Escape to Grandma's Mountain

I had some complications with this pregnancy, so the doctor restricted my activity this summer.  I was not allowed to travel, which meant no trips to our beloved "Grandma's Mountain."  We were pretty bummed about it, but we all knew it was worth it.  As I got closer to my due date, things with the baby were looking better and the doctor said I could make one trip to the mountain, as long as I was "careful not to overdue it." And thanks to Grandma and Grandpa we were able to make it work.  They let the boys and I ride up with them at the beginning of the week and they took such good care of us until Derek joined us on Friday night.  It was SO nice to get away from the heat and spend some time in one of our very favorite places!  And these boys adore their grandparents, so they were in heaven!  :)

We were able to go to the Show Low 4th of July parade.  Here are the boys, just waiting for the action to start!  :) 

They love this parade!

My patriotic little Isaac  :)

We decided to skip the big fireworks show, so we did sparklers at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Trevor LOVES sparklers!

As you can see...Isaac does NOT love sparklers!  :)

Here is Grandma, trying to help Isaac conquer his fear.

Happy 4th of July!

Isaac decided to let Trevor hold his sparkler.  :)

 My cute boys

The boys decided they wanted to take some nets and go "fishing" at the lake.

Grandma was such a good sport.  She waded in the water and caught them some slimy crawdads and minnows.  (Thanks for not making me do that, Grandma!)  :)

The boys had so much fun just "being boys" in the woods.  They built a little fire pit out of rocks and leaves.

They also built this little "fort" so they could have a secret place to eat their snacks. :)

On the weekend, we were joined by Derek, as well as 2 of his sisters and their kids.  We decided to do more sparklers with the cousins.

He may enjoy fire a little too much... :)

Look at how brave Isaac was on the 2nd attempt!  He was so proud of himself.

My boys with their cousins, Kade and Kohlton

I just love their smiles!

 

Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa, for saving us from the heat and for a great trip!
It was just what we all needed!

Summer Fun!

We had a great summer...despite the awful heat and the very pregnant mom!  :)  These boys are so much fun to be around.  They are both at such great ages and are the very best of friends.  I absolutely cherish the time we had together this summer.

Here's a little look at what we've been up to:

Chillin' by the pool!

My little goggle-faced cuties

Finding ways to entertain ourselves inside...away from the HEAT!

Enjoying the monsoons

They spent lots of time playing with these Jenga blocks.

Chick-fil-a fun with cute cousins

Family outing to Bahama Bucks (aka "the umbrella place")

Staying cool any way we can!

Little Fishies

The boys did 2 sessions of swimming lessons this summer and have learned so much! Isaac can now swim across the entire length of a pool without floaties on.  He can dive in, do flips under water, and he has a killer cannonball!  :)  Trevor quickly conquered his fear of the water and can swim without floaties, but still prefers to have them on...which is ok with me.  (It's easier to watch a 4 year-old in the pool when he has flaoties on.)

Here are some pictures of them at swimming lessons: 

 

 

 

 

 

Growing Up

I feel like my boys are growing up way too fast.
It's so fun to watch them learn and grow,
but sometimes I just want to slow it down a little!



Isaac recently decided that it was time for him to stop sucking his thumb.  He started sucking his thumb when he was 4 weeks old and has loved it every since!  So we came up with a plan that if he could stop sucking his thumb for a whole week, we'd buy him an "R2-D2 that talks."  (That's what he requested...and it was very difficult to find!)  Fortunately, he only sucked his thumb while he was going to sleep, so we just covered it with a band-aid at bedtime and it worked!  I couldn't believe how quickly he broke the habit, but that's one of his best qualities...once he puts his mind to something, he works hard to make it happen.  He has gone over 2 months without sucking his thumb (and is now band-aid free) and he LOVES his buddy, R2-D2!

Way to go, Isaac!  We are so proud of you!
(Even if that means you are one step closer to growing up...)

Preschool Graduation!

We recently finished another great year of preschool.  I had 2 different classes of kids this year and they were both so much fun.  I love teaching preschool and am grateful that I am able to do it from home.  It was especially fun because I was able to have one of my own boys in each class!  

On the last day of school, we had a preschool celebration with a short program and an ice cream social.  It was so fun to see these adorable kids showing off the things they've learned!

Here is my little Trevor graduate.

Isaac, the "official" graduate
(since he's going to kindergarten soon)

My cute boys

Isaac, Trevor, and cousin Alex waiting for the program to start

Trevor was feeling a little shy
as all of the parents were coming in. :)

My adorable preschoolers singing their songs

They memorized the book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear"
and performed it in sign language.
They did such a good job...I was very proud of them!

 

I was lucky to get to teach
another one of my cute nephews this year.
(I love you, little Alex man!)

And here's the proud mom and dad
with 2 very adorable preschoolers.  :)

Celebrating Trevor

Our little Trevor turned 4 in May.

It's hard to believe that our baby is getting so grown up! We had a great time celebrating with our boy.  We started with a birthday dinner the night before his actual birthday (because Derek had to work late on his birthday).  We let Trevor invite a few people over and he decided on a couple cousins, Grandma/Grandpa, and his buddy, Sara. 

 

He opened a few presents and loved each one.

He's at such a fun age...everything is just so exciting!  :)

Here is the Thor hammer that he's wanted for a long time.
Can you tell he likes it?  

He even got a card with "dollars" from Grammy and Papa.

Here is the "Thor hammer cake" he requested.

 Silly brothers.

 

On the morning of his actual birthday,
we decided to take him out to breakfast with Daddy.
He ordered these ridiculously huge chocolate chip pancakes!  :)

One more present for his "real" birthday.

I told him he could choose an outing for his birthday,
and he requested the "Dinosaur Museum."

Panning for gold!

 

Isaac was very excited about his "treasure."

Here they are being "bad guys" in the jail.
(Love those faces!)

 
We finished up the day with some leftover cake.

We are very grateful that Trevor is part of our family.
He is so full of life and
he knows how to make everyone around him smile!

I'm so glad you're mine, Trev.  I love you.