sumMer fuN

A few weeks ago I got up early to watch the eclipse. It was very refreshing out on my porch at 4:30 in the morning looking up at the moon. I headed inside after about 15 minutes and pointed my recliner to look out the window, it was a perfect view. After an hour I decided to head back to bed. It was neat but kinda slow. I still would love to walk on the moon someday :)

Levi tryin' out the jump

Bronson going nutty in the jump

Bronson loves to ride in his truck, that doubles as a police car. He'll usually have some conversation in a low mumble that ends with "my fire truck."

Bronson giving Grandpa his father's day gloves

Simba drying off after a nice summer bath and brush job.

"bike trayer"

I will surely remember 2010 as the summer of bike rides. Bronson and Levi both love it,

contrary to what this picture suggests. In a typical week we usually go for rides 3-5 times. We head up to the bike trail and with out fail Bronson suggests we go to the park, so most of the time we'll stop over for a quick slide and swing.

Levi wants to be a big boy at the park so badly, but he's not quite ready.

We've had some fun memories and rides (as long as Bronson keeps his hands to himself) and even though we've already had a crash the boys still love going for rides. Yes, I crashed. I was getting back onto a sidewalk and there was a curve before the sidewalk straightened and in the curve was a big raised metal box of some kind. I could tell the trailer was going to hit it but didn't have enough time to react, so Bronson's side of the trailer hit the box flipping the trailer on to Levi's side. The bike of course is immediately stopped and I crashed as well. I'm sure it would have been a great video. The boys were a bit shaken up, and after lots of apologies the forgave me and still let me be their driver.

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

So true! I love it.

walking, swimming, & more

We had a fun dinner with Todd and Cherish a few weeks ago.

Suzie is just one day older than Levi, but possibly a few months ahead

of Levi in smarts :)Bronson and Levi had lots of fun playing with a new friend.

Levi's eczema on a bad day

I had our "jump" out the other day but the wind was blowing so hard I had to take it down after only a few minutes. It had blown over to be partly on the patio and while I had it deflating Bronson took a nice leap on to it (on the grass) then his second leap was on the concrete and he smacked his head. He had a huge goose egg within a couple of seconds. OUCH!

I guess we can officially call it summer now, we went swimming.

I was a little worried because it wasn't the warmest of days but once we got in it was perfect. Bronson asked to jump in when he saw another little boy that was too scared to do it. I kind of surprised me because he's a bit of a scared-ee cat himself. Once he started he couldn't stop, he loved it. Levi also had a lot of fun which again surprised me because he hasn't ever been swimming before. I think I have two little fishies on my hands. We just may be at Cami's every Saturday this summer.

I didn't get any pics of Levi swimming but after a while his eyes were getting a little heavy so we went on a stroll and he had a nice little nap in his stroller. This is just after he woke up.

This past weekend was the Bear Lake 10K. I made a goal to run a 10K by the end of June. However Bronson woke up with a fever the morning we were going to be leaving. He had strep throat. Levi two days later, the same, plus another ear infection. This makes his fourth since he has gotten his tubes. Boy are we thankful for those tubes. So what was supposed to be a great getaway turned into a sick, rainy, cold, no sleep, cabin fever weekend. There could be much worse things I guess. Actually we did take the boys to the Aquarium. Levi loved it, Bronson was once again a little scared. Jared bought a year pass so I'm sure we'll go back. So for now we are on the mend and doing the best we can. :) (and looking forward to toy story 3 coming out this weekend :)

Levi has been walking for a few weeks, even though he's almost 16 months

old he still seems like my little baby just doing big boy stuff.

May daYs part II

Memorial Day

Levi checkin' out the balloon with Cami

of course we had to stop at Farr's after the cemetery

I love that even though you can't see his mouth you

can tell it's wiiiiiiiide open

"Mmmmm, it's good."

I guess not everyone likes to go for rides

on Grandpa's tractor

Bronson - smart, funny, polite, not too interested in potty training yet, still drinking a bottle at bedtime (probably more for his parents benefit than his own) stinker, loves to help mom and dad and do things all by himself, loves playing with cousins, going to the park riding in the new bike trailer, and sharing with Levi, watching movies, and singing :)

Levi - at 15 months he's official a walker and getting better each day, he wants more independence than he can handle sometimes, but on the other hand sometimes he wants nothing but to be completely dependent, he loves playing with Bronson, and pushing toys around the basement, he also loves being outside, he's not quite talking yet but definitely making sounds that are starting to sound a bit more like words, he has been teething quite a bit this past month and continues to get ear infections but they are much better with tubes, he loves popsicles and ice cream cones, and it's always a thrill when daddy comes home :)

Jared and I had a nice little break last weekend. Bronson and Levi stayed at Grandma's while we vacationed at home for 48 hours - it was VERY NICE to say the least. Tonight Bronson is having his first sleep over (not including Grandma's house) at Woll's. Brock and Bronson have become good buddies, and Steph reported in a text that he did very good going to bed. Jared has been working in Hogan's office for the past couple of months as project engineer. I think he likes it (as much as you can like sitting in front of a computer all day) it's been a good change for him and just another step up the project manager ladder. Speaking of Jared, I just have to say how much I love him. Everyday I'm always thinking how lucky I am to be with him. He helps out with the boys so much and is always looking out for me. He truly is my best friend.

Hmm what else . . . oh yes, Morgan is graduating High School tomorrow. She is an amazing girl. I don't know how she been able to do all that she has done but she is one tough cookie! It's crazy that our family is entering into a new phase of life, AGING. But I think life really does get better with age so I'm going to try to always enjoy where I am rather than grown about where I used to be. The only other thing I can think of is that I'm going to run the Bear Lake 10K in about 10 days. I definitely have my stumbles but over all life is moving in a positive direction, physically, spiritually, mentally, even socially, so that's a good thing I think. I said it before but I'm glad that I can be continually learning and discovering new things I can do to better myself. Actually they aren't new things at all, I just have a new appreciation for them I think.

Doing Well

“We want to be ladies in very deed, not according to the term of the word as the world judges, but fit companions of the Gods and Holy Ones. In an organized capacity we can assist each other in not only doing good but in refining ourselves, and whether few or many come forward and help to prosecute this great work, they will be those that will fill honorable positions in the Kingdom of God. . . . Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time. I know we like to be appreciated but if we do not get all the appreciation which we think is our due, what matters? We know the Lord has laid high responsibility upon us, and there is not a wish or desire that the Lord has implanted in our hearts in righteousness but will be realized, and the greatest good we can do to ourselves and each other is to refine and cultivate ourselves in everything that is good and ennobling to qualify us for those responsibilities.” Eliza R. Snow

"Good women always have a desire to know if they are succeeding. In a world where the measures of success are often distorted, it is important to seek appreciation and affirmation from proper sources. To paraphrase a list found in Preach My Gospel, we are doing well when we develop attributes of Christ and strive to obey His gospel with exactness. We are doing well when we seek to improve ourselves and do our best. We are doing well when we increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help others who are in need. We know we are successful if we live so that we qualify for, receive, and know how to follow the Spirit. When we have done our very best, we may still experience disappointments, but we will not be disappointed in ourselves. We can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when we feel the Spirit working through us. Peace, joy, and hope are available to those who measure success properly." Julie Beck

“Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth.” Gordon B. Hinckley

I am very grateful that no matter how much we know, or how much we think we know we can always keep learning on ways to improve ourselves and strengthen our families. I'm glad that I feel like I can be happy now, rather than I can be happy when. I am grateful to be me and love my life!