News feed

Here is a quick recap of the most current events in our family.

Kylie is taking swimming lessons! She is really enjoying splashing in the water and playing fun games with her instructor and the other little girl in her group. The night before the first lesson she said she will go to swimming lessons but she won't get in the water. After we disscused why that defeats the purpose of taking swimming lessons, the next day she did an amazing job. She is very brave and we are so proud of her!

Brayden, the big brother that he is, graduated from crib sleeping to a big boy bed. I thought this was going to be quite a headache, but he is adjusting very well to this change. He has been sleeping in the twin bed for the past couple of nights and today is his first nap in the "big bed".

Here he is reading a book in his bed before nap.

Kylie came in to give Brayden a hug and kiss before nap time.

Colton -- my sweet baby boy is 4 months already!!!.... I was beyond excited the other day when I layed him on the floor for some tummy time and he rolled right over as if it was no big deal. I was ecstatic!!! We had the well child exam yesterday, Colton weighs 17#6oz. and is 26 in. long, which puts him in the 90% for both weight and lenght. He is Mr. social, laughs, and grabs toys. His brother and sister spoil him very much!!!

Brett is 27!!!!

No ordinary day at THE OFFICE......
Brett's birthday was on Tuesday and since he had to work, i decided to make things a little more interesting for him. So, when Brett walked into his office on Tuesday morning he was surprised to find his stapler in....JELLO!!! We both enjoy and laugh-out-loud watching the hit TV show "The Office". This is one of the pranks that is frequently done on this show. It was meant to make him smile and of course, it did just that!!


Here it is...it looks nice with the candles around it
Ohh, and did I mention that he brought it home and I had to clean all the jello out of it....hahha, i am starting to think this joke is on me...j/k.

That morning I insisted Brett take the camera to work with him just in case something comes up... he was suspicious but not sure what to expect. Here he is after he found his "present". :)

Getting ready to enjoy his bday dinner - steak, sweet potatoes, green beans casserole.

Brett's gift from me and the kids was a couple of (very heavy) weights for his workout and a home cooked meal with all his favorites.

Happy Birthday dear Daddy!!!!!!

Of course no meal with all Brett's favs would be complete without his cake of choice --angel food cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream on top.....yummmm!!!

Flower girl

Kylie is going to be the flower girl in our friends' wedding in May! We had been looking for a dress for quite some time and when we finally found the perfect one, we had some issues with getting her size because they discontinueed this model. At last, the dress is here and we are ready for the wedding!!!! When the dress arrived, we got it out of the box, put it on, put a head band on, and snapped some pictures... It's perfect!

March Maddness

I am borrowing this term from the basketball world to just say:"Is it really the end of March? Where has this month gone?" Since this month flew by, I didn't have time to update the blog with news, so here are some quick highlights.

Kylie has a new bike!!!
Grandma and grandpa bought Kylie a new bike that she can enjoy this summer and hopefully for the next couple of summers. Both Kylie and Brayden enjoyed going bike shopping and Kylie was ecstatic to pick her new bike. Thank you grandma and grandpa!!!




Kylie's bike has a pouch for snack and a water bottle. Here she is sharing her water with her very thirsty brother.

Since Kylie got a new bike, Brayden inherited her old one. Brayden can't quite reach the pedals but he still enjoys "walking along on the bike."

Brayden's vocabulary has more than doubled and he is even coming up with 2-3 words phrases and some sentences!! One of the most frequently used phrases is" Shoot basketball". You can see him here dunking the ball!

Colton- aka "little man" is not so little anymore. He is growing at a steady pace. He is getting really good at holding his head up but still dislikes tummy time. He smiles, cooes, and the newest trick is LaUGhiNg --- LOVE IT!

We had a couple of beautiful spring weather days and we were able to go outside and enjoy the swings, slide and bikes.

One Saturday, we took the kids to McDonalds' play room and had some -not so good for you- lunch.

One Sunday this month i went to Davenport for a girls night out. We went out to eat and to the Broadway play "Mamma Mia". It was a great evening!

In the picture, from left to right: Kate, Nicole, Jill and me.

Kylie's first spa treatment

Kylie had her first "spa treatment" on Friday night. It was a night filled with pampering, good friends, coloring, and of course some good ol' ice cream.

Fiona, Amanda, Allie and Kylie just picked the color to paint their toe nails. Fiona, Gillian holding Colton and Kylie

Kylie getting a pedicure...mom getting ready to do some feet rubbing :)

Waiting for toe nails to dry....

Pretty girl!!

Coloring...

Yummmm....ice cream.

The fry club....sharing some yummy fries...after ice cream.

The girls surrounding the only man at the party....sorry Colton, you had to come with mommy :)

Life according to Colton...

My mom and dad can't believe I am already 2 1/2 months old. I believe it! I am after all learning all sorts of new tricks and I am growing "like a weed" according to mom and dad. I was just at the doctor's office today for the well child exam and found out I weigh 15.4 lbs, which puts me in the 97% for kids my age. I am also pretty long... I am 24in. long, which means I am in the 65% on the growth chart -- I know this is just above the average but don't worry, this will change, I am a Hoben after all!!

I now know how to smile, coo, and suck my thumb. I like to look at the nifty toys in my swing. I also can turn my head to watch my brother and sister running wildly through the room. Mom says I am pretty good at lifting my head up off the ground, during tummy time, definitely not my favorite past time but mom says we need to have tummy time so I can grow strong...whatever that means.

I am a pretty laid back guy. Not much bothers me, if I am fed and changed, I can sleep for hours on end... sleeping IS my favorite past time after all.

It was fun updating you all with what's going on and before I sign off, here are some pictures of me with loved ones.

Here I am with my dad and my big brother.




Ahhh....my favorite thing to do.



Smile for the camera.


Me with my brother and sister.

Tummy time.....ugh.

I don't know what's going on here, I was just waking up....

Me and my friend Selah, she lives in Michigan.

My buddy Titus Smith, me, and my big brother, Brayden.

Love, love, love....

Our love bugs!