vision therapy. Brandon interviewed at 5 schools along with hundreds of other applicants. Our schools of choice were here, Alabama, Oregon, New York, and Boston.

The way the application process works is after the interviews, every school and applicant lists their top choice. Then those top choices are matched as closely as possible. Our top choice was to stay here. SCCO has an excellent clinic and excels in pediatric and low vision. Naturally we wanted to stay, not having to move 3 kids across the country and away from family. We have so many loved friends and are comfortable in the area. Not to mention that I have a sweet job and can pick up hours when ever I
need!

Our second choice was in Alabama. Their program just seemed unique and complete. They would also offer health insurance (huge deal). In the end, Brandon was chosen as one of two residents for this program! (At least 20 from his school alone applied). Sorry if I sound like I'm a little proud of him, but I really am. He has studied his tail off and worked so hard to get to this place. I am genuinely happy for Brandon. It's another year of poor "student" like life, but I think it will be worth it.

oh and he was given an award from "Excellence in Vision Therapy"at his graduation! I'm not bragging, just happy for my love. Good job sweet stuff. I really am grateful for ya.

Crew is Two!

 So back in April..

Crew had his second birthday! I was kind of over the big party, and with 3 kids it's alot of work to throw a party every single birthday. So park and pizza did the trick. Super casual, and you know what? I almost enjoyed it more that most the other big parties. Stress free pressure free, just relaxed fun in the spring evening.

Talk about getting older! Addison is growing up so fast I can't hardly stand it. I'm seriously just not ready for this little girl to be so grown up. The sassin is already starting but thank goodness she doesn't seem to notice boys yet. Just loves them as friends. I can handle that much.

 Crew and a ball. That's all this child needs to be happy.. not some crazy party.

All the sweet kiddos, showing their love to Crew boo..

Happy Birthday little man! Love you so much!

My Heart Blossoms..

Happy Vday ya'll! This was our homemade valentines we gave to Grandparents and Teachers! I just happen to love them. I kinda think vellum paper is amazin. I bought a stack, not even the fanciest kind and have used it for so many projects. It lays over any of my clumsy handiwork and makes it seem ultra finished. Thank. you. vellum!  

And Thank you Oh So Delicioso for the many fun parties and photo ops you provide...the mustache pics of the kids are hilarious. I don't think the goofy mustache will fade out anytime soon. 

 These sweet little boys are quickly approaching 2! And they are as sweet as can be. Des and I laugh how Jack and Crew are so much a like {hyperactive, physical, bubbly, crazy, anything that requires lots of energy} and Bryce and Will are so much a like {sweet, pleasant, happy, chill, goofy}. And it is so ironic the way the personalities were paired. Like they were meant to be opposites together. The Crazy child with a Calm child. Hopefully they will balance each other out and be able to stand each other in the long run! haha, I think that it will be the calm child trying to keep the crazy child out of trouble.. at least in Will and Crew's case. Either way, they are sure sweet to watch play and laugh about.

And these lil girlies are starting to whisper more and more.. ... 

growing up way to fast. 

because you tell us everyday

Oh my little sweetie pie Addi. I just love this little girl. I just love her little heart. The other day at the park, her coat was bothering her neck so I gave her mine. She ran off and played in comfort while I stood and shivered away in the wind. And that is just how I feel about her. I would just do anything for my girl. Because thats what moms do, we sacrifice on a daily basis to make life a little better for our families. They don't understand the sacrifice we make and they never will until they have to do it them selves. Maybe they thank us, but I guess that is not my hope. We just do it out of love. Yes I love you Addi. 

The other day in the car, on the way to school I said to the kids, "Hey guys you know what:?!" 

Kids: "What?!"

Me: "Did you know that I love you SO much, like a crazy lot?!"

Addi: "ugh, YES!"

Me: "You did? How?"

Addi: "Because you tell us like EVeryDay."

Me: "Good. I hope so. Because it's true."

I am by far not the all-star momma in town, I have a lot to work on. Stupid stuff stresses me out that shouldn't but at least I am blessed with my sweet babies to love on. Bryce is my heart. I couldn't be prouder of the strides he has made in speech therapy and preschool. A few years ago we thought he might be autistic, but it couldn't have be more off. I've worried so much about him and his social abilities and scholastic progress. Its is a mini-triumph to hear him read a book at age 4 and to know that he's just a little shy. 

And then there is Crew. Oh man, he is a handful. But with how much of a handful and destructive he is, he is probably the most aware and loving of them all. When the kids are gone at school he will wander the rooms and ask "nnnn add" "nnn biccc' meaning where's addi where's bryce. When we finally pick them up, just claps and smiles to see them. There isn't a minute that he doesn't stop following me around the house. He just picks up his toys and moves them where ever I am. He loves loves loves to snuggle in the towel after a bath, infact he expects it. If I just wrap a towel around him and don't actually pick him up, he looks at me and reaches up, begging for some squeezes. When I do he giggles like, that's right, that's how its done. He gives the best kisses. I'll admit that Crew has been my challenge, but it is not him, it is me learning how to handle his rambunctious spirit.  And Crew-Boo, I am up for the challenge. Bring it Mr. Baby, I love you anyway.

Christmas Outfits

Christmas was wonderful in Idaho! We froze our California hiney's and loved it! I'm not joking either, single digit temperatures. And lots of smiles and love about the white snowfalling down. I really didn't go all out for Christmas outfits this year, but I go the boys some new white shirts and freakin amazing red skinny ties from H&M kids. Addison's little dress and boys green pants were from Cotton On kids. (My 2 favorite stores for kids clothes, love them) Brandon wore a new tie and I some purple tights. That's about as fancy as we got! And I am actually really glad that I did it that way this year. I didn't spend alot of money on something they will only wear maybe 2-3 Sundays? Addison's dress she can even wear to school and be all cute in.

I may be biased but Addison is growing up so beautiful. And she is just so sweet. Growing incredibly fast. Her little (big) forehead just cracks me up. She has the hardest time wearing headbands. Either they are way to tight/don't fit or they just slip down the front of her head like in all these pictures. She eventually just throws them. She is not one to deal with high maintenance  I kinda love that about her. She is just happy as long as her hair is out of her eyes. I do her hair all cute and in a few hours it is mop around her face.

  

Brandon was attempting to make Bryce smile. Didn't work. Addi's head band is killing me! hah! More like a fancy sweatband. 

 You get one shot mom before I go back to my toys.

Yay for sweet cousins.

And naps! Crew was missing from the pictures because waking him from the nap was not even an option. This little man had some rough times on the trip. Since we have been home he has been so clingy and anxious. Either he is teething or the trip really threw him off. In the meantime, I am loving the extra snuggles.