Catching Up

We have been super busy around this joint so here are some random pictures we've managed to sneak in.

Jonas does this to the toilet paper every single time he manages to get into the bathroom unattended. You'd think it wouldn't happen very often since we know he is going to do it...but somehow it happens ALL the time.

 I love Saydi's crazy hair after I take it out. Cracks me up.

 I was making dinner one night and looked out my window to see this. Love it.

 Daddy is a master at building forts. The kids have been going through our old blog books on almost a daily basis and they made him recreate one that they had seen from the past. =) Jonas loves forts too!

 I do not understand this boy. He sleeps so crazy.

And just plain adorable.

 Last weekend we had a mini-reunion with the family in this area at my grandparents house. The boys were spinning circles on the teeter totter instead of going up and down. It was pretty funny. Weston kept slipping off and thought that was pretty cool so then he started doing it on purpose. Funny boy.

We're Bored

I think my kids take after me too much. They don't love summer. At least, not as much as other normal kids do. They are ready for fall and every day Weston asks me if the leaves are falling off the trees yet. Probably because he knows that has to happen before his birthday will get here. =) So here are some pictures to show how we are passing the time.

This little guy is getting bigger every day. He was playing with Trevor's hat the other day and it was hilarious when he would keep it on his head. He is starting to say words but still mostly just babbles. But he says "go" a lot which I love. Little baby voices are the sweetest.

 We killed a few hours this morning with this little contraption.

 Don't be fooled - Saydi pretty much rocketed down this thing! It was pretty hilarious.

 Weston brought home some seeds that he had planted months ago when he was in school. Well, those little seeds have now turned into these beautiful marigold and zinnia plants. He is so proud and has loved watching them grow.

I feel guilty that I admittedly haven't taken advantage of summer as much as I probably should (although we have done everything on our list that we wanted to). I supposed I can muster of some pretend enjoyment for the last month or so. Or maybe we will just make a paper chain to count down the days until fall. =)

WARNING: PICTURE OVERLOAD

Just a general update. With way too many pictures. But that's what makes my blog book worth reading! =)

Yesterday was my 27th birthday. Unfortunately, yesterday was also the day my Uncle Richard passed away. He is my mom's brother and even though I didn't talk to him much (something I regret) I will miss him dearly.  Thankfully I got a chance to tell him goodbye - something I didn't think would happen. Whenever you were with him he made you feel like you were the most important thing in the world to him. He always made you feel special and loved. He will be greatly missed. Love you Uncle Rich.

I did have a great birthday though. I spent the morning with my sister, Miss, and the kids played at the park. Then Mark and I took the kids to Applebee's since we had a gift card and wouldn't you know it, Tuesday is 99 cent kid's meal day! Holla! After that I headed off to mutual and had SO much fun with the Young Women. And I came home to a clean house, a mowed lawn, flowers, and the kindle cover I have been wanting for months! Love my hubby.

Moving along...Saydi fell asleep this way on Sunday. She doesn't get a nap on Sunday because we have 11:00 church (my least favorite) so she usually crashes close to bed time. Cute girl.

 I found them sitting like this one night. So precious.

 If Jonas is messy, or making a mess, he is happy!

 I wish my camera on my phone was a better quality because I LOVE this picture of Westy. The shirt he is wearing used to be Chase's (Jeni's youngest) and now Weston fits it so we took a picture to send to Grammy.

 Weston loves climbing this star at the greenbelt. He figured out how to get up there all by himself. Big boy!

 Ok this picture cracks me up. Saydi is a clothing Houdini. One day she wore some of Maylee's 18 month jeggings and they looked adorable on her. Well, a while ago we went to Miss' house and I forgot swimming suits. We took a chance that Saydi might fit into Channing's 24 month swimming suit and although it was a little snug, it sure did fit! So crazy. She wears a 3T/4T for crying out loud! Blows my mind.

 Love these three.

 Weston's friend, Olivia, moved away recently. Her mom had a get together at the park so they could say goodbye and the kids had fun. We will miss you Livvy!

 Olivia's mom, Carrie, is my best friend. I am so sad she is gone but we are still in touch and she will always be a part of my life. Love her!

 Our yearly trip to the splash park in Rexburg was a success. Saydi is cheesing it up.

 Jonas pretty much just ran around the whole place. He is so fun to watch.

 Weston wasn't as into the slides this year as he was last year but he did get going and had lots of fun!

 Seriously...he is adorable. And I don't think I'm biased.

 Much to my embarrassment, Saydi spent a good portion of her time doing this. Oi.

 Working up the courage to touch the water!

 And last but not least, daddy took a turn reading books to the kids the other night when I had a headache. We did the summer reading program and my kids committed to reading 10 books a day and they did it for 10 weeks! It has been a great routine for all of us even though some nights it took FOREVER to get through all our reading. =)

Other updates: I don't think I mentioned but I got a new calling as the Young Women's President. I am LOVING Young Women's. It is so fun to work with the girls and get to share my testimony and experiences with them. My niece, Hannah, is a Beehive so it is such a special experience to be in there with her too. Mark has been busy with his calling also (2nd counselor in the Elder's Quorum) and we have had a lot of missionary experiences lately too. We are loving the blessings and added measure of the Spirit that are filling our home! Even though every day is a struggle for me to be more patient with my kids and be a better person we are happy with where we are in life and are loving where are kids are at in their lives also. So blessed.

Rigby Lake

We went to Rigby Lake last weekend with my sisters and their families and it was so fun. My sister snagged some pics on her phone for me.

Next year we decided we are going to do a full blown "reunion" and go camping and all that. Already looking forward to it!

Kickin' It

This is the only way Jonas falls asleep lately:

It cracks me up every time. He looks like a monster baby.

And just in case you actually read my blog...I mentioned we were going to Utah for a family reunion this last weekend and being the genius I am, I forgot my camera. So in a nut shell: we camped in a dry, run-down campground with little to no shade and tables infested with hornets; got eaten alive by mosquitoes and other unknown insects; Saydi pooped her pants at 3:00 in the morning (don't even ask); sweated to death in our tent; added sunburns to existing sunburns; and yet...had some wonderful visits with family we only see every two years and some I had never even met yet! And we had the time of our lives at a swimming place in Lehi that the kids were over the moon for (and mommy and daddy too). It was actually a really great weekend and we are so glad we went. But now we are ready for fall! =)

Mountain River Ranch

We went camping last weekend and as we are doing it again this weekend for a family reunion I decided I better get these pictures up here before I am overloaded. Mark's mom and Jerry were going to Mountain River Ranch up by Heise and they invited us to join them. It was a last minute, spur of the moment thing and we were all glad we went. Minus the sunburns Mark and I got, the hives that Weston woke up with after we got home and the heat. But besides that...a good time! =)

Sitting in this fun little wagon...

 Until daddy decides just sitting in it is no fun. I am not sure if he was allowed to do this or not, but he did it! 

Jonas was very confused as to why he couldn't go with.

 What you can't see are the gallons worth of sweat on both Mark and I. It was upwards of 90 degrees. Sadly, it was cooler than if we had stayed cooped up in our house. =/

 After a late night of sitting by a fire and chatting the kids were awake bright and early and spent the time before breakfast pulling each other in the wagon Grammy brought.

 Considering Weston is pushing 40 lbs I would say Saydi is pretty strong!

 We spent pretty much the entire rest of the day at Heise. It was fun but got really ridiculously crowded. Weston loved the slide. Saydi had to be convinced every time but did go down a handful of times. We came back to our camp site and the kiddos slept in Grammy's camper for a while and then we headed back.

 And Jonas spent almost every minute getting into trouble or throwing rocks. He was not happy unless he was playing in the rocks. Or eating the dirt. I let him throw the rocks but not eat the dirt. A fair compromise I thought. Jonas...not so much.

All in all it really was a good time. I just don't enjoy camping as much with a baby as young as J. You seriously do not get to sit and enjoy yourself for one second when they are up and about because they are into EVERYTHING! And really, even Mark (Mr. Campaholic) said it was just way too hot. So...we are back at it this weekend but only because it is a family reunion. After that I am probably (read: definitely) saying "adios" to camping for 2012 (and maybe '13).

4th of July

We love the 4th of July around this place. Mark has either been working or we have had a newborn for the last three or four years so this year we were very excited to be able to enjoy it as a family! We started our celebration the night before with our own little fireworks show at home. Yes, I am a mean mom and didn't wait until it was completely dark. It was this light outside at 9:30 for crying out loud!

 This picture cracks me up. We had a screamer (which I hate) and it scared Saydi so she watched from behind my chair. Hilarious.

 Bright and early on the 4th we went to our church for a breakfast. Then we headed off to the parade!

 Weston did this 90% of the time or complained that he was hot. But the candy always got him enjoying things again. He is definitely my child.

 Jonas didn't like the loud noises of the cars or sirens. Who did?

 A lady was walking around giving out frisbees and then she came back and plopped this hat on Mark's head (which was already red from the day before) and said that her husband said he needed it. Ha! Hooray for free stuff.

 It is rare that I get an opportunity to be on the other side of the camera with my chilluns. And even more rare that the picture actually turns out. As noted below. =)

After the parade we took much needed naps and then went to Mark's grandpa's house for a little family bbq. The food was amazing as usual and we visited for a while before coming back home for Jonas to take another little nap. While we were loading up to go to the fireworks Mark's mom stopped by so she and Jerry went with us to this field by our house. 

We had a GREAT view and our kids loved watching the fireworks even though they were definitely tired. Jonas was not a fan when the fireworks started so I just strapped him into his car seat and the poor kid was out in no time flat. I always get emotional during the fireworks. I have always been grateful for my country but even more so after marrying a Marine. People just do not understand what the military members sacrifice for them unless they have lived that lifestyle. I am so thankful I was born in a free country where I can have my own beliefs and practice them in any way I choose. And I am more grateful than I can express for the opportunity to marry someone who loves his country more than himself and showed me a whole lifestyle I never would have seen. Even though Mark isn't active duty anymore his convictions for his country have never faded. We love having the opportunity to celebrate our country!