October Update

 Patrick – is one busy boy! School started the second week of September, and he is currently taking 14 credits. He is enrolled in a research course in place of an internship, (Research deals with cardiorespiratory fitness in crossfitters compared to runners). Classes start at 7:45 AM and he is gone most of the day. He rushes home to spend time before the boys go to bed and then dives into homework. He graduates in December, (10 weeks, just 10 weeks! But who’s counting?) and is literally ecstatic about it. He was recently released as Gospel Doctrine teacher and currently enjoying not having a calling and spends his time chasing babies in the hall :)

 Ashley – is staying busy. The house has been neglected for nearly two years (being massively pregnant and having the boys) so she’s been playing catch up with deep cleaning the house. She’s finally found time to really cook again, and the family is thrilled to be eating better and healthier. When the babies nap, she’s been working with Ledger on letter recognition and sounds. She is still serving on the publications committee and helps with the monthly ward newsletter.

Preslee – is still influencing. Ashley and the boys have been making it a priority to get out of the house each week, and when people see the boys together, they tend to recognize who they are. Ashley has had multiple people stop her and share how their story has influenced their life. Ashley was overwhelmed with gratitude when a lady stopped her in Target and handed her a $40 gift card, and explained she reads the blog.

Ledger – is one funny kid. We’re savoring this age, even though he’s an emotional three year old, he really is one loving kid. He’s constantly telling us how much he loves us, how we’re his best friends, and giving us hugs and kisses. Just today he told his mom that he wants to be married to her forever. He’s all about Paw Patrol and Rescue bots. He suddenly has learned who his brothers are and no longer calls them both Cannon. He’s been talking and asking a lot about Preslee, his little brain seems to be attempting to figure the whole situation out.

Cannon – is a pretty happy kid. He plays well by himself, and with others. He seems to be developing an imagination, and it is fun to watch him play in his own little world. He loves hats and and is always trying to put something on his head or around his neck. He recently started giving kisses which melts his momma’s heart, along with walking around the house repeating “Momma,” all day long.

 Cruiz – is a climber, but ironically is afraid of heights. He climbs on everything, and then screams for mom to let him down. Let’s be honest, out of all the kids, Cruiz requires the most attention…but there’s an upside, he always gives back by wanting to cuddle, which makes it all worth it. He’s a passionate kid, so when he’s up, he’s really up, which makes life fun.  He flirts with anyone who looks at him, and uses his irresistible grin to melt any lady ooing and ahhing over the fact he’s a twin.

(Cruiz, Cannon)

Twins – They get their own category, because together they can accomplish what it takes five kids to do. Our house is baby proofed, yet they still manage to destroy things on a daily basis. We still call them Seek and Destroy, because there are days I feel like their sole purpose in life is to destroy our house. They now fight, tackle, punch, pull hair, and have even given each other bloody noses. They’ll be fighting, and then within seconds can be found hugging and giving each other a kiss.

They are rarely separated, but over the past month there have been a few times when one baby (the trouble maker) needs to be removed from the situation to help calm all three boys down. They’ve been placed in their crib for a few minutes while the other two calm down. Within minutes the twin not in the crib, will notice his brother is missing and will literally walk around the house looking for him and then pound on their bedroom door to be let in. Once the door is open, he’ll sit at the bottom of his brother’s crib and begin to babble to him, almost like he is saying, “It’s okay dude, she doesn’t know what she’s doing. I’ve got ya.” all the while glaring at mom… It’s the first time I’ve seen them become super protective of one another.

Though it might sound chaotic, this stage is by far the easiest we’ve experienced with both boys, and we’re still trying to embrace the chaos.

Now we are anxiously awaiting Ashley’s Birthday and continue to discuss Halloween on a daily basis.