Missing Grandpa "Ee-aw" Beggs

One year ago this past weekend we lost an amazing man...Grandpa LeRoy Beggs.  (He'd kill me for calling him LeRoy...).  Last year was a tough one for us.  Within 6 months we lost 3 grandparents.  Grandpa Beggs was the 2nd of the 3.  I remember his smile, the way he would greet each one of us the MINUTE we walked into their house, the way he adored each member of his family (including me...who married into the family...I was his granddaughter), the way he would laugh whenever the kids did something...and didn't like it when they'd get in trouble by us, the way he'd pull on the kids' ears and say "ee-aw" (hence the nickname by my boys), and the way he always said, "Come back!" every time we would leave the house...without fail!  We all know he is pain-free, always warm, and enjoying every moment in Heaven...but we sure do miss him!  Thanks for all the great memories, Grandpa!

Grandma and Grandpa Beggs



We headed to Iowa on Friday.  I was ready for a weekend of resting and relaxing!  And now that everyone knows about Baby #3, I knew I'd be able to take naps without worry!  On Saturday the boys had some fun fishing with Papa.  Apparently this fishing trip was like the first...they couldn't get them out quick enough!  This trip they learned how to clean fish...that would have been interesting to watch!

Zane with one of his fish

The boys cleaning the fish

Saturday night we had the races, and they went very well for the Hogan team!  Chris did a great job and ended up in 2nd place.  It was fun to watch!!!

Sunday we hung around at the house.  That evening we went in to Reeta and Gordy's for supper and to watch some of the NASCAR race.  Monday the boys headed with Craig, Brent, and Marcy to try the boat out.  I was glad to hear that Mason gladly put his life jacket on and left it on the whole time...last year that was our biggest hurdle when boating.  It was very windy and they weren't able to get in the water...which the boys desperately wanted to do...so they weren't there long.  We met them for dinner, played at the elementary playground, and then headed back to KC.

Zane swinging

"Higher Papa!"

Marcy & Zane trying to make it go FAST! (Well, really Marcy doing all the work)

Mason pushing Matt

And Brent

And then he gave Zane a boost!

We are now officially in t-ball season!  It's our second week.  We go on Tuesdays and Thursdays for an hour each night.  Zane's doing well!  It's fun to watch all of them!  We have a few things to work on!

Zane's 6th Birthday and Two Blue Lines!

I know I've been saying it over and over...but our little man, Zane, is just growing up too fast!  This week he had 2 milestones...Kindergarten Roundup and his 6th Birthday!  Thursday we took Zane to his new school for Kindergarten Roundup.  He went in with the kindergarten teachers while we filled out some paperwork and went on a tour of the school.  It's definitely surreal to be on the "parent" side of all of this school stuff...not sure I really like it!  It does put a whole new perspective on it for me as a teacher!  They didn't discuss results with us, so I asked Zane and he told me he counted, read a book, told them letters and sounds, and cut.  He said he knew how to do everything!  

The boys waiting patiently at Kindergarten Roundup

If Kindergarten Roundup weren't enough...Zane's birthday was on Friday!  He was so excited to celebrate at school!  We took cupcakes for his friends and he was excited to pass them out.  They had to be their morning snack because Matt and I took the afternoon off to spend it with just Zane!  Matt picked him up early and I met them at home, then we were off for lunch!  Zane chose Red Robin (we had to talk him out of Burger King).  We convinced him because we told him they'd probably sing to him and bring him balloons and a dessert...which they did!  He was grinning from ear to ear...but later said "Mom, why did they ALL sing to me?"  It was too cute!

Happy Birthday to you!

Zane had been asking ALL DAY when he was going to get to open presents...he was very worried about that!  We told him we had a surprise for him after lunch.  We headed to Target for his surprise...on the way to the correct aisle, we told him to hide his eyes, so this is what he did:

Zane "hiding his eyes" for his surprise

His surprise was a new bike!  Zane had outgrown his old one and was really in need of a bigger bike.  We let him choose what he wanted and this is what he chose!

Zane's new bike!

Fits JUST RIGHT!

That night, we had supper, then he FINALLY got to open some presents from us!  His favorite was the "balloon gas" (helium tank) we gave him...who knew?

Opening presents!

Balloon gas!

Mason watching...wanting...wishing...

This weekend, on Sunday, we had a party back home for our families.  Zane chose "pirates" as his theme and asked for a skull cake.  We found these eye patches, earrings, and hooks...he was all over it!  Mason was having quite a hard time understanding why Zane got all the presents and he got none...we finally had to take him to his room so Grandma Farmer could eat (he wouldn't let her put him down) and he ended up falling asleep for a couple of hours...guess that's what he needed!  He missed the party...which may be for the best, but joined us at the end, in a MUCH better mood!  We're so blessed to have such great families that love our boys SO MUCH!  Thanks to everyone for coming! 

Pirates Keaton and Zane...Keaton less than thrilled...Zane in character!

Captain Zane ready to open gifts!

Really in character now!

Zane, Kaitlin, Jennie, Keaton, Reeta, Richard

Papa Hammer, Papa Farmer, Matt, Old Papa

Adam, Jakob, Old Grandma, Grandma Beggs, Grandma Hammer, Zane

Keaton TRYING not to smile at me!  This is the neighbor's dog...he sat and held her forever!

Sweet (ornery?) Kenna!

Baby Corbyn!

Zane with his skull cake!

Make a wish!

The boys with all of their grandparents!

Kenna and Mason sharing cookies!

Pirate Mason...if you could hear him he was saying "arrrr!"

Anyone know what two blue lines means???  For us it means Baby Baker #3 is on the way!  Yes, I was a little shocked...so I took 3 tests to be sure!  Baby Baker #3 is due to arrive on January 10th.  We have already had an ultrasound and heard a very strong heartbeat!  We chose this weekend to tell our families since we knew all of the grandparents would be in the same place, at the same time!  See below...for our announcement!

Announcing our news...

Rest assured...they really were excited and happy for us...I think we just TOTALLY surprised them!  We are very excited to add to our family!  Thanks for all the well wishes we've already received from all of you...we appreciate each and every one of them!

Zane's Pre-K Graduation!

Hold onto your seats...our "baby" has graduated!  That's right, Zane graduated from preschool this Friday and is ready to move on to kindergarten!  Funny how vividly I remember so many things...the day he was born, taking him to the ER, dropping him off at Jo's for the first day (crying all the way to work), watching him become a big brother, watching a million other "firsts" for him, sobbing as I left him with Ms. Michelle on the first day of preschool...and now...wiping away tears as he's growing up right before my eyes.  I'd lie to you if I said I didn't cry at his graduation...it's a huge milestone...to me they all are!  I couldn't be more proud of the young man he is becoming...we're so blessed!



Zane walking in...he had just noticed us sitting there!  Look at him...hands behind his back and everything!  He doesn't follow rules at home this well!  HA!

Smiling for Mama

The Pre-K classes performing.  Zane's on the top, third from the right.  Madelyn is on the front, third from the left!

Ms. Courtney, Zane, Mrs. Shirley.

Nathan and Zane.  I told them to "look cute" and this is what they gave me!

Then I told them to act normal!

Zane and Madelyn...buddies forever!

Dad, Zane, Mom

Seriously...doesn't this just sound WEIRD?

Zane is so lucky to be surrounded by family that loves him SO MUCH!  All four grandparents came down Friday evening to help his celebrate!  Since Zane was only allowed 4 guests (including us), the papas stayed home with Mason and the grandmas went along.  We wished we could have taken everyone, but it was nice to not have to worry about Mason not sitting still or being quiet during the celebration!  Afterwards, we headed to Golden Corral for supper, then back home for a little bit.  Thank you SO MUCH grandparents for all of the love and support you have given to all of us!  We love you!

The papas playing with the boys!

On another note...our dear hometown suffered a tornado Wednesday evening.  Thankfully, noone was hurt, but lots of buildings and homes were.  Many are beyond repair.  Please keep Lenox, and all those affected, in your prayers.  They will need it as they clean and rebuild.  Here's a link to a news article with more details:  http://www.kcci.com/video/27876803/detail.html

Mason's Marvels

• Saturday evening Erika came over to watch the boys so Matt and I could have a "date night."  Mason wanted to know if Lauren was coming over.  I told him no, that she was too little to watch them and he said, "Oh, she's a baby?"  I explained that no, she just wasn't old enough to watch them.  Then the next day, when going to bed, I asked him who he would see at Jo's and he said, "Mom, is Lauren not a baby anymore?"  I said she wasn't a baby, just not big enough to watch him alone and he said "Oh, she's a big boy now?"  Man...can't get this one explained well I guess!
• Yesterday as we dropped Zane off at Preschool, Mason looked over and said, "Bye my Zane Baker!"  It was SO CUTE!
• This morning Mason said, "Mom, where are you going?"  I told him I was going to take him to Jo's house and he said, "That's not fair!"  When I asked him why he said, "I want to go to Papa's house and ride the tractor!"

Happy Mother's Day!

We got Zane's preschool pictures back a few weeks ago, and I keep forgetting to scan and get them on here.  They turned out SO GOOD!  It's just so hard to believe this is my little man...all ready to go to kindergarten in the fall!  This coming Friday we are going to be celebrating his Preschool graduation...I'm sure there will be tears by Mama...

Sweet boy

He LOOKS innocent!

Our little graduate!

Braeden, Mason & Nora hanging on the swing at Jo's

Remember Mason's strep last week...yeah...well it was super contagious!  Madelyn, Braeden, Jo, and Erika all got some form of strep!  It was very weird becuase not everyone reacted the same.  A couple had a fever only, Mason had the spots, and Jo's daughter had strep throat!  Let's hope everyone is on the mend!   

Mason "reading" in Zane's chair

Braeden, Mason, and Lawson on PJ day at Jo's

Saturday we were excited to be able to help Matt's cousin Sarah and her new husband Kurtis celebrate their recent wedding in Cabo! I took my camera and snapped photos throughout the night, so thankfully we had many family members who helped wrangle the boys throughout the night!  Sarah was beautiful, as always, and I am so happy we could be there to help them celebrate the beginning of their happily ever after!  :o) 

This is what boys do at a wedding reception...

Zane was a DANCING MACHINE!  Seriously!  I wish this were a video!

The happy couple!

And it didn't take long for Mason to follow suit and dance his jig!

And today is Mother's Day!  Happy Mother's Day to each and every one of you reading this that is a mother!  I am so blessed to have two AMAZING boys (and an amazing husband...even though I'm not his mom)!  Even though they drive me crazy sometimes...it's always crazy love!  To our mothers and grandmothers - thank you for all of the love you give to ALL of us every day!  We appreciate and love you so much! 



The boys feeding the calves...notice Mason standing back this week...