Happy 30th!

Brian hit the big 3-0 this year and we had to have a fun day to celebrate our favorite guy in the whole world. The boys were so excited the week leading up to his birthday (which was awesome to have on a Saturday) and had some fun shopping and prepping for his special day. I was wanting to maybe plan a big party or surprise or something but then I realized that is more of something I would want, not Brian. I just asked him what he would prefer and a day with family and a date with me was what he wanted most. On Friday I told him his day was all planned out, so he better not have much planned, and he asked how early things would start. I told him I had already factored in that he would want to go running, so that is what he did to start his day. I hope that one day I WANT to do that for my birthday...that's usually one of the days I give myself an excuse NOT to work out.

So the boys and I got going on birthday prep while he was on his run-

I didn't get any pictures of Thad, the main helper with the cake, but I snapped a few of this cheeser helping me clean up the remnants.

And then we spent the rest of our morning having breakfast, opening gifts and getting ready for his surprise family date.

I'm glad Thad was most excited to give him this gift first. We received it in the mail the day before and the boys loved it and were excited for dad to see it. 

I think Brian liked it too... 

Maybe more like loved it. We both maybe shed a tear or two.

This is what he's looking at:

I framed this beautiful water color photo of our family for him to hang in his office. Brian's cousin has started doing them recently and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to get one of our own. To say we both love it is an understatement. This family is our world.

For the boys' gift, Thad knew that dad would love some running gear, so that's what we did.

 After a fun filled morning we headed to an activity that we knew dad would love:

I thought I would be awesome and tote my nice camera along--I don't know that that this picture was worth it, because as I was putting the camera back in the bag my phone slipped out of my purse and...

Boom! 

I sure paid for never putting a case on my pretty pink phone. I'm kinda glad it happened on his birthday or I would have been a way big brat about it (even though it's totally my fault) and let it ruin my whole day. I wasn't going to let the phone ruin this guys birthday and we have found a shop to replace the screen for a decent price, so it's not too bad. 

Anyhoo--onto golfing! 

Top Golf is a family friendly driving range with games, food and clubs for kids, so it was awesome to do this as a family. Thad was so excited for dad to finally teach him how to golf, and he actually did a way good job! 

Wes and I spent most of the time on the sidelines, but luckily it was comfy and had some fans blowing on an incredibly hot summer day.

We all took turns, but I missed the ball about 10 times out of the 15 times I swung and my ankles and feet just weren't dealing with the heat too well, so we mostly left it up to the pro:

I don't see Brian golf much, but this day he definitely impressed me with his skills. I really liked this view! 

As you can see it was a warm day so at the end of our hour we didn't hesitate much to leave for the A/C. It was really so much fun and I know these boys will spend lots of days on the golf course together.

We headed home for a yummy lunch followed by playing, cake and ice cream before we left the boys with a sitter for our date. 

I wasn't necessarily going for aesthetics with the cake, but the delicious homemade frosting and baby birthday banner, definitely made it more than acceptable!

We had to relight the candles a couple times because Wes took the first turn (unannounced) and then Thad wanted a turn (and Wes helped him of course), and then finally... 

 Dad got his turn!

Thirty is a big deal and although Brian says he always imagined himself in a different spot at 30 (not being in school), we both agree that we wouldn't change a thing. We have 2 (almost 3) beautiful children and have had experiences and made decisions that we know are exactly right for our family. Texas is where we are supposed to be here and now. Yeah, it would be great if he was almost done with his PhD, but we can't imagine life without our years in Connecticut--so here we are at 30 and it couldn't be any better!

Happy, happy birthday to my favorite guy. You mean everything to me and I am so happy for the life and family we have built together. I cannot wait to see what the next 30 years brings, but I know it will be good. I love you so much!

July and August Happenings

Things have been fun, busy and laid back all at the same time since we've gotten back from Utah. We've been doing fun summer stuff like:

Swimming-

There has been a lot more than just this fun Saturday we had with Dad. Every Wednesday we get together with friends from the ward at a different neighborhood pool and then every now and then the boys and I will pack up and head up the street. We always end up staying longer than the 2 hours I plan for because it's hard to tear them away when they are having fun and getting worn out. We're so glad to have the pool in this Texas heat!

Pioneer Day Celebrations-

Katie and Robby invited us down to Kyle for their stake's annual Pioneer Day celebration. There are a couple families in their ward that own some beautiful property and graciously let the entire stake come and have a big party with dinner, petting zoo, games, bounce houses, face painting, sno cones and fireworks included! We had so much fun and always love the times we can hang out with fellow Utahns.

Playing with Dad-

The second Dad walks in the door, these boys are asking him to get in his "play clothes" and do anything from building Legos to giving them horsey back rides. They adore this dad of theirs and are going to miss having him around this fall when he hits the books hard again. Luckily he is the best dad ever and will make sure they get their fill before bed and on the weekends--He has a special way of doing that.

I was painting my nails one day and Wes asked, so I painted his nails purple. Thad was kinda freaking out. He has never let me do this to him (not that I have ever insisted), but has had zero interest in it. Well, now he knows it is an "icky" girl thing, so he was pretty upset when I gave in to Wes' request. He had it on for about ten minutes and Brian couldn't handle it, so he made Wes sit with him to take it off. Haha! I love my manly men!

Costco Date-

Wes started attending a once-a-week playgroup last week, so Thad and I were able to have a library-Costco-Walmart date all to ourselves. 

I love being with this boy so much (and not shopping with a two year old makes just about anything better), and I had to take the opportunity to sit and eat some ice cream with him. He is so excited to start Kindergarten next week and although I am sad that he will be out of our home more than he's in it, I can't help but be excited for him. He is so ready and loved meeting his teacher, Mrs. Knight, during the Welcome Walk (the teachers come to your house and meet you and chat for a few minutes on the doorstep) and the supply drop off at the school where he got to see his classroom and check out the cafeteria. My 5 1/2 year old couldn't be any more ready for this step, and for that I am very grateful! How lucky I am to be his mama.

The Heat-

Although a lot of days have been spent at the pool or inside the house with the A/C, we have spent a lot of hot evenings out in our cul-de-sac. Thad loves playing with his friends and if Thad is playing, there is no way Wes is going to be left behind, which means I have to be out there too. The heat and humidity don't agree very well with the pregnant mom's ankles, but it's hard to resist this cute boys face when he just wants to be out playing like his big brother. Can you blame me? I guess the swollen ankles and sweaty pits are worth it. 

But our biggest accomplishment since returning from Utah has been getting Wes potty trained!

I felt this boy was ready before we went to Utah, but just couldn't imagine having to worry about it on the road trip, and going to and from everywhere in Utah. So the day after we got back I was on it like Blue Bonnet. The first couple of days sucked. I didn't remember it being so dreadful with Thad, but I knew there was no turning back. It was at the top of my list to have done before baby girl arrives and I just knew he was too smart and too capable to not make it work. About 5 days into it he got into a groove and I was so glad I didn't even think about giving up. We stopped doing diapers pretty quick for naps and 2 weeks in we transitioned to underwear for nighttime, and we haven't looked back! Yeah, we have had accidents here and there and I changed the crib sheets a little more than I wanted, but it has been TOTALLY worth it.

And look how lucky we were to have this underwear model traipsing around our house with no pants for a couple of weeks. I love that bum and those thighs and everything about this red headed 2 1/2 year old of mine! 

I am so proud of this boy and he is sure lucky to have an older brother as an awesome cheerleader during the process. And since this big accomplishment, it has snow balled and allowed for all of the other things we have needed to get done before Baby Sister arrives.

The past two Saturdays Brian has been crazy project man at the Monsen home. He spent most of one Saturday painting the nursery a very light grey and then last Saturday he somehow fit in a slew of projects beginning with refinishing our dining table...again...

It was hot.

And when I say hot, I mean REALLY hot.

This man is amazing and I cannot even believe he functioned being as sweaty as he was, but as always, he pulls through! 

The table didn't turn out as we would have hoped...again...but, it looks 100 times better than it did and one day we will look back and laugh. I hope. For now, we won't go into details and just be glad it is done and we have a nice solid table to sit around each day as a family.

We also got the bed situation switched around, which was HUGE!

I went to Costco with my more pregnant friend Hilary because she has a truck that we were able to haul our brand new QUEEN mattress home in. Yes, you read that right: Queen. We have been sleeping on a Full size mattress for the majority of our marriage, and we totally feel like real adults now. But I bet you wish you could have been a spectator in the parking lot watching an 8 month pregnant lady tie down a mattress into the back of a truck. The employees were able to help me load it, but it's against company policy to help tie down. Makes sense, but totally sucked at noon...in Texas...8 months pregnant...and no real knowledge of tying a reliable knot. Well, it all worked out and we have very much been enjoying our Queen mattress for the past few nights!

So us getting our new mattress, meant this guy finally got his big boy bed!

Yep, he was the lucky recipient of our Full size mattress. He could hardly stay away from it once dad got it set up, and was so excited to sleep in it that night -- as you can see, stories and prayers were much more exciting on the new bed!

Thad wanted to sleep in it with him to break it in, but we were mean and said no. Maybe I will regret that one day, but Wes had some accidents a couple nights previous and I didn't want Thad to wake up Mr. Peebody if Wes had another one. I am sure there will be LOTS of sleep overs in that bed in the years to come! 

 Little Wes always looking up to his big brother!

I am so glad that Wes has a big brother that is always cheering him on and excited for him. Thad has already laid a foundation of love and support for their relationship and I know it will continue throughout the years. Thad hasn't been one bit jealous or discouraging through all of these transitions for Wes and it makes my heart so happy. So happy that I have a boy with so much capacity to love and is teaching his brother to do the same. I know Wes will do amazing with the arrival of his baby sister because he has seen the excitement and love that his older brother has expressed since the day we told them they would have a little sister. I have just been reminded so much lately how blessed we are to have Thad as our oldest and carving the path for this lovely family of ours.