Toben and the Butt Scoot!

Are you ready to laugh? This is how Toben has figured out how to get around the house without putting weight on his feet! Enjoy!

Summer 09

As you can see, we have had a great time this summer! Chase and Asher have both had birthdays, we went camping, played some croquet, went to San Diego, enjoyed family and more!

Chase the Academic...

I was on the computer and thought I'd better write this one down before I forget! Chase's new favorite movie is a documentary on dinosaurs specifically Allosaurus'. He is watching it as we speak. So funny! I think its boring, but, Chase is very interested in learning every fact about bugs and dinosaurs, so it works well for him!

A little more news: Asher "jumped" (okay, let me drop him) off the diving board at mommy and me swim class today! My little boy who is terrified of butterflies, flies, and any step bigger than one inch is a little fish! He hates it when the teacher talks to him and throws a HUGE embarassing fit every time she does, but is enjoying the time in the water with mommy. Toben scooted about 2 inches the other day, so we are hoping to see him push up to crawl (maybe hopefully) soon! Well, I have to go, the Allosaurus is preying on an innocent stegosaurus and Chase has some questions about it...LOL!

Three Months Later...

Hello! It's only been three months since I have updated my blog and I'm sure nobody looks at it anymore, but that's how life goes. We moved into our new house and are LOVING it! Summer is here and actually did finally come to Ephraim. (I had my concerns when it snowed in May.) Everyone is doing pretty well- Here are updates!

Chase is enjoying his summer and the freedom of riding his "big rocket bike" without training wheels. He just turned six this week and tells everyone that we run into how old he is now. I don't go a day without laughing at his observations and comments about the world. He has made friends with all the kids that are building houses in our neighborhood and has taken it upon himself to teach all of them to ride their bikes without training wheels...(YIKES!) My sister Heidi is staying with us this summer and we are all enjoying her. Chase is excited because since she sleeps here, he gets a "sleepover for a loooong time!"

Asher turns two next month and the tantrums are already unbearable! He is such a strong-willed little guy! We love watching all the things he's learning. He only has a few words under his belt and is startint speech soon, so we are hoping that will help all of us communicate! He is surprisingly an excellent big brother. Always so concerned about Toben. If the baby is crying he goes and finds him and pats his leg saying "shh shh" until I come in. He gives Toben lots of toys, food, pats on the head, and really likes to be around him. Did I mention he is Chase's best audience? Nobody thinks that Chase is as funny as Asher. I'm amazed that even with a four-year gap, those two can play and, unfortunately fight. I have learned you don't have to talk to tease, irritate, and play with older brothers! He is so smart and understands everything I say. His favorite word is truck "Guck" and anything that moves on wheels goes by that title! He is getting SO tall and handsome.

Toben will turn 1 in August. He is such a fun and smiley baby! He loves attention from anyone and everyone! At the grocery store he gets lots of laughs and smiles when people say hi to him and he waves at them. He is a really social baby and cannot be away from mommy. We found out about a month ago that he has a minor "sensory defensive disorder" which is making it really hard for him to learn to crawl or even put any weight on this legs at all. He is doing a little better all the time, and the physical therapist is confident that even if it takes a little longer, he'll be moving around on his own. Since he's pretty immobile, it's really great that he has older brothers running around to entertain him!

We are having a good summer and enjoying as many small vacations- mostly camping- as we can before Chase starts kindergarten in the fall. Ammon is in his element with house improvements and putting in our yard. He is working for the college but up on the mountain this summer at the Great Basin Environmental Education Center and is really enjoying working outdoors. He is, as always, on the run at all times and completely exhausting me!

Funny Ash

Asher is such a funny little guy. I was blowing an empty water bottle at him and he thought it was the most hysterical thing he had ever seen! He has been keeping me busy by locking himself in the bathroom by opening the drawers in front of the door so I couldn't open it and even pooping in the tub and then screaming in horror "Kah Kah!!!" He loves to be outside and is always saying Bye Bye to get someone to take him out the door with them. He's a fun little brother-he's Chase's best audience! He thinks everything he does is so funny. He's also a good big brother. Always bringing me Toben's binky and saying "DAY DEE" (Baby) When Toben cries in his port-crib, Asher goes and throws clothing items in there and then comes to get me immediatly to get poor baby. Funny boy.

Happy Arave Day!

We Araves celebrated our first annual Arave day! So what is Arave day you ask? Well, one year ago (Feb 16th) our family was sealed in the St George Temple to our sweet little Asher. Now that's something to celebrate! We took the kids to "Bouncin' off the Walls" and we had a great time. Great celebration for a great day!

January 2009

A Little Update:
Here are a bunch of pictures in January...My boys are all growing up so fast I can't stand it!
Chase is learning so much at school and is starting to get ready for Kindergarten in the fall. He spends as much time as possible with friends, but if he can't do that he plays on webkins.com or loves to watch movies. He has several stuffed pet animals: Egward, Lenny, Bones, and Max and takes very good care of them. He names them himself and usually takes one with us wherever we go. His favorite foods are Nutella sandwiches and pancakes! But he always reminds me he "hates to eat" I love his confidence and curiosity which has me answering a lot of difficult questions. He doesn't like to be teased (Boy was he born into the wrong family) and is such a good big brother.
Asher is a little nut! He is into everything! He loves to dance and is particularly fond of our "seseme street learning letters" video he calls it "Dee dee dee dee" (Maybe that's ABCD???) He is bored out of his mind is Chase is gone and has gone from being "mr independent I don't need to mom" to "If anybody besides mom or dad looks at me I'm going to hide" in just a couple of weeks! He thinks if he can't see you, you can't see him and spends a lot of time averting his eyes from people who are trying to get his attention. Asher is learning a lot of things he's communicating with words and actions. If we can't find something there's a good chance its in the bathtub, toilet, garbage or any drawers he can find. Yesterday I found a pan lid in the bathroom drawer...what a kid!
Toben is getting big too fast and I'm doing everything I can to prevent it. I have just BARELY started him on rice cereal and veggies (he's working on it) and am hoping rolling over isn't any time soon. I just want him to stay a baby. He doesn't cry much and doesn't laugh much, but he smiles all the time! He's a great baby except that he doesn't sleep or nap. I guess at least he's happy?!
Ammon and I are just staying busy with his job and the kids. Our house should be done in about April. I need to get some pictures of it up so you can see. We're all doing really great!

Sledding...you can't do this in Bunkerville!

Among all of the bad things that winter provides here ie: COLD COLD COLD! Dirty cars, slippery walkways etc...One thing it does provide is playing in the snow. Ammon is a great sport and spent some outside time with the boys.

Our House

Most of you will probably think we are CRAZY, especially any of you who knew us while we built our Bunkerville house, but we are building again. I have to share this with you because it's pretty unbelievable- The hole for our basement was dug on December 6th and as of this week, the electrical, ductwork, and plumbing are all done! The framing of our house took 2 days, that's right, two days. We can't keep up! So, to all of you who have experienced the clark county building- there is hope. It's not like that everywhere...THANK GOODNESS!