Happy Birthday America!

Happy Birthday America!

7.09.2016

I think we convinced our boys that Independence Day is indeed one of the best holidays of the year.  There's something about seeing flags everywhere that makes one feel patriotic and proud.

We began our three day weekend with a barbecue and friends on Saturday night (after a full day of chores and errands, of course).  By unanimous vote, the kids' favorite part of the evening was lighting the few fireworks we bought.  I mistakenly bought a "pooping dog" that the kids haven't quit talking and giggling about since.  Boys!  Haha.  There were also some screamers and battling tanks, and best of all, sparklers!      

We began July 4th early Monday morning at a church breakfast and flag ceremony--where I played my violin, the kids sang, and Levi fell on his face and scraped up his nose.  Poor kid.  However, it just felt right to pause for a minute, to reflect and show respect for the flag: the emblem of the land and country I love.

Following breakfast, we spent the afternoon rock climbing at Castle Rocks State Park with some friends.   The clouds rolled in and it wound up being a perfect afternoon.  And we had the whole park to ourselves!  We couldn't believe it.  We all took turns climbing a 5.9- route.  I'm always surprised at how easy something looks from down below, but when I actually get on the rock, it's much more difficult!  But you know I live for the challenge, even 20 weeks pregnant.  And apparently so does Levi!  He's pretty much addicted to rock climbing.  I think he climbed four times. 

Then we polished the day off with pizza, glow sticks for the kids, and a fireworks show in Burley. We sat out on a golf course directly underneath the show. The fireworks were so close I could eat them!  I held Levi in my lap next to Bron and Jed.  We couldn't help screaming and laughing. It was exhilarating.  "This is the best day ever!" Levi squealed.   Yes, it's definitely one to remember.

Words don't adequately express how thankful I am for this beautiful country and the freedoms that we enjoy. I only hope I can pass some of that love and respect along to my boys.

(Scroll down for lots of pictures!)

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Levi's Third Set of Wheels

Levi's Third Set of Wheels

7.08.2016

^^My boys out on an evening bike ride.  They had fun careening down the freshly paved hill behind our house.  It was literally a dirt and gravel road just yesterday morning!^^

Yesterday we took a quick trip to Sun Valley for an appointment.  To help ease my stress about where exactly I was headed, Bron came along with us.  It wound up being a family day trip complete with lunch, ice cream, and a little shopping at our favorite thrift store.  

A few days ago, after watching Levi's little legs rotate faster than the RPM's on my car, Bron and I began discussing the possibility of graduating Levi to a bigger bike.  As we entered into the thrift shop, lo and behold, there it was: a Giant 16" black, white, and orange bike for a steal at just $35.  We couldn't possibly pass it up!  And to our pleasant surprise, Levi took to it like a fish to water.  He rode off like a bullet down the street with Bron running just to keep up!  Levi was ecstatic.  The bigger wheels give him the speed he's been looking for to keep up with his big brother!  Needless to say, Levi's been attached to his bike since.  We rode around the neighborhood last night.  And first thing this morning after breakfast, we went for another ride.  We were gone an hour!  Whoa.

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Baby Number Three is a...

Baby Number Three is a...

7.03.2016

HUMAN

BOY!!!

We are thrilled to be welcoming a healthy human baby BOY to our family this November! I'll admit, I was a tad bit disappointed during the ultrasound Friday morning, but as I watched every perfect limb of our baby move and kick, I couldn't help but get excited. The thought of a crew of three little boys just seems right for us and like a lot of fun. I've always wanted three or four children and I feel so lucky that my dream is coming true! I can't believe I'll be holding another squishy newborn this Fall. Pinch me!

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Sweet Summer Time: Snapshots of Life in June

Sweet Summer Time: Snapshots of Life in June

7.02.2016

Summer is humming along in all its glory right now!  Sunshine, ninety degree weather, countless trips to Bass Lake, the South Hills, and playing outside all day every day--sprinkled with a few responsibilities and chores, of course.  June was busy, but in some of the best ways.

We've gotten ourselves onto a really late schedule.  The boys usually don't go to bed until after 9:00PM.  (After all, the sun doesn't set til 9:30!)  And we all don't get up the next morning until 8:30AM or so.  This laid back, relaxed, play-until-dusk, schedule is the kind of thing I live for!

And yup, my boys spend more time shirtless than with a shirt on!  We hardly ever see Levi in actual clothes anymore.  Instead, he changes into a swimming suit first thing in the morning and then transfers into pajamas at night.  Works for me!   

Take a peek at what life has looked like for us these last few weeks:       

Bass Lake

Our summer paradise spot

^^This picture cracks me up.  I mean, Jed's serious face with goggles!  He's not a cowboy.  He is Turtle Boy!^^

^^Sand Angels with a friend!^^

^^These chunky baby thighs belonging to our little friend just begged to be documented.  I want to eat them up!^^

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Jed's First Tee Ball Season

Jed's First Tee Ball Season

6.30.2016

^^The Orange Grasshoppers vs. the Red Gators.  Friends and neighbors playing against other friends and neighbors.

Jed, Wyatt, Brennan, Piper, and Ally^^ 

This year, we have officially entered into new territory as parents: the busy shuttle from one extracurricular activity to another.  Thankfully, we're entering in slowly with just one child or when opportunity permits, allowing Levi to do lessons at the same time--like we did all winter with swimming lessons.  It's been a bit of a shock to my routine as a mother.  I'm accepting my new responsibilities like I'm carefully wading into a cold pool.  When the water painfully hits my waist, I know I need to just get it over with and dive in.  In reality, I'm still resisting that last head-first dive into the pool; I'm not quite ready to commit myself to afternoons in the car running from activity to activity.  I'm not sure I want to be that busy!  But I know my days are numbered.  It's happening right under my nose.  I'll admit, however, all these new things that my children are learning to do is kind of exciting.  It's even a little bit fun!

This spring Jed started his first tee ball season!  Jed wound up on the Orange Grasshopper team with two of our neighbors, including his best friend Brennan.  Jed was sooo excited!  The season began with a few practices in May and then turned into games every Tuesday and Thursday evening throughout the month of June.  These little guys, ages five to seven, were often painful to watch.  Spacing out in the outfield picking their noses, tackling the ball, skipping bases--you name it, they did it!  The kids made us cringe and laugh.  However, by the last week, they were starting to understand the game and even managed to make a few good plays!

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Third Baby Bumpdate: 18 Weeks

Third Baby Bumpdate: 18 Weeks

6.22.2016

I figure it's about time for a little pregnancy update.  Though this pregnancy is flying by at lightning speed, I still have lots of thoughts and symptoms and plenty to talk about.  So hang on!

How far along: 18 weeks plus some.  Officially five whole months along.  Helloooo baby bump!

Size of baby: Approximately 5.5 inches and 5 ounces.  However, I like to explain baby's size in more tangible terms for the little boys.  I love my Ovia pregnancy app for this!  This week it says baby is the size of a slingshot or a sweet potato.

Maternity Clothes: Yup!  I've been dipping into my red duffel bag where all my maternity clothes are kept more and more often.  And I've been living in a couple of dresses I splurged on from Pink Blush Maternity.  I cannot believe how fast I "popped" this time.  I mean, I know I stick straight out there during pregnancy, but gee whiz!  I'm actually really enjoying watching this belly grow.  It's crazy how fast a woman's body changes when she's pregnant!

Stretch Marks: No new ones... yet.

Belly Button in or Out: Sticking out!

Weight Gain: About 12 pounds.  Maybe more now that I just stuffed my face with delicious chocolate ice cream all weekend!

Sleep:  Sleeping well with a pillow between my knees, needing at least 9 hours of shut-eye, and having the most vivid and crazy dreams!  I once dreamed that I made out with Leonardo DiCaprio.  Fortunately, Bron is a much better lover.  :)  And in another dream I dressed up in a hot dog costume, bun and all.  I zipped it up like a sleeping bag and waddled around.  So strange.  

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