Updates

So I have to be honest, I have been pretty anti-social-networking lately. I get on to check my email and force myself to respond to the important ones, and turn off the computer. It's been quite refreshing. My house has been cleaner than ever, and I think my kids are grateful for their mommy's full attention. But I have to keep recording our updates. Here's what we've been up to:

We got a kitty cat last Friday. We went to the local adoption center and for $25 got a baby kitten, neutered and with shots included. He is very sweet, and just a little devious, so he fits in well in our family of curious, rambunctious boys.

The boys are very good to him, with the exception of when Jackson is in one of his moods, and feels the need to pick on somebody. It's the classic totem pole scenario, with the baby needing to pick on someone, so takes it out on the family pet.

I taught my first art camp of the summer, a Jewelry Making Craft Camp and now have a new hobby, making these clay flowers on bobby pins, rings or earrings:

(see my craft blog HERE for more pics and how to make them)

The week after next is the Messy Fun Toddler Camp, and after that, an Eric Carle Caterpillars and Butterflies camp. So excited!

We've also been doing lots of yard work! I don't think I ever posted this, but for my birthday in June, my parents got me tons of plants and flowers for our yard. I am enjoying a new hobby of gardening and yard work, Jeff is amazing at helping me with the hard work and I love the finish effect!

The areas with plants and dirt used to be little rocks. My boys would throw the rocks all over the yard and they were not very pretty anyway.

Tyler's preschool had a Trike-a-thon yesterday. They were raising money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. The boys both rode their bikes, but Jackson only got a lap or two in. He enjoyed helping me cheer the other kids on! It was super fun and I've been very happy with Tyler's Friday morning summer preschool program. He starts up 2 days a week in the Fall, I hope we have as good of an experience there, too!

That's about it for updates besides Lake Powell, there are so many great pictures, it's hard for me to pick a favorite few. We are doing great and enjoying our fun busy summer!

Best of Lake Powell 2011

Remember this post? The day we got back from Lake Powell, we started potty training and I never had time to post my pictures. Now it's October and I have a lot of catching up to do. It seems life never slows down! My goal is to post everything from July, August and September soon so I can get current just in time for Christmas!

Here are my very favorites (I may or may not have already ordered a couple 8X10 canvases!)

I'm so glad we got a family picture when we had the chance:

The scenery was just perfect!

Can you say STUD MUFFIN?!!

I had so much fun with Katie! She only felt good part of the time and the other part I enjoyed pampering her!

Lake Powell is the kinda trip where you eat what you want and wear hardly anything... my kinda trip :)

HAHA! Love it- Tommy and Jeff having way too much fun together!

Our family on the tube

'

Jeff and I doing stunts (Randy and Melonie are on the tube next to us trying to pull us off!)

Tyler and the BIG BOYS!!

What a lucky girl I am...

Last week I was here:

{soaking up the sun and enjoying great company at the prettiest place in the world}

and now I am here:

{potty training my two and a half year old- please notice the entire roll of toilet paper in the toilet, a couple pairs of wet pants on the floor and my lack of motivation to pick it all up.}

Actually he is doing quite well, he's been "practicing" for a couple weeks now, yelling "poop!" whenever he had to use the potty (even if it's pee), but I never wanted to make the effort before our big houseboating trip. So I took the plunge (no pun intended) today and stuck him in underwear for the first time. He did great- took himself to the potty the first time and only had two accidents.

We are doing a potty TRAINing chart (see above) and he will get a new train for his track when he completes the chart. Pretty good for day #1, so excited for when I don't have to buy diapers anymore!!

I will be posting more beautiful Lake Powell pictures soon, I am still in denial and not ready to admit I am back in front of my computer able to post pictures of my completed trip (tear).

More Swimming Lessons Fun

On the last day of swimming lessons, they pulled out the famous canoe to take the kids for a ride!

I remember doing this as a kid!

Jackson started in it for one lap and then they pulled him out to make waves!

By the last day, Jackson was happily jumping off the side (as opposed to the first week where he would run to me screaming when they put him on the side!)

And putting his head under with a normal amount of annoyance

And of course the after-lesson treat was a big hit too!!

Swimming Lessons:

This week the boys have been taking swimming lessons!

It was a last minute decision to put Jackson in too, but with leaving for Lake Powell in 2 weeks I decided the more comfortable in the water he is, the better.
Tyler is a natural and has been doing great! He is learning to kick his legs, make an arrow with his hands, do big swimming circles with his hands (freestyle stroke) and float on his back. He has always been a great swimmer, but last year wouldn't try to float, so even though he started out strong, I can still see improvements!

practicing arrow arms and kicking

swimming to his teacher

Tyler floating!

Jackson, on the other hand, screamed the entire time his first day. Luckily each day he has gotten a little more comfortable, but is yet to go through a lesson with no tears.

Jackson practicing kicks! Tyler is lower left corner. I love that I can watch both boys at the same time!

Super happy after doing "motor boat"

When one child is jumping in, Jackson's teacher puts the other kid on her back so she has her hands free. What a great idea!

Jackson with help 'jumping' in

practicing to float... he is screaming here...

Jackson smiling and waving- one my favorite moments! He was yelling "Hi Mom!"

he does NOT like to practice blowing bubbles and especially being dunked. Who can blame him?

{my favorite moment was after Jackson's lesson he got out and climbed in my lap for a snack. He said, "where Ty'ya?" I pointed him out and Jackson started waving and yelling, "hi Ty'ya! yay Ty'ya!" so sweet!}

Most day after lessons, we have gone to my parents to swim after, and Jackson hides in the house and watches a movie instead of swimming. A couple times, I'd bring him in the water with me and play motor boat (he loves to "step on the gas!"), but he'd clutch onto me the whole time and was super nervous. THEN, on Saturday when the nephews were here- he would sit on the edge and reach for Keenan or Trevon and play with them! He laughed and kicked and was totally comfortable. He got out and did this a few different times, each time doing it by his own choice. I was in shock, but so glad that this is paying off!! There is not much worse than watching your little boy scream in the pool for 20 minutes and there's nothing I can do to help! So this is a huge improvement. Now I am just SUPER excited for our Lake Powell trip in July!

Jeff's family came to visit!!

For Father's Day, Jeff's dad drove down to visit with us! When he was 2 minutes away we found out our nephews Keenan and Trevon were with him- we had such a great time!

On Saturday night, the boys all saw Green Lantern. On Sunday, we had a family party at my parents. I wish I took a picture of my dad and grandpa , but I think I will next time we all get together. I'm so thankful for the men in my life! It was so nice having Jeff, his dad, my dad, and my grandpa all at one party!

On Monday, we swam all day and as they were getting ready to leave we asked if the boys wanted to stay with us for the rest of the week. We decided we could meet half way or arrange a trip the following weekend to take them back. Kaylynn said she would come get them on Friday and she brought Qai and stayed this weekend. Once again we had a blast! Lots of swimming (pictures coming) and even went camping together.

It was much more comfortable than last time with my new HUGE tent! (Thanks for the B-day money Kenny & Judy, and Lanie & Papa!) The boys fell asleep on the air mattress, but when Jeff and I were ready to sleep we rolled them off and I slept without having both children on top of me all night! The weather was much more comfortable and the extra space makes all the difference.

We had fun telling silly ghost stories by the fire, eating yummy hotdogs, tinfoil dinners and tons of s'mores- I think I had 4! Lots of fun and great family time!

SD Safari Park

One weekend in June, Melonie and the kids came down for the weekend and we went to Safari Land! It was fun--

The kids LOVED doing the carousel- they picked their favorite animals!

This picture is special to me because I have a picture of my sister and I on this EXACT Gorilla from when we were growing up!! In the picture, we were picking his nose!

I think we had WAY Too much fun being goofy and taking pictures:

Being frogs on the lily pads!

At this point in the day we were all sweaty and hot and miserable and grouchy-- willing to throw ourselves- or our children to the tiger (which we never saw even after the 10 mile uphill hike to get to him!) He was too tired and hot to let us even look at him!

Can you tell how hot we were? We had a blast though!

Botanical Gardens Butterfly Pavilion

When my grandparents came to visit, we went to the Butterfly Pavilion at a nearby nursery. It was beautiful!