Halloween and Day of the Dead Parade

My Drumming skeletons

SpiderMan!

Willy Wonka

Here are some pictures of Halloween and the Day of the Dead Parade...lots of fun~

I'm not a stepmom, I am a bonus mom!

If any of you out there are a stepparent, you know it can be challenging....both for the parent and the child. My Mom, the wise woman she is, put it into perspective. She told me, "Rayme, you aren't a stepmom, you are a BONUS MOM!" I think that is such a more graceful title for someone who takes on a whole different parenting position. I love my "BONUS SON" with all my heart. He is handsome, kind, intelligent, and athletically talented. I am so proud of him and how he lives his life with such strength and tolerance. He has been through so much more than many adults, and honestly, I admire HIM. All days aren't picture perfect, but that just reaffirms that he IS my child!

Lake time!

Ahhhhhh, Flathead Lake embraced us this past weekend! It was so enjoyable to be in invigorating water on a hot, hot Montana weekend. The boys had a blast swimming and it is so evident how awesome a big brother Braden is to Avery!

Some days are hard...

I hate that feeling when your child is being the "problem child" of the group. Not even that there is a problem, but they are just being 2. Still, I feel a bit of helplessness when they don't listen and comprehend the consequences of their actions. It is a phase right? Because, here I sit thinking about it I suppose because I am a good parent. Well, for now we will just use Jesse's technique "Santa is watching!"

Mommacycle!

Princess shoes and motorcycles

So, I feel like it is okay to expose your child to both sides of the gender specific toys. For example, I was shopping for a birthday present and came across a pair of dress up shoes. I bought them. For Avery. He loves princess shoes....the look, the feel, they way they clomp on the floor. It is quite a site! He was so excited when I presented him to them...his little girlfriend was over and she didn't even seem to take much interest. So, there you have it. He has princess shoes. He still loves motorcycles, fire trucks, and monster trucks (4-wheelers) so I am content in knowing he is a gender balanced child. After all, less than two hours after taking off his heels he was tied to a tree by Braden via a rope-leash and was loving it!

This is it!

I have been so disappointed in myself lately that I haven't taken the time to chronicle the really fab things the boys do on a day to day basis. So, with the guidance of great mommas across the nation (thanks ladies) I will start a blog. The goal is two fold: 1. keep up family and friends with news, etc. 2. keep a history for the boys to look back on (and me!) and remember memories past. So, if it seems a bit drippy with sentiment, sorry! Enjoy and wish me luck!