Bryson: I turned big!

 Sunbeams + Underwear = BIG!

 

 Can you believe he is in Sunbeams?! (Sunbeams is a children's class on Sunday's at church.) Our Bry has to say good bye to nursery at the beginning of the month and he was NOT happy about that! He cried the whole way in. Nic sat with him for awhile. I was told that he was the "helper." He helped our fabulous singing lady, he helped do the spotlight (on Hannah), he helped give announcements... basically everyone was so, so nice to him and let him be their "helper." He had a substitute that first week, but the next week his teacher was so good with him. She knew his name and let him sit on her lap. He still seems to go back and forth between his teacher and music leaders lap... If not there, he's NOT sitting, but standing around and usually wiggling. I asked him today what his favorite part of Primary was and he said wiggling his ears, stomping, and spinning around... I'm assuming that they were singing Do as I'm Doing! He's just a little guy... but he's getting big!

And since we were doing big, we decided to go really BIG... potty training! We wanted to wait until the holidays were over. Then picked a week that was low key and we could stay home - no carpool, no helping in Hannah's class, not a parent week for music class, no helmet appointments for Easton, etc, etc! That happened to be the week of January 16th. I have to say I was pretty nervous about it. I thought Bry would be extremely hard... but HE HAS DONE AWESOME! I am so proud of him. In fact he has heard me say this so much, that when he goes I'll say it and he would say back, "I'm so proud of you, Mom!" Ohh, what a cute kid. Or sometimes he'd say, "You're so proud of me!!!"

Really?! Bry getting Lightening underwear in his stocking. He really was excited!

He really has been a pro. He's had less than 5 real accidents with "tinkle." As for the other, twice he had a panicked, red face as he realized "it" was coming out. Then we had 3 days were he didn't go "stinkies" at all. The first day we drank a lot of water and had a lot of practice. It all clicked so well. I've been so impressed with how he'll run in from playing outside or stop eating a brownie to run to the potty with no coaxing from anyone. He really is big!

Bryson is so fun to watch and listen to. He loves to pretend to be Lightening or Buzz... and the sound effects are awesome! If not pretending himself, he's down of the floor playing with his gazillion cars. One of his motivations for learning to go potty was a "little Mater" and a Cars dishes set (for him to eat with). He even like to "snuggle" with his cars when he sleep. Occasionally he has ALL his cars in bed with him and after he falls asleep we have to go in and remove them, because we hear them every time he moves at all. Sounds cozy, huh!?

Once he realized I was taking a picture of him, he had to get all the cars in the picture.

Sorry I couldn't choose just one. He's just too cute and this is our everyday! (Notice the sweater too!)

This kid is so active and so into EVERYTHING! He keeps us on our toes. He keeps us moving. Keeps us rolling our eyes... keeps us pretty frustrated. Keeps us feeling loved and needed. And keeps us laughing.

When telling my mom about going potty he said, "I turned big now!" We are so proud of you Buddy! Good job being big. Love you to pieces!

Easton: 6 Months & Beans!

As of this week, our little guy, Easton, is 6 months! He is just part of "us" and I can't imagine him not being here... but it doesn't seem like he should be so big yet.

Yesterday was his first time eating "solids" other than rice cereal and oatmeal. We tried green beans. The expression to the first bite was the best, but after that he didn't seem to think they were too bad.

 Sleeping, well... he wants to take a late night nap and wake up at 11 pm or so. Then he is sleeping until about 5 or 6 am, which works out with me going to exercise, because I need to feed him before I go anyway. He isn't quite sitting on his own yet. He can for a minute, if he folds himself in half. He's getting a little closer.

He is a happy little guy and makes us all smile and we all love to make him smile (especially Bryson). Boy he's a cutie. Love you, E.

Hannah: Soaring

A couple weeks ago I went to Hannah's parent teacher conference. Her teacher, Mrs. Lyman, said she was "soaring." I loved that word. She said she was soaring not just because of how well she is reading (above grade level) but because of her comprehension. Mrs. Lyman said, "We have wonderful conversations after reading together. She picks out some of the smallest details."

One thing we need to work on are some of her numbers that she keeps writing backwards. But she is such a little smartie. I am so proud of her. I love that she loves to read and learn and is doing so well in kindergarten.

Just recently she wanted to get a watch, so we made a list of some 10 or 12 jobs and she had to choose 6 of them to do. Things like cleaning and organizing the playroom, helping me clean the 2 upstairs bathrooms, etc. It took a little bit, but she stuck to it and earned a Hello Kitty watch. Now we are working on learning how to read it.

I have to add too what an awesome big sister she is. She is so good and patient with her brothers and loves to help. Thanks Hannah. You are wonderful. We love you.

Natalie: I'm back

You might think I'm talking about blogging, since I have finally posted. I am so behind! But, no. Aerobics! I started back up finally. I take a 3-day a week, aerobic, strength training, yoga... class from a fabulous friend in my ward, Kirra. She teaches in a neighbor's dance studio basement. I had been working out with her for... I don't even remember... a couple years? before she took a leave to have a baby and then it was my turn to have a baby... and finally I'm back. I was super nervous to jump back in. I know how it is... HARD! Once you start the soreness doesn't go away. But she is fabulous. She makes it so fun and makes us do things we would never do on our own! "What's 30 seconds of your life?!" Two days back, and yes. I. am. sore. (And I've been taking it super easy, knowing I have to go back!) But it feels good!

Roach Family Pictures . part 2

Phew we did it! Pictures are always a little tricky with this many people! Okay. A lot tricky.

Here are all 23 fun, energetic, restless grandkids. Yes. 23! (With more on the way!)

Us.

Roach Family Pictures . part 1

Over the holidays we had the entire Roach/Hansen gang together! That included 3 families from out of state - Oklahoma, Washington, and Massachusetts! While all together we took advantage of the chance to get photos. 

 Clyde & Marj

Aaron & Daishan family
 

 
Alecia & Drew family
 
 

Ashley & Dan family
 
 

Shae & Bre family
 
 
 
Brooke & Nate family
 

Karlie & Ryan family
 


Brady & Melissa family
(Brady recently got engaged to this wonderful woman, Melissa. We are so excited for them and to have two more fun kids added to the mix!)

 

Tiffany & Chandler family

I love this family. I am so grateful to have married into such an amazing family. They are inspiring. I have learned so much from each of them. They are truly my family and my friends!