I was really excited for him…yet, had a tugging at my heartstrings at the same time. I mean, this seems like such a big milestone. He’s no longer a little kid, but a boy…a boy who could hop on his bike and ride away without any help. Next he’ll be going to kindergarten and loosing teeth. So fun and heart wrenching all at the same time.

SO proud of all your efforts, Cohen. It just takes practice!

Cohen got to bring home their class pet, Brownie. He immediately introduced him to his own dog, Oscar.

It got below 50 here so Christian made me happy by building our first fire of the season.

Christian and I were able to attend the boys Thanksgiving Feast at Preschool. Cohen was a turkey and Keegan was an Indian.

And then there was this…

Yeah, that black bulge where the arrow is pointing should not be there. So…I had to have back surgery a couple of weeks ago. Not expected, but totally worth it. I was in so much pain and could tell a difference immediately after waking up in the recovery room. Now a yet to be determined amount of physical therapy and I’ll be good as new! Really just thankful to be pain free!!

It was also a blessing that we had planned to host Thanksgiving at our house this year. My family was incredible at cooking, cleaning, keeping the boys entertained and they even put up my Christmas decorations!! Trevor spent many hours playing football with Cohen…

Cohen suckered everyone into playing games with him…

The boys loved the glasses B-Pa & Malinda brought them that show different things when you look at the lights on the Christmas tree like snowflakes & santas…

Putting the last ornaments on the tree…

After Thanksgiving, Cohen visited the dentist and got to wear these cool shades. His 6 year molars are already coming in and she said we could expect some loose teeth fairly soon. Really??

Sweet face…

Cohen was SO proud of himself for reading all of these words all by himself…

My little reindeer are definitely ready for Christmas!!

We started the month with a visit from my dad and Malinda. They came to watch Cohen play t-ball and my dad celebrated his birthday while they were here. I’d say his cake was a pin-win, if you know what I mean.

We made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch.

Look at this handsome boy…

Poppa & Memere were our next set of visitors. They were also here to watch Cohen play t-ball and help celebrate his 5th birthday.

While they were here they took the boys on a quick trip to Fossil Rim & Dinosaur World. The boys had a blast! Where else are you able to let a giraffe eat right out of your hand?

If you can’t get the boys to smile…you might as well as them to ROAR!! Love this picture!!

Cohen got what he had been asking for for his birthday… a bike!

He also got the cake he requested…a chocolate chocolate chip Nothing Bundt Cake.

Next to visit was my mom, Walt, Aunt Melissa & Uncle Trevor. They also came down to watch Cohen play t-ball.

Best sister EVER!!

We decorated a pumpkin for the pumpkin decorating contest at preschool.

We played LOTS of t-ball. It was so fun and these boys had a blast!

We gave Cohen the option for his 5th birthday of having a party or going to the Great Wolf Lodge. He chose Great Wolf. They loved getting to sleep in the wolf den!

We (ie. Christian) carved a pumpkin. Neither of the boys were too crazy about sticking their hands down in the pumpkin guts.

And of course, we dressed up for Halloween! This was the year of the superhero.

Now we’re only two weeks away from Thanksgiving! Can’t wait!

A look back over the last five years…

Happy Birthday, Cohen! I love you more than you can ever know!

Silliness, of course. If this boy is in the house there is bound to be some silliness going on!

The boys pretending they are super heros protecting me from the bad guys…

We actually had a picture taken as a family! Wish this happened more often!

The boys spent a few moments in time out…

Showing off the jerseys daddy brought them back from Nicaragua…

Keegan spent some time in serious thought picking out just the right diaper (and yes, he does this every time he picks a diaper…it’s a very important decision). Grover always gets top priority with Ernie being a close second.

Cohen loved trying out the catcher’s gear that came with our t-ball equipment…

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The boys spent LOTS of time playing in the turtle sandbox turned swimming hole…

They also spent LOTS of time playing baseball…

Cohen practiced his best intimidating batter face… (One of my favorite pictures of him ever!)

The boys started preschool. This was them on the first day…

And last, but not least…t-ball has officially started. Cohen is so happy to have Christian as his coach again…

His first at bat as a Horned Frog. He chose number 32 for Josh Hamilton.

All caught up and back in business!

The first thing we did (which the boys had been looking forward to for a long time) was go to the dinosaur museum.

Cohen had heard about the spitting dinosaur and was thrilled to finally get to see it himself.

Spitting Dinosaur from christianross on Vimeo.

We got to see Uncle Alex while we were there and the boys loved riding with him in his truck.

They helped Poppa make some chocolate chip cookies.

They loved taking baths in the huge bathtub.

They got to go on a bike ride, which they loved.

We went to Rifle Falls State Park.

We hiked and explored some really neat caves.

We also went to the Colorado State Fish Hatchery and fed the fish.

We wrapped up our time in Grand Junction with a birthday party for Poppa.  Christian’s cousin and his family were able to join us and the kiddos were super proud of the candles they put on Poppa’s cake.

We had such a fabulous time and hope we can get back again soon!  We had a three hour layover in Denver on our way home and were able to spend some time with Melissa & Trevor…unfortunately, I just realized I didn’t snap one picture while we were there.  Oh well, it was still great to see them!!

(Cohen’s answer’s are first, Keegan’s second).

My Daddy’s name is Christian / Dad.

My Dad is 34 / 2 years old.

His hair is short / Poppa and his eyes are green / Poppa.  (Keegan wanted to answer Poppa on every question after Cohen laughed at him for answering Poppa to these questions).

My Dad’s favorite food is sausage & noodles / sausage & noodles.

Daddy’s favorite color is purple & blue / purple & green.

My Dad likes to wear pink / undies.

My Dad’s job is work / job.

He loves to eat pizza / cookies.

He’s smart because he knows you (meaning me!) / me.

My Dad works hard at his office / (I think this one was a little over Keegan’s head).

Daddy always tells me what to do / go to timeout.

I’m happy when Daddy plays with me / (Keegan had lost interest at this point in time).

I love my Daddy because he’s so special to me / I love Dad!

I’m so thankful to have such a wonderful husband who is also a wonderful father.  Happy Father’s Day!!

We made our first trip to the batting cage with Cohen.  He was a little nervous at first, but ended up having a great time.  He is convinced that he is going to play for the Texas Rangers someday.  He lives and breaths baseball.

After the batting cage, the boys tried their hand at golf…

We went to Main Street Days and Cohen went to a pizza dough tossing class…the wind kept blowing the flour in his eyes so the tossing didn’t last very long.

The boys rode the jeeps…Cohen loved it…Keegan, not so much…

Sweet face…

A super cute video of Keegan doing “Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Moe.”

Eeny Meeny Miney Moe from christianross on Vimeo.

Playing in the water…

Sweet face…

MUSCLES…

Over the past month, Keegan has begun pooping in the potty all by himself!!  I had planned to start potty training later this summer, but he just started doing it one day and has only had a couple of times he’s gone in his diaper since.  He still doesn’t pee pee in the potty.  Guess we’ll start working on that when we get back from vacation.  This was after one of the very first times he asked to sit on the potty…I had just left him to do his business and he came out with a new hat…

Cohen loves to help in the kitchen, especially if it involves getting to use a knife…

Keegan, of course, isn’t knife ready, but he can pound some chicken!

All my boys…I am SO blessed.

We went to John & Jacki’s land for Memorial day.  The boys had a blast riding on the mini bikes…

And checking out the fish…

And driving the John Deer jeep…

Keegan practicing his trick riding…

Ok…done with May!!  Hello summer!!

Such a silly boy…

Fun climbing the fence…

Cohen has really been into picking out his own clothes lately.  A consistent theme has emerged…”comfy” shorts, tucked in t-shirt and knee high socks…

Fun at the land riding in the go-cart with Mr. John…

Fun at the lake throwing rocks…

And finding fish skeletons…