Before and After

So here is what our backyard used to look like (sorry for the random pictures) and what it looks like now! Sadly, the pictures of Brigham slip and sliding don't do the old backyard justice. For any of you who have ever been in my backyard, you know how bad it truly was. Try to picture a giant cement box meant to be a mini fish pond that was just filled with dirt and weeds. Next to that sat a weed infested strawberry patch that was marked off with bricks. Where the trampoline now sits , there used to be a peach tree, a nectarine tree, and so many raspberry bushes that you literally could not reach any of the fence in that back corner. I so wished I had a picture to show. Don't worry, we replanted the peach and nectarine and added an apple as well(my kids can down the pack of apples from Costco in two days). We are so happy with the way it turned out, and our kids love to play back there now. Thanks Creekside for doing in 3 days what would have taken Rus 3 months. That was the best decision we ever made for our poor backyard!!

Almost Gone........

Well, here it is almost 9:00 at night and Caleb is still up sneaking out of his room and wandering the halls. This is becoming a nightly ritual at our house. Last night when I finally pulled myself from the computer, I came upstairs to find the hallway closet open (nothing removed remarkably), my jewelry box SET down on the floor, and his bedroom door open. Luckily for me, and him, he was in his bed asleep. I hadn't heard the pitter patter of little feet, but they had definitely been there. We just needs a big cage, like this one, and we'll be set!! J/K He has also had a more difficult time laying down for naps lately. Have you guessed it??!! My days of two children down for naps is almost gone!! Any mom knows how crucial nap time is. It is your hour and a half of do whatever you want and not even think about a child! When Brigham stopped napping, he still had a quiet time, and still does for the most part, but he still finds me and lets me know about what he needs. It won't be all bad, though. I'm sure he won't have any trouble going to sleep at 8 o'clock on the dot ( if not sooner). It was going to come soon anyway with preschool. He is signed up for a 12:30-2:30 class, so it would be too late for a nap anyway. Still, those hours are priceless!! I will miss them!:(

BIRTHDAY BOY!

I can't believe my baby is turning 1!! What a year it has been. It has been challenging, but has only caused us to stretch ourselves and grow. What a miracle we have received by having this little spirit in our home. He has shown us how to find joy and happiness amongst adversity. You don't see that too often these days. Here is a list of my favorite things about Gavin:

1. He has been my happiest baby! He always has a smile for you!

2. He loves his brothers. He is quite content to be playing right next to them, amidst the wrestling!(for real)

3. He will point his finger at something and say "uuuhh". I love that. There is something so interesting to him.

4. He has the best smile. Sometimes he will give you a really good one with his tongue poking out. It is great!

5. My favorite-he is my snuggle bug. He still loves to snuggle right into my chest like a newborn. I know that if I let him, he would sleep all night like that. As a mother, I don't think there is anything like it in the world! Love it!

6. His eyes-need I say more!

7. Whenever he gets really excited he flails his arms.

I love you Gavin!! Happy Birthday Munch Man!

The Beach

Ohh how I have longed for the beach. Starting around January I just wanted to be at the beach so bad!! Don't ask me why that particular place stood out, but just the thought of lying on a beach towel soaking up the heat of the day, and literally not having to do much of anything sounded heavenly. Finally that day came, and it was all that I hoped it would be, except the breeze that kept it chilly at times. Brigham spent the day running up and down the beach and digging a hole big enough for a swimming pool( as the tide came in it became just that). Caleb likes to stick around closer to the towels and dig( doesn't care for the roar of the ocean). Gavin did not like his new surrounding at all, but quickly changed his mind and had to be crawling all around kicking up the sand. We all got fried, even after multiple latherings. For lunch we were treated to in and out burger. What day could be better than that. To end the day we met up with a woman that Rus baptized on his mission and went to dinner. We always love seeing her and her daughter and had a great time catching up!

Always a bath

If a trip to St. George is ever in the works, my kids want to know three things: Can we go swimming the second we arrive?, do we get to sleep on the bunk beds? , and when can we take a bubble bath? I have to say the latter is by far the most entertaining. Have you ever filled up a jetted tub, put in some bubble bath and then turned on the jets? If you haven't, what you would end up with is a bubble wonderland. My kids can spend hours on end lost among the bubbles making wonderful bubble creations. A favorite would be the bubble beard. You magically turn right into Santa Claus. What could be better than that! As an added bonus, this trip was Gavin's first bubble bath experience. I don't think he was as excited about it as I was.

Easter in St. George

We left on our trip the Friday before Easter, so we got to have Easter in St. George. What a beautiful place to celebrate such a wonderful thing. Our boys got a visit from the Easter bunny, even though we were so far from home. They got some new church books, a book of Mormon version of the game guess who, some church shirts, and from mom and dad, new swim suits for the trip! We stayed up late dying Easter eggs( which mom did not cook long enough, so a couple broke and spilled) and then had an Easter egg hunt before we hopped in the car for California!! A memorable Easter!!

Disneyland!!

So we have become one of those families who makes their yearly visits to Disneyland. I never thought I would see that one coming! But we got hooked the first time and now can't stand to go too long without a visit. It all started with Rus needing to go to St. George for some continuing education classes and he thought it would be fun to stay a few more days. Well a few more days turned into 2 days at disneyland, 1 day at the beach, and then the weekend in St. George. Friday to Sunday(1 week later) trip people. Let's just say I was sooooo happy to be home. We had a great time, but I don't think 2 days in Disneyland was for us. One has always been quite enough, and seemed to prove true in this case as well. The beach was a welcome change. Sitting, relaxing, doing nothing--Heaven after two days of DL. We went with Rus's partner and his family, which made it all the more enjoyable!