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! 

A Whole Year!

I can not believe it. But it's true. A year has gone by since Baby J joined our little family. And I don't remember what life was like before he was here!

This was our first time celebrating two birthdays in two days and it was a little rough! Mostly because Mark worked 70+ hours of overtime during the last couple weeks and we had a big primary activity the morning of Jonas' birthday that kept me busy. But we had a great day celebrating Jonas! We had my sisters (minus Amy as she just had a surgery) and their families over for a bbq which they mostly contributed to. I swear I don't know what I would do without my sisters. They are the single reason we don't live anywhere else! Our party was mostly for Jonas but we celebrated Saydi's birthday too and she enjoyed playing in the pool with all her cousins. Beware of the onslaught of pictures below.

I saw this cute basketball cake on pinterest and thought I could replicate it on cupcakes and do a cute ball theme. Um, fail. But Jonas didn't care. =)

 I love the look on his face. "What in the world is this for?"

 "Am I doing this right?"

 "Never mind, I figured it out."

 "Give me more woman!"

 "Look how adorable I am, mom."

"Aaaand I'm done."

 Saydi loved her presents from her Aunties and they were so good to her and Jonas.

 Jonas had a slow start. He thinks everything is better if it is tasted first. So we had to wait for him to decide it didn't taste good.

 Weston is the official present opening helper. He doesn't mind!

 Cute jammies from Aunt Bea.

 Some fun boats from Aunt Miss.

 And this soft soccer ball from Aunt Say that he loves to chew on.

 We got him this hat that he looks so blasted cute in. Unfortunately he figured out how to pull the chin strap off after about ten seconds.

Jonas had his one year wbv today and he is 19 lbs. and 30 inches. He is tall and skinny! He has really bad eczema but other than that he is doing great. Some other things about Jonas that I don't want to forget are:
-He loves to play chase. All you have to do is say, "I'm gonna get you" and he will take off running and laughing.
-He knows something fun comes after three. Usually tickling. So counting makes him start to smile and giggle too.
-He is a master walker. He never crawls at all anymore and can even go from grass to cement with no problems.
-He says "mama" and "dada" but yesterday I am pretty sure he started saying "ball" too. Time will tell.
-He is officially off his bottle and drinks his milk from his sippy just fine.
-He goes to bed around 7 and sleeps until 6:30 or 7 and takes one or two naps that are one to two hours long each. It is so worth all the hard work it took to get him on such a good schedule!
-He eats pretty much anything but will occasionally be picky about potatoes.
-When he wants more food he claps his hands.
-He adores his brother and sister. Nothing makes him laugh as hard as wrestling with Weston does.
-He is for sure a mama's boy but he loves his daddy too! He is not so keen on other people, even when they are at our own house. He is kind of anti-social which I don't love since I am so much the opposite but I am sure he will out grow it like Weston and Saydi did.
-He answers to all of his nicknames: Buster, J, Jones, Jonesy, and Baby J.
We love you so much Jonas! I can not imagine what our family would be like without you!

Purple Party!

Saydi has been asking for a purple party for her birthday literally since Weston had his birthday. And yesterday she got it! I can't believe she is three already. Mind boggling. I was awake with Jonas and heard her coming upstairs so I came out to tell her happy birthday. She turned the corner from coming upstairs, saw her purple decorations everywhere and just completely stopped. I asked her what today was and her eyes got huge and she said, "My purple party!" Adorable. 

I had a lot of errands I had to run but that was great for Saydi because she loves being out and about. So we did that and went to the library and then had a picnic by the waterfall. Something we do about once a week lately!

After naps we played in the pool. Saydi just laid in there for about thirty minutes. She loves water.

 The purple cake that I have been hearing about for six months. I dyed a white cake purple so it was purple inside too. When I put it on Saydi's plate she said, "It's pretty!"

 Saydi joined right in with us and sang "Happy Birthday" to herself! The second I put the cake in front of her she blew out her candles. Cracked me up.

 Wanna know what my favorite thing about this picture is? Jonas. It is hilarious to me how hard he was straining to see the cake and what was going on.

My parents brought over a gift for Saydi and Jonas (and even a little something for Wes, bless their hearts).

Weston was a little too helpful but Saydi didn't care in the least and even asked him to help. It was sweet.

 Boys and their knives. I don't get it. But they come in handy!

  We got Saydi this backpack and Dora cell phone and map during the after Christmas sales. It has been burning a hole in the top of my closet and I was so excited to give it to her. She looked at it and smiled like this for a good 30 seconds. She loves it!

Overall it was a successful day I hope. I have tried to make my kids' birthday's more about what they do rather than what they get and they don't seem to mind. Saydi has grown up so much this last year and she is so much fun. She is definitely difficult sometimes (almost daily if I'm being honest!) but she is also insanely good and helpful. She says the funniest things. I want to put some of her funniest things on the blog so I don't forget.
-I was getting her out of the tub last Sunday morning and I was teasing her and telling her what a cute little bum she has. She said, "I got it at the store."
-The other night we were talking about fire and I said, "Who do we call if there's a fire?" Saydi looked at me like that was the dumbest question ever and without hesitating said, "Jesus."
-Me: "Saydi do you want some more crackers?"
Saydi: "No."
Me: "No, thank you."
Saydi: "You're welcome."
-About five times a day she says, "Mom, guess what?" and then proceeds to tell me the most insane, crazy made-up story you ever did hear. Some of them are pretty hilarious.
She also knows her alphabet, all her colors and shapes and can count to ten. Yet she can't spell her own name. Go figure. She is a smart, motherly, affectionate, funny little girl and we could not be more privileged to have her as ours! We love you Saydi bug! 

Weston's First Year of Preschool

Weston's preschool teacher brought over a disc of pictures from preschool and I will warn you I am putting a ton on. But it's not even half of what she gave me. I'm so grateful to see how much fun Weston has had with school this year. He was looking at these with me and begging me to go to school. Next year will be even better! His teacher is awesome and we are fortunate that she only lives two houses down.