Baby Rueter

I feel terrible that I have yet to write about the little peanut that will be joining our family in December. I have been keeping a journal. I just find it really difficult lately to balance everything I "want" to do versus everything I "need" to do. We found out in April that I was expecting our third blessing. Kyle and I were hoping for this to happen sometime in the summer, but God has different plans! We were very excited and found it so hard not to tell the boys. When it finally came time to tell everyone about our exciting news we decided to do it with a photograph. I can't take credit for it because I saw it on Pinterest. It turned out very cute and we got tons of compliments! Thanks Christy! :) Since telling the boys that they are going to be big brothers they have been pretty excited too. Macalan doesn't hesitate to tell me in that honest kid way that my belly is really growing. Lots of mornings when I go to get Sutton from his bed he says "baby here yet?" They are both a little impatient, but we keep telling them the baby will come when Santa comes. My official due date is December 20. Both boys were born earlier than their due dates so we'll see! Macalan told me we need to hurry up and decide what kind of a baby we are having. So today when we went to the doctor the boys heard the heartbeat for the first time. Both of their eyes just lit up. It was precious. My doctor asked them what kind of baby it sounded like and both of them said a girl. We'll find out on July 24th! Stay tuned!

Macalan's 4th Birthday

This post is long overdue! Macalan turned 4 on April 25. He was lucky enough to have 3 different birthday celebrations with his family. We wouldn't normally do that many parties, but that's just what we could work out this year when coordinating with both of our families. He has been obsessing over super heros lately so that is the theme we went with. I kept it very low key, partly because I had to plan for 3 parties, but also because I've done the more over the top parties and they never notice or care about the extra effort I put in to it. :) Macalan was thrilled with his new bike, which now he'd rather push around than ride. Those darn brakes give him some trouble. I also had some super hero capes custom made for each of the boys. They love running around with those on! He received a few other odds and ends, but those were the things he really enjoyed. I can't believe another year has come and gone. How did my baby get so big???!!! With each passing year I love him more and more, which I never thought was possible. He continues to be our smart, very verbal, stubborn, and silly boy. I can't wait to see what he learns and teaches us this year!

Reindeer Dash

Macalan has been asking to be in a race since he watched Kyle do the mud run this fall. We decided to let him give it a try at the YMCA's annual Reindeer Dash. He ran about 200 yards in the Santa Sprint with Kyle running right along side him holding his hand. It was so fun to see him running with that big smile on his face. He did tell Kyle that he was tired part way through, but he said he wants to practice for another race!

Afterwards we went inside to enjoy some healthy snacks and hot chocolate. Macalan even got a medal for participating, which he was so proud of. We also visited with Santa. When I say we visited him it was more like Sutton running up and saying "hi" then running away and Macalan staring at him and whispering to me what I should tell him. The boys loved all the craft projects they were able to make. They both made some cute reindeer antlers.

It was a fun day to spend together and I can't wait for us to do more races together as the boys get older.

Happy Birthday Sutton!

This weekend we celebrated Sutton's 2nd birthday with our families. He doesn't actually turn 2 until November 2. We had a Mickey Mouse themed party. He loved having everyone around and really enjoyed the new gifts. We laughed so hard when he opened a present that had clothes in, preceded to pull everything out and name it, and then toss it behind him.

He was adorable when he tried to blow out his candles. I love the picture I got of it! We even made it through Happy Birthday without Mac crying! That was thanks to his cousins who prepped him ahead of time and reminded him to cover his ears. Kyle and I were talking afterwards and it's hard for us not to cry during the song, but that's because we are so grateful that we've had another year with our kids. They are so precious!

It was another great birthday. I'm looking forward to what this next year of his life brings!

In the words of Sutton, "Hap Birtday to me!" He has a hard time pronouncing the whole phrase. :)

Pumpkin Time!

Last night we walked down to the local pumpkin stand and picked out our pumpkins. Macalan was so excited. Every time we walk by the spot where they usually put the pumpkins he would ask when they were coming. When they finally arrived yesterday we couldn't wait to go get some!

Both the boys enjoyed chasing each other around the trailer and Sutton kept saying "apples!" :) I'll to have to post more pictures after they've been carved up. That's always an interesting process. :) Happy Fall!

First Day of Preschool!

Today was a big day at our house! Macalan's first day of preschool! I wasn't able to be there to drop him off, but he is attending the preschool at the same school I teach at so I was able to see him afterwards. He looked so cute walking down the hall in the line with his back pack on. :)

I did notice that he had tears stained on his cheeks. His teacher said when he realized Daddy was gone that's when the tears started. He told me "mom I cried a little bit, but then my teacher said I could pick up the carpet spots." I guess picking up the carpet spots is an awesome job in the land of preschool!

Overall I'd say the day was a success. He was full of stories at dinner tonight and he made sure to tell us that he got to have Teddy Grahams for a snack. We're excited to see how the rest of the year goes for him. Hopefully he'll make lots of great new friends and continue to have lots of fun!

Solo Road Trip to South Dakota

Recently the boys and I traveled on our own back to see my family in South Dakota. I had a very good friend who was going to be in town so I needed to get back and see her.

All was well on the ride there if you don't include the one stop we made in which Sutton decided to stick his hand in Macalan's stream of pee. I had no choice but to bring us all in the same stall and I could just see this happening even before it happened. Oh well! Nothing a little soap and water couldn't cure.

When we finally made it there we were all ready to get out of the car, but all in all the boys were troopers and didn't give me too much trouble on the way.

I had a great time catching up with my friend. It's so great to have friends that you can go four years without seeing and pick up right where you left off. :)

We also had lots of fun out at my brother's place. He has several horses and, much to my dad's delight, Macalan has developed a new found love for them. My dad surprised him with his own rope and my brother's wife gave him an old cowboy hat. He was all set to be a cowboy! He had a blast "trying" to rope the fake cow. He and Sutton went on a few 4-wheeler rides. Sutton perfected his horse noises. He now makes the cutest noises when you ask what a horse says.

I was able to "attempt" to ride one of the horses. It has been way too long since I was on a horse and this horse knew it! She refused to listen to me and enjoyed ramming my leg into one of the gates several times. After a few choice words she started listening a little better.

We had an excellent car ride home and we were happy to see daddy again. It was only a couple of days after this trip that we packed up to head to Texas. More on that later. :)