James 3 Months

I can't believe James is already 3 months (I know, we say this about our children's age all. the. time.)!

He is a very happy boy.

Loves to smile and share giggles.

Very ticklish.

Likes to stand.

Holds his head up well.

Awesome sleeper.

Loves his mama.

 I just love those brown eyes!

James 2 Months

A little more awake.

More active.

More alert.

A little more chubs.

A little longer sleeps.

James 1 Month

Yup. One month old.

Look at those skinny legs!

 My boys and their heads....they're growing some super smart brains in there.

Little stinker Devin thinks it's funny to run off and suck on James' binky. 

Newborn James-Rewind

I have slowly been going through photos from since James was born. 

And I, uh, kind of forgot about some and still wanted to post them before they get lost on my computer!

When James was about 2-3 weeks old and while my mom was here helping, we went to a nearby park to try to get some pretty outdoor photos of James. It was like the hottest night of the summer, no joke. 

But, we got a few of my cute boys.

Oh how blessed we are!

Don't you love how cooperative 2 year olds are?

 I think James is looking reddish. My two gingers.

Clifton Beach

Every August, Matt's program at Metro, hosts a fun, welcome dinner for all the new interns. 

One of the attendings owns a beach house on the private Clifton Beach, on the west side of Cleveland. 

It is lovely! This is by far our favorite work party of each year. 

This year was our last year to attend. It seems like only yesterday we dropped 

Luke off at a sitter and went to the party and I was about ready to pop with Devin. 

Anywho, we don't really care that much to socialize...I mean, we do, but really we go for the beach. Plus, everyone knows we're the weird Mormons with lots of kids. ;)

But really, we do like the people there.

 Little James' first time to the beach. He was about 1 and half months old here.

 It was a chillier night in August,  so no wading this year, 

but thankfully we watched the beautiful sunset!

 Devin is usually my little crazy dare devil, but he was quite afraid of the water, 

which I was thankful for. If Luke got even a little close, Dev would start screaming.

 Devin and Luke went out there with one of Matt's attendings, 

Dr. Todia, to collect cool rocks, seashells and sea glass. They thought it was so cool.

 Not really a fan of this family picture, but hey! We're all looking at the

 camera and yeah, it's a family picture after all.

Ah, it was such a nice night. 

So sad to leave this place! 

Luke is in Kindergarten!

Well folks, the sad day has finally come. We've arrived. Our sweet lukey is leaving the nest. 

Well, okay, he's just starting Kindergarten, but it feels like our nest is a little emptier these days, since he's gone 6.5 hours 5 days a week!

For the last few years I've been saying, "oh in our last year in Cleveland, Luke will be in Kindergarten." And it seemed like it was 100 years away! But it's true what they say, time sure does fly. I can't believe he's in Kindergarten, that we have a 3rd child, Devin is already 3 years old and we'll only be in Cleveland for about 9 more months! It's a bunch of bitter-sweet feelings.

Luke's first full day of school was the day after our very LONG trip home from Utah. 

We were all pretty groggy and tired the next day. Luke was "only a little nervous, but mostly excited."

He chose his outfit. I thought it was cute. Matt thought it was questionable. Hah

 Dev chose his own outfit that day too-Luke's shorts and rain boots that were clearly too big.

 My sweet boy!

 Matt is such a good dad. He got permission to take the morning off (even after a 10 day vacation! It pays sometimes to be a chief!). 

He really wanted to be there to send Luke off on his first day.

 Every day Luke makes sure to get a hug and kiss from us and give a hug and kiss to us, before he goes into class. 

He gives the best hugs, tight around the neck. I hope that never changes!

 Can you tell we were all tired!

 That morning they had a flag ceremony and we were invited to stay for it. 

And since Luke missed his first day (of staggered start, the week before),

 I was able to come into class with him for the first little while.

 Luke has two good guy friends in his class, and lots of friends that are girls.

Check out the cutie next to him in the pic, Chloe. 

It just so happened that she sits right next to him at his table. 

 We feel very blessed. He got the teacher we really were hoping for. 

His friend Lily, from church, is in his class and another 

friend he took tennis lessons with all summer too.

 He school is very old, but I think it's so cute and charming 

(besides the part that they don't have AC, so the poor kids melt on hot days).

Well, here's to our first year in public school!