{At Last!}

This week was fun.....the boys were so excited for Veterans Day, no school! My Mom had the fun idea to go bowling, and we had so much fun last time so we were up for it again. My boys are so photogenic....

Go Mom!

Cute Brittany

Kade came too...but kept disappearing to go play at the arcade inside. We had fun!

Yesterday Ethan and Rhett learned how to ride their bikes with no training wheels. Ethan's friend Cody learned how so he's been begging for Daddy to take off his wheels! He learned so fast, and was so proud!

So if the 4 year old can do it....then his 7 year old brother needs to learn how, right? Rhett does not like trying new things unless he can do them perfectly...so he's never had the desire to take of his training wheels and we've never pushed him. So I made him do it, and after just about 3 minutes he had the hang of it also. Woo hoo, go boys!

They rode all over on Saturday, and I took them out for a long ride tonight also. Now they are snug asleep in bed and I am loving life! I hope everyone else had a fun week!

{Update!}

This week was costume-free, and that's a good thing! I am all Halloweened out, if that's a word! The costumes and decorations are high on garage shelves, woo hoo. Now on to Fall....Thanksgiving and Christmas, I can't wait! I get so excited just thinking about all the fun traditions! Last year we started reading Christmas stories each night all during December, it really got us in the spirit. If anyone wants me to forward them on to you, let me know!

Monday morning Cody moved into his new office (new to him!). It's at 99th Ave. and Greenway, in Sun City. This was such a busy week, running all around to Kirklands, Costco Business, Staples, Office Depot, etc trying to get all the things needed to furnish and get his office going for clients on Thursday. We are so proud of Cody and his hard work that earned him this office - all those 60 hour work weeks are paying off. It will be a challenge but he is up for it. Here are some pictures...keep in mind that it's a work in progress and we do have to work with a forest green color scheme!

Front Waiting Area

Cody's Office

There is also a conference room we are still working on and a room where he keeps all his files/fridge/misc.

Here's some more random pictures from the last little while...Ethan with his preschool class:

Ethan showing his flexibility with Aunt Ally....could he be the next Paul Hamm? We hope not!


Today Cody taught the older boys how to do front flips on the trampoline. You know how some people have little tickers on the side of their blog, counting down until they have their baby? Well I need one counting down the time until one of my kids gets a broken bone!

Ethan

Ethan

Rhett

Rhett

{Happy Halloween!}

Is it just me...or did it feel like Halloween for the last days? We've been to so many parties and got so much candy it's crazy!! The kids have gotten good use out of their costumes though! Rhett was Darth Vader, Ethan was Spiderman, and Kade wore the dreaded Leopard costume. All my boys have despised that thing! Well I've used it 3 times, so if anyone wants to torture their child with it let me know, it's all yours! It's so cute out, it has a big padded bum and belly - but for some reason my boys don't like it at all when they are 2!

Wednesday we went to a Halloween Party at the gym, and then over to our ward's Trunk-or-Treat. It was fun as usual, I love seeing all the kids from our ward dressed up! This is a cute picture of Kade and his friend Brayden.

Thursday we went to a Costume Bingo at Rhett's school. Grandma, Ally, and Brittany came too! After that we went to a Haunted House in our neighborhood. It was very fun, not too spooky for the kids and they went through again and again.

Friday Rhett brought his costume to school for his character book report. Then we he got home from school we went over to Grandma Flake's to eat a special Halloween Dinner that Ethan and Grandma made. Mummies, witches fingers, broomsticks, Vampire Blood and Bones, and Witches Blood. Then we headed out the door to go trick-or-treating!

There's a Haunted House a block away from my parent's home that is really decked out each year with lots of people dressed up inside ready to scare you as you walk through a tight dark maze. Rhett and Ethan were BEGGING to go in it. Brittany and I tried it out while my Mom took the boy's down the street. It was super scary so we told the boys no. The rest of the night they insisted that they wanted to go...so when we got back to Grandma's they convinced us. Grandpa, Daddy, Mommy, and Brittany took Rhett and Ethan. Ethan had Cody holding him the whole time, and Rhett covered his ears the whole time - but when they came out they were so excited and proud that they had gone through it! Let's hope they don't wake up with bad dreams!!

We got back to Grandma's and they sorted all their candy into different piles. So MUCH candy. We left 1/2 at Grandma's and the rest is hidden in my closet. I should just chuck it! All in all it was a super fun Halloween and we hope you had fun too!

Now can any of you guess who my Uncle Kevin and Aunt Suzi are dressed as?

{The latest}

A week ago we went to Tuscon to hear my cousin Brayden's farewell talk! I have lived in AZ all these years and have never been to Tuscon....how funny is that? He gave a great talk and I am so grateful for him being such an amazing example for my boys. My Dad's side of the family is huge - he is the oldest of 11 kids. I love it when we all get together, there are so many people but it is so much fun! They are all strong in the church and everyone genuinely cares about each other.

This last week has been busy and fun. I had my mid-terms which I was cramming for and I was also taking my boys over each night to my parent's house in Peoria. They were gone to Hawaii so I was staying nights over there helping drive my sister's to ballet, soccer, and school. Brittany is 17 so she did a lot of driving also. I love my sisters and it was so fun to stay up late talking and playing games.

We went to their ward's Trunk or Treat last Saturday night. Cody was happy to stay home with Kade since our ward is having on this Wednesday. The boys really wanted me to dress up this year so I did...and it was fun! I can't convince Cody to though! I had some good ideas....so maybe next year!

I've been having fun with my camera....the pictures are so much clearer!

This was a couple weeks ago celebrating Becca's 30th Birthday! I love these girls!

Other news is that Cody got a new calling....goodbye nursery and hello Ward Clerk! More like goodbye to Cody on Sundays! That's okay though, he will do a great job and learn a lot. Well that's the latest around here! I'm sure I'll be back soon with lots of Halloween pictures...hope everyone has a great Halloween! I love this time of year!

XOXO

Brooke

{Birthday Boys}

October 2nd was Kade's 2nd Birthday!! In some ways it has flown by - but in other ways is seems so strange to remember life without him!! We love Kade so, so much and had fun spoiling him on his birthday. He woke up to Rhett and Ethan singing to him by his crib. They treated him extra special all day and he loved all the extra attention!!

His favorite toy was this car station with ramps and an elevator. He plays with it everyday now. He was unsure about opening his presents, he let his brothers do it for him and they happily obliged!

Then the Flakes came over and Aunt Ally brought him his favorite present of all....a balloon. I love how easy they are to please at this age! He proudly walks around saying "Birthday Balloon! From Ally!" It's still floating...17 days later!



We are not big cake-eaters around here so I made an ice cream pie. He was pretty excited to blow out those candles!

I have been reflecting on Kade and the joy he brings to our house. I watched his birth video that my Aunt Laraine made for me. I wish so badly I had one for my other two boys - it is the most amazing video and brings me to tears everytime I watch it. He was such an easy birth and recovery...as most second and third births are. I chose to stay in the hospital 2 full days after he was born - usually I rush home but this time I wanted to be able to just enjoy my newborn with some peace before I was surrounded by the wants and needs of my other two boys. I just held and loved on Kade for all that time and it was just the best!! Maybe that's why he was spoiled after that??

Kade has been my hardest baby for sure! He slept fine - but he was quite demanding and had the highest pitch scream that would rattle me to the bone!! I am so happy to say that ever since he started talking it has been like night and day of a difference. He is in the cutest stage right now. Things I love about Kade...

*huge brown eyes with the longest lashes *how he says "tank you" everytime you give him something or do something for him *his strong hugs that he so passionately gives you *wet kisses *how he runs to me so fast yelling "mama!" when I come back from somewhere *his love and adoration for his big brothers *his prayers at mealtime in his serious voice *how he'll say AMEN! in the middle of a long prayer, when he thinks it should be done *how he brings the boys their shoes each morning without them asking *he is Rhett's biggest fan at soccer, yelling "go Rhett!" the entire game *how much he loves talking on the phone, especially to Daddy *his independent streak *he's a monkey and a daredevil, just like Ethan....I could go on and on...we love you Kade!

Now on to the next birthday boy....Cody turned 31 on October 7th. The boys worked so hard making him cards for his birthday. They also went to the store with me and picked out his favorite treats.

We all got up early to be with him before he heads off to work at 6am!

I have said this so many times, but I feel so lucky and blessed to have married this man. I was so young, barely 20 when we married and though I knew it was right, I had no idea how great of a man he was. He is one of the hardest working men I know - and so very ambitious. He shoots for the stars, and then goes after them with passion. He has gone through a lot of job changes, always moving up to bigger and better things. The last three jobs he moved on from still e-mail him, wanting him to come back to work for them. He is just a genuine, honest, hard worker and I'm sure that's hard to fine.

He is such an amazing father and example to his 3 little boys of what a man should be and how he should treat his wife. He puts us first, no matter what. I try hard to support him, especially with this challenging new career which after the long run should be so worth it! We try to always have a good meal waiting for him and a clean house to come home to (even if that means running around cleaning 10 minutes before he gets home!!). Love you hon and look forward to many more birthdays to come!!

{I'm back....}

The happy news....we bought a new camera! Ya hoo! Bad news....I still don't have a way to get the birthday pictures I have off of my old camera! So I will have to post those ones later when I figure out how to get them off with no cord. Shannen, maybe I can borrow your memory card thingy?

While I'm waiting, here's some miscellaneous pictures from the last few months that I thought were cute. The first two are Ethan and Kade. They have a special bond since they are home together while Rhett's at school. Kade cries every time I drop Ethan off at preschool!! They love each other so much. Don't get me wrong...Ethan teases Kade and makes him scream - but most of them time they play together so well.

Here they are pretending to be going to bed in the middle of the day, they thought they were so funny.
Ethan loves giving horse rides to Kade...then he turns into a bucking bronco and off Kade flies!

Rhett has started soccer....you can see that when mom gets him ready for his games she puts the shin guards on all wrong! I am learning! He is getting more aggressive each time...we love to go watch his practices and games and cheer him on! Kade is great at yelling "Go Rhett!" Ethan wishes he was old enough to play, he always wears shin guards as well and brings his soccer ball to practice on the sidelines. Last Saturday he joined a group of 12 year old girls as they warmed up for their game. They let him play along and he felt pretty cool!

Rhett's only request for his birthday was a whistle... He and Ethan love to pretend they are coaches.

Here's Ethan being silly at Cabellas

Sweet Kade always ready to say cheese! He is talking so much, I love it! He says sentences now...today he was telling me in the car "Go Fast Mom!", "Good Job Mom!" (when I was going fast), and "Watch Out Mom!". He makes me laugh....I LOVE THIS AGE!! When they tell you they "yov you" and "tank you" for every little thing.

Lastly, my beautiful sister Brittany went to Homecoming. She looks so cute in her dress....love you Brit!

{Camera Issues...}

I am behind on my posting (two birthday have gone by!) because a naughty little boy cut my camera cord that transfers my pics onto my computer. My camera is so OLD that they don't sell the cord anymore....I am hoping this means I get a new camera!! We'll see.......so more updates coming soon!!