Babies, children, friends

Last week a friend of mine shared with me that she was expecting a baby girl! I was so excited for her as she has been wanting to have a fourth after her three boys. All this had me thinking about babies and how wonderful they are. The best! Then they turn into bona fide kids who can think and reason and see the wonder in the world. All the while, you get to be there. You get to be a part of their life and the magic of it all. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my kids and how they are happy and how I never want them not to be happy. It gives me all kinds of things to worry about. But Jess said something to me the other day and it’s stuck. 

Your kids look to you for happiness. If you’re worried, they’ll worry. If you’re loving and have confidence, they’ll know they can turn to you for love and security.

Boom!

And since all this talk started with babies, here’s a pic of Ian at 5 weeks. The best!

More of what they say

Ian: Penny Lane is in my ears and in my nose!

Ansel: Mom, I’m going to buy a Ferrari when my kids are dads. 

Oliver: Don’t forget to lock the doors, two front and two back!

The stuff these guys come up with on a regular basis is gold!

July 4th, you are a fave

Last year I realized I absolutely love Independence Day. This year, that love was confirmed. It was especially good this year because family from both sides were in town visiting. 

Jess’s parents had a wonderful get together at their home. Their new backyard is amazing and we were able to enjoy it. Grandpa filled up the pool and the kids had the time of their lives getting all adults wet, most specifically Jess. Even Ian learned how to use the water shooters. The one above was bigger than him!

The little cousins got caught in the crossfire of Oliver and Ansel’s water battle! They were very patient though. 

Jess threw balloons for the kids to try to kick with their feet while on the swing set. It was tough!

That evening we finished off the day at my brother’s home. We found out that no fireworks were allowed on their street. Big bummer! Luckily, Grandma and Grandpa brought glow sticks and the kids went to town. 

Later in the week, we went up to the cabin and did some go-karting with my sister’s fam. 

Gramps tuned up the machines before we got going. 

Ian liked the ride. 

And once Oliver got the hang of it, he was taking all the cousins and his brother for rides. He said to me later, “You know what’s great about go-karts, mom? I don’t have to wait until I’m 16 to drive.” Needless to say, Ansel is eager to grow a few inches so he can drive soon :)

We went swimming too. Oliver and Jess had fun on the diving board. 

Jess did a swan dive that he learned all those years ago during his life guarding days. 

Ansel, Ian and I enjoyed snacks as we watched. It was a wonderful way to end a week of celebrating the 4th!

8:00am doorbell

Yesterday a woman walking her dog discovered a baby robin in our yard who had fallen from its nest. She rang our bell and asked if we could help by grabbing a ladder and placing it high up in the aspen tree where it fell from. I went outside to assess the situation and told her my husband was still getting ready for work. Due to our slow response, she started asking if there were any other neighbors we could call on or if the fire department could help. At that point I went inside to tell Jess that the woman would not leave until the bird was in the tree. While we waited, I tried to introduce myself, but the woman had no interest in getting to know us. Saving the bird was her one goal. After he finished getting dressed, Jess came outside, fetched the ladder, extended it and placed the bird back in its home. By this point, he had a little audience who clapped at the rescue. “Good things will happen to you today!” she said.  Then she was off on her walk again disappearing into the horizon. The whole thing kind of had a Field of Dreams feel to it. In my mind, she will ever be remembered as the bird lady.

Excellente Escalante

Back when snow was on the ground, my sister and I made a reservation down in Escalante Grand Staircase. When Jess and I were dating, my family and I went down to this exact spot and Jess didn’t get to come. He’s been wanting to go ever since and we finally made it happen! We had a group site and lots of family members joined us. It was a wonderful time. 

The hike to Lower Calf Creek was beautiful and the final stop was stunning!  Oliver jumped right in! Ian took the plunge and then Ansel. The waterfall was cold! But the kids loved it. 

We swam in the reservoir lots. One morning Ollie caught some fish with his uncle and cousin. They brought it back to camp and ate it for breakfast. 

We took an evening hike to see petrified wood. Ian loved the hike. He said, “I do it!” as he walked up the inclines. 

Our last stop was along the Escalante river. It was perfect for a hot day. Oliver floated down the river and said it was better than any lazy river he’d played in at various water parks. 

It was a great camp out we’ll have to do again!