Vacation!!

We got to go on a much needed vacation after a long and busy few months for Isaac to visit both of our families. I love going in the summer because there are so many fun things to do at both of our parent's houses.

Starting out on the loooong drive. I really like Oregon in the summer, it's so pretty. We took a scenic route this time and came out of a forest to this lava area with the Sisters mountains in the distance. We got out to stretch our legs and enjoy the view. The boys really did great driving minus a few puking incidents from too many snacks and curvy roads. Thank goodness for DVD players on long trips!

We stopped for the night at Mckay and Katie's. Payton and Kason just picked right up from last time and had a blast together. They ran around the sprinklers in their underwear to cool off that night. It was a tough goodbye with some sad boys.

We had a great time at my parent's house. I practically didn't even have to do anything with my kids. They love their aunts and grandparents! The boys loved the playgrounds,

and cooling off in the pool.

I love this picture.

We went to the dinosaur museum and the boys loved all the things to look at and do.

On Pioneer Day I ran a 5K with my mom and sister and it was SO fun! (after I was done). We were all pretty happy with our times too, which makes it even better. I plan on doing more this summer.

I love Mapleton on Pioneer Day. There's a parade, games and food in the park and fireworks. Here we are enjoying the parade and the loud sirens.

Kason got to ride in the ambulance with my Dad in the parade for a little ways.

Water slides at the park. This was Kason after practically being trampled by some older kids before coming down. He's still smiling though, but decided one time was enough.

Then we made our way through another long drive up to Isaac's house. We went boating/tubing one day, which was alot of fun.

The boys loved playing with their aunts and uncles.

and hanging out by the shore.

Kason was in heaven again playing with his cousins.

Enjoying some of the food at the fair.

These guys would just play outside all day. There was always some game going on involving guns and swords.

We had a great time and thanks to our families for all the fun! Now we are glad to be back home. Isaac has to do research during the summer, but other than that we plan to enjoy the rest of summer!

Summer Days

Grilling good food

(with some good nose picking of course)

Playing in the sprinkler with friends

4th of July fireworks

(Asher was still and quiet for 10 whole minutes, it was wonderful)

Playing outside and on the playground

and getting so dirty

eating juice popsicles

We love summer!

And to boot, today is Isaac's last day of teaching...hallelujah! He is an official college professor now...we're just glad it's over...for now.

LoVe

*Love that the sun is out, it's hot, the windows are open and we are outside so much. Asher says "e go" ("here you go") ALL the time as he hands us the various things he has found. Of course then he says it again because he wants it back, usually to eat it. Here he is giving me a wood chip.

*Love Birthdays. Although a friend reminded me that turning 25 makes me closer to 30 than to 20. Blah.

*Love that both my boys are great eaters. Don't love that I have to practically bathe this boy, wipe all surfaces near him, and vacuum after every meal.

*Love having two sweet boys and that they both sleep through the night.

*Love that Kason picks me a flower almost every time we go outside, even if it is a dandelion.

*Love Asher's growls.

*Love those blue eyes.

Hodgepodge

We've had a fun week, so here it is in pictures.

1. This is the scene every morning, two sad boys looking out the door as Dad goes to school. They give high fives and pows through the glass (well, Kason does, Asher mostly just smiles and bangs on the glass). Kason also makes sure that "love you" and "see you soon" MUST be said. Then they wave and wave as Isaac rides off on his bike. They are extremely excited later in the day when he comes back. For some reason they started waking up really early while we were on our trip, as in around 5:30 am, so it's not hard for them to see Isaac leave. Kason's back to normal now - around 7 am, but Asher still wakes up earlier than I'd like.

2. Thanks to my mom and Dad the boys and I went to visit my family in Utah!! My sister graduated from high school and we were able to be there for that. Isaac is in the middle of finals right now so he couldn't go. I was beyond nervous to drive aways to the airport, ride the shuttle, and fly by myself with the two boys, but all in all, it went better than expected. The flight there went better than the flight back. On the way home we sat on the plane, but at the gate for a good half hour. Asher is not such a quiet or still kid and he'd had it by the time we got going. I had put a diaper on Kason just in case and for my peace of mind since I was alone. Right after I finally got Asher to sleep Kason lets me know he needs to go. Well, we didn't make it to the bathroom, which was my fault cause I wanted to let Asher sleep for a few minutes. But, I paid for it as I tried to change a messy diaper in an airplane bathroom with both of them in there. All in all though, they both did so good and Kason was a great helper.

Graduation

A favorite thing to do - mow the lawn with Grandpa

Lots of yummy food

Playgrounds!!! And notice the sun!! We got to see it for a few days and were very happy! It's actually sunny here now that we are back and it is so nice to have the windows open and go outside and play!

I played in this tree when I was little. It's this huge pine tree that has the branches cut away underneath to make a fort.

Kason discovered "rollie-pollie" bugs and thought they were pretty cool.

It's always fun to go and the kids always have someone to play with, which they love and I do too. Isaac's almost done with one more term and then he will be busy as he jumps right into teaching for the first part of the summer - it just never ends.

Asher seems like he is growing up so much in just the last little while. He says "uh oh" and his new thing is saying "Hello". I couldnt' get a very good one on the video, but he says it really well. He sticks his tongue way out when he says it and is so proud. It's so cute. He also growls, I'm not sure what about, but he does it alot.

And this is a new development too. He's not close to walking on his own at all, and I'm just fine with that, but he's definitely getting closer! He is SO proud when he walks pushing things all by himself.

ONE

HaPpY BirThDaY to AsHeR!! Yesterday he turned the big 1. This last little while has gone by really fast and it seems like I was just pregnant with him!

So, for memory's sake, here's a little bit about Asher:

-He is big and stocky. At one year his stats are: head - 100%, 25 lbs - 85%, 29 3/4 in - 60%.

-He loves to pull hair and then put it in his mouth.

-He puts everything in his mouth.

-He is so LOUD.

-He has just recently started sleeping through the night and is doing pretty well at it, not completely consistent yet, but we're getting there.

-He is pulling up to standing.

-He says an energetic "uh oh" and can say "hey" and I know I'm hearing him say a version of "hear you go" now.

-He waves, sometimes.

-He loves to eat, especially graham crackers.

-He has big, beautiful, bright blue eyes.

-He is a momma's boy.

-He has 5 teeth.

-He wraps his arms around your neck and gives big hugs

-He is very curious and determined and into everything - his latest accomplishment is dumping the baking soda all over the kitchen, time to find a new place for that.

-He is very sweet, we love his smile.

-He loves the bath and loves playing with Kason

-I love his laugh

photography by Kason

Kason was more excited than Asher about the presents. He was just bouncing with excitment.

Applesauce cake with cream cheese frosting

I think most of the cake ended up on his stomach and pants.

He is such a good little guy, we love him.

Just Because

Just some random pictures that I like:

He still rocks some pretty good rolls on his legs.

Love it when we look put together for church

Asher's been pulling up to standing for a little while now. He's also into so much more than I remember Kason getting into. Why is the toilet so intriguing?

He's not quite 1 yet, but we gave in and turned his carseat forward facing. He was SO proud and happy. So was I.