Sure Couldn't Do That Before.......(Quote by the Weav)

A few years ago we had a half pipe in the backyard, and I loved it!!  Cote loved it too.  Brexton was to little to enjoy it, and Nixin, well she wasn't even born yet.  The only reason I didn't keep it was because it was in my backyard, which meant my grass did not grow very well, it got rained on, and when it was summer the sun was beating down on you.  

Problem solved.  I have a garage, with no vehicle to park in it because my truck is to long.  So I had to put something in there, and I felt a half pipe was perfect.  It is crazy how it all worked out though.  We were eating dinner at the table one night, and the boys both said how much fun it would be if we had a half pipe again.  

That night when they were in bed I was surfing Instagram (yep I love that thing) and there was a picture and post from my friend Loren Brinton that said "Mini ramp up for adoption.  Needs a nice home, comes with good homies."  It was a sign, and I am happy to report it has a great home.  Skated on all night long, Cote would be out there all night if he could.  Some of our friends kids come over and go crazy, I love it.  

Thank you to everyone that helped put this bad boy together.  Trey, Jared, Cote, and a huge thank you and shout out to Loren for recognizing that this ramp would be loved by some kids who have a huge ability to party and embrace awesomeness.  It was exactly what the doctor ordered!

Happy Birthday Mommy!!

Well let it be known that I am a momma's boy.  Always have been, and don't really plan on changing.  I think all boys should love their mothers.  It was my mom's birthday in November and we went out to eat together.  So like parents do for their infants, I figured I would write a few things about what my mom likes, so here it goes:

• Nixon Watches (yep she is that cool)
• Horses, you should see her house
• Being retired, but I think she is busier now!
• Her grand kids, everyone of them.  
• Apple products (Macbook, iPad, & iPhone)
• Instagram, she is so addicted. 
• Cooking awesome meals.
• Training her dogs to do sweet tricks
• Volunteering at the Phoenix Zoo (new for 2011)
• Taking care of the zoo at her house, you know it is mom, don't fight it.  
• Going to the grand kids games (there are tons of them, I don't know how she does it). 

So I know that was dorky, but I love my mom.  She does so much for us in our time of need.  My kids are obsessed with her and so am I.  We love you!!

Halloween (wait what month is it?) SO WHAT!!!

Well, contrary to popular belief in the blog world I am still alive.  I am still trying to adapt to SDS (Single Dad Status).  It is fun, entertaining, and busy.  But I like it.

So here is Halloween.  The Saturday before the kids and I went to our Ward Trunk-or-Treat which is always a good time for the kids.  Cote was sick, so he did not dress up (and he had monster mask, and those are not allowed at the Trunk-or-Treat, to scary).

Brexton was waiting for the this day to come FOREVER!  He was so pumped to be Captain America, he could barely contain himself.  Look how excited he is fully dressed and ready to go!!





Nixin wanted to be Cinderella but not just any Cinderella the White Wedding Dress Cinderella, the story behind this dress is pretty funny.  We were in the Disney Store and she sees it and starts freaking out, "It's the white wedding dress, it is so pretty, daddy I want that please!"  I told her "No, you already have a dress to wear for Halloween", however she somehow convinced me to let her look at the dress.  Big mistake, the moment I saw her hugging it, and smiling, I was done.  She looked up at me and said, "Daddy I need this dress!"  So I said OK, she got all jazzed and was smiling, hugging me, looking at the dress.  Then she suddenly stopped and said, "Now I need the shoes please."  Who is this girl?  She knows daddy loves her.  So on Saturday we went by the Fort's to go with them to the Trunk-or-Treat, and I asked Rachel to do Nixin's hair because I am still learning.  My little girl came down with her hair looking exactly like Cinderella, check it out!



On Halloween day we did the traditional Trick-or-Treating around the neighborhood.  Charlotte came over and we walked the block with the kids which they love.  Brexton was so into it, he was running from door to door with his friend Nathan, Cote was long gone, I am surprised we even got a pictures of him before he took off with his skateboard in hand.  And Nixin, well she loves candy, and she would walk around saying Trick-or-Treat, smell my feet!!  Something, something underwear.  It was pretty funny.

Again, I take no credit for the hair.  The photo above was all Charlotte's doing, look how nice she looks.

Hey little boy! Can you tell your mommy something for me............

Let's just be honest, divorce is lame.  Pretty much the most depressing thing a person could go through.  Surprisingly all is fine when I have my kids, however when I come home to an empty home, it is pathetic.  One thing that has allowed me to get over this is family (as mentioned in previous blog posts, and if not mentioned you need to know I love all of you) and friends.

Now I have had tons of friends who have helped me out during this time, but not all of them have posed for pictures.  So this post is dedicated to those that have, because it is easier for everyone to see what is going on instead of reading my random chaotic rants about life.

Let's start with the Weaver's; Chris and I met ten years ago next month in the MTC.  Pretty much my best friend from the mission.  And Whitney, I did not meet her in the mission, but I felt like I knew her while I was there via pictures, letters, and recordings.  We have remained very close over the years making many trips to see each other.  My kids love Chris and Whitney, and think so much of them and appreciate their love.

Here is a good example, Whitney sent me a "House Warming Gift" when I moved back into my home, it was some smell good spray to make the house yummy knowing that a dad and three kids equals a nightmare waiting to happen.  I sprayed it lovingly around the house, when Cote arrived from school he said, "It smells like Utah in here!  I like it."  See, even the smell of Whit's house brings happiness.

On to my story, Chris came down to cheer me up.  What a good man.  So we did what most men do, watch sports.  Friday we went to Cote's baseball game and watched Cote crush it.  Then Saturday we met up with three of our other mission buddies and went to the ASU Football game.  Then Sunday we went to the Cardinals game for Weaver's first NFL experience.  Unfortunately the Cards lost in the last quarter, but hey ASU won and to me that is all that matters.

I decided to take my love for ASU to a new level, I would attend my first away game for my birthday.  I flew up with my buddy Dave (I can thank him for convincing me to become a season ticket holder).  When we landed it was a cool 49 degrees with some snow on the ground.  90's and 100's in AZ, snow in Utah, yep it was great.  We had some time to kill on Friday so we went to lunch with Fackrell (another mission buddy) and then to the Salt Lake Temple.  It was pretty cool being there while it was wet and rainy.

To be honest, I was going crazy seeing the snow on the mountains wondering if I made a mistake by not waiting to come up during snowboarding season.

I then had the fantastic opportunity to stay with my friends Heather and Josh Walden.  Heather heard I was coming up via Facebook so they reached out an invite.  Needless to say I had a great time, we ate a great place, and toured some pretty sweet houses.  Heather, if you buy Andy's house, just know my whole family is coming up to stay (let me know if you want to go to the ASU game while you are here too).

Then I moved locations to the Eudis's.  Out of control Eudis family, I love it.  They are Brandon, Kelli, Drake, Ava, and Callie.  And they are fantastic.  Brandon and I are dork twins with obsessions with Snowboarding and Nixon watches.  Kelli tolerates us both when we are together.  While there I was able to participate in Drake's birthday (same age as Brexton) and check out the party they threw.  Yep, Bataman was there, and the cake is sweet.

So then arrived my man crush Chris (what is that weird to say out loud, sorry).  Two weekends in a row was great and just what the doctor ordered, however it may have been to much for the Weav.  Again we did what men do, we went to the Utah vs ASU Football game.  It was great for a couple of reasons, loud music, cool weather, and great friends.  But when we were there, and on the way in, 50% of the Utah fans were talking trash.  All I have to say is welcome to the Pac-12.  Such a great game for an ASU fan, and worth the trip.  Both Brandon and Chris supported the Sun Devils on their victory.  I also met up with my mission President John Allen (ASU Alum who still holds a record for most touchdowns in a game).

To conclude my trip we went to Park City for breakfast at the Establishment, and it was as amazing as Chris and Whit described it.  Sorry you did not get to join us Whitter's, I hope the picture did it some sort of justice.  I have never been to Park City when it was not winter, and I am not going to lie it is a fantastic place.

After our trip to Park City Weaver had to head home to St. George, and I was treated to a home cooked meal by Kelli.  February 2010 Char and I went to the Eudis's house in Colorado, after an awesome powder day on the mountain we came home to an orange chicken and fried rice party in my mouth.  One condition of me coming up there was I wanted that chicken again, it was so good. This time they stepped it up and made Orange Chicken, Fried Rice, and homemade Spring Rolls.  And yep it was awesome, so good.

Brandon wouldn't get out of the picture.

Hanging with Weaver two weekends in a row, watching ASU win over Utah, playing with Brandon and Family, made for a fantastic trip. Thank you everyone, I love each and everyone of you and had a great time.  Huge impact for me, thank you Whitney for sending your man to help me out.

Nintendo + Skateboarding + Lego's = Troll's 6th Birthday

Well, we survived.  October is a crazy month for the Colburn's, my Birthday is the 10th, Nixin's the 16th, and Brexton's the 22nd.  We are each six days apart.

So here it is, my little man is now six.  That is crazy to me; and I am not going to lie we party pretty hard.  Brexton has always been Super-Hero obsessed; so Captain America it was.  He had all of his friends from church and school over, plus his cousins Crew, Cole, and Martin Gunnell over (awesome).

Where to start, see the cakes? Yep those are amazing, and they taste amazing. They were from Cake's by April (a friend of Charlotte and I's) so if you need some, let her know she is awesome.

 
This next one is of all the little boys and their very own Captain America shields.  Now I must admit that this was the highlight of the party in my opinion, and I cannot take any credit for it.  Charlotte thought of this, prepared all of it, and ran the assembly line.  Let me tell you why it rocked, boys like shields, they like to make things, it was fast, fun, and fantastic.  Nice work.

When it comes to gifts the troll loves all things Lego's, Skateboarding, and Nintendo.  So the Hon's made Brexton this sweet shirt and this is how they wrapped his gift, priceless.

Brexton really wanted a skateboard for his birthday so we got him one, and Cote and I are more excited than he is to have it I think.

At 6 Brexton loves the color orange, super-hero's, pizza, root beer, coloring, drawing, building lego's, and playing with his friends (usually wearing costumes wielding weapons of some sort).  He plays so much that every time we get in the car he falls asleep.  We had parent teacher conferences and he is reading above average, writes nice, and is doing good in class.

He is pretty much what every little boy with an imagination is supposed to be.  He truly brings me so much joy in my life.  I love you little man, thanks for hugging me all the time.  I need it.

My Princess is 3!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, let it be known: I love my boys, and they are boys!  But I LOVE my princess.  Whatever she wants, I want to get it for her.  The way she smiles, laughs, runs, giggles, yells, bosses, and asks just makes me happy.  She has daddy wrapped around her little finger.

I made it back into the house, and so we put together a quick little party for her with two of her best friends and here are the results.

 Carsyn is a year older than Nixin, however Nixin loves to play with her.  She has spent many evenings with her while we eat dinner at the Fort's (or watch ASU), or if the Fort's are at our house.  More us over there lately because we all know I was not the good cook in the house.

As well as Sarah, this is Nixin's best friend from Nursery, and from Pre-School.  She talks about Sarah every time I talk to her about school.

They were pretty pumped to just lick the icing off the cake.  In case you were wondering that is how you are supposed to eat those things.  Try it, it works wonders on the taste buds.

Nixin got spoiled.  And it is worth it.  Nothing is more exciting than seeing this one happy.  She loves to play, she loves princess dolls, and anything Disney related.  I laugh when I read articles about how princess stuff isn't good for them but you know what?  I have two boys, I want my little girl to be a girl.  It makes me so happy to hear she likes pink, and likes dancing, and that she walks around the house singing to me.  Boys don't do that (OK well some do, mine don't so that is why I have her).  I do have to throw out some thank you's in this post so here it goes.  Thank you GMama for all you did, Nixin loves her gifts, and the goodie bags you put together were amazing.  Thank you Grandma, Nixin was feeding her doll and carrying it around with her all evening.  Plus the little crowns were the final piece to the party.  Rachel,  my poor daughter has crazy hair because dad does not know how to do it.  Thank you so much for taking the time to make her look so pretty.  Trey and Jenna I appreciate you picking up the pink cupcakes (I am sure Jenna did not mind the Coffee Shop).  And the last shout out goes to Julie, thank you for letting me steal some awesome ideas from your party.

Here is to another great year for this special little lady who means so much to me!! I love you princess.

Hotel Room with kids...

I don't know how to state this without seeming like a complainer but here it goes.  One of the most apparent downfalls to this separation is the unfortunate toll it takes on the children.  However what is fantastic is the assistance that comes from places it has always been, just never accessed. 

I will describe it like this.  I have been out of my house for an unfortunate amount of time (not to my choosing, and over 2 months but who is really counting), and will soon be back in there.  As a result I have been living at others homes, and have had my kids quite a bit.  So why am I complaining, well have you ever been on vacation with your kids (I have) and tried to stay or keep them concentrated in one area of the house, or have them in a hotel room for an extended period of time? It gets pretty frustrating because they are stuck, limited, prohibited, and not at home.

 That has been me for the past two months.  But here is where the blessings have come into play.  I moved into my brother Trey's house the day they moved in after they closed on it (welcome home guys) and have been there for long (but seems short) amount of time.  Trey and I have been able to hang out quite a bit, and Jenna, she rocks and lets of have our male bonding time.  My kids have done so much over here, they have swam in the pool, dug in the dirt, made a garden, covered their entire fridge in X-Men and Princess pictures they colored (still there, over a month now), and named chickens. 



Yep chickens.  These pics here are of a friends not Trey and Jenna's, now onto the chicken story.

So Trey and Jenna have a mini urban farm going on at their place, they built a chicken coup (with Brexton's help) and picked out four chickens.  Of which Brexton and Nixin were able to name because they helped catch them.  Nixin of course named her's Cinderella chicken, because that is the responsible two year-old girlie girl thing to do.  However Brexton when asked thought long and hard and said, "Dave, I am going to name my chicken Dave."  I was on the floor laughing and so was Trey, however we convinced him to think of something different.  So he did, it is now Captain America, or "Cap for short" as Brexton would say.  Yes that is a goat inside this ladies house, don't ask. 

Now let's move onto my third home away from home.  Brannon and Amanda's.  This too has been a great time, Brannon and Amanda are never bored when my kids are there.  They play with them, they talk to them, and they shop for them (going from some snacks, to tons of snacks at their house is awesome as Cote would say).  For example, Brexton and I were on the couch relaxing and he turns to me and says, "Who am I?" and begins speaking in a real cute, proper, and high voice.  He was imitating Amanda, it was hilarious!!  And then there is Nixin, this is the type of attention she gets from these two, you can't tell me she is suffering while there.  

Yep, nails painted, very important.  However if you notice one day Uncle Brannon painted them, the next week Aunt Amanda painted them.  Awesome. 


So with that being said, I have crashed, eaten, consumed, used, and enjoyed more resources then I deserve staying with these two great families who I have grown so much closer to; and they need to be thanked.  I am ready to stay in my own house, wake up in the morning and get my kids ready for school again, make them breakfast, make them lunch, brush their teeth, read them books, watch Star Wars together, play at the park, eat dinner at the table again, in my own home.

But the love, memories, and relationships that were forged between my kids my brother's and their dear loving patient wives has been amazing.  Thanks you guys, I have really enjoyed this time together and look forward to hanging out even more now.      

Tons of Sports, for a "Not Really into Sports Man"

I don't know what to tell you.  I think that I am going a little overboard due to the current circumstances my family has found themselves in.  However we have been greatly blessed by some awesome friends who have hooked us up with some great tickets to some really good games.  Here it goes:





My best-friend Jordan Bawden got hooked up with some Cardinal's tickets.  So not only did he call and ask if I could go, he let me take Brexton, and my most adventurous football loving brother Trey.  And to top it all off, they were pretty awesome seats to a Pre-season Cardinals vs the Chargers game.  We lost, however we like San Diego too (thanks to my extended family) so it wasn't that big of a deal.  Here is a pic of the troll and I, who fell asleep it was great.

 


Now it is on to something that I love.  I have no idea what the referee means when he throws his hands a certain way, and really it is annoying every time I see a stupid yellow flag come onto the field.  I have no idea what a safety is, or a defensive fat man, or a speedy short man, I just know that I LOVE ASU FOOTBALL!  This was the best gift I have ever purchased for myself, and I can thank the Fort's.  Both Dave and Rachel; they are season ticket holders, and after I graduated from ASU Charlotte and I decided to become season ticket holders too.  So we sit right next to two other couples and have constantly been trying to recruit additional couples and have come pretty close.  However the best recruit was Cote, he wanted to go so badly, so he worked all winter saving up his money and paid for half of his ASU season ticket.  Nice work you die hard fan you.

This first pic was from the first game where Trey came with us.  Cote was sporting his Pat Tillman jersey we got him for making it on the Honor role last year at school.  Yes those are our seats, and I love being right there.  All of the action happens there it is fantastic.

These next pics are from ASU's Black Out Game against Missouri (we won), and it was a great game.  Just shy of selling out, overtime, pizza, soda and the light rail.  Brexton wanted to go really badly, he was a little upset that he did not get to go last time.  So I took him.  However as you can see Brexton is most alert only when eating pizza and drinking root beer.  His favorite two things, Pizza, and Root beer.  Other than that, he was sleeping.  On the bench as depicted in the uncomfortable photo on the top right, and on the light rail on the way home as shown in the bottom left photo.  Crazy kid slept on that bench while everyone was going nuts, and didn't even move it was hilarious.



Now for a true sports fanatic, and ASU football fan.  Cote too loves to eat pizza as depicted by his "don't take a picture of me, I am ten, and to cool for that nonsense" look as shown in the picture.  And this one that I snagged as he celebrated an ASU play.  He gets so into it, and never stops cheering, talking, or moving around.  He loves it, and is at a perfect age for it.  Cote you are the man.

Here is my buddy Jordan, we are all sporting our blackout shirts.  I love Jordan because he is a true football fan, me I am just there for the fun.  Every time ASU would score a touchdown he would run all the way to the top high-fiving everyone it was so funny.  I could not celebrate because I was laughing so hard.  New tradition.

And now onto baseball.  I am telling you I have had a whirlwind two weeks of sports.  Our friend Kea hooked us up with some of my all time favorite seats for a dbacks game.  Left field, right where the bullpen meets the wall.  So fun, you get see everything, and be right there in the middle of the plays.  Brexton he likes baseball games again for a couple of reasons, food, drink, baseball, and most importantly the play area.  Yep, but hey, he likes going and has a great time so I am not complaining.  Nixin on the other hand was not sure of the noise, did not want to watch the game, and was only able to smile when provided ice cream.  But you know what.  I don't care, that is why I have a little girl.  So I can take her to the ball game, and giver her ice cream.  I have my boys to watch sports with.  Love it.
(Mom, the Mickey Mouse is for you)

Addiction (that I have been waiting for and approve of)!!

Crew and Martin Gunnell (not brothers, cousins) shared a birthday party.  And it was awesome.  It was out in Queen Creek at SK8 Asylum, an indoor skate park.  Needless to say I was pretty jazzed, and wanted to ride so bad.  Thanks to GMama and Papa watching Nixin for a bit while we there, I got the opportunity.

Here is the history.... I am not really a huge sports freak.  To be honest the only reason I started to watch football games on TV was because Cote wanted to, and I figured with him being into football whats it going to hurt.  So to encourage a love for skateboarding Charlotte let me put a half-pipe in the backyard 4 years ago, and it was awesome.  However the boys were a little to young to catch the fever.

For Easter GMama had purchased the boys and I tickets to see Street League, a skateboarding competition.  Since then both the boys have gone crazy for skateboarding, and this party sealed the obsession.

Brexton kills me, he does things in his own time.  NEVER rush him.  I did not think he would really enjoy this, however I was wrong.  He was riding all over the place.  Even pumped back and forth on the mini pipe, I was so excited for him.  

Now all he can talk about is how he wants a skateboard for his birthday, and he wants to have it at SK8 Asylum.  So consider this a warning to the Troll's cousins and friends who read this blog, we will be having a SK8 party in October. 







Now as for Cote, I have been trying to get that kid to ollie for almost 5 years now.  Nothing.  Thanks to Street League, Cote is all ears on any advice I can provide him and mastered the ollie in two days.

Combine that with his already right on half pipe skills and he was all over the place too.  He was pumped about his new bearings we put in his board "Abec-7" totally rad to a 10 year-old.  And was pleased with his "skate" outfit he selected for the day.

This kid cracks me up.







Here are some pics of my nephews.  The Three Amigo's right here, no fear, and no limits (sorry Julie).

Cash, he turned 3 in July.  And yes contrary to his size and age he did drop in on the mini ramp.  He strapped on his helmet, laid on his belly and rolled in.  Cole is 5, and had no problem dropping in on the 8 foot bowl, and successfully road away.  Yep 5, 8 foot BOWL.  Most skaters will go their entire life not doing that.  And then there is the birthday boy Crew 7, no problem dropping in on the 6 foot pipe and taking on the entire park. 

Now what would a blog post be like without a picture of the princess (I mean she does boss all of us around).  My little girl is everything I always wanted, loves pink, loves dancing, princesses, and can hang with the boys.  Behold Nixin using the half-pipe as a slide...in a skirt. 

(Sorry Martin, I did not get a picture of you, you were too fast)

The River (need I say more)

The River is actually the Colorado River, the section I am talking about is on the Arizona/California boarder by Blythe.  It is amazing, some of my greatest memories and experiences are from there.  My Uncle Paul, and Aunt Joanne own a fantastic place with boats, dune buggies, quads, golf carts, and now a slip-n-slide.

We got the call to come out from my cousin Jeni, and to be honest with you why would anyone say no?

Nixin loves to be in the water, and this was the first time she experienced a current.  Which was pretty amusing if I must say, the look on her face as she was being pushed down river was a look of shock and confusion.  The pictures below depict how she played, and took a nap (she did that to herself, it was great).

I applied sun block regularly, however she still left with an awkward sun tan line across her chest.  Sorry

The Troll (Brexton) he loves to swim also, and was obsessed with taking his life jacket on and off, on and off.  He also went on the tube, which he loves, when it is going straight and fast!!!  However Brexton did get tossed for the first time and he was not pumped about it.  To his credit though he somersaulted, and then barrel-rolled twice before stopping.  My Uncle Paul felt pretty bad, however I thought it was funny.   

Now on to Cote, he was a little bummed out at first that I did not have a small wakeboard for him (which I promised next lake trip I will have one for sure).  However he quickly forgot once he was on the kneeboard.  He did great, so good that each time they came close to the sandbar for him to get off he wouldn't let go.  He got it though, and made an entry that even Tony Stark and Steve Jobs would have wished they could pull off.  

The last part of the trip was actually one of my favorites, the Slip-N-Slide down the back hill.  I have to be honest, I am upset about this one.  These inventions have been around for quite a while, why is it that we are just now deciding to do this?  Nonetheless, here it is in all its awesome glory!!

Thanks you guys, we had a great time and really appreciate the invite.  Until next time.

The Only Constant is Change - Volcom

However that change doesn't always come the way we want it to.  Well, this blog is the start of a new period in my life.  The family is breaking up, and it is a big bummer.  In years past Char was the guru, and now I have to learn.  It will recount my adventures as seen hopefully through the eyes of my kids.  They are pretty awesome, and do some crazy stuff.  I need everyone to know that this new blog is one of happiness, excitement, and a place for me to share the struggles we encounter along the way.  Therefore sappy apologetic, or sympathizing comments regarding what is going on will be removed so resist the urge (you know who you are).  It is in fact a hard time for the kids and I, as well as Charlotte, however we are starting a new chapter in life.

I named the blog after one of my favorite books "Where the Wild Things Are", and used my favorite quote in the actual blog name "Let the wild rumpus start", and that is what our life is, a rumpus.  You can look forward to adventures, memories, milestones, new experiences, and some struggles.

I will keep the blog public for a short time, so please send me your email address and I will begin to add you on there.  Send them to my Facebook please, that would be easiest (unless you are not on there then I will make an exception).  I am new to this, so my blog will be changing regularly as I get the hang of it.  And I have music on there, so you better not be turning it down.  That is lame, the music makes the story that much better.

So here it goes, "on with the wolf suits and mischief of one kind....and another."