and here's August

Swim Lessons-
Molly loved her swimming lessons even though I signed her up for the wrong class. I was getting frustrated that she wasn't learning anything-come to find out, I had signed her up for the beginner class. Oops! She passed that class with flying colors and they even passed her on the next level.The best part was probably the last day-free day. They got to slide and jump off the diving board over and over.Duck Pond-
Molly had been waiting all summer long to do this. These ducks love bread, fries, and pizza!! But watch out for the humongous fishies!The Zoo-
It wouldn't be summer without hitting the zoo with the cousins.Stockton saw the train first and we rode it last. He just kept saying "ride train" over and over.Camping-
I was a little worried how this would go but I am determined to take my family camping once each summer. It turned out awesome!! So much better than last year. Brynn was an angel. I was worried about keeping her warm at night but I dressed her in layers, put socks on her hands and a hat on her head. She slept in the port-a-crib with a thick blanket draped over it to keep her nice and warm. She was a happy camper and sadly, I took no pictures of just her. Boo.

There was a small hill from our cars to the fire pit/campground area that Molly and Stockton liked to run up and down. Here they are stretching before the big race.And their rock.Molly and I made a Goodrich sign and hung it from a tree while we camped (2 nights/3 days).We did the normal camping things-hiking, fishing, and getting really dirty. Molly was super excited when some friends joined us.Molly and Afton-look at how dirty Molly's fingers are!!

And occasionally we do try to have a little fun just hanging out at home...

Playing beauty parlor:Being silly (on new couches):Swimming:Grilling:Sidewalk Paint:(equal parts water and cornstarch, with food coloring; and please ignore her clothes-she's still learning how to coordinate outfits)

And we can't have a post without our sweet Brynn being a part...(having family relay races outside-can't believe she's going to be 7 months pretty soon!)

Stockton update

Oh, what to say about this boy. He is boy through and through. Sometimes he makes me want to pull out my hair in frustration. The next minute I can't stop laughing at him. This is what he's been up to lately:

-He's still obsessed with trucks and cars, but lately he's started to love tractors. We live in Spanish Fork, at the very southern end of the construction in Utah County so anytime we go anywhere on the freeway we pass dozens of tractors. He's the only person I know of that enjoys that drive!

-He calls Justin "Daddi-o." Even in the middle of the night and he's crying out him. And lately, Molly is "Molly-o" and Brynn is "Brynni-o."

-He's got a great Cookie Monster impersonation.

-Getting him to eat has become somewhat of a pain. He wants to be fed and he wants you to do a truck/tractor/Mater/Lightning McQueen noise as you're feeding him. Lately, though I can get him to do it to himself. That's cute. And it's cute when he tries to feed Brynn and he does the same thing and Brynn grins from ear to ear at him.

-He loves shoes. As soon as he is dressed he wants shoes. He also likes to walk around in Justin's shoes, my shoes, and Molly's shoes. He calls everyone else's shoes flip flops.

-He talks non-stop. He knows so many words now and uses them constantly. And he only has one volume: LOUD. At church he's loud, in the library he's loud, when Brynn's sleeping he's loud...

-He has sort of starting to train himself to use the toilet. A few weeks ago, with no promptings, he sat on the toilet and pooped. When we're home, he usually poops in the toilet. I'm not pushing anything, just letting what happens happen.

-He likes to blow on Brynn's belly.

-If one little things falls or spills, he has to make sure the rest of it goes as well. For example: he has a little bowl of dry cereal or crackers. One cracker spills. Instead of picking it up and putting it back in the bowl, he just dumps the rest of the bowl out. This is frustrating.

-He has two jobs: putting the dirty clothes in the hamper and take out the diapers. He usually tells me "no" when I ask him to do something but eventually he gets to it.

-He's starting to really like books. He will actually sit through a whole book that is only pictures (no flaps, truck noises, etc).

-He is becoming Mr. Independent. Everything is "I try!" He's a pro at buckling his seat belt and he loves to help in the kitchen.

-He chases Molly and her friends around, being the bad guy I guess. He makes a noise that sounds like "psht psht psht psht" while he's chasing.

-Hates getting his teeth brushed.

-He's a bit camera shy. He's so cute and has a great smile but as soon as the camera comes out, he freezes up. He glares at the camera. The good pictures are when we catch him by surprise.

I'm sure there is more, but I can't seem to think of anything else. So a picture will have to do...

The Heart of Summer, July 2011

July feels like the heart of summer, to me at least, with the heat and all the fun things there are to do. We tried to get out and make some lasting summer memories with the kids...

Spanish Fork Fountains
This brand new super fun park is just a few blocks away. We'd been to the park several times but we finally made it to the fountains. It was so fun and made me wish I was a kid again so that I could get in and cool off!Stockton never actually got wet. Instead, he would run up as close as he would dare and then run away, laughing the whole time.We've been a couple times since then and each time he gets a little bit braver and a little closer.

Hiking the 3 Forks Trail in Spanish Fork Canyon
Sadly, we haven't been on as many hikes this summer as we would like. But this one makes up for all those we haven't done! We made it halfway and were feeling pretty good so we decided to go all the way. At the top are some hot pots that Molly played around in for a while. The hike down felt much longer than the hike up-it ended up being 4 miles round trip, a hike that took our family 4 hours. Molly walked the whole way...she had no choice since Justin was carrying Stockton and I had Brynn. We were all pretty proud of ourselves for making it!

Happy little hikerOn the way upSleepy hikersThe kids helped dad wash the car when we got home. It was a great way to cool off!Nunn's Park in Provo Canyon
We wanted to get back to the mountains, but we didn't really feel like hiking again. So we roasted hot dogs, rode bikes/walked to Bridal Veil Falls, and then went back and roasted marshmallows. Definitely one of the highlights of the summer.

Brynn loves being outside.The FallsMolly caught a snake!Yum!!
Tracy Aviary/Liberty Park
We met my mom and sister halfway between our house and theirs, looked at some birds, played in the sand/water, had a snow cone, and rode some rides. Strange, but Ali's Louisville Zoo pass got us in to the Aviary for free.I'm pretty sure Stockton's favorite part was riding this old car.Spanish Fork Parade on the 24th
Our 3rd year attending, although they went lame this year and didn't allow any candy throwing. Blah. But the kids enjoyed it enough and we'll probably end up there next year as well. They sure look happy, don't they?

Bear Lake
We squeezed this one in before the month was over. Molly went off to Grandkid Camp so we went up there to retrieve her. Justin got to water ski. I was feeding Brynn and then it got too windy so I didn't even make it on the boat. But playing on the beach is fun and being at the cabin makes me happy so I'm not complaining.
Up next: the duck pond, the Zoo, camping, and more!

4 months, 22 days

That's the last time Brynn went to the doctor. She weighed 11 lbs 2 oz. Here are some of the things she is doing now:

-Loves to kick! In the tub she splashes water all over. She has strong little legs and when you stand her up, she jumps.

-She rolls all over. She's better at rolling from back to belly, but she can go both ways.

-Reaches for toys and puts everything in her mouth.

-Is getting so strong and likes to play in her saucer.

-Takes three naps each day. Working on putting herself to sleep, but still likes mom to rock her a little bit.

-She's slept through the night forever. When she started rolling I stopped swaddling her so lately she's not sleeping quite as long, but she's still better than my other two! (She wakes up anytime around 5 or 6, nurses, and goes right back to sleep for 3-4 hours. Can't complain about that.)

-Blows bubbles.

-Plays with her toes.

-Smiles for anyone.

Goodrich stay-cation

Justin's family decided to stick close to home for our vacation this summer. We filled three days full of activities, which included:

-For the older girls, a lunch date with Grandma.-Playing in the stream at Liberty Park.-Barbecue at Grandma and Grandpa's house, complete with a fish pond, pinata, and water balloon fight.-S'mores, stories, and songs around the "campfire."-Sleeping in tents in the backyard.

The last day was our big activity...we went to Snowbird and spent the day there. It was so fun!! It was a beautiful day and, of course, our mountains here in Utah are gorgeous no matter where you go. We all got day passes which meant we could do it all, and we could do it as many times as we wanted.

We rode the tram to the top of the mountain and had some great views.We rode the Alpine Slide over and over and over. This was the kids favorite.We did climbing walls, bounce houses, ropes courses, and trampolines.We rode one of the chair lifts to the very top and walked through a tunnel that went 200 feet underground. The kids had a snowball fight in July.Who says you have to go somewhere far away to have fun?

Snapshots from the 4th

Molly and Brynn in their matching clothes, waiting for the parade to start.All the grandkids on the Moyes side, watching the parade. Stockton didn't want to be in the picture which is why you see the top of my dad's head.Brynn's sad face. I smile every time she does this, because I think it's so stinkin' cute.We bribed Stockton with a treat to sit with his sisters for a picture. He had just finished off a blue snow cone, hence the blue mustache he's sporting.Molly kept "diving" into the pool. It really was just a belly flop, although this picture shows that she actually has some pretty good form.Later that evening at the Goodrich barbecue...the babes just hanging out.Every couple of years or so, Justin's family tries a human pyramid. This one seems to be falling apart.Molly and Sam watching the fireworks. I just love the look on their faces!Brynn slept soundly through her first fireworks show.
Not pictured:
-Molly riding her decorated bike in the parade.
-Molly trying out the fish scramble. She was really timid and didn't catch a fish.
-Stockton riding the train.
-Molly playing on the bounce toys with Abby.
-Goodrich family picture. It was taken by a timer...I haven't seen it but I heard it was a pretty decent photo.

Stockton's birthday

Stockton turned 2 on June 25th. I love when birthdays fall on a weekend because it means Justin is home! Here is a quick recap...

Presents:
He was spoiled. A basketball hoop, 5 different cars, clothes, a trike, and a rocket launcher (not all from us, this is grandparents too). He was easy to shop for.Activity:
Cars 2 came out that weekend so we took the kids to it. Stockton loves all cars, and is a little partial to Mater. We all enjoyed the movie and Justin and I were just happy that we made it through with no crying kids/babies.Party:
Not much of a party, really, just the grandparents over for dinner. As far as I can tell, Stockton's favorite meal is manicotti so that's what we had. He ate like a champ.

Cake:
I made a firetruck cake. It didn't turn out like I was hoping but Stockton thought it was great. He liked the frosting.And now the "terrible twos" have started in full force! That kid sure is giving me a chance to work on my patience...good thing he's so dang cute!!