Chuck E. Cheese Party

Rohne really wanted a party with his friends for his 4th Birthday. Well, being as he how he doesn't know a whole lot of other kids his age, this turned out to be a fairly small group. Our ward is really small, and he doesn't go to preschool, which doesn't help in the friend area. Anyways, we decided to invite the cousins, and best friends to Chuck E. Cheese on Wednesday to celebrate. All kids love it, right? It turned out to be a great day. Rohne just took his little cup of tokens, and went. He did all the games, and rides, completely independently. This was really nice, seeing as how Monique, Lori, and I, all had a baby glued to our hip. He is getting so mature, and growing up right before my eyes. It is times like this, that I realize how proud of him I really am.

Rohne was the only one who really liked Chuck E. the Mouse. Parker, and McKay were scared to death, while Samantha and Tay just tolerated him.

And, here's the Batman cake I did, with the help of Grandma of course. She had a hair appt., and couldn't come over until 8:30 p.m. But, we whipped it out pretty quick, and it actually turned out really good. Rohne loved it.

The many faces of Baby

So, I know I am totally biased, but, I really think that my baby is one of the cutest ever! He was being such a ham this morning, so, we did a little photo shoot. Enjoy the faces of Tristan!

Mmmmm. . . this bib tastes way better than the rice cereal Mom was trying to feed me!!
He loves to stare at the camera light

His perfect "Blue Steel" impersonation

What a good smiler!

Rohne is quite proud that he can hold the baby while standing up now. Of course, I am always right there to make sure an accident doesn't ocur. Tristan never seems to mind being carted around by his big bro.

I started taking pictures, because I wanted a good picture of him in these jammies that Aunt Nat gave to him. They are so darn cute on him, and it makes me sad he us outgrowing them so fast. (They're 6-9 months! We love our chunky boy!) He is also losing his brown hair, and it's coming in really blonde. I really thought that he would have a different hair color than my other kids, because it was so dark when he was born. Alas, it wasn't meant to be.

He is now a 4 year old!

My not so little boy just turned 4 a week ago. He has always been such a big boy, that most people were always shocked to learn that he was still 3. Well, now, he looks his age! Although he has always been a challenging child, he has so much energy, and happiness, that he lights up our lives. He is such a brother, and learned at a very young age, how to get under his sister's skin. He loves jumping, fighting, climbing, racing, tackling, you guess it. He is all boy!! We have too many swords, and guns around our house to count, and he plays with all of them. Because he has an older, very princess sister, he has always loved to play dress up too. So, this birthday turned out to be just that. I think that people scored on all of the after-Halloween sales, and he got lots of dress-up outfits. From Star Wars, to GI-Joe, I think he is now set in that department. He and Tay have been having quite the time playing with all of them. Thanks, everyone, for the great gifts!

We had a family party at Red Robin, where we ate yummy food, opened presents, and had birthday cupcakes. Although our family is growing, (6 Klein grandkids now!) we're still able to do this, and it's not completely out of control. Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Jessi are always a big help in entertaining the young ones. It was a fun time.

Here's a picture of all the kids, trying on the new toys.

Happy 4th Birthday, Rohne. We're so happy that you're in our family!

Trick or Treat!

Harry Potter & Minnie coming away from one of the houses, very happy! It was a lot of fun Trick-or-Treating with these kids this year, because they were really into it, and sooo excited!

Our first stop was next door, at the Landlord's. They love to see our kids all dressed up. They always have to get their picture taken, and walk away with yummy sugar-free treats. Art used to work at the Dentist's office!!!

I didn't show a picture of Tay just alone, being Minnie. Here she is at our Ward Carnival.

This was the closest Jake and I got to dressing up this year. He's wearing Rohne's Harry Potter hat. We didn't have much time, or energy, to find costumes. I sooo couldn't fit into mine from last year, darn-it.

Our cute, little lion baby. My good friend, Rachel, gave me this costume for Tristan to wear. It was so cute. Thanks, Rach!!

He endured Trick-or-Treating very well, just chillin' in the jogging stroller. Yes, the paci is purple. This is actually a new development, him taking a pacifier. Like, within the last week. He has never taken one before. Can't say it helps a whole lot, with the grouchiness, because he doesn't love it yet. But, we'll keep tryin'!

After going around our neighborhood, we headed over to Jake's parent's ward to the Trunk-or-Treat. We quickly realized that house to house was way better. It was so dark, you couldn't really see, or interact with anyone, and our poor, timid children kept getting mowed over by older kids, with pillowcases. It actually made me quite annoyed!! I mean, where were their parents? The kids got a big stash of candy, that we really don't need in our house. I had a friend who actually traded in her kids's Halloween candy for cold, hard, cash. I tried that with ours, and it didn't really work. I think I will just throw it away in a couple days, and tell them we ate it all. I've done that before. Jake and I are starting our hard-core diet/workout plan. I need to get rid of this baby weight!!!

Pumpkins, Pumpkins

So, these are in reverse order, but, what the hey! This past week, we went to the Pumpkin Patch, and then we carved our pumpkin. You have to document these events, right?

The kids pretended to help me gut the pumpkin, but, I pretty much did the whole thing myself. They were too grossed out. Silly kids. I saved the seeds, and roasted them afterwards. They would have been really good, if I wouldn't have drenched them in salt. I'm still chewing on them though. . .

Can you tell they didn't like the slimeyness? Tay was actually a lot braver than Rohne, which surprised me. Yes, Tay is wearing her Halloween costume, Minnie Mouse. She got it from Grandma on Tuesday, and has been wearing it ever since. She even asked me if she could wear it to bed.

Jake picked up the stomach flu on Monday, and struggled with it all week. He didn't feel very good in this picture, but, was still a good sport, and did most of the carving. After this, he had to lay down for a long time. We only got one pumpkin this year, for all of us. The kids didn't really mind, and it took a lot less time.

Tristan just watched from the Johnny Jumper. He can't really jump yet, but, he likes to sit and watch us.

Here's the annual family Pumpkin patch photo. This was our 3rd year going with Jeremy and Monique, to Jubilee Farms. We had a good time, and it wasn't as cold as it looks. Just muddy, muddy, muddy. It didn't sprinkle on us once!

Handsome hubby, cute kids.

Cousins are the best!!!

Me, Monique, and Tristan riding on the wagon that took us to the patch.

Here's Jer, and the rest of the gang. Check out Collin in the backpack. He is such a chubby, cute, crazy-haired boy. So fun to be around, because he smiles all day long!!!

I love my Boys

Although I adore my girly girly girly girl Tay, I just wanted to show how much I love my 2 boys.

Tristan is growing, and changing so fast. His 2 bottom teeth are in, and he is usually a slobbery mess, and tries to chew on everything his little hands can handle. His favorite things are my fingers, but, it's just starting to hurt too bad! Those things are sharp. He is still a terrible sleeper, and now waking up every 3 hours at night, like a newborn. I was blaming it on his teeth, and then ear infection, but, I'm thinkin' it's just becoming a habit. I am going to have to sleep train him soon, or I'm never going to feel normal again. Any advice on that front is greatly appreciated. I was too much of a wimp to do it with my other 2 kids.

Look at those cute, little toesies!

Rohne cannot take a picture, lately, without sticking out his tongue, or making a face. Here he is dressed as Harry Potter for our Ward Halloween Carnival. His favorite movies are Lord of the Rings, Labyrinth, and Harry Potter, and Chronicles of Narnia. He is his father's child. I have tried to put my foot down, because he is only 3 for heaven's sake. But, it's an argument I just can't win. He is still a terror at home, and spends a lot of the day on the stairs in Time Out. I see glimpses of my sweet boy, sometimes, though. Usually when Tay is at preschool, and it's just me, and the boys. He has so much personality, and is growing up, and maturing every day. He sure makes me laugh!

Once again, he is his father's child. Check out the hand in his pants. Why do boys do this?

I overheard him talking on his play phone the other day, and his conversation went like this:

Sigh. . . . "Yeah, I'm having a rough day." Sigh, Sigh, Sigh. . . "My sister's being crazy." Sigh, Sigh. . . "And, I feel just terrible!"

I just had to take a picture of his undies on backwords, with his cute little bum cheeks hanging out. What a silly dude!

It's Emily's Birthday today! She turns the big "30"

Feel free to call/email her a happy birthday!!

There are lots of things I can say about emily, but the one thing that sums it up is that she is... Practically Perfect in Every Way.

I love you Em!

I hope you have a happy day.

Jake