St George Vaca!

In the middle of September we headed down to St. George for a weekend family getaway!  It was the first time we've gone anywhere just the 4 of us, and it was nice to get away from "life" for a bit and have some fun with them.  Also, it was really, really, (REALLY!) nice to have Brad with us the whole 3 days.  He didn't do any work or school work.  We were really able to just enjoy the time together!

We picked a great weekend to go because it just rained back at home.  It rained a lot! I got a little nervous when I saw a news report of 2-3 ft. of flooding at Herriman High School.  I was hoping our house was fine, which it was.   

We stayed at a condo, which allowed us more flexibility on meals, naps, etc.  Everyone had their own room and Owen instantly fell in love with his "St. George House".  The first day we swam at the condo and then headed over to town square to let Owen ride the carousel and to let the boys explore the lazy river water area/splash pad.  They had fun getting wet!

Enjoying his carousel ride.  What kid doesn't!

Town Square.  Owen was anxious to get wet so we quickly switched into swimsuits

Our next stop was to Nielsen's Frozen Custard for a yummy treat.  We all loved it.  You can't go wrong with custard!

Yum!

Owen loved the custard but his ice water was a close second.  Silly boy.

Saturday was our hiking day!  We thought about doing Zions, but realized our boys are still a little young.  Instead we opted for the Red Reef Trail at Red Cliffs Recreation Area. This ended up being the perfect hike for our family! It wasn't too steep for Owen and there was plenty of streams & pools of water to stop at along the way. We all really enjoyed this hike! (If you don't have small kids with you the hike continues farther than we went... I hear it's beautiful!)

Ready for some hiking!

Stopping for a snack break!

Brad and Owen with their hiking sticks

This was our turn around point.  (Notice the steep incline and rope to help you get over)

The rest of the afternoon was filled with naps, college football, and more swimming!

Owen finally figured out that his floaty helps him swim!  He was so excited to move his arms and legs and swim around the pool.  It made the swimming so much more enjoyable for all of us!

Later that night we watched an awesome storm roll through!  

Brad captured this awesome picture!

We had contemplated seeing a show at Tuacahn, but I'm glad we didn't.  Both nights we got storms, and this one came with flash flood warnings.  We were happy to be watching it from the comfort of our condo!

What's a vacation without a late night movie & treat!

 Sunday we visited the St. George temple & visitor's center before headed back home.  What a beautiful temple!

"I Love to See the Temple"

It was pretty bright, but I love this squinty picture of my boys!

 We stopped at Fort Cove on the way home for a potty break and to let the boys run/crawl around for a bit.  We had fun taking a few pictures while we were there.

Porter was happy to be out of his carseat!

Owen was a little *too* happy for the cookie we promised him if he smiled for a picture.  Love it!

Owen cried as we pulled into our driveway Sunday night because he wanted to go back to his "new St. George" house.  We sure had a fun time!

"Cars" Birthday Party

With the boys' birthdays being so close together, we decided to do a joint birthday party this year.  Owen wanted a "Cars" theme, and Porter didn't have an opinion, so "Cars" it was!

 

We had a fun, casual BBQ style dinner with Brad's family and enjoyed celebrating our boys!

Porter's smash cake.  We used crushed Oreos for the road.  Easy!

Lemon cupcakes for everyone else.  Owen refused to eat his until I scraped the frosting off.  That boy does not like frosting!

 

Some of our themed food:

Mater's Tow Cables (licorice)

 

Piston Cup Pasta Salad (with wheel pasta)

We had Mack's Race Dogs (hot dogs) with stoplight condiments

Antifreeze (pink lemonade)

Dipsticks (celery & carrots)

Luigi's Tires (donuts)

Flo's Fresh Fruit

Mater's 'Taters (potato & tortilla chips)

 

I kept it pretty simple on the food but it was fun & yummy!  I don't think Owen ate anything except licorice and chips, but what else is a 3 year old to do at his own party, right?

 

After we ate we took the party outside and opened some gifts.

 

Owen excited to wear his new BYU shirt!

Immediately putting his new baseball glove & bases to good use

We took him to see "Planes" for his birthday-- he loved these little figurines from the movie

 

Hanging out with the other birthday boy!

 

We moved inside for the rest of the gifts.

Owen loved his new "Cars" to go with his new movie, Cars 2!

 

Then it was Porter's turn.  He got a few cute things (thanks family!), but wouldn't you know that his favorite thing was the tag that came on his new Ernie doll!  Haha.

 

He was having so much fun with that tag and even started showing off a bit by standing on his own.  For a while I thought we might have a repeat of Owen, who took his first 6 steps at his 1st birthday party, but we didn't.  Just lots of standing and smiling because he knew he was being so cute!

 

And then it was cake time!  I love the progression of these pictures:

"Cheese"

"What is this?"

"Not bad..."

"This is pretty good!"

"Yay for cake!"

"Give me more cake!"

 

We were loving watching Porter dig into his cake, especially since Owen didn't touch his at all when he was 1 (doesn't like frosting, remember?!)

Can't forget this other guy!

 

Happy 1st & 3rd birthday Porter & Owen!!

Porter is 1!

Oh my sweet, sweet Porter!  I can't believe you are 1 today!  You have brought so much happiness  to our family.  You are a sensitive soul, and have softened us.  You are curious, joyful, easygoing, and those piercing blue eyes get you anything you want :)  We love you P-man!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preschool Time!

I went back and forth about 20 times whether or not I should start Owen in Preschool this fall.  Because of his September birthday he won't start Kindergarten until he is 6, so he still has 3 years to go.  That is plenty of time for Preschool!  Ultimately I thought the structure, interaction and discipline would be good for him-- and it has been!  He had a slight meltdown the first day, but hasn't looked back since!  He loves it.  In fact this morning he wouldn't let me walk him to the door, I had to stay behind.  It is always fun to talk to him after and see what they did, what songs they sang, etc.  It's also been really nice to have the one on one time with Porter.  Mondays & Thursday are our new favorite days!

Donut Falls

Last weekend we decided to take the boys up to Big Cottonwood Canyon and hike to Donut Falls.  Apparently, every other person in Salt Lake County had the same idea because it was so crowded!  Luckily for us a summer storm rolled in just as we got there and cleared most of the people out.  We waited out the storm for about 15 minutes, and then enjoyed our hike!

 

Owen's favorite part-- throwing rocks into the water

This cute little family was also up there and the Mom had brought donuts for them to eat.  How fun!  Donuts at Donut Falls.  Maybe next time!

This was the perfect little hike for Owen.  Not too hard and not too long, with water at the end.  He did great and I can't wait to try it again...with donuts!

Owen is 3!

 

 Happy 3rd birthday to my Owen!  He has grown up so much in the past couple months.  He is equal parts sweet & spunky, energetic, smart, outgoing, funny, loving, and independent.  Having a little brother has been an adjustment for him, but for the most part he is the best big brother to Porter.  (The other 25% of the time, not so much.)  Thank you for the joy you bring to our family!  We love you Owen!

 

 

Things I don't want to forget!

This has been sitting in my drafts for months now... figured it was time to publish

*I curled my hair for church one Sunday, which I never do.  Wasn't feeling that great about it, so Brad asked Owen, "Owen, doesn't Mommy look pretty?"  To which Owen replied, "Mommy, pretty.  OOOOOH-- Mommy, hair!"  Warmed my little heart. 

*When Porter spits up or drools, Owen grabs a burp cloth or bib and wipes Porter's mouth while saying "sfits, sfits".

*While working out to a Jillian Michaels DVD, Owen walked into the room and looked at the TV.  He saw the girls working out in their sports bras and asked "Mommy, belly?", while proceeding to lift up his own shirt and start jumping around.  Now anytime I work out (even without the DVD) he still asks me, "Mommy, belly?"  Sorry, Owen... this belly is better left covered up!

*Brad likes to "look" into Owen's belly each night and "see" what he ate during the day.  (Usually with some helpful hints from me).  Last night we asked Owen to "look" and see what Daddy ate.  Owen put his eye up to Brad's belly button and loudly exclaimed, "PICKLES!?"

*When Owen really wants me to do something for him he says, "Mommy, 1...2...3... NOW!"  Hmm, where has he heard that one before?

*Owen is only allowed to have his teddy & pacifier when he goes to sleep.  Some days he has an easier time giving it up during awake time than others.  The other day he was really, really wanting it so he told me "Owen tired".  And I asked him "Really, Owen, you are tired?"  And he said, "Yeah, Owen tired..... Aaaaaahhh"  And promptly yawned and stretched his arms.  So cute, but I saw through his cleverness!  Smart boy.  (Obviously a few months ago... no more pacifier now!)

*How Owen loves to climb into Porter's crib and "play" with him after every nap.  I have to supervise to make sure the playing doesn't get too rough, but they both love it!

*Owen singing along to any & every song he hears.  Even for the first time and he makes up the words as he goes.  Future choir boy right here!

*"Owen do it".  Enough said.

* Now that Owen is potty trained, he is used to hearing praise every time he successfully uses the potty.  So now, anytime that he sees me or Brad use the potty he tells us "Good job Mommy/Daddy!"  Many times he will knock on the door to offer his support to "You go potty?"  "Push it out, you get jelly beans" "I so proud of you".

*Owen loves to make Porter laugh.  And Porter loves to see his big brother.  If he's not around, he looks for him.

*As I walked across the street to put a note in my neighbor's mailbox, Owen came out on the front porch and caught me.  He yelled across the street "Mommy, you no do that.  You get back here right now!"  Guess someone HAS been listening when I tell him we don't cross the street by ourselves.

*The other night Brad got Owen to do his "Bruce" face (shark from Finding Nemo) while shimmying his shoulders and giving us a "#1" sign for BYU.  It was the BYU Bruce Shimmy... so funny.

*Porter trying so hard to be big-- taking hot wheels cars (when he can sneak them from Owen) and "vrooming" them back and forth on the ground.

*Owen's sheer excitement/terror when he hears the garage door open when Brad gets home.  Every. Single. Time.  That kid is so happy to have Daddy home, but something about the door scares him straight!

*Owen not wanting to fall asleep the other night.  We hear tip toeing outside of the office where we are studying.  Brad calls out: "Owen?".  And we hear the following: "There's a dog in my room!".  Well that's a new one!  Guess the old "I'm thirsty" "I have to go potty" "I'm hungry" "I'm scared" just wouldn't cut it this time!

*Porter is *this* close to walking.  He can do about 2-3 steps, but he loves the praise of being able to "walk".  Sometimes he will take 1 step & then fling himself from my lap to Brad and look to us for cheers-- apparantly that is walking to him :)