Jake is officially 2 1/2 years old.

Jake is officially 2 1/2 today. In 6 short months, my first born will be 3. Craziness. I love it... ALL!

Jake is doing great! Loves being outside, at the park, nature center, Disneyland, playing sports, wrestling with Asher, playing with his friends, puzzles, playing Lego's and blocks, and art!

He's wearing 4T/5T clothes, and size 9 1/2 - 10 size shoe.

He still likes Pocoyo, but has moved into the Disney movies. Right now the favorites over here are Rio, Toy Story (1-3), and Cars 1. Grant is proud of his Disney boy... ;)

Favorite foods:
Peanut butter, brown rice, chow mein noodles (LOVES CHINESE FOOD), noodles, chicken fingers, steak, bacon, ALL berries, bananas, pancakes, whole grain blueberry waffles, popcorn (a treat for movie night), frozen go-gurts (I call it ice cream), yogurt with granola, trail mix, jello, apple sauce, apples, and so on. Way too many things to list. He's a little picky of an eater. Not the biggest fan of veggies... but, I keep trying!

Here are a few pictures from this week.

Momma and my little man!

Jake loves to wear hats. This week he was wearing a cowboy hat everywhere. It was a decoration from Asher's party. Glad it's getting good use. ;)

This little man has no fear! Climbed up the big stairs, to the big slide! Went down like it was nothing. 

He also has finally found his voice and personality. If he doesn't like something... we are made fully aware of it. See exhibit A:

Such a joy and blessing these boys are to me. It's been truly amazing to see Jake grow and flourish as a toddler. He's my buddy, and will always be mommas baby... Even if he'll be bigger than me in the 2nd grade! he he.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Western Cowboy themed birthday party (Toy Story inspired). Happy 1st Birthday Asher!

Not only was this one of the most fun parties to plan, it was also my favorite party to date. Yep, true story. I don't know if Pinterest gives me even more inspiration, or if I just get more detailed with age. Anyway you look at it... it was a great success!

I made the banner, and most of the candy. The cake, and smash cake is from our favorite local bakery, and the boys shirts where from Etsy (Jake HAD to have a Buzz Lightyear shirt... even though it was more of a western "Toy Story theme"). I decided that this year I would make a party favor. I got the the s'mores idea from Pinterest.

Since we had a "Round Up BBQ", we decided to make hamburgers, and hot dogs with all the fixings!

Here are some of the pictures from the party. If you click on the picture it will view the image larger. Enjoy!

If you click on the picture you can see a little closer the frame in the background. The frame is from Pottery Barn. It shows the baby through the first 12 months, and the babies name. I have one for Jake, and now for Asher... completed! wow!

I made the month banner, and added number with a western font (numbers came from my friend Kristy's silhouette cameo machine - that is going to be my next purchase....)

My family of ALL BOYS! And I wouldn't have it any other way!!!

Asher John and Momma.

Asher had NO interest in the cake... So, Grant and I ate it! ;)

Thank you to all our amazing friends and family that could attend! We feel so blessed and lucky to have so many wonderful people in our lives! To all of those that couldn't attend you were certainly missed! We will see you at the next Stone extravaganza! Here are a few pictures that Grant's cousin Amanda took. 

Special thank you to Grant's mom Vicki, for flying into town to celebrate Asher's 1st birthday! We were so happy to have you here to spend time with you. We wish you lived closer and we could see you more!

A huge thank you to cousin Amanda for coming over at the crack of dawn to help watch the boys while I set up! We love you so much! I'm so glad that you and I have become not only family... but, friends. I think the world of you! Thank you for all you do for us! 

Until next year... Or Jake's 3rd birthday! ;)

Monthly pictures of Asher

At 7:05pm, on February 24, Grant and I became parents to another little munchkin. Grant and I were thrilled  to have another healthy, happy, baby boy.

Over the last year, I've seen this little newborn grow into an infant, and now into a toddler. As happy as that makes me... It still makes me a little teary eyed. I love all the stages... but, it just goes by too fast. Asher was the happiest little boy! Always smiling, cooing, and laughing. He was happy just sitting up, bouncing in his bouncer, talking, and watching all of us. 

Asher has made this family so very complete. Jake and Asher run around the house and talk to each other. I have no idea what is going on... but, they certainly do. It makes my heart so happy seeing the joy they bring each other. Exactly why Grant and I wanted kids so close in age. It's challenging for me at times... but, it just gets easier! Oh how much I love seeing them play and interact! 

Now that Asher is officially 12 months old... I can post all of the sticker pictures that I took. My kids are so hard to take photos of... They move and are so active early... but, I still manage to accomplish the task of the monthly pics! I'm so glad I started this when Jake was born. :)

Next blog post will be Asher's first birthday party! We held the party yesterday and feel so incredibly blessed and thankful for all of those that made Asher's first birthday special!

Letter to my birthday boy, Asher John. (Feb. 24)

Asher John,

My mini me. OK, you look like both of us... but, you have more of my features (he he). Since Jake looks exactly like your dad, I take full pride in the fact you look more like me. ;) Thank you for being the perfect little man that you are. Thank you for your little smiles, your laughter, and your voice. You are my verbal child. You have LOTS to say. You make sure everyone in the room knows what's on your mind. Your amazing in every way.

You love your brother. You love everything about him. You like to follow him, take his toys, wear his clothes, and drink from his cups (even though you have your own of everything). Lately you like to wrestle with him. Your all boy. Your strong willed, loving, and happy. You are incredibly strong. You are the strongest little boy I've ever seen (just like your big brother). You love to play basketball. It's your favorite thing to do when we go outside. You want to play as soon as you see the ball and hoop. You take the ball and walk right up to the basket and slam dunk it! Your just that talented already.

I'm so happy that God gave me you as a gift. What a gift that you are. I smile just at the sight of you. Your not only handsome... you are pretty. My pretty boy. :) But, my pretty boy that is all boy. I squeeze and love on you all day. Your brother adores you too. He loves to play with you, and show you the ropes. Even though you make up your own mind already. You have found your spot in this little family that your father and I have created. The perfect addition to our family.

It feels like just yesterday I was pregnant with you. And I will never forget my delivery of you. A successful VBAC. I was admitted into the hospital with VERY strong contractions every minute, and delivered you within 3 hours of getting admitted (45 minutes after I got the epidural). Delivery was a breeze! I was able to hold you right away. Something I couldn't do with your brother. I wanted to make sure I was able to hold you immediately, and that I could run around with you as soon as you came home with us.

I have tears as I write this letter to you. Tears of happiness. I love you so much! You are an incredible little boy. My toddler. You will always be my baby though. No matter where life takes you. And life is going to take you far little man. You are so very special and bring your father, Jake, and I so much joy. I can't wait to see you grow and develop into the person that God designed you to be. I will be here to support and love you along the way.

Thank you for another memorable, blessed year. I love you to pieces.

You are my sunshine. Forever and always.

Love,
Your momma

Sneak peek into our world...

With Asher's first birthday this weekend, I started getting emotional. My baby is going to be a toddler. I struggled when Jake turned one too. I love seeing all the stages, and watching them grow into little people... but, the thought of the baby stage ending makes me a little sad.

Time flies so fast, and it goes even faster when your raising little ones. I love watching them grow, learn new things, and come into their own. I like to document this by having family pictures taken. After the first birthday I usually just like to have one session a year. But, I can't pass the opportunity to have their first year taken. I'm already looking back at Jake's first year session and remembering that time in our life. Jake had just turned one, and I was already 12 weeks pregnant with Asher. We took those at the bay and beach by our house. I can't wait to see all the pictures that we took yesterday.

Here is just a little sneak peek from this weekend... I LOVE THEM!
My baby boys. So handsome and sweet. I'm the luckiest mommy in the world! 

Have a blessed week!

My Valentines - 2013

I feel like Valentines Day at our house goes a few days. On Valentines Day, we will always do our family time. It's a family holiday for us. I like to spend it with all my boys. Grant and I plan another night over the weekend to take a date night. He actually likes to plan it. My sweet hubby! :) We usually have a standing Saturday night date or a Sunday day date. So, we will celebrate this weekend as a couple. 

I went to the Disney Store and bought the boys some presents, and put them in Toy Story (reusable bags). I also, got them clothes, and new fedoras. These boys like to wear hats! Stylish men I have.

After naps, they woke up to presents! 

Asher got up first, so I was able to take a few shots of one of my Valentines.

LOVE LOVE LOVE. Have a great weekend all!

For the LOVE of BOYS!

For the LOVE! For the love of craziness, busyness, wrestling, building blocks, and sports. That's our house. It's awesome. I love it. I'd like to think that I'm a "girly" tomboy. I love all things football, tough love, and cars myself. God gave me exactly what was meant for me. However, you never know the future here at the Stone house. God may bless us ONE DAY (NOT NOW PEOPLE) with another baby. That baby may be a girl... but, it could also be another beautiful boy! ;0

I hope to raise faithful, polite, strong, loving, loyal, and smart boys. I hope that they are educated, play/played sports all through high school/college, live a happy/successful life and most importantly are friends. If I can do that... I've accomplished my dream. 

I didn't know that one day I'd be home with children. But, my life changed forever finding out I was pregnant with Jake... I knew that my role was forever going to change. Staying home with them is what WE wanted to do as a family. This is what I'll continue to do until they are old enough to be in school and are busy (if that doesn't mean that they need me more ;) ). I'm lucky to be able to do this job, so I'm giving it my all! It's the hardest job I've had. Raising boys. But, It's the best and most rewarding job for me. I'm not speaking for other women. I'm only speaking for myself and my family.

Here is a little what we do here at the Stone house.

The boys play together. 

They hug on each other.

They've already begun wrestling with each other.

They play sports...

We go to the Nature Center. And the boys play with their buddy Henry.

They keep me busy and on my toes. I love these monkeys. They make me so happy. And even when they are running wild through the house... I have to remember, that soon they will want to be alone in their rooms. They wont want me to kiss their "boo boos", and they may not snuggle either. I'll take it all... I take in all the moments. They do fly by. Little Asher pants is going to be one next week. It really is so hard to believe. Am I going to feel this way every birthday they have? UGH. My baby is going to be a toddler? OMGOSH!

I will treasure all of these moments. My boys. My life.

I'm a little emotional with the thought of my baby becoming a toddler next weekend, can you tell?