Allow me to brag a bit about my husband and his job. The last two contests that his division has had, his branch has placed first. They were treated to dinner (Brick Oven Pizza) and a movie for one. Not only did his branch place first, but individually Justin took first as well. And in the last credit-union wide contest, his branch placed in the top 10, which is a big deal because he's a small grocery store branch, not a big brick-and-mortar branch. He's doing great and I'm very proud.
Okay, I'm done. Now to the fun stuff. For placing first he won a stay at the Anniversary Inn and tickets to Hale Theater. Um, I was a little excited. My mom took the kids for 3 days and 2 nights. I had never left Stockton for more than a few hours...in fact, I'm the only person who had even laid him down for bed OR naps (Justin has maybe 5 times total-it's just easier if I do it). I was a little nervous for how he would do, but my mom said he did okay. He woke up early (sorry, Mom!) and started figuring out how to get out of a nap by the last day but it was smooth sailing the rest of the time. Molly had a great time, playing with cousins all day long, going to the duck pond, watching movies, and having lots of Grandma and Grandpa time.
Justin and I had plenty of fun as well. We left the kids Monday morning and immediately headed to Park City. Justin's not much of a shopper but he's always up for a trip to the outlets. Probably because he always finds tons of good deals. This trip was no exception...
We had our Hale Theater tickets that night. We saw Pirates of Penzance, which was great. I've seen lots of shows there and have loved every one so I knew it would be great.
The next morning we woke up and went golfing. I told him in the spring that I'd go once with him this summer and it seemed like a good time. Unfortunately, I am a horrible golfer...I'm sure he never wants to take me again. We'll have to find a different hobby that we can do together.
After some lunch we went to see "Inception" at the theater. I was completely lost for the first half hour and then kind of figured out what was going on. I got the general idea of the movie but I think I'd need to watch it at least five times to really get it. The parts I understood were excellent though.
We ate dinner at the Red Iguana. It's a top-rated restaurant in Salt Lake. It was very tasty, although I'm more of a El Matador kind of girl.
That night was our stay at the Anniversary Inn. We stayed in the Romeo and Juliet suite. Very nice. We could have stayed in this room, but that would be a bit weird, I think. There was complimentary cheesecake and a king-sized bed. Enough said.
We slept in-I can't usually sleep in too late but the very dark, heavy curtains made it look like the middle of the night at nine in the morning. After getting ready we thought we'd do a session at the Salt Lake Temple. We barely missed the 11:00 session so after finding out the next session wouldn't be for another hour we drove to Bountiful and did a session there.
And then we headed home. It was a very nice getaway for me. Is it bad to admit that although I missed the kids, I didn't miss them enough at the point to actually pick them up? I could have used another day...
My mom and dad started "Grandma's Camp" last year and it was a huge hit with the kids. My parents took the older kids to the cabin for a few days, without parents. Molly talked about it all year long and couldn't wait to go to Grandma's Camp again this year. She got the invitation and looked at it for days. The theme this year was "Dino Dig" so they did all sorts of dinosaur-ish activities. Before heading to Bear Lake, they went to the Dinosaur Museum.Then they played at the cabin for a day and a half before any of the parents arrived. They made "Grandma's Camp 2010" shirts.Got dinosaur tattoos.And I'm guessing this is some sort of obstacle course.I also know they watched "The Land Before Time" because now whenever Molly plays with Ben and Abby they play "The Land Before Time."
They ate dinosaur chicken nuggets.
They all slept in the same room one night.
I was excited to go pick Molly up because it meant we got to stay at the cabin for a couple of days. I've been the cabin a lot in the last three years, but the last time I went in the summer, when it was warm enough to go to the beach and get in the water was 3 years ago, when Molly was only 10 months old! Way too long.
We spent a whole afternoon at the beach. The kids got all sandy.Stockton even ate some.We got to ride on the boat. Both of my kids liked the boat, Molly especially.It lulled Stockton to sleep. When we got back to the beach he stayed asleep in my mom's arms for probably another hour.Justin and I got to ski. It had been a while so I didn't know if I would remember how, but we both popped up pretty easily.And before we headed back, Molly got a tube ride. Her and Abby loved it, Chloe not so much.And I confess that I did let Stockton get on the tube as well, but we was so tired that he cried the whole time. It was a very short ride. Maybe next year.
Oh how we love Bear Lake. We are planning on going back for Thanksgiving this year, but hopefully it won't take 3 years to get back to the beach!
We managed to squeeze all of these activities in one week. Oh, and a birthday party. Whew! Good think my kids are flexible!
We've been to the pool 5 or 6 times this summer. Not as many as I thought we would at the beginning of the summer, but plenty nonetheless. It's a lot of work to get to the pool and it's difficult to work around naps. And it wears me out! I always feel like I need to sleep as soon as I get home. Molly has loved the pool this year. She has always enjoyed the water but this summer she has turned into a fish. I think her head is under the water more than it is above. She's not afraid of anything. She loves to put her life jacket on and just swim in the deep end.We tried to squeeze one trip to the pool in between Stockton's naps. I knew he'd be tired on the way home so I gave him a sucker in hopes that he would stay awake until we made it home. He only lasted about 2 blocks and he was out. But he sucked on that sucker for a few more blocks.
Oh, and I did not take this video while I was driving. We were stopped at a red light.
Molly wanted to ride her bike in the parade on the 4th. In order to do that, I knew that she needed a whole lot of practice. She has Tiana's old bike (more hand-me-downs, we love 'em!), but she really hadn't rode on it much. We practiced every night for a week before the parade. She caught on quick, although she's a little slow. Speed will come, I guess. We aren't doing this every night now but we still enjoy our bike rides 2 or 3 times a week.Sometimes Justin joins us and we get funny looks.The first couple rides were hard so we would come home and have ice cream cones. Molly now thinks that bike rides=ice cream cones. Hey, why not?I got this fun lunch idea from Rachelle and Heidi. I've done it a couple of times, just for a change-up, and it always seems to go over well. Although I think I need to find a smaller muffin tin. Six would be much better-it's hard to find 12 different food items and then it's hard for Molly to eat that much food!Justin was itching to go fishing and had heard that Salem Pond was a promising place. So we headed there one night. Justin and Molly fished for a while, we made some hot dogs on the butane stove, and the kids played in the water. I wasn't sure how clean the pond water was for swimming but lots of people were swimming when we got there so I figured it was okay. I didn't pack any swimsuits so Molly just swam in her clothes. Stockton was happy splashing in the mud.I just noticed last night on KSL that there is a warning out for swimming in Salem Pond. The water is contaminated with bacteria. Oops.
Justin and I took Molly to see Toy Story 3 at the movie theater. She (and Justin) is a big fan of the first two movies, so we knew it was a must. A shout out to Heidi who watched Stockton for us...he cried the whole time. Molly loved the movie, as did Justin and I. It was really funny. There were some scary parts, luckily Molly didn't get too scared and she hasn't talked about any of the scary parts at home.
Our last big activity before Ali and Gavin went home was the Aquarium. I've heard mixed reviews about the Aquarium, but I thought it was great! The kids loved it...although I do think that it wouldn't have been as fun without the penguins, which are new there. It was also a great place for just-turned-one babies. Stockton loved it every bit as much as the older kids. I don't know why I even took a stroller in-all he wanted to do was be held right up to the fish tanks. Good thing Grandpa came along to help! Molly was feeling a little out-of-sorts the first hour or so we were there. After some lunch she cheered right up...she talked about the Aquarium for days. In this video you can see how active and fun the penguins were and how excited the kids were to be there.
Lately Molly has been obsessed with taking pictures. She takes the camera and snaps away. I currently have 510 pictures saved on my computer that she has taken. We have family pictures,pictures of every room in the house,
pictures of toys,pictures of body parts (like her legs and Stocky's bare bum),
pictures of the TV,
pictures taken from the car,pictures of food,
pictures of pictures,
and pictures of decorations.
By far my favorites pictures are the ones she takes of herself. They make me laugh every time I see them.We had been talking about getting her a camera for her birthday coming up. I think this recent obsession has helped us decide for sure! I think she'll like it just a bit.
Now switching gears. My biggest concern regarding my children is their spiritual health. I feel like I have a huge responsibility to teach my children the gospel, teach them how to recognize truth, receive revelation, what it feels like to feel the Holy Ghost, etc...When I think of them going to school and all the different influences out there, I get a little scared for them. I am thankful everyday for the tools I have, and they have, to help them on their journey through this life. I also know that very young kids understand a lot more than we think they do. They are like sponges, soaking everything in, and they can learn and remember a whole lot. We try to hold regular Family Home Evening, read scriptures, go to church, and have family prayer. Molly, at three, gets excited for all of these things. It is rewarding to watch her grow spiritually...
-She loves to get her magazine, the Friend. She colors the pages and we read all the stories. One article talked about pioneers. At the end there was an empty space where she was supposed to draw someone in her family who is a pioneer today. I don't think she really understood the concept because she chose to draw Jesus.She was all done with her drawing and then said, "Oops, I forgot to put the holes in his hands." Can you see the big circles near where the hands would be?
-She had the assignment to bear her testimony in Primary a few weeks ago. She told me exactly what she wanted to say and I helped her phrase it: "I know the Church is true. I know that my family can be together forever. I know that Jesus performed many miracles. I know that Jesus loves me. I know that President Monson is a prophet led by Heavenly Father. I know that Jesus died for us."
-At FHE this week she had the chance to bear her testimony at the end. She stood up on her bed and spoke in a loud, clear voice, "I'd like to bear my testimony..." Then she said a few things and closed. I felt happy and proud of her.
-Last week we were playing a guessing game in the car. Someone would describe a certain food and the other person would try to guess what food they were describing. I described bread and she guessed it right. Then she said, "Mom, I know two kinds of bread. The bread we eat and the bread of life who is Jesus."
-Last month we were playing outside and she said to me, "I'm starting to forget what Jesus looks like." I'm not sure what she meant by this, all I know is that these little kids are closer to our Savior than we realize.
-She made a "boat" in the living room out of blankets and pillows. She said that no one could go on the carpet (the "water") except for Jesus because He's the only one who can walk on water.
-It was her turn for the lesson on Monday night. She wanted to do the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den. She drew pictures and held them up as she told the story. This is the picture of Daniel praying.He's on his knees by a bed.
-Speaking of prayers, I love to hear her pray. Here are just a few of the things she's said in her prayers that I wanted to remember: "Thank you for the air so that we can hear each other." "Thank you for God's power to teach us." "Thank you that I know the Holy Ghost is true."
That's all. A few things that I have read/heard recently that left an impression on me: -This talk from last Conference. -This interview with Julie B. Beck and her daughters, especially the parts about mothering. (It's Episode 15-listen to it while you clean the bathrooms. That's what I did.) -This Mormon Message video. I think I need to watch this everyday! -And I want to read this talk again.
Feb 27: We went shopping with my mom and sister. We spent a lot of time at one store and Molly got hot and bored. When we were leaving she said, "I'm so glad we are done. That was so hot and...like...fashionable." Big sigh.
Jan 7: "Dad, today was so busy I didn't even get an opportunity to fight with boy."
January 2012: Stockton found some Tums and was wanting to eat them. I told him no because they would make him sick. Molly explained it further: "Stocky, it's just like what the devil does. He makes something look really good or exciting but it's not really that good or exciting at all."
November 1: "Mom, can I have some ranch for my carrots? Oh never mind, I didn't know they were melted." (cooked carrots, rather than raw)
November 1: "Wow, this water is ice hot!"
October: Every time a decision has to be made, Molly plays eeney-meeney-miney-moe . She tries to do it so nobody notices but I know exactly what she is doing!
8-30 Molly and I were playing a guessing game in the car. I was trying to get her to guess the word "arrow." Me: "It points you in the right direction..." Molly: "Jesus!!"
8-12 Molly was reading the story of Nephi getting the brass plates: "And then Nephi found Laban and he was drooped." (she meant drunk)
7-15 Molly was playing with an attachment for the vacuum-twirling it in the air like a baton. "Mom, watch me crouton this!"
6-26 Molly told us this joke on the way home from church: Which ghost has the best hearing? The eeriest!
6-13 Molly trying to get Stockton to say "helicopter:" "Stocky, say hell. Stocky say hell."
6-12 To Stockton: "The car won't say hi back to you, buddy."
6-10 Molly and Gavin were eating sour watermelon candy when Molly asked Gavin, "Do you want me to suck the sour off for you?"
USU Graduation, May 2007
Seattle, Washington, August 2008
Louisville, Kentucky, May 2009
June 25, 2009
Stockton Ray
2 years
April 29: starts sleeping in a "big boy" bed
May 2011: gets confused with hot and cold-calls everything hot; becomes obsessed with cars and trucks; can finally say his own name
May 30: Figured out how to climb to the top bunk-yikes!
end of May/early June- Stockton's last tooth comes in
August: says "Da-ee" and "Mo-ee" for Daddy and Molly
August 17: poops in the toilet!
August 21: pees in the toilet
September: calls Justin "Daddi-o" (he does this when he's happy, angry, sad, silly, you name it!); knows all his colors; counts to ten: "one, free, four, ten!"
October 2nd: We were watching General Conference. Stockton heard the congregation laugh after something President Monson said so he giggles and says: "Si-ee prophet."
November 5: Justin and I were watching a college football game downstairs long after we'd put the kids to bed. All of a sudden we hear Stockton clear upstairs yell "Tackle football game!" and run downstairs to watch.
November: His night-time farewell: "Night-night M&M face head!" in the silliest voice he can muster. He came up with it on his own.
November: At dinner each night we say what we are thankful for. Every time we ask what he is thankful for he says "crayons." All month long.
Dec 15: "Stocky, is daddy a boy or a girl?" "A boy." "Is Stockton a boy or a girl?" "Boy." "Is mommy a boy or a girl?" "Girl." "Is Molly a boy or a girl?" "Girl." "Is Brynn a boy or a girl?" "A baby."
December: It's been fun watching Stockton get excited for Christmas. He says "Merry Santa!"
Dec 21: Stockton has croup. He had to get a steroid shot.
Jan 12: Just playing tonight and out of the blue Stockton says, "Dad, I be baby Jesus!" and lays down on Justin's chest
Jan 19: Stocky is constantly telling us this joke he make up: "Mom, I have a joke for you." "What?" "What you eat for breakfast?" "What?" "A crib!" And then he says the whole thing again.
late February: Asking Stockton why Brynn is crying (he hit her): "Stockton, why is Brynn crying?" "Whaaaa!" "No, Stockton, why is Brynn crying?" "Whaaaa!" He gets his "who, what, where, when, why, and how's" a little mixed up.
Feb. 28: Stocky threw his binkies away today!!
Mar. 1: love that he says cute things like: "doonin'" = doing "Hold you" when he wants to be held
Mar. 25: "Mom, let's go play rice frisbee." (He wants to play catch with the frisbee.)
May 12: Stocky stays dry in underwear all day!
March 2010
March 7, 2011
Brynn April
13 months
June 30- rolls over belly to back
mid July-starts playing with her toes
September 7-turns 6 months old and has her first taste of baby food: rice cereal
September 11-Brynn's been getting up on her hands and knees and rocking forward and backward for very short amounts of time. I'm hoping that crawling is still a long way off!
September 18-She's been practicing sitting up on her own and is getting so strong. She can sit on her own for long periods of time now and only falls over when she is reaching for something.
September: Molly and Stockton have been calling her "coo-coo"
October 5: starts crawling!
October 20: Today she went from crawling to sitting. She is also trying so hard to pull herself up on things.
October: starts babbling a lot: mostly "da-da" but a few "ma-ma's" and "ba-ba's" too
October 31: First Halloween. Noticed today that her first tooth was starting to come in. On the bottom (middle left).
November 30: Second tooth. Bottom, middle, right.
end November: Brynn has not been sleeping well. She's always gone right back to sleep when I feed her but now she's up for hours at a time. We've had to start letting her cry it out if she wakes up before a certain time at night.
December: saying "ma ma" a lot
December: Brynn has been mimicking us. At dinner we all put both arms in the air and she smiles and does the same.
December 10: Brynn stood on her own for literally a full 5 seconds! She starts doing this more and more over the next few weeks. She's getting very brave.
December 12: Noticed first tooth coming in on the top. Middle right.
Dec 19: first ponytail!
Dec 25: starts walking along furniture
last week in December: Justin's been holding Brynn's fingers and helping her walk all around the house. She is getting so strong and is actually very stable.
Jan 3, 2012: Brynn slept all night!
Jan 9: first steps...very wobbly, but they were steps alright!
second week in Jan: 4th tooth came in. Top, middle, right
Jan. 22: starts climbing the stairs
mid-February: gives kisses
last week in February: starts climbing on everything!
March 14: At her 12-month well-check she weighed 14 lbs 4 oz. She also got 4 shots!
Mar 21: 5th tooth-top left
April 1: nursed Brynn for the last time
tooth #6, 7, & 8: mid-April, end April, mid-May
June 23: first haircut
Disneyland, June 2011
October 2011
"Every sister who stands for truth and righteousness diminishes the influence of evil. Every sister who strengthens and protects her family is doing the work of God. Every sister who lives as a woman of God becomes a beacon for others to follow and plants seeds of righteous influence that will be harvested for decades to come."
