Jackson- the big 3!

Jackson turned 3 on September 8 (I know I'm a little behind). He was so excited for his birthday, he talked about it and planned his party for months. He had a fun party. We had family and a few friends over for dinner, cake and icecream, and of course a pinata. Jackson chose a Dora the Explorer cake and a Batman pinata. One of his favorite things about his birthday was going to lunch with just Dad.

Bike Ride

The weather had been absolutely beautiful this week. Damon and I have been wanting to exercise more so we took the whole family on a walk. It was quite the entourage. Damon pushed Lucy in the stroller, Harrison and Jackson rode their bikes, and I walked our dog Penelope. We live on a dirt road so getting the boys and their bikes from our house to the paved street was a work out in itself. We all enjoyed being outside together. The boys were happy to ride their bikes, even when they got stuck in the dirt or when the had to get off and push their bikes because of all the rocks.

Slip n Slide

We got out the slip n slide for the first time this summer. I don't think Jackson had ever been on one and it has been a couple years since Harrison did it. It was hilarious! They didn't get the concept of running and sliding. At first they just army crawled on it. Then instead of sliding after running Jackson would jump and land on his knees. Harrison would run the length of it then jump into the "pool" at the end.

Even the dogs liked it.

Here's a good one of Jackson jumping!

I had an AMAZING night!

Lucy is 2 months old today and last night she slept from 9 pm to 6 am!!! When she woke at 6, she only woke enough to eat, she didn't even open her eyes, then she slept again until 9! To make things even better my early bird Jackson slept until after 7. What a GREAT night!

On August 2 Damon blessed Lucy. It was a beautiful blessing. He blessed her to have a good relationship with the Lord and with her mother... how great is that?! Grammy made her a beautiful blessing dress and Aunt Stacy crochetted her blanket. Here are some pics.The last week of July we spent at Lake Powell. We had an awesome trip with Damon's family. Harrison and Jackson were little fish and overcame some fears. They loved playing in the sand, riding in the boats and jet skis, and swimming. Even though they were scared they went tubing and Jackson even got on the knee board. When we got there Harrison was very afraid of the water. He was fine once he got in and could swim around with his life jacket on but getting in was a process. By the end of the trip when he leaned too far over and fell in, it didn't even phase him. I was proad of myself for doing so much with Lucy only 6 weeks old. I went on the knee board, jet skis, participated in our "Amazing Race" and swam to a huge rock in the lake.

Jenna and I were in charge of the "Amazing Race" this year. Damon started this tradition a few years ago and it is now something we all look forward to. Our last Lake Powell trip Geoff and I won the race so we were in charge of planning it. Jenna took Geoff's place and we planned the race. We even did a short version for the kids. They had so much fun and Jackson still talks about the "trophy" he won. The kid's "trophys" were sand buckets with toys inside. We also did "booty" prizes for everyone. We gave every one shorts that said AMAZING race BOOTY prize on the back. The words amazing and booty are big so it looks like it says "amazing booty". It was a fun trip but I don't have any pictures because I forgot my camera... arrggh!

Last week my Aunt Connie sent costumes for my kids. I ran errands all day and went to many stores with Batman and Spiderman! My favorite was Harrison's clothes all bunched up and sticking out under his costume.

Prego Pictures and Harrison's 4 year pics

My very talented mother in law took these pictures before Lucy was born. It's quite a challenge getting two very active boys to stand and pose and smile just the right way. We got some funny pictues and also some great ones. Thanks Peggy!Jackson hanging on Mom

My Harrison!

Lucy's room

This is my Lucy's room. I LOVE it! My mom helped me with the sewing. Damon took the boys and my dad on the fathers and sons campout and my mom spent the night and we sewed! It was so much fun. My mom made the bumper and bedskirt and I made the curtains, pillow and a matching quilt. Damon's sister Lisa came over with two friends and spent a day painting. They did an amazing job.

Baby Girl

Lucy Dean Cuzick
June 12, 2009
6 lbs, 11 oz- 19 in. long

Baseball

We signed Harrison and Jackson up for a 6 week baseball course. It was a lot of fun watching and playing with them. Jackson particularly loved it, Harrison... not so much. It was a good experience and the boys were so dang cute trying to play!

Look what I caught!

My grandparents recently moved into a new house after living in theirs for over 50 years! They had a big St. Patrick's day party with lots of family and friends. Their house is beautiful and the party was a lot of fun. The boys loved fishing in their back yard and riding in the boats. It might be the first time they have ever caught a fish!

Happy Birthday Harrison

My little man, Harrison, turned the big 4 on March 16! Him and Jackson LOVE birthdays and talk about what they want for their birthday, what kind of pinata they will have, and who will be at the party ALL the time so it was a lot of fun planning his party.

Harrison chose a Go, Diego, Go birthday cake and a hot pink pinata. It was a lot of fun!

Busy, Busy, Busy

These last few months have been crazy!! I have sat down several times to post and always get distracted with kids or something else. I have a lot of catching up to do but I'll start with the most current. I'm having a BABY! June 12th is the official date. I'm only days away and am so ready and excited.

Run, Baby, Run

I like to run and was training for a 10 mile with a group of friends when I found out I am pregnant. It's been too much for me to run since and I totally miss it. But on Saturday I participated in a 5k with some of my running friends. I ended up walking most of the 3 miles but I did it and it felt great! The best part was Damon, Harrison, and Jackson were waiting for me at the finish line. I always get emotional when I finish a race, in fact it's part of my motivation to run. First of all it's such an amazing feeling to cross the finish line. While running I picture my family waiting for me and that keeps me going. I love hearing my boys talk about "Mommy go running". When I run I feel like I can do anything and I feel like I'm setting an example for my family. I want my boys to remember me full of life and I want them to know that they can do anything they set their mind to. Running is my prozac and I'm so grateful for the support of my family and friends.

Preschool, Puppet Shows, and Firetrucks

I teach preschool two days a week at my house and absolutly love it! In January my Aunt Connie came to my preschool to perform a puppet show of The 3 Little Pigs. It was a blast! She not only had the kid's attention but the parents were laughing too!

In February we went on a fieldtrip to the Freightliner dealership. The kids got to play in a firetruck and dumptruck and take a ride in a semi. One of my little boys wouldn't go near the trucks, most of the kids took a few minutes to feel comfortable but Harrison acted like he owned the place. We had a great time.

Valentine's at the Dunes

We went to the Sand Dunes the weekend of Valentine's day. Harrison and Jackson (and Damon) were so excited to go. It had been almost a year since we last went and they definately had "dune fever". The morning we left I was getting ready to load the motor home when I realized Harrison had already loaded two baskets!
We had a great time. Harrison loves the sand rail and will ride with Damon for hours. Jackson thinks it's too loud and prefers smaller rides in the rhino, which is fine with me because I can't ride the rail being pregnant and it always makes me motion sick anyway.
Harrison rode our friend's kid quad all by himself for the first time. He loved it but was terrified. When he got off he said, "it was kind of scary." But of course he kept asking to ride again.

The first day we were there Damon's mom, step dad, aunt and uncle came to visit us. They were on their way home from California and stopped for a ride. They had never been to the Dunes or in a sand rail. I'm not sure if they loved it but I think they enjoyed the experience, and it was fun playing with them.
On Valentine's day we went to a high end restaurant for dinner, The Golden Corral. There isn't much else in Yuma!
We had a good trip.

The joys of potty training!

So my Jackson is very independent and very strong willed. Awhile ago the boys were taking a bath and Jackson got out of the tub and said, " I need to go potty." So he sat on the toilet and went poop! He didn't have any interest for awhile after that but the last couple months I will randomly hear the toilet flush and he will come out of the bathroom without his clothes on. One time the boys were getting dressed for the day in my bathroom and Jackson said he was going to pee in the shower and he did. So lately he has been asking to wear "umerwear". He finally became very determined to wear big boy unders so I took him to the store and let him choose his own and he hasn't worn a diaper since! He does wear pullups most of the time mostly because he has a hard time going #2 on the toilet and I don't want accidents while I'm teaching preschool and I'm pregnant and tired! Despite the pullups he has been keeping them dry most days. We did have a few rough days/moments at the beginning. I think the funniest thing that happened was when Jackson rode his bike into the bathroom (he is CONSTANTLY on his bike). I stepped out, because like I said earlier he is very idependent, when I heard him calling me. "Mama! I spilled!" I go to check on him and he is sitting on the edge of the toilet because he won't let go of his bike to scoot back all the way and because of that he totally missed the toilet and got his bike!

Boys will be Boys

Harrison and Jackson playing princess and beauty salon...