7/29/10
Splash parks are a WONDERFUL invention. Who woulda thought it would take that long to be discovered. There are several around the valley and we have tried out and love a few different ones. It's great because it's water fun-playground fun, all in one, yet I don't have to down a swimsuit and can just chill in the shade with Kader-tot! I love the picture of Reagan running through holding her ears. Last week while staying in Idaho she came down with a nasty staph infection in her left ear due to swimming in a nature pool called Nat Soo Pah there in Kimberly. YUCK-O! She's always paranoid anyway to get water into her ears even if it's a drop.
Family Tradition
We start em' early around here. I've said before how much of a bookworm I am. Reagan is as well and she would much rather buy a book than other other toy or trinket. She gets 4 books (dang, went up w/her birthday) each night. She's religious about that. Even though Kade has inherited all Reagan's hand-me-down books, he simply doesn't care. He'll stare at the pictures, slobber, and eat them. He even likes to hold one side of the book while I hold the other. Hopefully, he too, will be a bookworm :)
(on a side note....can you even stand the cuteness of his chubby little legs!)
Silver Lake
Silver Lake is absolutely beautiful. Go on the weekend and you will meet most of Salt Lake City there! Definately popular to picnic, hike, fish, and get away. However, it wasn't much cooler the day we went, AND, I stopped counting after a dozen mosquito bites! Somehow I was the only one that ended up with them :)
See Mickey Mouse?
See Mickey Mouse?
7/22/10
Family Fun Time
Last weekend we had a family reunion for my Dad's side of the family. The last one was over 20 years ago. ALL my siblings and their spouses were able to make it for the weekend. We were missing a few grandkids here and there. Of course, this meant a lot to my parents to have us all in the same town, under the same "sky" for a few days.
I'm sure people get tired of me saying how lucky I/we are in regards to family. I don't know that I can ever get tired of saying it. I have wonderful parents and a good family unit. Sure, we may not all get along, but put us in the same vicinity and we will love :) I think when you have a new baby and you are in this "emotional" stage of loving everything, it doesn't hurt to throw family in that mix!
While there, we were also able to celebrate Mike's grandma's 81st birthday. I watched her eyes fill up with tears as the 4 great-grandkids sang Happy Birthday to her. That is love. That is what life is all about. My grandparents died when I was younger so I don't remember them, nor had the bond that Mike has with his but I love being a part of their lives and I love having my kids know them as well. I also married into a wonderful family/extended family as well.
With all that "love" out of the way, here are some pictures from the weekend.
Love this little face. My mom and brother had t-shirts designed and printed for all of us. They were neat. It was the 3 states my parents had lived in with all of us, then one for New Zealand was on the sleeve. Even little Kade got one!
Wild Emmett
My parents arranged a Penny Auction (mostly for the kids). This is fun as each kid bids pennies on fun items. They loved it.
Zoe, Bear (also named Gary!), Reagan and Savana. These little girls LOVED their cousin. They smothered him all weekend.
Reagan loves to paint toenails. Aunt Jessica got an array of colors.
My oldest sister Michelle and her granddaughter Olivia and Kade(my nephew TC wasn't able to make it but we sure loved getting to know his cute little girl)
Kenz and Rea look like they were caught doing something naughty :)
Serious....she makes THE BEST faces (with cousins Taylor and Kenzie)
This is Brock...pretty sure he ate the whole bowl of Pirate Booty
I'm sure people get tired of me saying how lucky I/we are in regards to family. I don't know that I can ever get tired of saying it. I have wonderful parents and a good family unit. Sure, we may not all get along, but put us in the same vicinity and we will love :) I think when you have a new baby and you are in this "emotional" stage of loving everything, it doesn't hurt to throw family in that mix!
While there, we were also able to celebrate Mike's grandma's 81st birthday. I watched her eyes fill up with tears as the 4 great-grandkids sang Happy Birthday to her. That is love. That is what life is all about. My grandparents died when I was younger so I don't remember them, nor had the bond that Mike has with his but I love being a part of their lives and I love having my kids know them as well. I also married into a wonderful family/extended family as well.
With all that "love" out of the way, here are some pictures from the weekend.
Love this little face. My mom and brother had t-shirts designed and printed for all of us. They were neat. It was the 3 states my parents had lived in with all of us, then one for New Zealand was on the sleeve. Even little Kade got one!
Wild Emmett
My parents arranged a Penny Auction (mostly for the kids). This is fun as each kid bids pennies on fun items. They loved it.
Zoe, Bear (also named Gary!), Reagan and Savana. These little girls LOVED their cousin. They smothered him all weekend.
Reagan loves to paint toenails. Aunt Jessica got an array of colors.
My oldest sister Michelle and her granddaughter Olivia and Kade(my nephew TC wasn't able to make it but we sure loved getting to know his cute little girl)
Kenz and Rea look like they were caught doing something naughty :)
Serious....she makes THE BEST faces (with cousins Taylor and Kenzie)
This is Brock...pretty sure he ate the whole bowl of Pirate Booty
7/13/10
Whatever works....sort of
You can imagine walking in after your baby has been sleeping for a few hours and finding this......
Heart-stopping moments to say the least. Kade has been sleeping like this for a few weeks now. This little doggie blanket type thing is his favorite. He snuggles his little face into it and then likes to pull it up over his face. Of course, we always try to pull it off and we don't really let it be too close at nighttime!
Heart-stopping moments to say the least. Kade has been sleeping like this for a few weeks now. This little doggie blanket type thing is his favorite. He snuggles his little face into it and then likes to pull it up over his face. Of course, we always try to pull it off and we don't really let it be too close at nighttime!
To Cut or Not to Cut....that is the QUESTION!!
We FINALLY did it!!!
After years of "threatening" to chop her hair off when she wouldn't let me fix it or was crying the entire time I did fix it, then having her "want" to have it cut and me not wanting to do it, I finally got up the nerve to take her in and doesn't she look CUTE!!! I was sooo nervous driving there, and then just jabbered away to the stylist like I was a wacko, and then just about when I was going to change my mind her fast little fingers went....SNIP. My heart stopped, my breathe caught, tears filled my eyes, and I said "Oh sweetie, you are going to look SO adorable". She was in heaven. Talking the ladies ear off and I had to sit down and mostly ignore what she was doing. But don't you agree? She looks adorable right!
The first cut
The finale (the little ding on her nose is from falling out of bed one night)
Cousin Love
We will really miss our cousins that live so close. I love that Reagan has a girl cousin so close in age. They play really well together now that they are a little older. We had a fun time at Bridal Veil Falls.
I love how their little hands are on each other's thigh :)
I love how their little hands are on each other's thigh :)
One guess
Who's watching the kids (and I will give you a hint...it wasn't me!)
Yes, I know it's bad to expose kids to TV this early...we did really good w/Rea. I have to admit...this kid is a TV junkie..he will crane his neck if at all possible to see what's happenin'.
Yes, I know it's bad to expose kids to TV this early...we did really good w/Rea. I have to admit...this kid is a TV junkie..he will crane his neck if at all possible to see what's happenin'.
7/9/10
Rea 4 year and Kade 4 months pics
My friend Kim (who took Kade's newborn pics) worked her magic again with Reagan and Kade. I would post all 30something pictures she took but thought that was a little much. They all turned out so cute. She's very talented and Reagan wants to be a "picture-taker" just like her. Thanks so much Kim!
7/6/10
Officially Official
Well, it's officially official. And so the story goes...it's pretty much no secret that Mike has been miserable (he'll love that I use that word) the past few years (and moreso the past year) at his job with Fanzz. He felt there were decisions being made he didn't agree with and there was pretty much no support for him and his managers, as well as constantly changing for the worse. I believe the true downfall to his misery was missing Kade's birth. Anyway, you stay at a job A) because who wants to look for a job in this market B) insurance, retirement, and all the "luxeries" of a job, and C) money unfortunately. The past year was challenging in many ways and mostly, I felt that his unhappiness at work was beginning to take a tole on his happiness at home (now ....this is my version ;O)) He was sort of a grumpy dude and didn't have as much patience. So one night a few weeks ago, after a challenging few hours, as we were getting ready for bed I said to him "Enough. You find a new job now. This is not fun and it's not getting any better. It's affecting the way you are at home now and you do whatever you think you need and I will support your decision". Little did I know what I was promising!!
Within a few days, he received a call from a friend who currently works for a company called Pro Image (exactly like Fanzz-a sports store deal). There was a chance to purchase a store and he asked if we would be interested. It was a deal that had to be done and a decision made ASAP. It was a LONG few days of NO sleep. I've admitted before that I am an eternal pessimist. I played the devil's advocate through all the discussions but then I said to him "Is this what you really really want". His answered was simple. It was "Yes". How could I then rain on his parade. His opportunity to be his own boss, to be able to make his own decisions, and I tell you what...he has never once thought twice about that decision and he is like a kid at Christmas. So we are officially "self-employed"!!
I'm sure many think "In this economy WHY would you want to do something like this??" However, if anyone can make this business successful, it is Mike. Almost 20 years at Fanzz. You can't teach someone that experience! Statistically, it all looks good and a huge burden has been lifted off his shoulders. Part of the decision in all of this was uprooting our family and moving....to Idaho Falls!! We hear positive things about the town and we are anxious and excited about this move. I'm trying really, really hard to think only positive thoughts. Sometimes, if I let it be, my head explodes with thoughts and my gut churns with nerves. But, it will be fun to start anew. My heart is heavy and sad with the dear friends and family we have here that we are leaving but I know this is the right decision to proceed with at this time.
So, pray we sale the house in speedy-like fashion. Our store should be open August
1st which gives us not much time!!
Within a few days, he received a call from a friend who currently works for a company called Pro Image (exactly like Fanzz-a sports store deal). There was a chance to purchase a store and he asked if we would be interested. It was a deal that had to be done and a decision made ASAP. It was a LONG few days of NO sleep. I've admitted before that I am an eternal pessimist. I played the devil's advocate through all the discussions but then I said to him "Is this what you really really want". His answered was simple. It was "Yes". How could I then rain on his parade. His opportunity to be his own boss, to be able to make his own decisions, and I tell you what...he has never once thought twice about that decision and he is like a kid at Christmas. So we are officially "self-employed"!!
I'm sure many think "In this economy WHY would you want to do something like this??" However, if anyone can make this business successful, it is Mike. Almost 20 years at Fanzz. You can't teach someone that experience! Statistically, it all looks good and a huge burden has been lifted off his shoulders. Part of the decision in all of this was uprooting our family and moving....to Idaho Falls!! We hear positive things about the town and we are anxious and excited about this move. I'm trying really, really hard to think only positive thoughts. Sometimes, if I let it be, my head explodes with thoughts and my gut churns with nerves. But, it will be fun to start anew. My heart is heavy and sad with the dear friends and family we have here that we are leaving but I know this is the right decision to proceed with at this time.
So, pray we sale the house in speedy-like fashion. Our store should be open August
1st which gives us not much time!!
7/3/10
Randomness....
I feel scattered lately...I'll explain later. But here are some randoms for the month of June....
First let's start off with swimming lessons...these pictures are crappy. I don't know why I didn't get some good ones. A friend knew someone teaching small group lessons out of her own pool. It was awesome. Reagan learned so much and by the end of the 2 weeks, she could swim all the way across the shorter length of the pool under water. She learned how to jump off the diving board and swim to the side and of course, no floaties needed and much bravery installed!
Mike's mom (aka Grandma Judy) was able to come down the weekend of Reagan's "real" birthday. Reagan was so disappointed on Sunday (her "real" birthday), that she didn't get to open presents or have a party but we were about partied out. Grandma brought the kids goggles, towels, and beach bags. Fun!!
The search is on for one last present
Upon opening a pair of skates, Reagan says something like "Oh cool, maybe I can get another skate later"
It's all about the icing
Oh my! Feeding Kade has been quite the challenge!! He insists on grabbing the spoon any time it comes close to his face, because, he thinks he can get the food there faster and more accurate? He wants to feed himself AND eat everything around him. He's constantly reaching for food and plates. I started giving him baby food (he's been on rice and oatmeal for about a month). My pediatrician had said at about 5 months but this kid is ready for table food. He stares at you the entire time you eat!
This was Reagan's cute face after a Fairy birthday party for her little friend Emily. She had to be coaxed to have the face paint but doesn't she look cute.
Last week we enjoyed a little concert at Gateway Discovery. Afterwards we went to the fountain and got a little wet.
Enjoying the 4th of July parade in Murray with Matt's family. Finished it off with a fun afternoon at the pool. Thankful we live in this free country!!
Getting ready to enjoy the firework show w/Aunt Jessa and friends. Luckily, Kade slept peacefully!
Maybe this video is only funny to those of us that were there...Cooper was following Reagan around strumming the guitar. You can see her dancing and singing (pretty much can't understand A WORD she says, but she's into it). Like I said before, she makes up random songs and usually it's about her environment..hence the hugging a tree and something about going to west mountain?
First let's start off with swimming lessons...these pictures are crappy. I don't know why I didn't get some good ones. A friend knew someone teaching small group lessons out of her own pool. It was awesome. Reagan learned so much and by the end of the 2 weeks, she could swim all the way across the shorter length of the pool under water. She learned how to jump off the diving board and swim to the side and of course, no floaties needed and much bravery installed!
Mike's mom (aka Grandma Judy) was able to come down the weekend of Reagan's "real" birthday. Reagan was so disappointed on Sunday (her "real" birthday), that she didn't get to open presents or have a party but we were about partied out. Grandma brought the kids goggles, towels, and beach bags. Fun!!
The search is on for one last present
Upon opening a pair of skates, Reagan says something like "Oh cool, maybe I can get another skate later"
It's all about the icing
Oh my! Feeding Kade has been quite the challenge!! He insists on grabbing the spoon any time it comes close to his face, because, he thinks he can get the food there faster and more accurate? He wants to feed himself AND eat everything around him. He's constantly reaching for food and plates. I started giving him baby food (he's been on rice and oatmeal for about a month). My pediatrician had said at about 5 months but this kid is ready for table food. He stares at you the entire time you eat!
This was Reagan's cute face after a Fairy birthday party for her little friend Emily. She had to be coaxed to have the face paint but doesn't she look cute.
Last week we enjoyed a little concert at Gateway Discovery. Afterwards we went to the fountain and got a little wet.
Enjoying the 4th of July parade in Murray with Matt's family. Finished it off with a fun afternoon at the pool. Thankful we live in this free country!!
Getting ready to enjoy the firework show w/Aunt Jessa and friends. Luckily, Kade slept peacefully!
Maybe this video is only funny to those of us that were there...Cooper was following Reagan around strumming the guitar. You can see her dancing and singing (pretty much can't understand A WORD she says, but she's into it). Like I said before, she makes up random songs and usually it's about her environment..hence the hugging a tree and something about going to west mountain?
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