9/29/2012 - Four Wheeling

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After soccer practice today, we headed over the mall in San Leandro to grab lunch. After a good lunch, we let the boys frolic on the rides inside of the mall. Finn preferred the blue convertible, but Liam much preferred the four wheeler. If you notice, Liam is in the drivers seat for both rides. In fact, Finny is enjoying his ice cream come while Liam revs the engine.

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9/28/2012 - Little Monkey

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Our little monkey Liam has now learned to climb onto the pantry snack shelf. He has always been a pretty good climber, but this is kind of crazy. I see lots of monkey snacking in the future if we don't figure out a new solution for the snack storage.

9/27/2012 - Off day

No photo today. Felt like I was running from the minute that I woke up to the minute I laid my head down on the pillow. I remembered that I had forgotten to take a picture as Liam snuggled up to me in bed and my eyelids became heavy. Oh well, we all have off days. Tomorrow is a new day.

9/26/2012 - Liam's admirer

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Liam is already a little heartthrob. One of Finn's preschool teachers LOVES Liam. She has been jokingly calling me her mother in law because Liam is her boyfriend. In fact, yesterday she was assigned to Liam's class all day and she actually took iphone photos of his when he woke up from his nap and texted them to me. That kid is growing quite the following.

9/25/2012 - Finn's perspective

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While trying to capture a good shot of the brothers together, Finn got a hold of the camera. He got some cool shots. It's neat to see things from his perspective. Oh and I also got a few good shots of the brothers together, Love my boys.

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9/24/2012 - Chill night at home

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After a very busy weekend and busy Monday, we had a much needed chill night at home. Finn requested to watch Cars 2. Liam kept busy just being his curious self. We needed some downtime. Wish we could have some more.

9/23/2012 - Head over Heels

From Drop Box

We had a very active day today. We started out the day with a bike ride around Lake Merritt. Beautiful sunny but breezy mid morning with snack breaks along the way. Even a little break at one of the parks. After lunch and an afternoon nap, we headed to a birthday party of one of Finn's soccer buddies at a gymnastics place. It was AMAZING! Both of our busy active boys had a blast climbing and jumping and balancing. I foresee a birthday party here some time!

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9/22/2012 - Pump It Up Again

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After soccer this morning, Finn and I attended the birthday party of a boy at Finn's school. We got another chance to bounce our hearts out at Pump It Up. Finn had a blast and it is fun to see his socially progressing while interacting with lots of his school buddies. One of his former preschool teachers attended the party and we had a good discussion about both boys. Good to know that their teacher likes both kids and thinks that they are pretty well behaved. Yeah! Fun day, 4 year birthday party tomorrow evening as well. Busy social weekend for Finny.

9/21/2012 - Mexican Dinner Out

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We ventured out to dinner tonight and were joined by Tio and Auntie Stacy. Both kids were great eaters. Finn ate all of him quesadilla and Liam ate any entire plate of rice and beans. Everyone must be feeling better and getting their appetites back! All enjoyable other than having to hurriedly feed myself while Liam demanded more while commandeering my lap for the entire dinner. It's a phase right??

9/20/2012 - Blank Slate

From Drop Box

This week has taken a lot out of me. Work has been a little more busy than usual. Kids have been a little needier than usual and my energy level is pretty low. I am sure it is a result of all of the combined items. With no idea what to use as my subject for the photo of my day, Jesse suggested that I take a picture of a blank wall. It actually was the perfect suggestion. Maybe he is just encouraging me to wipe my slate clean of all the stress that I am carrying and just end this week with an open mind. After all Friday is right around the corner and the weekend right next door. Open mind for the rest of the week.

9/19/2012 - Papa Snuggle

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Jesse is a rock star and took charge of the kids for a half hour so I could get my workout in tonight. Lately Liam has not been sleep well at night. Not sure what is going on. Might be growing pains, might be 2 year molars or just our little bad sleeper in action. So, I didn't get my usual morning workout on. Motivated to still get it done, I requested Jesse's help and he obliged. The boys enjoyed snuggling with their papa. Papa enjoyed snuggling with his boys.

9/18/2012 - Little Savage Eater

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Our little Liam is a total beast when it comes to food. He eats the food he likes voraciously and always in a very messy fashion. He violently refuses the food he doesn't want to eat. Our little Lion eagerly dug into his refried beans and yogurt tonight. Good little eater ... but really really messy.

9/17/2012 - Sea Otter Pup Tent

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Finny and Papa built a Sea Otter Pup tent in our bedroom. I love that Finn is so good a playacting. He's got the best imagination ever. Papa and Finn had a blast living in their Sea Otter tent until the Big Bad Sea Otter Liam came along and shook their house down.

9/16/2012 - Happy 6 Yr Anniversary!

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Today was our 6 year anniversary. Six years ago, we were surrounded by our family and friends. Today, we spent with out family as well. And almost like reliving our tropical honeymoon, we were surrounded by sand and water today, except it was at a playground with our silly boys getting drenched in the sandy waterplay area. Even though we didn't get any alone time today, it was a lovely way to spend our anniversary playing with the two of the best wedding presents ever, Finny and Liam.

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9/15/2012 - Finn's First Dentist Appt

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Finn was the bravest boy ever on his first dentist's visit. He did the xrays and a cleaning. Upon examination they found a couple cavities. It makes me want to cry to think of him having to get his teeth drilled on his subsequent visit. I guess it is good that he will avoid the toothache though. Making Jesse go with him. Not sure I can sit through that appointment.

9/14/2012 - Cold Remedy

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I thought I had avoided the allergy/cold that the rest of the family had gotten. But alas, I am not immune to it. The throat felt weird this morning and the stuffiness has begun. Hot tea and Emergenc-C save me!!

9/13/2012 - Keeper of the Twix

From Drop Box

I have been chocolate candy bowl free at work for over a month now. It is a huge feat for the total chocolate fiend that I am. About a month ago, I couldn't walk by the candy bowl at work without grabbing a fun size little chocolate each time. I am off the chocolate right now because I know that I can't resist it once I start. My dear dear coworker is the Keeper of the Twix, my favorite candy bar of all time. She has to keep the Twix out of the candy bowl. I appreciate my little MoMo so much! Great to have supportive friends and coworkers.

9/12/2012 - Monkey on my back

From Drop Box

That kid always attacks while you are down. While resting on the carpet this evening, I was attacked by little monkey Liam. I love that he finds such humor in pouncing on us. He has such a mischevious sense of humor. He knows when he is up to something naughty and he just laughs and smiles. I think I let him get away with too much.

9/11/2012 - Thomas and Friend

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Seems like only yesterday when Finn was absolutely obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine. Now our little Liam is bonkers about it. He loves watching the movies on Netflix and almost daily requests to play with the wooden train set. He has actually put together some cool tracks. So cute. See Liam grow up is bringing me back memories of our baby Finn.

9/10/2012 - Take a picture

From Drop Box

Tonight I was taking pictures of Finn's Hot Wheels Race Track when my usually picture shy Finn asked why I was not taking pictures of him. I told him that he normally doesn't prefer to be my subject and he responded by telling me that today he wanted me to take a picture of him. So, here it is. Liam really did not want a picture taken, but I did it anyways.

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9/9/2012 - Chabot Space & Science Center

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Today Finn requested that we go to the Space & Science Center. He's been really into Space since the Mars Landing. Thanks to Nana and Gramps for the membership, which allows us to go whenever we please and for as short or as long of a visit as necessary. Such a fun little outing. The kids enjoyed driving the rocket ships. So cute!

9/8/2012 - Little Kickers Bros

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Finn started another season with Little Kickers. Liam started his first season with Little Kickers. It was pretty fun. He did great. Coach Destinee had her hands full with those little ones.

9/7/2012 - Well Visits at the Doctor

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I took the boys to their well visits to the doctor this morning. They both are doing great. Finn might have developed his parents' bad eyesight. Liam seems to be on the shorter side. Finn is middle of the road for height and weight. They both were so great and I felt so proud of both of them.

9/6/2012 - Costume Contest

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Baachan bought Liam some Halloween Costumes. We did a little fashion show this morning before I left for work. Liam was resistant to both of them at first. 7:30 in the morning is a bit early for anyone to be trying on costumes for your mother and grandmother's amusement. Can't decide which one is the costume of the year? Maybe he will have to do a wardrobe change mid-trick-or-treating.

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9/5/2012 - Mischief Makers

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While I made dinner for the boys tonight, my sweet little boys were seemingly playing and laughing together in a place out of my direct vision. I knew that Finn was going to use the bathroom and that Liam had followed him. I also could hear that they were squealing and laughing with delight. So, after enjoying their giggling for a few minutes I went to see what they were up to. Oh boy! There went 1 entire roll of toilet paper. I guess it was worth it because dinner was on the table when Jesse got home.

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Later on, while Jesse was cleaning under the table, the boys used the kitchen chairs to make a train. I love their creativity and I love that they are enjoying playing together, even if sometimes their play involves mischief.

9/4/2012 - King Finn

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Our little birthday king was enjoying the last bits of his birthday celebration by wearing his Chatham School Birthday crown around the house while wielding his Pump It Up Birthday scepter. Not sure why I love this picture so much, but I think it just looks cool with his little belly sticking out and perfect silhouette with of his crown. Love my birthday king!

9/3/2012 - Travel Stars

From Drop Box

Both of the boys were travel stars today. Both flights were relatively easy. So thankful to have sweet kids that can charm the pants off of all of their neighbors on the plane. So proud of them for waking up early and lasting the 7 hours on the go. I think that everyone is glad to be home finally after being on the road and in the air for much too long today.

9/2/2012 - Hyvee Tri/Waterpark Fun

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Busy day today. We watched Keegan and Chuck participate in the HyVee Triathlon. So inspiring, not necessarily enough so to make me want to do a Tri, but definitely cool. The athletes were pretty amazing.

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After lunch and naptime, we all headed out to a waterpark in Ames. It was impressively large and had tons of cool stuff for the toddlers to enjoy. I wish we had cool places like this in California. I think that everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

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9/1/2012 - Familiy Wedding

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Today we attended Mike and Rachel's wedding. Mikey, Owen, Finn and Liam hung out a little before and during the wedding.I captured this cute moment and had to have it featured as my picture of the day.

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It was great to spend some time with Grandma John. We get to see the Iowa side of the family so little that we were relieved to have some quality time with her before and during the wedding.

8/31/2012 - Fun with the Oppold Cousins

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Tonight we attended the rehearsal dinner for Jesse's cousin's wedding. It was a lovely family reunion. Finn and Mikey were fast friends. Immediately, the boys were laughing and making faces like they had known each other for a lifetime. Total kindred spirits. Such a highlight to see the cousins bonding so quickly. Wished they lived closer.