The Next Step

This week was a big deal for Gabe; twelve is a big deal!  I just love how he is growing and learning and I see his understanding of things increase.  He's a good boy, er...young man.  This week he was ordained a deacon in the Aaronic priesthood.  He's super excited for the responsibilities that goes along with this office.  

 Gabe's a good example to Jake.  It's pretty amazing to think that as my Gabe accomplishes each milestone Jake is merely 19 months from it and then its done!  It scares me a bit, to be honest!  Especially when I think of what's ahead in the next 6 or 8 years.  Even in the next 3~

 Todd and I are both very aware of this and have vowed to take every opportunity to love and teach and play.  These boys are the world to us and we feel extremely blessed to have them as our sons!

Cousins and Friends

I'm not sure when this happened exactly, but these four have become the best of friends and lately have been spending their weekends together.  Last night Jack and Andy came over to play in the snow with Gabe and Jake.  After a few hours they got cold and wet and came in and had hot chocolate and something to eat, Played video games for a bit and went back out again.  Then today Gabe and Jake went to their house and spent all afternoon there.  It makes me so happy that they like being together.  I never had the chance to grow up around my cousins and it makes me sad when I hear Todd talk about all the things he did with his cousins since they were mostly nearby when they were young.

I had to document these late night Fridays spending their evenings together!!  I love these guys!!!

Lights

I finally got well enough to want to take my kids to see the lights on Temple Square.  But part of me wanting to take them was to go take pictures of my kids up there with the lights.  Well, neither of them was very cooperative and now I wish I had gone one time alone without them, but I also need a tripod.  But we ran into Todd's brother, Randy and his family while we were there and Cathy took a few of us.  So at least I have a picture of us together.  We dragged Nonna up with us and I think she had a good time.  But my kids weren't as excited as I wanted them to be!  But part of my motivation in doing these types of activities is so that someday when they are old, I'll be able to say, "See, we were good parents and did lots of cool things for you!".   Great reason, right?  I guess I need to reevaluate!  The bottom line wast that they were hungry!  Another great mommy moment!  Well, there was a Jazz game and I didn't want to be anywhere else downtown than where we were, so we did a very abbreviated walk, went to the reflection pool and left.  We decided to head down to the Pi Pizzeria off 106th since it was FAR away, yet still closer to home.  It was fun and the boys were more excited about the pizza than any lights.  Whatever makes us happy.  Anyway here are a few shots from that night.  

Ahhhh, Summer!

I was so excited to discover this park in Provo.  It's up near Rock Canyon and water from the run-off comes right down to and winds around the park.  The water is freezing, of course, but the kids love it.  The water moves pretty fast, but it is very shallow, only a foot or so.  The kids would get on their tubes and get a ride around part of the park.  They also had fun with the squirt guns and other water toys cooling off from the heat.  I love these summer activities because it makes it evident, finally, that summer has finally come!  My friend Merisa came with her 4 and four others, Marci came with her 3, Heather came with her 3 and then my family came with all the cousins!  Here are some fun pics of the day!

Zoe was having fun just shooting water up into the air

Aspen getting a ride at a pretty good clip!  She was having a blast!

Looks like trouble!

Best friends!

Kennedy

My sweet baby niece Libby and my sis!

Ryker and Brock

Jason

Gabe and Jack

Bye Andy!



Gabe trying to improve his tan!




I could just eat her up!

That evening we headed to my sisters for an impromptu potluck!  We hung out until it was cool enough to start a fire in their fire pit.

Claire writing a song for Grace--She's so sweet!

Love this one of Andy's eyes.  I also like the water dripping off his mouth.

 Blue-eyed beauty!

Grace was showing me her mad jump roping skills.

This kid LOVES babies!  He has had so much fun having Libby around!

These two are best cousins!

Grace didn't have a problem with me taking her picture!  She was showing off her high jumps!

When you take a picture of Sarah be prepared for the poses!  Actually this was a really good picture without the obnoxious "pose".

Patrick being a monkey

I love my new lens for these kinds of shots!

My sexy husband...I think he's giving me the  "eye"...?

This kid was cracking me up!  He didn't have a problem posing either!  I guess he gets that from his mom!  He was sitting in the baby's pack and play looking like the cat that ate the canary!

What I wanna know is when he grew up?  All of a sudden he's gotten tall and so cute!  He's not a fan of his photog Auntie!  Too bad!

My freckled faced boy!

More gorgeous eyes!  I love this one of Jack!

Sam....What can I say?

This girl hated this picture...but I think she's 100% gorgeous!  Such a natural beauty!

Sam....again!

Claire still working on her song for Grace.

I don't think he even roasts these!

Fresh eggs from the Beeson's chickens!  Hmmmm Huevos Rancheros!

Marshmallows?  What Marshmallows?

You missed a spot...

Sam's sister, Anne's kids came too and had fun making s'mores!

Open WIDE!

My cute Gabe!  He's so handsome!

Jack is really enamored with Libby, too!  I think we all are!  We just can't get enough! Can you tell it's been a while since we've had a baby in the family?

Another one of Anne's kids.  This is Dallas and she has the pretty eyes!

Todd was trying to get Libby to touch the grass, but landing gear went UP!  She was having none of that!

I am so excited for all the summer activities and just being with family for some upcoming events!  More to come!