Oops!

Due to being backed up, I never got a chance to get on here to wish Jaron a Happy Birthday on the 15th! We had a nice dinner at his and Danae's house with family... hope you had a fantastic day! :)

Silly Boys

Tyler wanted to wear big brother's robe one day, so I got out a robe that Elijah hasn't quite grown into yet... so they both had robes that were hanging off of them and I decided it would make a GREAT picture! ;)

Some Fun Outisde

After being cooped up inside sick, we all needed to get some fresh air!! So, one day last week we went out in the backyard to play, all bundled up, and have some fun. Tyler LOVES to swing, and made it easy to get some cute pictures! :) Elijah enjoyed racing around on his tricycle, and dodging Tyler's feet above his head. We were so thankful for nice sunny weather, but cooler temperatures! I love fall!

Katie's Baby Shower

Okay, let me first start by apologizing for not posting sooner! As most can relate, we've been battling sickness here in the Hess house, first Kevin, then Elijah, then me. Thank the good Lord above-- so far Tyler hasn't gotten anything! Elijah and I are still battling the cough (you know the kind- it lingers FOREVER!), but other than that we are feeling great. Now that I feel among the living again, I can update ya on things that have gone on recently. On Saturday the 7th, I was able to attend my good friend Katie's baby shower. She is due to have a little boy on December 25. It was SOO much fun seeing her and her ADORABLE belly! Kevin's brother Kyle was super sweet and watched the boys for me so I could attend the shower- thanks again Kyle, you're amazing! ;) I am so excited to meet your precious little boy, Katie, and wish you guys lived closer. But, I won't complain, at least you're in a reasonable driving distance... praying for you and your little one often, and hope to see you again soon! Love ya girlie!

You are so beautiful Katie!
Me, Katie and Steph

Life at the Hess House

I'm not TOO bad at keeping you all updated on what we've been up to, but I admit I am very bad at keeping you updated on everyday, developmental specifics, etc. Elijah is 4yrs old, and FULL of energy. I don't say this lightly. He is nonstop from the moment he wakes up in the morning to the moment he finally crashes (by force) at night. He loves doing things WITH someone for the most part... this can be playing games (card or board games), or playing with toys in the living room, or reading books, or dancing to music (a favorite to BOTH boys), watching cartoons (his favorites are "Sid the Science Kid," "World World," "Sesame Street," "Dinosaur Train"), jumping on the trampoline, playing basketball..... and the list goes on. Sometimes he'll even be independent and spend a lot of time in the backyard alone (with the dogs, who are his "best friends" he says), exploring or playing make-believe, or finding interesting bugs. His facial expressions are priceless, and he can be very entertaining. He isn't a snugly kid, but he'll get into moods where he'll just tell you he loves you and wants to give lots of (quick)hugs and kisses. For the most part he's a typical big brother: bossy at times, takes toys away from Tyler, and domineering. Although, quite often Tyler can be the bully and cause the tears from Elijah. Elijah can be quite the drama "king" at times, breaking into major tears over tiny things... however, he is extremely smart, and usually you can reason with him quite easily. He memorizes verses weekly for his Awana class, and it's amazing to hear him recite ones he memorized a while ago. He has a great capacity to learn and remember things, it's amazing. He's earned all kinds of patches for his Awana vest, and enjoys going on Wednesday nights. On Thursday mornings, he and I go to a bible study at our church, where we are studying the entire book of John. It's called Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), and they actually teach him the same things that I'm learning, just toned down to his understanding. He LOVES going to this with me- it's our special thing we do together, while Tyler stays at my mom's.

Tyler is now 19months. He is FINALLY starting to actually talk, although he's been communicating quite clearly without words for a while now. He says "Mama," "Daddy," "Lijah" for Elijah, "fsh" for fish, "ball," "oose" for juice, "shoe," "Pa," "pees" for please,... so it's exciting. He runs around following after Elijah like his little shadow most of the time, and loves to attempt anything Elijah does. This quite often (along with clumsy occasions) causes him to wind up with multiple bruises. His forehead almost always has a nice bruise on it. He's a champ though, not too much causes him to cry too badly. He just gets back up and keeps going. Most of the time he makes me quite nervous, as he has little fear. He will climb anything, and attempt things Elijah never did until he was like 3 years old!!! (Elijah's always been my cautious kid!) He enjoys playing with cars, playing catch, dancing to music, reading books (although not nearly as much as Elijah), EATING (this kid snacks and eats ALL day long! He should weigh much more than he does right now, I don't know where it goes! ha ha), and going outside to jump on the trampoline or just play. Most of the time he just tries to play with Elijah, but sometimes he can be a little turkey and ornery and hit Elijah. So, this is our constant battle as of now, getting him to not hit. And of course when Elijah hits or even acts as though he will hit Tyler, this just sets us back. All typical brotherly love! ;) Tyler is very snugly, which I have to say I enjoy. Elijah was always so independent and occupied himself at this age, whereas Tyler will shadow me and want to be held and be more needy. It has it's ups and downs, but I do enjoy when he wants to just sit on my lap and lean his head on me!

BOTH boys adore their daddy, and are so excited when he wakes up in the afternoons, or when it's his day off. Kevin's real sweet about taking them out sometimes to do "boy stuff," which enables me to get some MUCH NEEDED chores done without interruption. ;) Turning on some favorite songs and blasting it up super high in the living room is one of Kevin and the boys favorite things to do together. This causes an instant reaction from the boys to start dancing and playing. It's so fun to watch (and participate in!). Kevin is still working graveyards, and attempting to get rest during the day (while I spend the day shooshing the boys!). He enjoys the people he works with, including his partner, and still loves being a police officer. On Wednesday nights he is a "listener"/group leader at Awana's for the "T&T" group (ages ), which he enjoys very much.

I am enjoying all the ins and outs of being a stay-at-home mommy. I have my days when I just can't take anymore whining and feel like I've been nothing but grumpy and short, and then I have my days that seem so fun and rewarding... but it balances out. I'm so grateful to be at home with them, and know how fast this precious time will fly. I try my best to value it, and not dwell on the stressful parts! :) On Wednesday nights when Elijah and Kevin are doing Awanas, I take a break from the kids and am a part of a bible study called "One in a Million," by Patricia Shirer. I'm enjoying it a lot. Then on Thursday mornings I am going through the book of John with BSF, and am learning more than I ever thought even existed in God's Word. It's amazing how a book written so long ago, filled with a bunch of "stories" (or so I thought), can apply so deeply to me (and everyone) now. So, this keeps me pretty busy, as there is daily homework for both studies.

Anyway, just thought I'd do something different on here for a change! For those that I see or talk to often, you know most of this. But for family far away, I thought it'd be nice for you to know things on a more deeper level!

Congratulations!

I am an auntie again! Just wanted to tell my brother and sister-in-law CONGRATULATIONS on their newest little addition. Born Monday, November 2, at 5:45a.m., miss Sadie Phyllis Hess entered our family, weighing in a 7lbs 10oz. She is the little sister to Gracie, James, Johnathan, and Lillie, whom I'm sure are all so very excited! We can't wait to meet you Thanksgiving weekend Sadie! And praise be to our gracious Lord for a safe delivery, and healthy mom and baby!

Halloween Weekend

On Wednesday before Halloween, Lindsay and Brayden came in from Seattle. We were so excited to have them here!! I couldn't believe how much Brayden had changed (especially at this age, a matter of mere weeks can make a world of a difference). I was able to have Brayden all to myself (along with Kevin and the boys), while Linz and my mom went to get their hair done. Oh my goodness is he such a precious little ham! He's gotten a little chunky, which is just absolutely ADORABLE! He was such a good boy, and even took a nap for us (a short one, but that's okay!). On Thursday Oma and Opa arrived from Southern California, which was special for the boys. They enjoyed their visit. Jordan came later that night, after a delay in his flight. Friday we decided it'd be fun to get out of the house (as we had been kinda cooped up a couple days) and go miniature golfing. Kevin and I learned from previous experience that it was pointless to pay for ourselves to golf (as the boys require too much attention and help), and so we just got clubs for the boys to golf. They are both free, so it's actually enjoyable to just take things slowly with them, and let them get their fill. Actually, that's not completely accurate- I shouldn't say take things SLOW... in reality, we were actually 3 holes ahead of the group (and that's only cause we MADE Elijah redo them a few times or we would've been even further ahead!). Everyone had a great time, and Elijah and my mom were the only ones to get a hole in one (that I know of anyway!). My mom and Dad were the champs. :)

Saturday we carved pumpkins at my parents' house, and even my dad got into it. Our neighbor gave us a few extra pumpkins from his own garden, so my dad carved one of those. Both boys enjoyed this experience, and this was the first year Elijah was willing to stick his hand inside and actually pull out stuff. Elijah told Kevin what shape eyes/nose to make, and Kevin did all the carving (good job, Love!). Saturday evening was our church carnival, and the whole fam came to watch the boys play. Even Jaron and Danae and Charlie came! They had Charlie (thier dog) dressed up as a banana-- too cute! The boys had a BLAST at the carnival, and got WAY too much candy, lol. We've been pacing them slowly with a piece here and there, and Kevin's helped a bit too! ;)

Sunday was farewell to all, with a very emotional day for me. I was so bummed to watch Linz go... I've really been missing her. Now that we're both stay-at-home-mommies it'd be so nice to live closer. How much fun we'd have hanging out and letting the boys play on a regular basis. Don't get me wrong, we don't go but a few months between visits (so far), I guess I'm just being SELFISH! ;) Anyway, I'm SO glad they were able to come, if even for only a long weekend, and I CAN'T WAIT to see them all in Decemeber! Love and miss you guys! (sniff, sniff) <-- (I know, Elijah would say "don't whine!")

Our group getting ready to start- notice the boys had already gone ahead in excitement!

Elijah has a pretty strong shot- but it's also a bit wild, lol

Tyler had a blast with the first hit, but then would run and pick it up ;)

Brayden hung out in the stroller, or in someone's arms, but was a good boy all day

Our best attempt at getting a group shot of the cousins :) Wouldn't be too bad if Tyler's face wasn't covered in orange push-pop!
Me and my nephew :)
Jordan, Linz and Brayden

Elijah and I decided to battle "Pa" on the bumper boats.. figured I wouldn't get THAT wet... WRONG!

We were pretty wet, but it was a warm day :)

I was so impressed that Tyler did this all by himself, he just needed help getting up to the next level

Brayden is such a happy baby

There's my dad gettin into the pumpkin carvin' festivities

The boys were eager to look inside

Elijah thought it felt "yucky," but enjoyed pulling it out

Pa's pumpkin... "Blaaaaah!"

The boys and their pumpkin (notice the crazy eyes of the pumpkin, lol)

My adorable frog and pirate :)

Brayden was the cutest little blue monster I'd ever seen!

Tyler "ring tossing" ;)

He actually did quite well at this basketball game, and didn't want to leave

Elijah whipped this out with no problem.. next year we may have to spend time in the BIG kid area! :)

Pa and Elijah sat down for him to make his own crown... FULL of puff paint

This slide seemed so high and fast, but Elijah went down at least 10 times!
This picture was taken by a photographer at the carnival (hence the "PROOF" written across the front)

Brayden passed out from a busy weekend :)