The United States of America

We have been so impressed with what Collin is learning in preschool. Just this afternoon, he said, "Hey mommy and daddy, the USA is the United States of America." Well... yes Collin it is :) He also knows the Pledge of Allegiance and John 3:16. He knows most of the words to the "Grand Ole Flag" song. I don't even know all the words, and I obviously don't know the correct title of the song either. It is so stinkin sweet. Of course it's on video, but of course I can't figure out how to get it on here.

Brantlee keeps us laughing so much these days. She is so dang sassy it's not even funny. Yesterday I told her, "Brantlee you are such a little priss." And she answered right back with, "No, I'm a girl!" Ha. Can't get anything past her. Brantlee's favorite song is "Jesus Loves Me" and she can sing the first verse. "Ring Around the Rosey" is a close second for her too. She is very interested in talking about her upcoming birthday. Priceless moments.

Here are some afternoon shots of them doing what they do best- playing HARD outside, usually barefoot and eating a popsicle and with as little clothing as possible.

I loved how the lighting turned out on these two pictures. It was just how the sun was shining that day.

Our best friends Daisy and Stella

They play SO rough with each other. I overheard Brantlee say "Let's do a crash!" so I guess this fall was on purpose. No wonder they live with all these bruises!

This is what we call being self-sufficient at our house - getting in the swing by yourself

This picture makes me want to squeeze every ounce of that chubby little body.

Collin is going to kill me one day over all the underwear pics. Buddy, this is just how you liked to be at 3 :)

Go super fast, Mommy!

Saturday the whole family participated in JCJC's annual 5K. This included Collin and Brantlee! They did great for their 1st race to ever ride in. We have been training with them for months, but for this race we finally made it a family affair :) Lolly and Poppy did it too. Both Kyle and Poppy placed 3rd in their age groups. We are sooo proud of them!! Collin, Brantlee, and I set no records, but we finished in 32 minutes or so. These two didn't make a peep the whole race, except for a few quotes from Collin:

"Hey Mommy, are we going to win??"

"Hey mommy, go super fast!"

(about 1/2 way through the race) "Hey mommy, why aren't we going super fast anymore?" -HA

Post-race and glad it's over!

When it was over, Brantlee was DONE.

"I ready go!" she said!

Yay Collin, look what you won!

Collin & Lolly resting. He felt so big wearing Poppy's number:)

After the event, we grilled out with friends all day and ate until we couldn't eat anymore. It turned out to be a very fun day.

In other news, Stella is officially rocking our world right now. She is in to everything, likes to pee on everything, and loves to chew on everthing, including our children. But how can you be upset with this face?? You just can't.

Mommy loves, loves, loves to be shot with this Nerf gun;)
And the little bullet things, those are great to suck up in the vacuum, too.

"I hold the camera."

Look closely and you can see the glittery lip gloss Brantlee insisted I put on her lips TWICE before leaving for church this morning. She also insisted that I put this picture on the blog... Only kidding :) But that does bring me to a funny Miss B story.

Here lately we have been really trying to say the blessing before all our meals, and both kids love to say it. Usually Collin calls us out when we forget to say it, but tonight it was Brantlee. Halfway through eating tonight, she stopped chewing, looked at me with big eyes, and said, "We not say thank you God." Now that will humble you.

Post-Bath Hair

Ever since Collin has had enough hair to comb, Kyle has found it hilarious to torture our children with unfortunate hairstyles, particularly after bath time. Apparently Kyle thought he needed to experiment with his own hair as well that night. As I walk in our room, this is what I see:

Kyle went with the blown back, preacher look. Collin is sporting the traditional "butt cut." And Brantlee seems pleased with the "old man comb-over" style.
Seriously, I left him alone with our children for 5 minutes!

Unfortunately, it has just been one of those weeks. And these pitiful pictures are all I have to show for it. I promise I'll do better this weekend. We have a fun one planned!

Oh, and Kyle- you're welcome ;)

Fast, Funny Few Days

Of course with no school or work on Monday, our week went by in a hurry. And nothing too "blogworthy" happened except for just some typical, dysfunctional Crager humor :)

This is total blackmail for that Senior year in high school...

I don't know what it is about MY shoes... not Kyle's shoes, just mine. Puzzling.

After bath time every night, we let the kiddos run around in the buff to let them "air" dry. It is their favorite thing to do. They won't be still long enough for us to completely dry them off, so we just let them run free for a little bit. Hey, we all need to feel liberated every now and then. Well, one night this past week I was letting them air dry while I straightened up the bathroom. As I entered the living room I see Brantlee in mid-action doing something I had no I idea she was capable of doing- scaling the back of the couch and actually making it over to the over side, with no help. WHAT??! I know I should have shut this activity down right then and there, but I really wanted a picture of it. And here she goes...

Notice the pillow she put on the floor just give herself a little boost-ha

Almost there, just keep pulling...
Whew, she made it!! I promise no one helped her do this. We quickly stopped this trick, and I haven't see her do it again since. Have mercy, this child makes us nervous!

Let the games begin! Lolly introduced Collin to the game of Candy Land- an instant hit! Collin has smoked Kyle and me multiple times already. I'm telling you, the kid can't lose at this game.

It sure is hard to resist a curled up napping shot.

We eat ice cream cones right before bath time and bedtime. And we eat them upside down and with a spoon. Doesn't everyone??!

Last night, we finally took both kids to a high school football game. We chose the West vs. South game, which was super crowded and hot. But the kids did really, really well. We only made it to halftime, but we made it nearly 2 hours sitting in those stands with only 2 or 3 minor meltdowns. I was proud. But don't think for one minute that this adventure was uneventful... that's just impossible in our world.

Collin started out great, loving the game and atmosphere. Then something just got to him, and he started crying- the pitiful, sad kind of crying ... not the throwing a fit kind. Anyway, we finally figured out that all the loud noise and yelling, combined with exhaustion, just got the best of him. Then he tells us, and I quote, "That lady down there was yelling and not smiling. And that made me sad." Bless his sweet heart. He is such a tender soul :)

He did enjoy the game though, as well as the suckers.

But nothing could top the band. That was the highlight for both these two!

Shortly after this moment we discovered, that Brantlee had only one shoe. It was nowhere to be found. We used our best judgement and concluded that she took off the shoe and threw it under the bleachers. There is no way it just fell off. Those sandals were strapped on her feet. It was intentional. That little stinker- ha! Luckily our friend Addison went under the bleachers and got it for us. Thanks Addison!

After this we headed to Sonic for some refreshments. And the drama didn't stop there. We decided to sit outside in the patio section. Collin got strangled on a cherry and vomited all over himself. Right after that, Brantlee spilled my cherry limeade drink all over mom and me, the table and the ground. At that point, we couldn't help but laugh hysterically. What else can you do?! I am sure the people in the drive up section are still laughing this morning about that scene.

And finally, here we have Kyle encouraging Brantlee to use the potty, as she woke up dry from a full night's sleep this morning. Did she use it you ask? No sir. Not today. After 45 minutes of coaxing, he just let it go. And at this moment, her diaper is soaked and about to explode. Wow.

I promise we aren't always this dysfunctional. It's been an exceptional week. Have a great weekend!

Labor Day Weekend

What a beautiful, long, fun weekend it has been. So this will be a long post. The weather has been so nice. Ten degrees cooler, and it will be perfect! Our weekend has been filled with several birthday parties, food, shopping, and playing outside. And last but certainly not least... college football! Kyle has been in state of awe for the last 3 days-ha.

Friday evening Nana and Poppa came over to celebrate Nana's birthday. (Her actual birthday isn't until the 9th of this month, but Poppa will be out of town that day.) Kyle grilled while we all watched the games and C & B played until they could hardly go anymore.

Poppa and Kyle though it would be a great idea to push C and B down the slope of our driveway as fast as they could in the wagon and cars. Around the 10th time down the driveway, I discovered what they were doing and what all the squealing and laughing was about. I hope that the facial expressions and the blurriness of the pictures shows just how fun this activity was ... and just how fast they were going. Good gracious!!

This is really Kyle's idea of heaven. Grilling, nice weather, and watching a football game outside. In his defense, it was rather nice :)

We've never really made a big deal out of our parents birthdays in the past. Something about grandchildren seems to change of meaning of everything. Plus, there is no possible way we could adequately thank our parents for all the help they are to us. We hope that birthday cake and candles are a start though ;)

Saturday morning I took Collin to a birthday party for one of his friends. Then he went dove hunting with Poppy- so much fun! Brantlee stayed with Lolly for the morning. Mom took some great pictures of B to use on her upcoming birthday invitation. She will be 2 years old in one month, and we are celebrating with a Minnie Mouse party at the park. We can't wait!

And speaking of birthday, I had to share this funny (typical) story. Mee Maw had planned to get Brantlee a little rocking chair for her birthday, so she will have something to rock her babies in. Caring for babies is a big part of B's life these days. Anyway, we go over to visit with MeeMaw, PawPaw and Pammie after church on Sunday and guess what she has... not one, not two, but THREE rocking chairs. One for all 3 great grandchildren!!! She just couldn't stand the thought of the other two not having their own rocking chair! It was so sweet, and just like my MeeMaw. She is so generous and always has been. She loves these babies so, so very much. Thank you MeeMaw and Paw Paw. The rocking chairs are already a huge hit!

Later Sunday afternoon, we went celebrate cousin Kaden's 4th birthday. Again, it was so nice outside, and all the kids had a blast playing.
Isn't this cake adorable??! Brandy is becoming a pro with this cake-making business. She really is so talented. And the cakes taste as amazing as they look!

Collin, Karsen, and birthday boy Kaden!

Here is our sweet B swinging away in her little floral dress with pink piggy tails.

The next think I know, she has taken off her shoes, her feet are filthy, she has ripped out her pony tail holders, there is dirt smeared all over her face and under her fingernails, and she is driving Kaden's four-wheeler. Sigh. Oh well, that's our B :)

Dear Santa, This tree house is really cool. I'm thinking I need something like this for Christmas. Thanks, Collin

Collin and Fischer are hard at work. These two boys are the best of friends. They are inseperable!