On to LA

My parents were going to Utah and than CA and than to my house. Since we were in Island park for the roommate reunion I just meet them up in SLC to join them. The driving bit was a little rough but worth it! We had so much fun.

The first whole day at my sister's house was taken with shopping for vegans and going for a walk, doing some yard work and than we went to Travel Town train museum.

We also stopped by the old LA zoo. It is now just an open park with old tiny cages. It was fun to walk around with my brothers and dad and my kids and nephews. Mom and Melissa found a shady spot to stop and chat. There was also a playground the kids really enjoyed.

We also tried to go on a run with Andrew everyday. (he is doing cross country!!) he is much faster than us so he ended up getting lost a few times.. it was fun trying to find him. He didn't really need finding cause he didn't stay lost forever. My sister ran with us too but she took the picture so she's not in it.. sad.

Cliff Lake

During our Roommate Reunion Ryan provided kind of a good laugh for us..

Roommate Reunion

Ryan had the best apartment in college. They all had so much fun together. They went on canoe trips, had weekly bonfires, camping trips, cave exploring, date nights, bath night...haha and of course pranks all the time and most important they had nightly roommate prayer. Not only that, but 3 of the 5 of them started dating their spouse the same semester. That means the girls are friends too! So about a year ago when it was suggested that we do a roommate reunion this summer we were all on board! On the first of July we all met up at school and had lunch together-all of us were breaking the dress code.. oops.. beards, flip flops, shorts and capris.. but no one said anything.

Then we headed up to our cabin in Island Park, shared a dinner and did birthday presents (little G man turned 4) than let the kids play. Later we put the kids to bed, set up the baby monitor and all hopped in the hot tub! I was surprised at how easy it was. The kids didn't fight and it felt like we have just always been hanging out together.

Saturday we got up and drove up to Cliff Lake in Montana. We had a blast playing near the water and canoeing/rafting. A few of the men used the rope swing. When we got back to the cabin we had dinner and then gave the men some man time out by the fire while all the ladies stayed inside, listening to children cry I mean get ready for bed. The boys came in and invited us to hot tub with them and we eventually joined them.

Sunday we attended the Island Park Ward and then enjoyed the company of the most newly wed roommate (he couldn't get the whole weekend off but was able to join us for dinner and games. We tried to occupy the kids for the afternoon with snacks and a movie..

Monday we got up cleaned up, took the equal of family pictures and went our separate ways. We plan on doing something again in the future. Ryan drove home to Washington and I went south with the boys.

all pictures came from Bethany.

Shosone Falls

Ryan and I have talked about stopping in Twin Falls to the see the falls every time we drive through Idaho. This time we finally made the stop. Luckily I had packed all our swimsuits in one bag separately :). We had so much fun. I love this little stop it cost $3 to park and see the falls and than you can also stop at the beach they made there I would say it was a bargain! Beautiful and warm. I can't wait to do it again.

Happy Birthday!

I swear I have a picture of Carter some where with that same bashful look. This time Ryan is trying to say do I really have to share my cheesecake with you and the kids?

This was a pretty fantastic dulce de leche cheesecake. It was fun to celebrate his birthday. Our friends watched the kids for a bit so we could have some time to wander the mall alone. I know kind of boring but it was nice.

The Sad Monster Truck

Carter's imaginary play is so fun to witness/eavesdrop on here is some background before I give you the dialogue.

Carter had two monster trucks a red one and a blue one. The red one was driven to hard and he broke the axle about 2 weeks ago.

Blue Monster Truck: "Where is my friend"

C: "In the garbage truck"

BMT: "Why is he in the garbage?"

C: "Because I broke his axle"

BMT: "Why?"

C: "Because I had too"

BMT: "Sad days"

C: "No it isn't raining"

Than he moved on to a different car.

"There's my friend no your friend is a race car.. "

In case you were wondering we play with matchbox cars every day they are his favorite for sure.

Today

Ryan and I cleaned the garage today. It was really nice to work on a project together. The kids were great too while we worked on it. They both were sleeping during part of it and than when they woke up they were pretty low maintenance so that was nice. Now if only the rest of the house was as clean as the garage.. that would be nice. Ryan is having his birthday next week so the garage cleaning was a pre-gift for that. Not really but since it is his birthday week I can say that. Right?

38 Months

In a police escort vehicle

Carter is my very busy boy! I love him so much. He is often naughty but he is also nice. Carter said "My friend said I am naughty and only naughty.But I am naughty and nice!" It really breaks my heart because even though he is hard he needs to be loved too. I know that he can tell a difference and he knows when people love him or not. I hope he listens just a little more to those he loves. Carter and I had a conversation and he told me that he likes himself and he likes me and that when he likes himself he is naughty and when he likes me he is nice.

Island Park, ID

Carter has gotten kicked out of nursery the last few weeks. His teacher has been gone the last little bit so I think that has greatly contributed to the problem. The other portion is that not very many other people have the patience needed to handle him. It really upset me when he was removed from nursery within the first 5 minutes a few weeks ago. They said "well he wants his teacher and she's not here and he was making a mess and not listening so here you go." Really 5 minutes? I understand he can be hard but patience and vigilance is key to success with an extra active child!

I am so grateful for my friend his nursery teacher for loving Carter. She has both patience and vigilance much more than I do. She stood up for him when a comment was made about how they where happy he was gone last week while we were out of town. She loves him and every kids needs that. We are trying with Carter to get him to behave he did not get his bribe reward today after church. I went to get my report and apparently he escaped nursery and my friend pregnant and in heels had to chase him down twice. Other that that Carter said he was good. I went over not eating other's snacks and listening and raising your hand and no throwing toys and folding your arms for pray but I forgot the no running away bit. I guess we try again next week.

For awhile I was pretty upset with the comments people have been saying to me about him. It made me feel like I was a bad mom and if I could just figure it all out he would be a quiet, perfect, little angel you know the type that are seen not heard? But the more I thought about it and talked with others the more I realized that I have a wonderful child! I love him. I wish he would listen a little more and be a little softer. But I love that he is curious and busy.

Kids Dig Rigs

Ryan is busy always working on a project always making things better. Ryan has so many good qualities. He wouldn't have those if he had not been so busy as a boy. You should see that man clean a house.. or really do anything it floors me how much smarter and quicker he is at things than others.. IE me. (but that is a different story) :)

I can tell that Carter will do something with his life because he is a doer! This is a wonderful thing! I just need to help him learn to control his energy a little bit. I am open for ideas- have any great ones??

side note. I have heard people make comments about leashes and children about how horrible it is etc. I think you should not judge unless you have had a hard child.. What do you think about leases?? Carter loves his monkey and how else was I suppose to walk to the river with a baby in a carrier and a 2 year old and all come back alive and dry? We got the monkey last summer when I didn't have my car and we were living in an apartment. We have used it other times but not too terribly often.

Painting

thanks for reading my long ramble of a post.

Color

It makes me happy to sit in my dining room and see all the color I have in my home. I still have a few blank spots but so far I love my house. My sister was here and I asked her about my blue bookshelf and she said she would like it white instead. I think Ryan agreed with her. But me? I love it blue! What do you love about your house?

Island Park

The weather was kind of crazy Saturday up at Island Park. We got there and it was cool and a little breezy we started eating lunch and than pellet snow came down. Than it came down harder, I hopped in the car with Grandma and Landon and 30 minutes later the sun came out. We had a little baseball game and enjoyed a fire until it was time to head back to town.

Mud Puddles

Carter had a lot of fun in Island Park this past weekend. After the snow melted and the sun came out the mud puddles were ready for jumping!

Fixing Breakfast!

I tried to load a video as well.. I guess it is too big. If you really want to the video you will have to come over! This is rice cereal with all the cinnamon and sugar, all the salt and all the pepper in it. He tasted it after he seasoned it. Than came up stairs a-hollering that he needed water! Took me a minute to realize it was pepper all over his lips and face. I thought he must have eaten a handful of dirt! He said it was so spicy!

River Fun!

We went over to the park and than threw a few rocks in the river.. I told Landon to stop and he ran away faster.. into the river! Maybe he will learn to obey soon? After that we went home.

Cousin Fun

The boys have been having fun together! The house is a big mess right now but we are having lots of fun. The boys are enjoying the company of their cousins and things have actually been going really well. The big boys are managing to share a room! :)

Stiches Again

Carter was playing outside and fell backwards and his hand got cut on a jagged rock from the foundation! A tiny rock caused this and he ended up with 5 stitches! Ryan was home watching the kids and by the time I got back he had the hand bandaged up and he was ready for the urgent care center! My little boy is so brave!