Happy Birthday, Nathan!

Today was Nathan's 3rd birthday and so here are the top 3 things that I love about him:

1. He is smart. Nathan is always thinking and trying to figure out how things work. He loves to learn. He knows all of his letters and their sounds and is obsessed with anything that has to do with the alphabet.

2. Nathan is a good brother. He loves to play with his cousins and his friends, but his favorite person to play with is his brother, Jake. Sometimes when Jake is at school he'll ask, "Where'd my friend Jake go?" He puts up with a lot from Jake, but in the end they love to be together and to copy whatever the other one is doing!

3. Nathan is polite. If he barely bumps me he'll say, "Oh, sorry Mom!" He almost always says please and thank you and if he needs to get around someone in Target he'll always say, "Scuze me!" It's pretty cute.

We had a big family party celebrating all of the May birthdays the first Sunday of the month. Carli always spotlights all of the birthday people. She tells about their favorite things and then enthusiastically says, "And lets all welcome, Nathan Warnick Draper (or whatever their name is)!!!"

Nathan was pretty excited to get this letter magnet set from his cousins.

Laney and Nathan both got new bikes and helmets. They wore their helmets the rest of the night and Nathan continued to wear his wherever we went for a few days after that!

Nathan loves his new Diego bike that Grandma Juli gave him!

Today started out with balloons being dumped on Nathan while we sang Happy Birthday! This is a tradition in our family- every birthday starts out with balloons!

Then we met my mom at Build-a-Bear where Nathan got to pick out a bear and clothes and go through the whole process of building a bear. We always walk through this store when we go to the mall, but we have never actually done it before- it's pretty fun with all of the little stations they have.

Jon was pretty proud that Nathan picked a football uniform for his bear to wear. Grandma Juli helped him get the bear dressed.

The rest of the afternoon was spent playing games inside. It was raining today so we couldn't go outside, but luckily Max took a good nap so I was able to play with the boys most of the afternoon.

Trent, one of Nathans good friends, stopped by with a little gift and wished Nathan a happy birthday. He even sang to him- it was so cute!

Once Jon got home we went to Chuck E. Cheese where we had pizza and the boys ran around playing all of the games. Nathan kept trying to play the skee ball game, but he couldn't roll the ball hard enough to get it up into the holes, so he finally just walked up and dropped them in! We thought this exhibited good problem solving skills even though it is against the rules of the game!!!

We then came home and Nathan got to open his presents from us. He got a cell phone, binoculars, a digital camera, a slip 'n slide and some new underwear! He was pretty excited about all of his new stuff!

Last but not least, we sang to him and had cake and ice cream. Like I mentioned before, Nathan loves the alphabet so he got a letter "N" cake! He loved it and it was so easy to make!

Aren't birthdays so fun?!!!

Heading upstairs to get ready for bed with all of his new presents. I guess he really loved them since he took them all to bed with him and is sleeping with them. What a funny kid! I love Nathan a lot and am so glad that he is part of our family.

Happy Birthday!!!

Grandma Roberta

On Monday, April 28th, Jon's Grandma Roberta Little passed away. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandma and she will be greatly missed. We had the privilege of flying to Utah last weekend to attend her funeral.

This was the boys' first time flying (that they can remember) and they loved it! I was a little worried about how they would do, but they did great. Max slept the whole time and Jon entertained the Jake and Nathan with movies and activities.

We spent the first night at my little sister, Wendy's house in Provo. Their pump wasn't working so her husband, Derek blew up this mattress by himself- we were all very impressed! We had a fun time visiting with them even though it was a short visit.

The next morning we went to BYU and walked aroud campus and bought BYU shirts and hats at the bookstore. This is a picture of one of the sound rooms in the Eyring Science Center that Derek does research in. The room is set up so that no sound waves can bounce off of any of the walls. If you were standing on one side of the room you could barely here the people talking on the other side- it was really weird and really cool. He also took us to an echo room where everything echoed really loudly- the boys really liked yelling in that room!

I don't think we are ever going to get a decent picture of the 5 of us, but I'm going to keep trying!

Friday night we drove up to Kaysville for the viewing and then Saturday was the funeral. All four of the daughters spoke (including Jon's mom) and Jon's older sister, Emily, spoke to represent the grandchildren. Everyone did such a nice job portraying what a great life his grandma lived. It was a nice tribute to her. Jon was honored to be one of the pall bearers.

This is a picture of Jon with his Grandpa Ernie. Jon has always looked up to his grandpa and has a great respect for him. He has lived a wonderful life and has a lot to be proud of. He was always so loving towards his wife and we all shed a few tears watching him say his final goodbye to her as they closed the casket. He is a great example to all of us and we really love him.

Here is Jon's sister, Annie, holding Max. All of his sisters are always so helpful whenever we come to visit- it's a nice little break for Jon and me!

This is Jon's oldest sister, Emily. She has 5 kids of her own and they live in Kansas. It was nice to see them and we are excited to spend more time with them when we all meet in Delta next month.

Here is Jon's sister, Heidi, playing with the boys during the luncheon. Again, they are always so helpful. She took the boys to the nursery to play so that Jon and I could actually sit and eat!

We flew home Saturday night. Jake and Nathan loved the moving walkways in Salt Lake's airport!

When we landed in Orange County all of the terminals were already shut down so we got to get off of the airplane outside. It was so fun for the boys to be able to see the airplane so up close!

Another highlight of the trip for the kids was the baggage claim! They loved watching the bags go round and round and they had fun running around the the circle over and over again- their endless energy never ceases to amaze me!

We had a nice trip even though it was so short and we really appreciate Jon's grandpa helping us pay for the flights so that we could all be there for the funeral. We will all miss Grandma Roberta but her memories and legacy will live on...

Lately...

Here's a little bit of what we've been up to lately...

Max went to church for the first time a week ago yesterday. He did pretty well, but he grunts a lot and makes a lot of weird noises so I'm sure he was disturbing those around him! All of the Young Women that I work with were pretty excited to see him!

Here's what his outfit really looks like since you couldn't really see it in the last picture!

Max got to meet his new cousin, William (Will) Adam Dayton, born April 18th to my sister, Christy. They have five girls and so they were pretty excited to finally get a boy in the family. I'm sure Will and Max will be good friends!

Last week was my first week being home alone with all 3 boys. I made it 2 days before Jon felt so bad for me that he took Wednesday off! So we took Max on his first trip to Disneyland. He only got to ride Pirates and the merry-go-round, but he did really well the rest of the time. Jake and Nate loved getting out of the house and doing something fun for a change!

Here's our new Sit 'n Stand stroller that we just got. It is so awesome- Max's carseat snaps in the front and the boys ride in the back. It's meant for only 2 kids, but all 3 of ours fit just fine! Thanks, Robyn, for doing all of the research and for letting us copy you- we love it!

Two sleeping cousins in their carseats- wouldn't it be nice if they were always this content? Max has become somewhat of a fussy baby during the last week or so. He spits up a ton and has a lot of gas- poor little guy. I go in for his 4 week check-up this week so I am going to ask the doctor if there is anything we can do to help him. A screaming baby sure adds a lot of stress to the home.

It has been so hot here lately so on Saturday we blew up the water ball and let the kids play with it in the backyard for a few hours. They loved it and it kept them occupied for a while- a win, win situation if you ask me!

Jon is pretty much finished with the backyard. After we had the path done, Jon layed new grass and new bark around the palm trees. He is working on a sand box in the back left corner.

Overall, things are pretty crazy around here, but I wouldn't want it any other way!!!

Max, Swimming, The Santa Ana Zoo and Grandma Lorelei

So I am realizing that it is hard to get a good picture of a newborn. This has been confirmed by most people that have seen him in person- they have all said that he is much cuter in person leading me to believe that the pictures I have posted on here must not be very cute! I guess you will all just have to make a trip out here to see him and see what he really looks like!!!

Last week Jake and Nathan went swimming with their cousins out at my mom's house. They swam for hours and are both doing really well with kicking and paddling with their arms, though they aren't quite ready to do it without their life jackets on yet. Maybe next Summer!

Tuesday Jon had the day off so we took the kids to the Santa Ana Zoo. For those of you that have been there, you can understand why 2 hours there is more than enough time! There were hardly any animals, except for a few monkeys and birds, but the boys still thought it was pretty fun. I just wasn't up to walking around the San Diego Zoo yet, but I think we will have to take the boys there sometime soon and let them see what a 'real' zoo is like!

There were a lot of statues of animals that Jake and Nate were pretty excited about!

They had this little train that went around the zoo. Jake and Nathan were really excited to ride it with Grandma Lorelei!

Max and I had on coordinating colors today so we had to take a picture! I had my 2 week post-partum appointment today and everything seems to be healing up nicely. I brought Max with me and everyone at the office was really excited to see him. I guess when you have appointments twice a week for the last 10 weeks of your pregnancy you really develop friendships with these people! I also took Max to Jon's office today to show him off and they all thought he was pretty cute!

Jon's mom, Grandma Lorelei, has been here all week helping with Jake and Nathan. Let's just say that they are going to be really sad when she leaves tomorrow because she is a lot more fun than me! The boys have loved the constant attention- she is a great grandma and has been very helpful this week. We are all going to miss her when she leaves.

My mom, Grandma Juli, helped all last week and while I was in the hospital the weekend before which was so nice. I'm worried that come Monday morning when Jon goes to work and all of my help is gone, it is going to be a rude awakening for me. I don't know how I am going to handle all of these boys, but I guess my help can't last forever! My sister, Christy, is having her baby tomorrow so my mom will be on duty to watch her 5 girls!

This is our attempt at getting a family picture of the five of us! It pretty much sums up our life right now!!!

Loving this baby

I've never really considered the newborn phase my favorite since all the baby really does is eat, sleep and poop! However I have now changed my mind- maybe it's having Jake and Nathan who I love to death, but their endless energy and attitudes just make me appreciate how innocent and precious little Max is. Jon thinks I am ruining him because I pretty much never put him down, but I can't help it, he is just so cute and I have my mom helping me all week so why not take advantage of this time I have to just sit and hold him? I really love this kid and the sweet spirit he has already brought into our home.

Coming home from the hospital- this is a good shot of his dimples!

Jon and the boys made this sign for Max and I when we got home from the hospital. They also had cards sitting out that they made for me- what sweet boys!

Max in his coming home from the hospital outfit!

On our way to Grandma's house on Sunday to meet all of his cousins.

Max loved his first sponge bath- he was intrigued by the mirror and of course he peed all over himself!

My four boys!!!

While the cat's away, the mouse will surely play :)

Sorry Sarah. You shouldn't have given me your password.

Max Robert Draper

9 lbs. 5 oz. 20 in. 7:33 am

Since Sarah is still at the hospital and internet-less, this is my first, and possibly last post, but we shall see. (this is Jon, btw). After a 5 am arrival at the hospital, a healthy Max was born without complications. The hospital is great and the Doctors and Nurses are even better.

Jake and Nathan arrived this afternoon for their first look at Max. We have been telling them for months that they need to be "very, very soft and nice." Nathan was catching on and for the last coulpe of weeks would quiz Jake by asking, "Jakey, what do we do with baby Max?" Jake would respond by saying, "Be nice to baby Max." Afterwich Nathan would respond with, "That's right Jake, only hugs and kisses for Max"



As you can see, they did great and were very excited to see him. Jake was extremely happy to see his mom. After a quick hug and kiss for Max, he spent a long time laying next to his mom on the bed.



Nathan, on the other hand, only wanted to hold the baby. He was sooo good. He was so gentle. He loved kissing him. Unfortunately his kisses resembled licking a lollipop more than brotherly type of kiss. He would seriouly slobber all over him because he loved him so much. Nice!



Well, I guess the pictures can do the talking.

I think I wrote too much. Oh well. Jon