All I want for Christmas is...

A Portuguese Water Dog.

"Mommy got me wet with her feelings."

Momentous Day

First day of school!! Mr. Noah has been excited for this day for months and months, and he loved it. All he talked about when he got in the car was going home and doing his homework. I was excited, too. Spending time with Noah, teaching him new things, working of fun projects. Little did I know...After gluing on two numbers to the little paper phone, Noah stopped, "I don't like this, Mom, you do it." After a major breakdown over traced letters and smudged lines. After a broken glue stick, and pencil shaving scattered all over my house. Homework? Not so fun.

In another note...Mr. Bean had his cast taken off. Not that he doesn't walk like a Peg Leg anymore, cause he still does.

Oh, and another thing. Four year old boys + preschool + soccer game, all in one day = INSANITY. Hitting, rolling on the grass, crying, screaming.

So long sweet Summer...

I was watching videos of my kids from last summer tonight. I actually did things with them last year. Where did the time go? It has been a rough few months. Life is busy, and I am tired. Things are stressful, but I wish I would have toughened up and done more with my kids. No swimming, no Lagoon, no Pineview trips this year.

Island Park and Yellowstone

Beautiful Noah.

We had a little family reunion with Aaron's family. I think this was the first time everyone had been together since before we were married. We camped a few nights and also stayed in a beautiful cabin. Camping with a toddler who had just broken his leg proved to be a bit of a challenge. Sleeping was awful, especially considering it was his first time sleeping in a tent. He was so restless and so uncomfortable. The first night, I sat in my bed thinking how crazy I was.
The days were great, though. A little boy's paradise. Dirt, water, and rocks.

Brody wanted to spend every waking minute throwing rocks in the water. He would sit in the same spot, hour after hour, rock after rock. Noah loved playing with his cousins, and fishing.

Mr. Bean turned Peg Leg

Yup, my little man broke his leg. He was jumping on the trampoline and landed funny, ending in a face plant. First, I thought he had hurt his face, but when he tried to get up to walk to me, and couldn't we figured it was his leg. Brody chose a purple cast, and 2 hours later we left for Yellowstone. He has been such a trooper with his leg. He didn't walk on it for a few days, but as soon as it stopped hurting him he was up and around. learning real fast he could use his cast as a weapon. I have not heard him complain once about it. Even after falling down the stairs, or trying to keep up with all the kids. I think he loves the attention and being carried constantly.

St. George

I spent many childhood vacations in St. George, visiting my Grandma, swimming, hiking, shopping. Since my Grandma moved up here we haven't been down there. Aaron's parents got back from their mission this summer, and live down there now. We braved the 105+ temp to visit them in July. The boys loved the water park, and I loved getting away from everything up here. Oh how excited I am to have a purpose to visit St. George, and a place to stay, especially when in January, when it is cold and dreary in Salt Lake. I hope my boys can have as many great memories of this place as I do.

Thursdays...

are my rough days. My anxiety filled, stress-induced days. Trying to play catch up from working the two days before. Trying to balance the pull from playing with my boys, cleaning up my house, doing laundry. So overwhelming. So with my sink full of dishes, and toys scattered across the floor, I am playing on the computer. Which is great right now, but tonight when nothing got accomplished and my boys are giving each others bloody noses I will break down. I can feel it coming already.

Oh, and does anyone want a Highlander? Cause I'm about to light that thing on fire.

Beautiful Summer

Warm weather is finally here. The boys spend their days outside...playing in the water, jumping on the trampoline, riding scooters. I love this neighborhood. I love all the kids my boys get to play with. I love that Noah can finds snakes and frogs in our backyard, and that they are completely covered in dirt and grass by nine in the morning. I feel so blessed to have such great neighbors who love my kids and watch out for my family.

Goblin Valley

I had never been to Goblin Valley, and really didn't know what to expect. Besides the insane wind that almost swept me away and ruined our first tent experience, it was fantastic. A little boy's paradise. Dirt, lizards and billions of places to hide.

Little Wild Horse Canyon was incredible. The boys loved running through the slots, hiding, and jumping out as us.

Goal! Goal! Goal!

Noah scored his first goal the other day, and I couldn't have been more proud. He loves playing soccer. Well, he loves running around with all the other kids. He loves chasing his shadow, and jumping in puddles of mud. Most of all, I think he loves to play soccer because he knows his best friend (Daddy) loves to play soccer. Thanks to our friend, Becki for the pictures!

Aaron was excited for Easter this year...

Pink basket and all.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!

He starts the day so clean...

Brody wakes up so clean...until he eats, or paints, I guess.

The Blue Egg

We colored eggs this weekend. Noah wanted everyone of his to be orange, and Brody kept one egg in the blue dye the entire time. Every time we tried to get him to take it out he would throw a fit. He knew what he was doing. It turned out the most amazing color.