Family Pictures

We had a lot of fun being ourselves at this photo shoot. 
I love the photographer (she did our family pictures last summer also), I loved the location, and I love the way these pictures turned out.

All pictures were taken by Camilla Jones of
CioCo Photography.  Check her out, seriously!

Sorry about the picture overload, but there were just too many great ones to narrow it down anymore!

Jack's Birthday

Yesterday was Jack's third birthday.  To celebrate, Brad took the day off work and we went to the zoo.  It was the best day I've had at the Hogle Zoo, the weather was perfect and the kids were great.  We really had a good time and I think we saw every single animal!

 Jack was all too happy to end his birthday at the zoo with a ride on the carousel and ice cream (his two favorite things).

This little boy is so smart, affectionate, and funny.  I love the way he excitedly calls my name in the morning to tell me he's awake.  I love his hugs.  And I love his laughter and smiles. 

But there is no doubt we've been going through the terrible two's around here.  He is just too smart for his own good.  He's already back-talking and the yelling is deafening.  Finding any kind of discipline that makes any sort of a difference is a constant struggle for Brad and I.  He is "stong willed" and intense, but also independent and imaginative.  I like watching him play and tell stories.  He's a loving older brother and a good sport with Wesley, most of the time! 

I adore Jack, he makes me melt...

when he's not making me scream.

Today Jack...

weighs 33 lbs.

is 40 inches tall.

ate only one chicken dinosaur for lunch but had a ton of
Fruit Loops for breakfast.

still only wants noodles for every meal.

thinks he is smarter than me.

has only fought with me once.

has made me laugh at least 10 times.

Jack's Party

Monkey Do, Monkey See,

Monkey Jack is turning Three!

Here are a few highlights from Jack's birthday party

last night...

Lots of friends and family to celebrate with.

Plenty of cake and banana splits to go around.

 And super fun presents for Jack. 

He's already spent hours this morning playing with them.



Witch or Angel?

Thanks to Michele, Avery has two adorable costumes to choose from this Halloween.

(Truth be told, 75% of Avery's clothing from birth are hand-me-downs from Michele and Ava, and I LOVE it.) 

I tried the costumes on her this afternoon to see which fit best.  Avery slipped right in to the witch outfit and pranced around with pride. 

Two minutes later, I tried to put her in the angel costume.  And it is exquisite.  I mean, the witch is very cute and lots of fun, but the angel is beautiful and divinely sweet. 

My little girl wouldn't have any of it! 

She screamed and started pulling at the white feathers, screeching until I threw her in her bed exhausted from the fight and still having failed to even get both legs in.

So personality, not size or my preference, has picked her costume this Halloween.  She is a witch, NOT an angel.

I Remember

One day I'll explain this day to my children. 

For now we'll visit this place.

Lucky Kid

Yesterday Wesley pulled over our TV onto himself.  Our big, old, box TV, that probably weighs 80 pounds.  When I ran into the room the TV was covering him from the top of his head to his waist and I was maybe as scared as he was.  In the seconds after I pushed it off of him, his jaw and cheek started swelling rapidly and I was worried he broke something.  After we got to the emergency room they sent him in for a CAT scan to check for fractures and brain injuries.  Poor kid was frightened and dazed, but I'm happy to report that after a short wait and playing with a bucket of dinosaurs, they didn't find any breaks.  He was lucky to get away with only soft tissue swelling and bruising.

 I didn't take any pictures yesterday afternoon, but only 18 hours later the swelling has gone down a lot (this is what he looks like this morning). 
Wesley said the family prayer last night and thanked Heavenly Father for protecting him.  That's the truth.

My Little Swimmers

 Ok, well, we didn't conquer Wesley's fear of falling while riding his bike this summer, but both boys have overcome the fear of the "big pool".  If you saw them at the pool in summers past or even the beginning of this summer, you would know they wouldn't even consider getting in the big pool with Brad or I, they were glued to the kiddie pool. But after only one "swimming lesson" with our friend Matt, Wesley was swimming back and forth in the pool (with his arm floaties on of course, we're not miracle workers).  Jack remained in the kiddie pool with me and Avery for the next few trips, but then found confidence with wearing arm floaties and a ring.  Soon they both were jumping right off the side, going completely under the water.  Then Jack figured out he didn't really need the ring.  Now it's their favorite activity and we're at the pool at least a few times each week.  They can swim for about 2 hours before getting tired, both can float on their backs, and they're learning to hold their breath while swimming with their faces in the water (Jack can stay under twice as long as Wesley).  It's crazy how fast they've learned and changed.

Here they are in action, with Tate our pool buddy most days.

 As for our little princess, she's not a big fan of her swim vest so she still stays in the little pool most of the time, but she's perfectly happy there.  And when she's done with the water, she's perfectly happy lounging in her cover up (courtesy of Aunt Tiff).

We've been having such a good time, I'm really sad the pool is closing next week and summer is coming to an end!

The Bees

Thanks to Uncle Mike, last night we watched the Bee's game in style from a suite.  We had such a fun night enjoying the game, family, and all the snacks we could handle.

Jack was being such a ham for the pictures, I couldn't wait to see wait face he would make next.

 Wesley's only request was to meet the Bee.  So just after the fifth inning we left the suite to go find him, but just as we got to the elevator he came walking out!  The boys were so excited that the Bee came to find them!  Their excitement was the best part of the night.