The Balloon Festival

We've probably talked about going to the balloon festival for the 6 years we've lived here, but somehow it always seems too early to get up! This year we decided to go for it! We woke up at about 5:30, got the kids out of bed and headed down to Memorial Park. It was amazing to watch how they blew up these giant hot air balloons. We bumped into some friends while we were there, so Dallin couldn't have been happier, and Dawson was unusually content (probably sleepy) in his stroller. Later that day Dallin got invited to Logan and Gracie's to play on the water slide. He said he had the best day in the whole world!

Splash Mash Dash!

It's old news now, but still worthy of a post. Last month a group of friends and I did the Splash, Mash Dash sprint triathlon. This was the second year for a few of us, and we had some new friends join us. I loved it, and surpised myself by improving my time by 17 minutes! Cindy(who couldn't participate this year after having foot surgery) and Christina, as well as my family came up to cheer us on. Cindy even had candy lays for all the finishers! Looking forward to next year!

Meowy

For his birthday, Dallin got some money from Grandma and Grandpa. He's been having a difficult time sleeping after a bad dream ealier in the month and we thought a trip to the Build-A-Bear Workshop might be just the thing. As soon as he walked into the store he knew just which furry friend was right for him. He is definitely a cat lover!
When we had to choose a name for the birth certificate I made a few suggestions and he picked "Tiger." Once we were at home he started calling the kitty "Meowy." He told me "mom, his last name is Meowy." So that's how Tiger Meowy (now only known as Meowy) got his name. He is well loved by both boys.

Dallin's 5th Birthday

I can't belive my little boy is 5 years old! I always tell him I don't want him to grow up, that I just want him to stay my little boy. His response is always "But mom, don't you want me to be healthy?" Ok, ok, go ahead and grow up, but just not so fast!! Dallin has always been my little sweetie. Don't let his tough side fool you, he's a mommy's boy, and he loves to snuggle, talk and spend time with me. I couldn't love anyone more than I love my Dallin.

His actual birthday was celebrated with our dear friends the Smiths. Every year they have a BBQ at there house for Dallin's birthday, but they had a lot going on this week, so we had them over for an indoor bbq thanks to some afternoon showers. By the way, the cupcakes I made were so yummy I'm surprised I didn't gain 10 lbs! I guess the berries helped to offset the calories!

For Dallin's birthday party we had a summer time fun party. Dallin helped me watercolor the invitations. Inside was a deflated balloon with the party details writen on it. The kids just had to blow up the balloon to find out the details. There were 10 boys and 3 girls at the party so we had a lot of fun and a lot of energy!

The kids decorated visors, and then had a picnic lunch of hot dogs, chips fruit and leomonade in some cute blue and green sports bottles I found. We played some fun water games and relays like fireman's brigade and waterballon stomp on the trampoline. We opened presents, had yummy ice cream cupcakes, and then kids got bubble wands to run around with at the end of the party.

I'm trying not to be sad about the fact that it was too chaotic to remember to take pictures of all the cute little details I wanted to post, so I'll just say that Dallin and all the kids had a very fun time and I guess that's what matters most.

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!