4th of July

We had lots of fun this year on the 4th of July. My parents were here again this year - which is always the best. My kids love their Nana and Papa. During the week we decided to go to Rexburg Rapids waterpark. Carson refused to play in the water. They have a huge playground in the water with lots of fun stations and slides - nope. I tried to go in with him - nope. I tried to go down the slide with him on my lap - nope. He kicked and screamed and cried until I let him go sit on Papa's lap. Silly kid. It's a good thing you were still free to get in! Brooklyn and I had fun in the Lazy River. :)

The morning of the 4th we went to the parade, as usual. This year we sat with the Weed's and it was a perfect view. It was pretty hot, so Carson quickly retreated to sit in the shade with Papa (go figure). Brooklyn, on the other hand, got the hang of the whole "candy" thing and was a pro!! She would dart after every little piece of candy and bring it back to us. That girl knows what's up! Haha!

The rest of the day was filled with fun too, but I can't believe I didn't think to take any pictures!!! We played a game of Family Kickball, saw Despicable Me 2 at the theater, and then had a BBQ and watched the fireworks at Carly and Will's. It was a great day!

Carson's 3rd Birthday!

I can't believe my baby boy is 3!!! Where has the time gone? It doesn't seem that long ago that we were anxiously awaiting his arrival and now he is a little boy! Since his birthday was on a Sunday we celebrated the day before. We had a pool party and invited lots of friends and family to join us. Unfortunatly, Carson didn't feel very good when it came time for his party. I asked him on the way to the pool if he was excited and he said, "No, but I'm getting that way." He said it so matter-of-factly that I couldn't help but laugh. He didn't want to swim and cried until we got him out of the water. Poor Carson! He just sat by the pizza and soda and was content to watch everyone else.

Since the kid loves Dinosaurs we had a Dinosaur cake for him. He was super excited about it and he loved it. He also got spoiled with lots of fun presents! He got more Legos and a new Lego table, elephants, snakes, trucks, a batman toy, dinosaurs, cars that go in the water, a new piggy bank with lots of change to put in it, and I'm sure there was more that I can't remember. He had a great day and we sure do love him so much! 

A few fun things about Carson: 

• Carson is still in 24 month and 2T clothes. I have to fold the waistband over on all of his shorts and pants to keep them on.
• Carson is incredibly observant. We can be driving down the road and he will point out buildings or stores that we have only been in once and tell me exactly what they are. He will also point out things in the distance that he notices as we drive. He knows where we are probably going depending on which way I turn out of the neighborhood and knows which stores are on which streets.
• Carson loves Legos. He loves to build things and I love that it is something he and Jason can do together.
• Carson is a little bit of a scaredy-cat. He doesn't like to get wet unless it is his own choice. He doesn't like to run through sprinklers, get sprayed in anyway, etc. He liked the fireworks as long as they were far away. He is my sweet little boy.
• Carson is a cuddlebug. He needs lots of physical touch to feel loved. He likes to snuggle and cuddle, hold hands, and hug.
• Carson loves Curious George! He could watch that show all day long. He has a Curious George shirt that is his favorite.
• Carson likes to eat at Chick-Fil-A and every time we pass it he yells out, "Mom, there's the Chick-A-Way!!!" 

According to Carson:

How old are you? 3

What is your favorite color? Blue

 What is your favorite animal? Sheep - because it makes me happy. (random!)

What is your favorite book? Comes from the lib-ary

What is your favorite TV show? Curious George

What is your favorite movie? Polar Express

What is your favorite song? Twinkle Little Star

What is your favorite food? French Fries

What is your favorite drink? Milk

What is your favorite breakfast food? Chicken Nuggets (he doesn't get those for breakfast, fyi)

What is your favorite snack? Fruit snacks

What is your favorite thing to wear? Curious George Shirt

What is your favorite game? Rubber Duckies (what?!?!)

What is your favorite toy? Legos

Who is your best friend? Maddie! 

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Mow the lawn with Daddy

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Puppy

Where is your favorite place to go? Birthdays

Where do you want to go on vacation? Disneyland

What do you want to be when you grow up? 44 pounds (haha)

 

Girls Camp

I love my calling in the Young Women program for our church. I love working with our amazing girls and getting to know them. I also work with some of the best ladies I have ever known and I am constantly learning from them. I couldn't ask for a better group! 

This year for camp we went to the Big Springs Campground outside of Lava Hot Springs. My mom was wonderful and stayed with my naughty kids so that I could go be a part of camp. Thank you, Mom! Although camp was a ton of fun, it was also FREEZING cold!! Jason came up for the day on Wednesday to help and to cover Priesthood duties, and even though I told him it was cold and asked him to bring me more warm clothes and blankets, he didn't realize how cold I was talking until he got there. I think he was a little worried about leaving me there knowing I was freezing!! We made it through and survived. :) We ended up taking the girls to the hotsprings instead of floating down the river like we originally planned since everyone needed a little warming up. It also gave us a chance to shower!! 

Jason and I right before he left me

One of the awesome crafts the girls did while they were there for the week. 

All of the leaders on the morning of the hike

The leaders and most of the girls - some of them were still getting ready in their tents

On the hike - don't we look lovely?

The hike was really pretty - but it was a lot of climbing up hills and I was pretty tired by the time we were done. 7 miles going uphill/downhill/uphill/downhill does amazing things for your calves. :)

I love going to camp. There is something about being in the middle of nature that allows the Spirit to touch your heart in a way that is hard to duplicate. I always leave camp feeling overwhelmed with the desire to be better and with an increased testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful to belong to this wonderful Church and to have a knowledge of my Savior. I hope we were able to strengthen the testimonies of the girls that week as well. 

Random Cuteness

The last few months have been busy for us and we have been trying to enjoy summer and warm weather as much as possible. Here is a little look at what we have been up to:

Typical mess under the high chair once Brooklyn is done eating. It's a constant chore to keep it clean.

Donuts with Daddy!

Melaleuca Zoo day! We never get tired of going to the Zoo. Carson's favorite part is sitting on all of the fake animals. 

Lately the kids have been obsessed with my glasses. Carson put on a pair and looked so funny!

Playing the Disneyland game on the XBox with Daddy. Carson loves the game after we have been there and he knows all of the rides.

Carson and Brock are finally getting to the point where they play really great together. It's so fun to watch them become good friends.

This little girl loves the popcorn popping toy at Target and always wants to push it around while we are there. Although its cute while we are in the store, I refuse to buy it. :)

Carson likes to take pictures and will randomly say, "Mom, lets take a picture." I don't mind. He's such a cutie. 

Brooklyn found my stash of girl scout cookies one morning and ate an entire package of thin mints. If she wasn't so innocent looking and cute I would have been really mad. 

The kids love playing outside and they especially love playing with their water table. It was such a good investment! 

One day we played at the park for 3 1/2 hours and Brooklyn fell asleep as soon as she hit the car seat. 

Time for some bigger sunglasses!!

Smores for FHE

Snowcones with our cousins!

Carson randomly got the block of cheese from the fridge and took a few bites out of it. Silly kid.

Brooklyn's Birthday Pictures

For Brooklyn's 1-year birthday pictures we went to  Caralee Case. She is the photographer that has done both of my kids' newborn pictures and she did Carson's 1-year birthday pictures. We just love her!  She does a fantastic job - even when my kids are grouchy and refuse to smile. She always manages to get good pictures. Here are my favorites!