loving late summer

Guess who's 18 months? Levi bug! Levi is such a climber. One of his favorite things is when we put the couch cushions on the floor, he and Bronson will climb and bounce all over the place. Injuries are just a daily part of his life but Bronson is getting better with Levi and Levi with Bronson as well. If you want to see a good wrestling match feel free to come over. The bad part is that it doesn't take long for giggles to turn into tears. Levi still isn't talking much but he definitely understands what you tell him. So he gets pretty frustrated when we don't know what he's trying to tell us but I'm sure he'll catch up in no time.

Levi was in the 12% for his height, 48% for his weight, and 99% for his head :)

Mostly we just think he's super cute and love him to pieces.

West Point 75th birthday party. We got to take a ride in a 1920 buick around town,

it was sweet. Bronson and Levi had fun honking the old fashion horn in the back.

Bronson checking out the commemorative coin we found in a big pile of hay.

It wasn't the most exciting party we've been to but we had fun, and free kettle corn is

always a nice bonus. We do like living in West Point, it's a great little town.

We might not have made it camping this year but we've tried to have our share of adventures close to home. We went up to Fernwood and had a nice little stroll through the "jungle" as Bronson called it. They like crossing the bridge and playing in the stream with their hands.

Hill Air Force Museum was another fun stop we had.

Lots of cool planes and helicopters to look at which were great for entertaining little boys.

We also went to the zoo the other night. Unfortunately I forgot the camera, the train and the baby elephant were the high points, it was a fun night. (of course we happened to go the same night as a u of u football game and we were stuck in traffic FOREVER trying to get to the zoo)

Bronson has made a lot of progress in the PT dept. He thinks he's grown out of naps

but I'm going to do all I can to convince him otherwise, as days without naps are pure misery for everyone. He will be three in a couple of weeks and is growing up fast. He comes up with the funniest things sometimes. We love him to pieces too.

to be like a child

Today I went down to the storage room trying to round up my empty jars and trying to figure out what we still haven't used that was bottled last year. I asked Bronson if he wanted to help me and of course he was very excited to do it. I had on box that was already full of jars so I pulled it out and set it down on the ground. The rest of the jars were scattered all over the shelves so I decided to grab a laundry basket and set them in there. "Okay Bronson, let's put all of the jars in the laundry basket," I said. After Bronson watched me place a couple of jars in the basket he took a jar from the already full box of jars, lifted it over his head, and threw it down into the basket shattering the jar. This is one of those moments that steam comes shooting out of my ears and I'm yelling at Bronson at the top of my lungs. "BRONSON WHAT ARE YOU DOING, WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" After a second of being scared to death he started crying and headed up the stairs. Luckily I was able to calm down as fast as I heated up and met Bronson at the top of the stairs with a big hug and a very broken heart. He after all was doing just what I had asked him to - help me put all of the jars in the basket. It was I who failed to point out which jars and how to carefully handle the jars. And another luckily, Bronson instantly forgave me after I apologized to him. If someone would have yelled at me the way I yelled at Bronson, especially for something as stupid as that, and especially since they were the one at fault, I'm pretty sure I would never want to see them again.

I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

- I'll just mention that today was one of those instances when I didn't read and pray first thing in the morning or at all for that matter.

no better feeling

There is no better feeling than that of refreshment ~ of body, mind, and soul.

good times

Levi is my little fishy. He has had so much fun splashing in his little pool this summer.

These are those times I wish I had a camera on my forehead. He and Bronson sure know how to giggle.

We took the boys to the Davis County demolition derby. They enjoyed what they got to see (one heat) they need to make these things more family friendly - as the entire crowd is families with young kids. Anyway they both were pulling the camera towards them and we got these cute close-ups. Bronson is now on week 4 of potty training. He has done pretty well. I've learned that it's really the mom who needs potty training, not the kids. Levi is 18 months this week and climbing all over. His vocabulary is expanding. I can really pass a sneeze when Levi doesn't repeat "ah-choo", and he's starting to learn "moo" too. Impressive I know. Cute little bug. He still loves to giggle and is also very good and crying to get what he wants. (sigh)

So for now we just do our best making it through one day at a time.

"Dagoon again Mom?"

We sure had lots of fun going to Lagoon this summer with our cousins. Can't wait for next year, then maybe then Bronson will like to ride puff.

a brief story

I was thinking today about what people are remembered for. When I am gone what is one great story that could be shared about me that my descendants would be proud to share and be connected to? Who really am I and what is it that I'm leaving behind?

Since I haven't kept a day to day record of my deepest thoughts and emotions picking out a specific story, well it doesn't really tell the whole story. I would just like to say that I am a girl that knows where she came from and knows where she wants to go. Yet each day I find myself failing over and over again. The simplest doctrines are often striking me like lightning, not because I don't understand them, but rather because I understand them very well but have chosen something else. In this stage of life with small children, often I've found myself wanting to be obedient only for the blessings that have been promised, something like a child who is offered a treat for obeying their parents. Feeling the necessity of those blessings I try to obey. But I've recently been reminded that . . . . . . well, I've fallen short, again. I do love the Lord and want to be obedient simply for obedience sake, because He's asked me to and I love Him. (any parents dream, to have their children obey simply because you asked them to, and because they love and trust you) So, that is my story, my life is a constant cycle of timely reminders. The gospel is true. It is real. The feeling that the Holy Ghost witnesses to me is like nothing I can describe with any sort of justice, only a very tender, personal embrace at just the right moments. So here I am, continually receiving reminders and continually wanting to become so much more than what I have. I am so grateful for a Savior who never gives up on me. I must be important to Him, and that means the world to me.

(I also love taking pictures and capturing moments that cannot otherwise be described)