Sunday, October 23, 2011

Annual Trip...

To Peter's Pumpkin Patch. Every year we venture to Peter's Pumpkins and let the kids pick their own pumpkins. The past 2 years, Hunter and Kellen have sought out the smallest pumpkins possible so they can carry them all by themselves. Eli and I seek out the biggest pumpkins possible, after all, who in their right mind can carve a gourd. Well this year, Hunter and Kellen finally understood that their mother does not have the steadiest hand, so a bigger pumpkin is a better idea.


I wish Eli could have come with this weekend. Looks like we will be making a special trip next weekend. However, it was good to watch the three little guys together (don't mind hunter's scowl in every pic - he was a bit over tired.


Happy Fall Everybody!

Late Night Treat Trip...

I am very lucky because my boys are completely random (I think they get it from me.) So when I have a hair brain idea like running for a Pannera treat at 8:40 at night, they are completely happy to accompany me.

Diva and his Frappacino.

Hunti-poo and his muffin...

And I am pretty sure Noah is looking on trying to figure out when he will graduate to muffins and frappacinos.


Thanks for the fun night boys!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Hunter's Summer Adventure ...

Hunter is 4 years old and loves animals. Hunter is also full of energy and often has a difficult time focusing. Hunter often gets frustrated because he does not have the muscle strength to do some of the activities his brothers can do, such as pedaling a two wheel bike. All of this being said, Scott and I though it was important to get Hunter involved in an activity that would combine his interests while tackling some of Hunter's struggles. So, we enrolled him at Agape Riding Center outside of Henderson. So far, it has been great. Friday, I had a great time staying out of the way and watching ever so closely, while Hunter worked to stay on task while learning new skills and building his self-esteem. This session was especially exciting for us as Hunter stayed focused enough that he was able to ride the horses.

First, here is a pic of Hunti-poo in his Cowpoke attire:


Before any riding is done, Hunter helps his friend Dave, by giving Shania a treat as Dave gets Shania outfitted with her saddle and bridle (all of which Hunter helped bring from the tack trailer.


Before we know it, Hunter is riding Shania and Dave is helping Hunter by leading him and Shania ...


Teaching Hunter how to use the reigns ...


By the end, Hunter looks like a natural...


Hunter has had 2 sessions at Agape and we love that he has an interest and skill that is just his. Overall, I love that I see how excited, happy, interested and focused Hunter is when he is working with Dave and his horse friends.

Thanks Dave, Shania, Jack, and Patches...

Friday, July 8, 2011

4th of July

We celebrated the holiday by spending the day at the lake with the boys ... and we had a blast. Our boys love the water, but usually we take them to the local pool. I think Monday was the first time Hunter and Kellen actually played at a beach, and they along with Eli, Noah, Scott and I, had a great time.
The boys had a great time showing off their beach bodies ...

and relaxing at the dock...




And Mama had a great time sharing moments like these...




Saturday, June 25, 2011

Happy Anniversary...

Our boys have taught us to treasure every moment and that the surprises God grants you are what life is about. On Wednesday, our family celebrated one of the best surprises our family has ever been granted... The anniversary of Hunti-poo's first day with us.

Hunter moved in with us on 6/22/2007 and at that time, we were not sure how long he would be with us. However, within a few minutes of him coming through our doors, we knew he would be in our hearts forever.

Since that day, Hunter has brightened our days with his smile ...


Become a brother and a best friend ...


And continued to melt our hearts with his smile, his laugh, and that little voice that comes straight from the heart...


Happy anniversary Hunti-poo. We are so very thankful for that day 4 years ago and every day since. We love you bunchies...

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Noah Rainn - 14 Weeks

Amazing how many big things can happen in such a short amount of time and how quickly time gets away - especially in the life of an infant. Noah is growing and maturing super fast. Evryday he learns something new and he becomes his own little person. In the last couple of wweeks, I have gone back to work, Noah sleeps through the night regularly, and he has become the most laid back little guy. Noah is quite the conversationalist and loves his floor time. He does get a bit grouchy during tummy time but here is a pic of him tolerating tummy time with a smile - all be it a short lived one.

This last week has also been a big one as Noah seems to be setting teeth. When Noah is not talking to us, he is sucking his fist and drooling.

Overall, Noah is changing daily and we are enjoying every minute we have of this time that seems to go by way too quickly!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Noah Rainn - 12 Weeks Old

It has gone by too quickly. Noah is 12 weeks old already (tears) I can not believe how quickly this time has gone by and how much I have enjoyed every minute of it. Noah has changed so much from the first time we laid eyes on him and he is developing quite the personality. Noah has made it clear to me that posing for pictures is no fun and he would prefer if I did not stick the camera in his face every chance I get. Thus, the number of sharable pics taken during this leave have been pretty limited. However, here are a few shots just to show you what a little man Noah is turning into:



This is one of my favorites from today.

While Noah does not love having his pic taken, he does love his bath...

I am totally enjoying the ride as Noah becomes his own little person and shares his many smiles, coos, and quiet moments with us.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Time Goes By Too Quickly...

On Thursday I return to work. I like my job and love the people I work with, but, I wish I could have more time with my boys. Time has passed way too quickly. I have truely enjoyed every extra minute with my boys. Eli, Hunter, Kellen, and Noah have made every day of this leave great! I am not saying that we have not all needed a time out once in a while, but those moments seem to fade away when you look at these little faces ...


I love you boys and I will miss or extra time together!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Noah Rainn - 1 Month

I think that the first time you see your baby, you believe you can not love him or her any more than you do at that moment. Over the course of the past month, Noah has reaffirmed that a mother falls in love with her children more and more every day that passes. Over the course of the past month, I have spent most of my days holding Noah and staring at him and reminding myself how much lucky I am.
The last month has been a big month for Noah. He is growing and maturing so fast (too fast for this mamas liking). His face has that little boy look and his hair has gotten so much lighter. Noah's personality is also coming to light. He spends a lot of his days awake and alert and watching the world around him (these pics do not really show that but here is one of him peeking at us).
I am loving the fact that little Noah is totally aware of who his brothers, and his mama and daddy are. I look at this little face and how he interacts with each of us. Everyday is an adventure with little Noah and we are enjoying the ride. How could you not love every moment with this little guy!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Noah Rainn - 2 Weeks

O.k., so this time goes by way too quickly. Noah is 2 1/2 weeks old and as I look at him, I can not believe how quickly time is passing and how quickly Noah is changing. For the past 2 1/2 weeks, I have been holding Noah at every chance I can and I find that most of my afternoons are spent watching his face, his subtle movements and listening to those adorable little squeeks and noises that only an infant can make. I am excited that he is growing but the selfish side of me wishes I could keep him like this forever.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

He's Finally Here ...

Welcome to the World Noah Rainn Hornaman. Noah was born on 3/3/2011 at 10:17 a.m.. He weighed in at 8 lbs 2 0z and was 18 inches long. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are all in love with this little guy. Since we laid eyes on him ... He has been totally perfect and we are so lucky to have him.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Time to get a little prepared...

With my first child, everything was well in place before his birth.  His clothes were washed and in the closet, toys and baby gear were set up, and the room was painted and ready for him to come home  Six years later, Kellen's arrival was still organized, but perhaps not quite as finely tuned as Eli's.  Any disorganization was probably due in part to the fact that the summer was crazy.  Eli was six at the time and we had just welcomed home Hunter, who, 2 years later would officially become our son, 2 months prior to Kellen's birth.  This time around - totally unprepared.  After much procrastination, we finally put the crib up just over a week ago - keep in mind, I am due any day.  I am so grateful to my husband who converted our room to a gender neutral nursery and a space for us.  Everybody has asked how the nursery turned out and now that the room has been painted and the crib is up -we can share some pics.

This is the cork board that started it all.  Every month, I drag the fam to Waconia for the occasional sales and we found this inexpensive treasure at my favorite shop, "The Shop Around The Corner."

Now that we had the color scheme down, it was on to the crib bedding.  We decided to go very simple so we could coordinate our bedding to the baby's bedding.

We still have details to add, but thankful to my husband for getting us this far and hoping the baby will like his/her new space.  Hopefully he/she will be here sooner than later!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Hunter: He's starting the new year off with a bang ...

2011 is here and we have many things to look forward to.  One of the biggest things happening in our house is that Hunter is starting preschool on Monday!!!!  Yeah Hunter!  He has been waiting for this day for so long.  Academically and socially, Hunter has been ready for preschool for quite some time (Hunter can count to 20,  identify 95% of his letters by sight, he knows half of his letters by sound and can associate, a word with that sound) - we have just been waiting on finishing the potty training part.  I am so excited for Hunter to go to preschool ...  I know he will love it!  He is going to be a hit.  Just look at this face ...