"Ethan what do you think you want to be for Halloween?" I asked.
Oh how I love this picture for so many reasons: 1. Ethan loves that his brother wants to be a chef which is one of the things Ethan would love to be someday. 2. That Reid may love chocolate and yummy sweets like his Mommy & Daddy...Ethan is like his Amma. 3. How I hope that Reid can enjoy yummy foods because so far he seems to be allergic to everything under the sun...However, time will only tell right? But for now, I love this fun picture of my little monkey.
On New Years Day 1998, I received my very first car...my Malibu...a gift from my parents. This car got me to college, my first job, my second job, countless trips to Vegas, trips along the coast, etc. After having Ethan, the Malibu became Jon's mode of transportation since I was the primary driver to Ethan. The Malibu was a very good car, but it was on its last leg. We finally said good-bye to the Malibu in September. I almost had the car for 12 years. Ethan made sure we took one last picture with his first car too. He is sentimental like his Mommy.
On our latest trip to Disneyland while Jon & Ethan were on Autopia I ventured to the hat store nearby and got Reid his very first Mickey Ears! He actually wore it the first few minutes...I don't have any pictures of it because well I was holding him waiting for my other boys to com off the ride. Ethan loved seeing his brother wearing the hat; however, it did not entice him to wear his. He is not into wearing his ears...Well, 50% isn't bad.
Ethan had some quality Daddy time this weekend seeing Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs in 3D. Ethan & Jon loved the movie. I'm glad Jon took E because this was one of my favorite childhood picture books of all time, and I knew that it just was not going to be the same. Ethan came home and the first thing he told me was that a pancake still landed on the school! I had to laugh at that. I am glad my two older boys had a wonderful time together.
never will be the same, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I just love taking these two to the grocery. One will make sure that I'm getting red apples, and grapes, and cookies, and the other is just enjoying the ride. I love these boys to pieces!
Reid is growing up so fast! He is the fastest 6 month old crawler that I have ever seen. He is babbling all the time. Mama, Dada, Baba, & Baber. He is standing up on his own. He is trying so much to catch up with his older brother. He is an amazing little boy. He is ahead of the curve in all areas...that is except for sleeping through the night, which we discuss every in the middle of the night feeding. He is the happiest baby and we are so happy he is ours.
Ethan is the sweetest little boy I have ever met. He is always making sure everyone is happy and taken care of. He loves to cook, bake, play sports, play video games, and make Reid laugh. His bright blue eyes will cheer up anyones' day. He is an amazing little boy, and Jon & I feel so blessed to have him as our son.
Ethan had his 4th birthday party on Saturday, August 1st. He wanted a Donkey Kong and Yoshi birthday, which was a difficult task, but I accomplished it the best I could. He enjoyed a day with his friends and family. We ate his favorite foods from Wood Ranch his favorite restaurant. He played games (games that I remembered from my own childhood birthday parties), jumped in a jumper, ate cake (with Yoshi, Donkey Kong, and Mario), opened presents, and hit the pinata. What more could a four year old asked for his birthday!
On Tuesday, July 28th, Ethan had his very first day at preschool. He is attending Crossroads Christian School. His teachers are Miss Patty and Miss Jen. His classroom is room 6. He really wanted to be in room 8, since that is his favorite number, but he goes to room 8 on enrichment days with Miss Molly. He loves school! His very first day he was a little nervous and cried just a little bit as Daddy left. He is very shy, likes to watch and observe the other kids, but loves to help his teachers. Everyone tells Jon & I how wonderful of a boy Ethan is. He loves it when he is a helper of the day. His favorite job is song helper. He loves to sing his songs. One of his favorites right now is the song, "B-i-b-l-e". My little boy is really growing up, and we are so proud of him.
In front of his very first cubby!
On July 23rd, Ethan & Jon went to Legoland. It was first going to be another family trip, but the more we thought about it, we knew that Reid would not enjoy himself there. So instead of a family trip, it became a Daddy & Ethan trip. Ethan had a blast with his Dad. They went on every ride that he wanted to go on. The first one being the Dinosaur Rollercoaster...he went on it twice. He also enjoyed all the "getting wet" rides. I am so glad we are able to take Ethan on special adventures with just him. I think it is so important to spend quality time with each one of your children separately as well as together. I think we are on the right track. Before they left the park for the evening, they went to see the new aquarium and Ethan thought it was pretty neat. Ethan had a great day with his Daddy at Legoland!
On Thursday, July 16th we took the boys to Sea World. It was Reid's first time going, and I was just excited that Jon was able to take a day off of work...finally. Ethan was able to see all the shows that he wanted to see. We started off with the Dolphin Show...which they really need to change up because the same old show is getting pretty old...Ethan even knows that the woman is going to fall in the water. Then we were off to the Shamu Show, which of course is Ethan favorite. He loves to chant "Shamu...Shamu!" We ended the day with the Seal and Sea Lion Show (Reid & I did not see this show, because Reid finally fell asleep). Ethan loves any place with animals. He loves exploring, touching, and observing everything. Reid enjoyed most of the day because he was outside, but got alittle cranky as the day went alongbecause he was not able to crawl around and be mobile.
July 14th Reid is truly on the move. He is no longer slowly crawling. He is now going a hundred miles an hour all over the house. He is truly determined to be where ever we are and to keep up with his older brother. Watch out World Reid is on the move! 
Later on that evening we met up with Jason, Debbie, Russell, Jessica, & Joy at Wood Ranch to celebrate Jason's 22nd birthday. Ethan loves his Uncle Jay & we think he is pretty special too. Happy Birthday Jay!
On Sunday, July 12th Jon & I took the boys to Disneyland. It was Reid's first time on King Tritan's Carousel, Toy Story Mania, & seeing the Aladdin show. He feel asleep halfway through it, but the rest of us thoroughly enjoyed it. Ethan experienced some firsts too. He went on a jellyfish ride at California Adventure (it was a very mild take on the Tower of Terror). We also had a very strange Monsters Inc. ride adventure. While on the ride the ride stopped, not that uncommon. I thought maybe someone in a wheelchair was getting on the right. However soon a person came on the loud speaker and said that someone what be with us shortly. The lights then came on and the characters stopped moving. We waited about 5 minutes until someone came and unlocked us from our taxi. We then were able to walk the ride. Ethan thought that was pretty exciting! He also declared to Jon when we saw him that, "Mommy broke the ride!" I also got to take him on Star Tours for the first time. He did not like this ride at all. He cried and cried after this ride (I wonder if he really thought we were flying...hmmm...). Our lunch at the park was yummy....Corn Dogs!! They are worth the long wait at the cart...we promise! All in all, we had another great time at Disneyland. Ethan's official new ride is Splash Mountain. He went on it twice while were there. Gotta love that child switch pass! 
The day after the fourth of July Reid turned 5 months old. He is still eating 6 bottles at 6 ounces each. He is having a hard time sleeping at night right now. He is waking up about 2 to 3 times a night. Which is making his Mommy & Daddy very tired right now. He is still not liking the solids, so we will try again in a month or so. He is sitting up completely on his own and can get himself to this position now. He is also starting to crawl, and I know that he will soon be all over the house. He is slowing growing out of his 6 month clothing. I can't believe it! He is becoming such a big boy. We love our little monkey.
Our evening started out with dinner at Agave, which is an awesome Mexican restaurant. If my father likes it it must be good. After dinner, we went back to my parents' house and lit off a few of our own fireworks. I was a bit nervous. You see, growing up we never had fireworks because they were not allowed in the county I lived in...i used to watch the firework shows from the corral of horse, so this was a very new experience entirely for me. Ethan loved to watch Daddy light the fireworks and wait to see what they were going to do. Reid not so much (picture below to show the type of mood he was in by 8:45).
After our own fireworks, there were a few sparklers. Ethan enjoyed holding his and swinging it around and around. Uncle Potty enjoyed his sparkler too. He can always put a smile on my face.
After the sparklers, we hopped in our cars to see the fireworks at the Red Rock Hotel because the fireworks show at the Clubhouse was cancelled this year. However, we soon found out that it was going to be impossible to find parking or a place to view the show near the hotel. My father had a great idea to go back to the Clubhouse and watch the firework show there. We were a little afraid that we were not going to be able to see the show, but once the show started we new we had one of the best spots to view the show (the 6th hole to be exact). Ethan loved the show and Reid slept through most of the fireworks (it started at 9:30).
We had a great time at Red Rock ( minus the sleepless night for Jon & I) and can't wait to do it again next year!
The early afternoon on the 4th, we headed to the Club's pool, which ended up being at least 3 different pools and a mini water (fountain) park. Reid immediately loved the outdoors and the water. He is such an outdoorsy kid. Ethan on the other hand was very tentative about going in the water: 1) because he said he was not a good swimmer (we are working on his self-confidence) and 2) he did not want to swim if there were other people in the pool. Jon & Reid jumped in the water and well Ethan had a meltdown (picture below). He crouched on the grass for about 10 minutes crying, while I & Uncle Potty took pictures of the event (nice I know). I tried to pick him up and throw him in the water, but he jumped right back out. Finally Jon got out of the water and handed me Reid (poor Reid...he was loving the water too). He took Ethan into the water. It still took Ethan a good 5 minutes to stop crying while in the water, but after that, he was having a blast. Ethan has such a funny personality. Reid eventually got back into the water with them, and the three of them enjoyed an afternoon in the pool. 
During the 4th of July weekend we drove to Vegas to spend the holiday with my family, which this year included everyone! On the 3rd, Ethan got to practice his putting with his Poppa. He has been looking forward to golfing with his Poppa for weeks. As we were driving there, he kept asking if we were there yet because he didn't want to be late for golfing. He got very tired very quickly due to the fact he was running around after the ball also because it was 100+ degrees outside. I hope Ethan continues to have a love for golf. His Poppa sure loves it, and it would be wonderful for them to have a special hobby that they can do together.
Another eventful experience that Ethan was eagerly waiting for was riding (or driving) Poppa's "cart", or golf cart. This opportunity came that evening. Ethan, Reid, Jon, and my Dad rode in the cart to the Country Club where we were having dinner. My Mother & I drove separately...not so exciting Ethan said. He loves riding in the cart. This was also Reid's first time in the cart. He loves the outdoors and seemed to really like the cart ride. It was a great day the day before the 4th. 
Ethan's favorite game show is Wheel of Fortune. Perhaps because Mommy loves the show, or perhaps because it has his favorite color red and letter and words that he just loves. Ethan has to try to say the puzzle before the people say it...this is with a little help from his Mommy. One funny thing about this show however is what he thinks they win at the end. He knows that they win money, he gets that, but he will always say at the end of the show: Oh, they didn't get their family back, or they got their family back! You see during the final puzzle, they introduce the contestants family and they are standing in the audience. If they win, the family gets to run down and be with them. If not, they are not seen at all. Ethan thinks either they get their family back (they win), or they don't (they lose). It is too cute!
July 2nd is Briz' birthday, but Stacey held his surprised birthday on Saturday (this is the only picture I got of the birthday boy that night...sorry). Briz' had many friends over. There was lots of food, fun, & laughs by all who were there. Happy birthday Briz! Welcome to the 30 club. 
Reid loves is walker, his exersaucer, and rolling around town, but he does not get this bumbo thing, and neither does his mother. I know people rave about this thing...that is why he has one in the first place, but what his he supposed to do in this thing? I think the problem is he loves to move...heck he is almost crawling at 4 1/2 months. In this bumbo all he can do is sit...this is it, sit. As you can see in the picture above he looks quite thrilled. The only thing that this bumbo is really used for is entertaining Ethan (see picture below). He loves to sit in it...this also shows how super skinny he is...another story all together. The bumbo is a real dumb-o in Reid's and my opinion. 
Reid is now 4 1/2 months old. He is rolling, rolling, and rolling, walking in his walker, and beginning scooting. He is also beginning on working on sitting up on his own. He is still very wobbly and not completely sitting up straight yet, but he is well on his way. He is such a big boy already!
Ethan has this game called, Guess What I Am? He loves to play it, and we play it with him all the time. However, on this day he thought that his little brother should get a turn. He gave the card to Jon to place near Reid's face, and then Ethan told Reid, "okay Reid, now ask your questions." It was too cute. For one, that Ethan thought that Reid could ask questions, and two, because look at that peacock face!
