Alot Behind...but here is Easter

I am sooo far behind in blogging. Life has been so busy and I don't even know where to start! There has been sooo much happening. I hate to sit still so I try to keep myself and the boys busy with whatever I can find. We've been going to lots of Bees games, Grizzlies games, Dustin's softball, Dreytons wrestling, basketball, t-ball, football games and practices, and Dustin coaching t-ball and football. For a while we added Jaces gymanstics into the craziness, but he lost interest quick. Babysitting my cute little niece for the past 3 months and now there are swimming lessons coming up. I wasn't sure where to start with the pictures on here, so I'll start with Easter, since it was so fun.
We went home for Easter weekend like usual, and had so much fun. Every year we head to Oak City for their Easter egg hunt, and then head down to my parents house. My parents are soooo awesome and devote so much time and energy ihnto each grandchild. I think they know every like and dislike of each kid and there are 15 (i think) of them. Every year they plan an Easter egg hunt in their back yard and have TONS of eggs and surprises for each kid. They write the initials of each kid on like 30 or more eggs so when the kids are let loose in the backyard, they are only allowed to pick up the ones with their own initials on them. That way everyone gets the exact same amount. And then there is always the 'golden egg' that each kids gets with money in it. It is so much fun and the kids loooove it!!

Dawn and Madison. Me and Madison share the same crazy hair.
Decorating the eggs.

All the kids after they've found their loot. (We were missing some of the cousins this year but just cuz they weren't there doesn't mean they didn't get their stash of treats)

Jace finding the golden egg!

The Oak City egg hunt. Even with the cold weather and snow on the ground, I was glad they didn't have it inside this year.

I was so excited that Jace got more than one egg this year. Last year he picked up one, and announced he was done for the day. Dreyton can never get enough.

Trying not to freeze.

Happy Birthday Jace!!

I can't believe my little Jace-y turned 4 on monday. He was soooooo excited! We decorated the whole house for him and all day long he kept walking around saying "Dis is AWESOME!". He is such a good boy and was so easy to please with his presents. The only thing he asked for was a Snuggie with Snuggie socks...so of course we had to get if for him. He is such a funny little kid and so animated with his face. Everything he talks about is exciting and awesome! Sometimes I wish I could just follow him around with a camera and record him. He is Hilarious! He is sooo loving and thoughtful, constantly giving kisses, hugs and 'I love you's'. On the other hand, he has quite the attitude and won't let anyone cross him. He can even handle his own with the older boys...especially his older brother. We love him soooo much and had such a fun birthday with him! I just wish time would slow down, I'm not ready for him to grow up so fast. I love this little guys so much! Happy Birthday Jace!!

Grandma Riding

Grandma Riding past away today. She is such a wonderful person, and everyone loved her! She always greeted everyone with a smile and welcomed everyone into her home. We will miss her so much!

She is so talented and loved to paint. This picture was taken just a couple of days ago with the beautiful picture that she painted for us. We left her house after visiting with her, to head home
when I had a feeling we should turn around and drive back so we could get a picture with her holding it. I am soooooo glad we did. I feel so lucky to have had her in our lives for the time we did. Her funeral will be next Wednsday...on her and Grandpa Ridings 60th anniversary.

A few Things that I Love...

Just thought I'd write down a few things that I love.
*I love that I have to record Nascar and Football for the boys instead of cartoons. Even though the end is always the same, they can watch it over and over again. I think it is hilarious that my 3 year old can name most of the Nascar drivers. I really don't know where this love came from either. I also love that he is his own person and even though Dustin likes Jeff Gordon, it doesn't change who Jace likes....good ol' Jimmy Johnson
*I love that at the school Reflections Contest tonight, Dreyton only got a certificate of participation, but in his eyes he won. He came and sat down and said "I can't Believe I Won 1st Place!!" He was oblivious to the other 20 kids that were called up next to him and got the same prize and certificate.
*I love that I never know what I am going to find when I do laundry for two little boys. I search their pockets before I put them in the wash and have found rocks, bb's, mouse bones, chicken bones, live worms, dead potatoe bugs, lady bugs and tons of other 'treasures'.
*I love that wherever the boys are at in the house, if they hear their dad teasing or tickling me, they run to my defense and attack him. They are my best protectors.
*I love that I spend so much time working in my flower garden to make it look good, and whithin seconds the boys have picked the flowers and are handing them to me with nothing but love and excitement on their faces. There is nothing better than a cup full of your picked garden flowers sitting on your table....even if they don't have any stems on them. Oh yah....and dandylions are always considered a flower...not a weed.
*I love that Dustin is just as big of a kid as the boys are and every single night is a wrestling match, football game, baseball game, or some other game or competition. It is hilarious! The best entertainment ever.
*I especially love that I am only 24 years old. I guess I will finally have to turn 25 this year since Dreyton asked "How many years are you going to be 24 anyway.". Time to get older I guess.

That's all the rambling I have for now.

1st Day of School

Dreyton and his best buddy Cameron on the first day of school.

I'm so bad at Blogging!

Ok, so I really need to be better at blogging. It has been such a fun summer and we were able to do tons of fun things! I feel like soooo much has happened, I just need to be better about posting pictures and blogging about it I guess.
The most recent exciting news has to do with Jace.....he is FINALLY potty trained.
I know, I know, you are all thinking "Its about dang time". Well, I am thinking the same thing!!!! It has been a LOOOOONG hard struggle, but it is official! No more paying for the dang diapers!! The only thing about having him go potty in the toilet is that we have to hold a garbage can in front of his face each time he pees. He must have my gag reflex, cuz he dry heaves each time he smells his pee in the toilet. Kind of a weird thing to post about, but i am soooo excited about it! I was starting to think that he'd still be in diapers when kindergarten rolls around.

Another new thing happeneing around here, is that Dreyton started Kindergarten. He was soooo excited to go, but after only going for a couple of weeks, he is already bored out of his mind! He has been reading books on his own for the past year, so everything they teach in Kindergarten "is for babies" (as he puts it). The best part of his day is recess, when he gets to go play football. We have him in flag football right now, which he LOVES. He counts down the minutes to every practice. He just wishes it was tackle instead of flag. Oh, I guess he did learn one new thing from school. He came to me the other day and said "Mom, did you know that if you accidentally fall down under a girls skirt, then you can see her underwear?". Yah, I wasn't to excited about that one. Yikes!

Well, guess that will have to be the end of my blog for now. I'll try to update more often and with lots of pictures.

6 ?!?!?!

My little buddy turned 6 today! That is so crazy! He already thinks he is smarter than me and can do everything better than me, but he is still my little baby. He is growing up so fast! He is such a thoughtful, kind, smart, handsome little boy. I love him so much! Happy Birthday D!