Feeding Horses

Blake loves looking out the window at the horses. Today I decided to take him out to feed them carrots. He was a little confused at first and started eating the carrots himself.


Then he caught on.


Pure delight.

Rock on Mike!

Michael has been working hard in Colorado (and practicing a little guitar hero on the side) while the boys and I finish up the school year in Utah. Its been hard to be separated. We miss him. We love him. Tonight we thought we'd write to say hello.

Caleb says: "Dear Dad, I liked the picture of you in the wig playing Guitar Hero. When is next time we are going to see you? We'll try to call you this week so you don't tickle us. Yesterday I got 100% on my spelling test and my soccer team won. The score was 11 - 1. I scored three goals and my team scored the rest. I wish you could see me and I could see you. I am excited to go camping with you and fishing with you this summer. I love you.
Love, Caleb

Dallin says: "Dear Dad, I hope you have fun in Colorado. I hope we have fun there with you, too, when we move. Today I helped mom clean and jumped on the trampoline with Blake and Caleb. Blake thought it was funny to bounce. I love you. Oh yeah, I ate chocolate milk with my cereal ... you gotta try it. You just take Cinnamon Toast Crunch and you put chocolate milk in then take a bit. It sooo good. Also, I can catch the Yo-yo now. I'll show you next time. Mom says I need a hair cut tonight, I say no. What do you think? Call me tonight. I am at our house.
Love, Dallin

We're looking forward to being together soon. Until then, Michael, Rock on!

Lessons Learned

Today, I was unpacking from our spring break trip to Co. I asked Dallin to help me with the boys suitcase before playing with his friend. Blake was following us around. As I unloaded the boys suitcases, Dallin ran and put the items where they belonged. While we were in the boys room, Blake became interested in his big brothers toys and started wandering around pulling things out of their places.

My conversation with Dallin went as follows:

Dallin: BLAKE stop making messes when mom and I are trying to clean.

Blake: huh?

Mom: It's not a big deal, Dal!

Dallin: It's a big deal to me cause I'm the one haveTing to clean up after him.

Mom: I'll take care of it, let's leave him alone and focus on what we're doing.

A few minutes pass, Blake dumps the bucket of Lincoln Logs

Dallin: No, no, no, Blake.

Blake moves on to a Lego horse in the mouth

Dallin: Blaaaakkkeee deep breath pleeeeaaase stop!

Mom: Hey Dal, really don't worry about it.

Dallin: But there is slober all over my Lego mom.

Mom: Educational opp. Babies learn by getting into things. It's important for them to explore. They make messes because babies need to touch things, look at them, and sometimes even taste them in order to learn about them. Blake's just trying to discover what these big boy toys are all about. Let's just leave him be while we finish up here, Okay?

Dallin:No comment, slight nod.

A few minutes pass

Dallin: Mom?

Mom: Yes

Dallin: I understand how we need to learn to be smart and grow bigger ... but how come it is so important for babies to learn how to just make big messes and then five year olds need to learn to clean everything up?????????

Star of the Day - Part 2

On Saturday Blake turned 1 year old. We celebrated with some chocolate cake and ice cream. This year has gone by so fast I could hardly believe this little guys already one. Blake has been such a pleasant addition to our famliy. His big Hanchett grin and belly roll laugh keep us entertained.


At one year Blake...
*refers to food as na na (I think because he loves bananas). He will request it pleasantly at first, but quickly demand it(na na, na na, Na NA, NA NA, NAAAAA NAAAAA).
*loves to take baths. The other day, I was running a tub and doing my hair. Blake was standing at the side while the water filled up. I looked down when I heard a splash and saw that he had climbed in with all his clothes on. He was soaking wet and smiling.
*is beginning to walk. He has been timid up until now, but lately has been braving it on his own.
*enjoys wrestling and tickling. He'll jump in on the boys wrestling matches and crawl up to me requesting ickle, ickle:) Love it!
*refuses to cuddle. He is so active that cuddling with him is rare.
*adores his big brothers. When he's awake, he wants to be with them. Often when I go in to get him from his nap he is looking out the window at his brothers playing basketball or jumping on the trampoline. He also knows where their room is and will crawl to the door and wait for them there. It's awsome to see.






Chocolate kisses from Aunt Sarah??? I don't think so!!!

Star of the Day - Part 1

On Friday, Caleb had a school program in which he was excited to sing and give his part. It was a special treat to have his Aunt Sarah watching him. After the program, I was really proud when his teacher complimented him for a job well done. Especially, because she singled him out as being responsible and told me she had selected him to be in charge of the microphone and stool during the program because he is such a great helper in class. I really appreciate this quality in Caleb.


Caleb has been fortunate to find a few close friends at school. These guys all play on the same soccer team and live in our neighborhood. It's fun to watch them pal around together.


Big responsibility...the microphone.


Caleb's part: "Children from all over the world enjoy music. Listen as we sing some songs that we have learned from different countries."



His adoring audience


Aunt Sarah:)

A Little Congestion on the Way Home