Family Vacation- Utah

This post is long overdue so I'll keep it short and simple. We had a great time in Utah visiting friends and family. We got to see Kevin and Ashley's house, eat Cafe Rio, and had a quick visit with my friend Jessa. We also got to see some of Dave's cousin's we haven't seen in several years. It was fun to see Marcie's adorable twin boys, and Dallin is still talking about his new (2nd) cousin Colton and wondering when we get to see him again. One of the highlights of the trip was staying at Kim and Kenny's house. Dallin loved their kids, and we loved hanging out with the parents. (actually we loved their kids too and wish we had remembered to take a picture.)

We spent a few days in Logan with my family including my parents, Greg and Kevin's families, and my cousins Wendy and Robyn. I hadn't seen my cousin Wendy in 5 years so it was fun to catch up and see her cute little family. I also got to see my cousins Brian and Michael. We visited a living farm where the kids got to learn how they used to do laundry, make butter, feed the pigs, even milk a cow if they wanted. It was neat to hear Grandma G. talk about how they did things on the Farm when she was growing up. It wouldn't be a family reunion without relay races and the money game! Grandma even brought out the old banana boats for some yummy banana spits. Dallin and Dawson had a great time with their cousins Olivia, Grant and Spencer.



Though time was short we made it up to Tony Grove for a hike around the lake with Grandpa, make a few trips to the Aggie creamery for some Aggie Blue Mint Chip, and last but not least, we got to watch the fireworks at USU. Dallin came with us to share in the tradition and loved every minute of it!



When I asked Dallin if he wanted to go to the fireworks with us he pointed at Olivia and said in his tough boy voice, "I'm doing whatever she's doing." I said, "She's going to bed." He quickly replied, "I'm doing whatever you're doing!"

Family Vacation- Idaho

We love the fact that Logan Does their fireworks on the 3rd of July every year. This allowed us to Celebrate 4th of July with both families. We woke up early on the 4th and headed to Burley for the parade. Dallin had a blast with his cousins at the parade. They were constantly handing out candy, otterpops, waterbottles and coupons. Dallin headed over to the curb for free giveaways at every chance he got. The kid must have been given about 4 or 5 otterpops along with lots of other stuff! That night we went to Scott and Melissa's for more fun and fireworks.

Grandma had the kids decked out in red, white and blue for the holiday. The triplets were happy, healthy and adorable and Dawson couldn't keep his hands off them! Cobe and Jesse spent the week at Grandma and Grandpa's with us which made it extra special for us.

One of the highlights of the trip was taking out the old go-cart that Dave and his Grandpa had built. It had definitely seen better days, but I don't think the kids noticed. I don't know who had more fun Dave or the kids!

Major Damage!

Dallin's bike's name is Major Damage. He loves this bike, but we have had a tough time with training wheels falling off numerous times during every singlebike rides. Last month I decided that the training wheels were doing more damage than good and they had to go. We took Dallin to a nice flat park to teach him to ride his bike without training wheels. By the end of the evening he was getting to be quite independent and very determined. We took him out the next night and he was cruising! From then on, he has been loving riding his bike and doing awesome! Dallin loves to ride his bike to the bank or ride around and around the park. I love it because I don't have to deal with fixing the training wheels (or pushing the bike and stroller home) and I have to run to keep up with him.

California Trip

The boys and I flew to California to visit Grandma and Grandpa. We love having Jamie, Dan, and Bryson so close, as well as Auntie Allie who is home for the summer. We had such a great time and did so many fun things while we were there. The weather was gorgeous so we started out the week with a ferry ride from Tiberon to San Francisco with Jamie and Bryson. Dallin had never been on a boat so this was quite a fun adventure!


From there we headed up to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the rest of the week. We went swimming one day, had a picnic at the park, went to the beach and flew kites, rode paddle boats with grandma, lots of laser walks with grandpa, rode the train, pony, and merry go round. Dallin loves sleeping in his Cars sleeping bag when he visits grandma and grandpa's house. Dawson was quite content just pushing strollers around the backyard with cousin Bryson.



I loved spending time with my sisters, catching up with my friends, and spending father's day with my dad. I enjoyed letting my mom do all the cooking and taking the kids in the morning if I wanted a few extra minutes of sleep. If only It wasn't such a challenge flying alone with 2 boys (particularly the baby) I would go home more often! Thankfully I sat by some awesome and very patient people on both ends of my flight. The day after we returned home I asked Dallin what the best part of his trip was and he replied with out hesitation, "Getting to see my Dad!"

Whenever we travel Dallin just has to have his little green toy suitcase. He usually has it packed with toys for a week or two before we leave. I love this picture of the boys at the curb of the airport waiting for Auntie Jamie to pick us up.

Father's Day Adventure

Dallin and I thought it would be fun to send Dave on a little scavenger hunt this year for Father's Day. With Dallin's help, we put together a plan and some fun clues. The hunt involved riding bikes to the "Dinosaur Park" where one clue was hidden near a fossil, a picnic lunch, and then the surprise Dallin was most excited about..... water balloons, sprinklers, and trampoline jumping! What could be more fun than that?

Ranch anyone?

So last week Dawson discovered Ranch Dressing for the first time. He will now eat anything dipped in ranch. He loves it on lettuce, tomatoes, kidney beans, smothered all over his arm, etc. He begs for more and it cracks us up!




Dawson will not stay in his high chair. He's been sliding out of his seat belt for the past year. I've found him in various dangerous positions not captured on camera. As frustrating as it has been, I can't quite give up and give away the high chair away. I keep hoping he will just sit still for 10 minutes so I can cook dinner while he eats. Anyway, meals with him are messy with or without the high chair. I thought his way of eating mac and cheese was quite creative and he polished off the whole bowl in this manner.



At least it's nice to have one child who eats with a bowl and spoon!

Boys will be boys..

I wish I could remeber all the funny things that my boys have done over the years. It seems that when they happen I am usually on the phone with my mom and I'm constantly saying things like "Dawson that toy does not belong in the toilet!" or "Dallin please take the vacuume hose off your brother's hair!" or "STOP! that's Balmex- not toothpaste!" It only takes a few minutes to go from a clean(ish) house to chaos when you've got two active little boys around. A guy stopped by the house to inspect the roof last week and I was a little flustered trying to explain why the floor was covered in mini marshmallows and dirt from the freshly planted flowers that Dawson had just brought into the house for me (minus the pot)...or that my older son had just fallen out of the top of the closet which has become his new little club house, while my other son's face was covered in sidewalk chalk!

I was greatful for this week's Relief Society lesson based on Elder Ballard's conference talk. It reminded me to not be so worried about having a perfect house, and to remember how precious these moments are. It's way better to just laugh it off and just remember that boys will be boys......and you've just gotta love them!

10 wonderful years

It's hard to believe that Dave and I have been married 10 years.
Dave and I met a little over 13 years ago. Dave was 18 almost 19 and still wearing a retainer!

Here's a picture of the night we met. In case you're confused, Dave is not the guy in the picture. That's his next door neighbor who I was on a date with. A group of us went night skiing and Dave rode up in the same car. We had a fun time getting to know eachother and learned we had a lot of mutual friends. On monday morning I went to my chemistry class and there was Dave sitting in the row in front of me!

Our first official date was the Valentine's Formal. From that point on we were pretty much inseperable.

We were married May 9th in the Logan Temple. It was the happiest day of my life. There is nothing better than being married to your best friend. I love you Dave!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to our wonderful moms, we love you!!






"We never know the love of the parent until we become parents ourselves."- quote by Henry Ward Beecher

Missing out on the fun

Dawson never wants to be left out of the fun. If Dave is in the garage working on something Dawson will cry at the door or wait for someone to open it so he can make his exit. He loves the garage. I don't know if it's the motorcycle, bikes or strollers or maybe just the music that is constantly on prompting him to dance, but if he has an opportunity he takes it and it is torture to take him away.

On Thursday night when the boys were working on the trampoline Dawson was so upset because he wanted to be in the garage with them. I kept him inside with me (did I mention how cold it was), but at one point went upstairs and looked out the window at the progress now taking place in the backyard. This was a mistake because Dawson saw them too. He was upset of course, but what could I do. I continuted putting away laundry in my room and came back down to the kitchen and this is where I found Dawson........

If you have been to my house you will know how scary this was for me since we have a walk out basement. He had found a way to see what Dallin and Daddy were doing and kept pointing and saying "See! See!"

Luckily the window was closed and I got some sweet pictures of my boy.

A busy weekend

Dave was busy this weekend! On thursday night Dave and Dallin started setting up our new trampoline. Dallin was so excited and despite the freezing weather was a great little helper. Dave planned on finishing up on friday night, but ended up working till 8pm. So, bright and early saturday morning he was back to work. Dallin tried helping for a while, but found it more comfortable inside drinking hot chocolate and watching saturday morning cartoons!

Dave finished up around 10am and then was anxious to start tileing the kitchen! I was not about to complain, so Dallin and I jumped, and jumped and jumped and then went for a bike ride, and then jumped some more,then another bike ride, jumped some more, picked up pizza, then watched a movie. Dave was still working late in to the night, but it is almost done. He did a great job as always. I am so lucky to have a husband who can do all the projects I can think up! Dave you're the best!

p.s. we still have to do the grout, so check back for before and after pics later. Here's a sneak peek at the almost finished product!

I must add that the reason I am able to write this blog is thanks to the trampoline (Dallin is jumping right now). Dallin loves it and is already worried about leaving it when we go on vacation this summer! I am one happy mommy right now!