Ending June with Nonstop Fun

June started out busy and fun and ended that way.

We couldn't resist the scrumptious fresh raspberries that were everywhere so we decided to make some home made freezer jam.

Claire had her first dental procedure and it was an ADVENTURE.  I should say that we attempted this procedure before with a different dentist and it was unsuccessful. She wouldn't even let him look in her mouth. She has and interesting molar that has a 5th cusp on it. Because she had a high fever when she was young and before her teeth had fully developed, she has a defect/hole in that tooth. I knew she would freak out because of how she was just getting her teeth inspected, so the dentist gave us some Valium to give her before the procedure. Well even after the Valium and the the highest dosage of Nitrous Oxide that she could have, she still was puttying up a good fight. She would appear relaxed and almost asleep and then the moment anyone touched her she would freak out and fluctuate between extreme anger and yelling for help, crying and sobbing, and then uncontrollable laughter and silliness. It was like being with a hormonal pregnant person {wink}. The dentist was so sweet and didn't want her to be traumatized by the experience but also didn't want her ot have to get put out with heavy sedation at the hospital to just have one filling. So we went with plan B. I acted as a human restraint and pretty much laid on her while he put her in a head lock and worked with lightening speed. It only last a few minutes and it was done. She was upset but forgiving when offered a prize. Then true to the rules that define Murphy's law, here is how she appeared the whole car ride home and for a good two hours after. Why oh why? 

We have had non-stop performances around here. And yes that is a microphone on a make shift stand (i.e. a pink princess shoe). Ava can sit for hours and she insists on only playing "original work". (No joke those are her own words from her own mouth).

At this house we love to share our talent by serenading the neighbors and people walking by. Oh and did I mention that we practically live in our bathing suits. We love Summer!

The last week of June, we took a little last minute Staycation thanks to some friends who shared their time share with us in Park City. They couldn't use the whole week so we took the last 3 days and had a blast. It was pretty big with two bathrooms. The master bathroom had a jetted tub which we all enjoyed. The girls shared a pull down bed in the main room and Tyson and I each enjoyed our own full sized bed (except when Talmage joined me). Talmage did really well in a play in pack in the corner of the room. The girls loved the condo and repeatedly asked if we could move there for good. I loved it but I don't think Tyson and I are permanently ready to sleep in separate beds yet.

And yes, Claire is photo bombing in the background on the toilet. Hehe.

Talmage's First experience in a big bath tub. We didn't do the jets but he loved just laying in the water. He quickly assumed his "I'm chilaxing" position and was all smiles.

 
On the day that Tyson took off, we had the day planned. We started off with a swim in the cold but fun pool. Then we got ready and went to a matinee of Monster's University. The girls loved it and Talmage did so good. When he got tired he just fell asleep. I am so lucky to have such a good baby.

 We then headed off to Heber to go to our favorite Mexican restaurant named Don Pedros. It did not disappoint.

After dinner we visited Tyson's step uncle Dave and his wife Renae who have a farm/ranch in Heber. They had just had a baby colt a few days before and my girls really wanted to see it. It was so cute to watch it nurse and walk around. Dave was able to get the colt to just lie down so we could pet it. Our girls were timid at first but warmed up quickly.

Of course we couldn't visit without taking time to play on their incredible playground and finding Lovely (their cat) that Ava has adored since it was a kitty. Everytime we would visit Grandma Bringhurst when she was living up there, Ava would stalk Lovely. Thank heavens she is is easy going cat who doesn't mind being held or dragged around.

Lastly before heading back to the condo we headed to Heber Valley Artisan Cheese and came home with this little treasure.

The Holy Ghost

I love when I get glimpses into my children's minds and how they perceive things...especially church related things that they are learning. 

We have talked a lot lately about making good choices and having the help of the Holy Ghost to do so.  My niece's son got baptized recently and it has sparked many questions about baptism and confirmation. We have even discussed it in family home evening. Then in Ava's Primary Class they had a lesson and this is how Ava has worked it all out in her mind.

I Love It!

This picture is priceless.Love my smart, tender, loving, curious and adventuresome 6 year old.

Nine Months Old

I know I have said this ad nauseum, but can time... SLOW THE HECK DOWN.

My wonder boy has officially been out of my womb as long as he took up residency within it.
It is weird to think of it that way because those nine months go more slowly and these nine months have just gone by like a whirlwind. He is at one of my most favorite stages (who am I kidding, I love all the stages...well almost). I love that he can now sit up and is really starting to test his boundaries. He has gotten on his knees a few times during tummy time and he has that gleam in his eye like he is making a mental list of all the places he is going to explore as soon as he figures out how to get around..(beware sisters..he is coming for your room).

 I just love this little man. He seriously brightens the day with one flash of his smile. And if you are not paying attention, he will patiently smile at you until you look and acknowledge him. Ironically, he then gets shy and hangs his head or buries it in the shoulder of the person holding him. He hasn't quite got over his stranger danger yet and still prefers mom to just about anybody. He giggles himself to exhaustion and loves attention from his sisters. They can do wrong by him! (Well that is a little bit of a lie because Claire can induce some claustrophobia when she is in a cuddly mood).

Here is a little clip of his first experience with playing catch...or maybe dodgeball.

The above video defines his relationship with Ava. This picture below defines his relationship with Claire. Can you see the glimmer of concern in his face.

 The little guy is eating like a champ and can hold a little sippy cup for himself. We are about to start baby puff snacks and I am sure he will be excited. He is starting to get impatient while he waits for his food. If he is sitting in the high chair while you are preparing it, he makes his body tremor like he is having muscle spasms and flings his arm while letting out a long loud impatient whine. He then follows every bite of food with a gratifying "ummm". The girls always mimic him and get a kick out of his sound effects.

Claire trying to feet him with the spoon. She is teasing him because their is no food on it!

Oh did I mention that he makes little guys bow ties look even cuter than they already are?

I love my little cuddle monster that sometimes joins me in bed in the wee hours of the morning. He always turns and buries his head in my chest and closes his eyes. It is heaven on earth!!!
Nine months has brought us a little boys who is sturdy while sitting and starting to try to get things beyond his reach. He is happy, sweet, tender and pretty content, but he is starting to get a mind of his own. For instance, he gets really mad/sad when i take things away that he shouldn't be playing with. He is a man of many sounds, from blowing bubbles, to making sucking noises, to his Native American war cry to his nonstop dadadada or mamamamama...he is one loud little booger (if you manage to wrestle the binky away). He has already started to act dejected if you take too long greeting him when you come home after being gone a while. He expects your attention first and foremost.

To just prove what a good boy he is...he has learned how to shake his head yes before no.  I hope this is a indicator that he is going to take after his daddy and be a easy going, obedient and agreeable child. I can only hope right! A few final things he is doing right now is waving (when he wants and not on demand), rolling all over (he may just decide he can get around like a steam roller and it creates for finding him in some pretty interesting places/positions when getting him out of his crib in the morning), and finally he is turning in to a true boy if you know what I mean. I have to give him something to hold while I change his diaper or else he is trying to get his hands in my way and it can create a very messy situation. We absolutely LOVE our nine month honey boy!

9 month stats
Weight: 18 lbs 3 oz 18% percentile
Height: 28 inches 49% percentile

Off To A Good Start

We have started summer out with a bang! It has been nonstop fun around here and we have partied until we have dropped....literally!

She is just so stinkin' cute when she sleeps.

We started June with a fun cousins trip to the zoo.

We had a delicious Sunday dinner with some great friends the Ramsey's, Johansen's and the Worthington's. It is so nice to enjoy and good meal that you don't have to cook and clean up after all by yourself.

The night was topped off by Rocky Road ice cream made by Tyson and wheel barrow rides courtesy of Katy Ramsey's dad.

 Claire and her twin friends: Abbey and Livy (she can't tell them apart but it is so cute)

We had our annual Neighborhood Summer Bash.
It was a hit and so fun.  The day started out a bit windy but it was warm and the kids had a blast soaking up the sun and going down the inflatable water slides.

The festivities continued on into the night at the Harding's corner.
We had snow cones, cotton candy, face painting, super hero mask crafts, a magician and a taco truck.

The taco truck was soooo delicious!!

The Magician had the kids captivated!

And Lola wins the award for the creepiest face paint compliments of her sister Mia.

The wind picked up later in the evening and we had to postpone the backyard movie at the Healey's until the next night. The girls were disappointment, but exhausted so we went home and the kids crashed. I went out for a late night movie with some girls in the neighborhood so I would say that things turned out quite nice. The kids had so much fun for so many days in a row that we went through withdrawals for the next few days. I am afraid they are going to expect to be entertained all summer.

The very next day Ava had to go see the dentist to get her two front bottom teeth pulled. Her adult teeth started to grow in behind them before the baby teeth had fallen out. She was excited for the tooth fairy to come and for how much she thought she would get since there were two teeth.

Later that night we went to the Annual Chark Art Festival down at the Gateway Shopping Plaza. Not all the pieces were finished but we got to see the artists working on them.
Ava was so inspired by the art work and it was so cute when she said she got some great ideas for her next project.

Katie and Ben met up with us for a bit and we had fun visiting. I ran into my cousin and his daughter Maddy who had entered the chalk art contest. She ended up winning 1st place people's choice in her age division.

 Her picture really was the best!
The theme for the festival was Western, however I could not always make the connection with some peoples art work.
One of Ava's favorites.

 One of Tyson's favorites.

We ended our night at the rescheduled backyard movie in the Healey's yard. We put the kids in PJ's, and got some blankets and pillows. They watched Wreck It Ralph and actually stayed awake...much to my shock. There was a popcorn machine and cookies which equaled my kids being in heaven.

and that was most of our happenings in June...except,

We didn't forget to celebrate our wonderful Daddy's and Granddaddy's on
Father's Day!
We had a little BBQ with my in-laws and Tyson made himself one of his experimental flavors of ice cream: coconut macadamia nut! It turned out delicious!
We are revamping daddy's wardrobe for Father's Day (I'm sure he is so excited).
We gave grandpa some goodies and a nice book called "How to Babysit a Grandpa". The girls liked the idea that they get to babysit grandpa two days a week and not the other way around.

We are very lucky to have such wonderful men in our lives.  We reminisced about papa and how much we love and miss him. We even drove by his house that has sold a few weeks ago. It seemed strange that we couldn't stop and pop a squat on the porch swing for a short visit. We talked about what a wonderful person Grandpa Scott is. The girls adore their grandpa and request to see him almost daily hourly. He is so fun and playful and loving and adoring and I can just see the self esteem he is building in my children as he makes them feel like the most special person in the world. I am so glad my kids get to experience the love of a grandfather. And last but certainly not least, our daddy and the love of my life, Tyson. We hugged and kissed him and told him how much we adore him. I couldn't survive a day without his love, support and encouragement. The girls pine for their father's return from work each day and we all live for Saturday when we get to see him all...day...long!! He is so involved in their day to day care and it is so evident that he is a slave to his love for his girls. That is the way is should be and I love my little world!