Raymond is a new boy. I asked Ben to cut his hair because I couldn’t ever see his face. He was constantly moving his hair out of his eyes and then he started going in the bathroom every couple of hours to get his hair wet and slick it back out of the way. So, I decided it was time:
My little buddy is all grown up now.
The Influence of Uncle Brady living at our house:
I never go to Discovery park because it is not restful. There are lots of people and lots of places to lose a 2 year old. But look at these SMILES. They loved it!!
Ben gave the kids a summer challenge to dribble the soccer ball around the perimeter of the house 30 times a day and if they did 30 days they would earn a reward. The kids were diligent and did make their goal! They whined and complained a good deal but I think they’re better for it. For their reward Ben took them to the outdoor theater to see the Minion Movie.
I chose to stay home with Millie and Tiago. Millie always enjoys being the only one home and getting the extra attention.
This 3 year old can be pretty fun. He got to go to the library and the cupcake shop for his dad night! He is getting so grown up. He loves to pose for the camera. He loves to play with Rosie and the big kids. The kid lives on pop tarts. HE’S PRETTY CUTE.
Ray had a little set back with the new baby arrival. Specifically, he has been peeing his pants and refusing to eat dinner. We’ve played hard ball and done a little bribing and 4 weeks later he seems to be getting back to his normal self. He still doesn’t love dinner but he’s learning that it is family time and he can’t live on pop tarts or mom gets angry.
oh yeah, he really likes sneaking into our bed in the early morning hours also…
He has also been pretty crazy… kind of fun crazy.
We went and toured the Payson Temple! We tried to get tickets and couldn’t and then some afternoon tickets became available so I grabbed them and we went! and it was great. Ben had to work BUT Jamie offered to take Millie so… I took the 5 other kids and we had a really good afternoon at the temple. It was neat to let the kids see the temple and to watch their expressions. Their little legs were hurting and Rose had blisters by the end but otherwise it was wonderful. I love the temple. I love that my girls bust out in the temple song when we drive by. I’m so glad we made the time to go to this open house.
The Prophet talked about temples in General Conference last month and I loved it:
“My brothers and sisters, in our lives we will have temptations; we will have trials and challenges. As we go to the temple, as we remember the covenants we make there, we will be better able to overcome those temptations and to bear our trials. In the temple we can find peace.
The blessings of the temple are priceless. … May our Heavenly Father bless us that we may have the spirit of temple worship, that we may be obedient to His commandments, and that we may follow carefully the steps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Thomas S. Monson (April, 2015)
Raymond turned 3! and around these parts that means that he needs to start using the big toilet. I tried on his birthday and the next day but he wasn’t able to go… then the day before we left for CA he decided to do it. He kept dry underwear all day! I figured that was a good start and we would pick up on that when we got back from our trip. BUT when we got to CA after 12 hours in his car seat 0 he was DRY and NEEDED to go Bathroom! He has been a champion potty trainer ever since. Our battle right now is that he doesn’t want to give up the diaper. He uses it as he would underwear and keeps it dry but doesn’t want to wear undies… I’ll force the issue in a few days when he has mastered the bodily functions 🙂
AND he got a new Monkey Blanky!
This is the blanket that Ray claimed as his favorite. He carried it and cuddled it and dragged it around and wore holes in it and tore it in half and… then Joel and Megan and Gus gifted him a new one for his birthday and he LOVES it 🙂
This guy turned 3!
He was pretty excited for his birthday this year! And very cute. It was a full day for Raymond Thomas:
Presents at 7:30 am before the boys went to school!
The Car Carrier and Benny the Bouncing Bull were both hits.
Everyone enjoyed the rocket launcher too. Ray was very good about sharing all of his gifts.
Grandma and Grandpa Nettesheim came in the afternoon and brought him a Nursery rhyme book. They read the book to him and he ended up crashing for an afternoon nap!
Raymond was funny about his cake this year. He love Team Umizoomi so I wanted to make him a Bot cake. BUT he wanted a Batman cake just like last year. His picture is up on the calendar from last year and we just couldn’t talk him out of Batman so… He got an Umizoomi Batman cake this year!
That night we had all of the Netty cousins over for a party. Raymond wanted to play Duck Duck Goose and Quarter Quarter, so we did. The older cousins played Drawful on their Ipods and we all watched Penguins of Madagascar after presents, cake and icecream. It was a busy day. Ray was Happy and so excited to be three!
BIRTHDAY BIRTHDAY BIRTHDAY
We had the extended family over to wish Grandma a Happy Birthday!!
and Grandma gave Ray his birthday presents while she was here!
