Summer O' Chandler

Chandler has grown so much since he was home for Spring Break! Every time he comes home we are in awe! I love that he has been home all summer for the last few years. I prefer not having to share him with anyone else...it's great to have uninterrupted time. This summer has been super busy for him so far. It seems once he became a teenager his schedule  filled up quickly. He came home June 15. He decided he'd like to try playing football this year in high school. (Charlene and her family decided to move back to Utah from Florida so Chandler will be attending Lehi High School in the fall.) So, we did our best to support him and started attending daily training and practice. Unfortunately, his football training wasn't part of our original summer plans so they were put on the back burner while we had our little family trip and when he attended EFY at BYU.
I dropped him off for his EFY adventure on a Monday afternoon the end of June. He protested a bit and seemed uncertain about having any fun. Luckily, and gratefully he had a fantastic time and said he wants to go again next year. We shall see...
Chandler's fun continued with Youth Conference with our ward. They had three days of excitement at Snow College. He really enjoyed spending time with the youth and leaders in our ward. 
Lastly, Chandler braved another Scout High Adventure trip. This time he was extra prepared, as pictured above. He made sure to have plenty of layers to keep him warm, food to keep him full, and his hammock chair to keep him relaxed. It was a great experience all around. 
I'm so grateful he's had a chance to be around so many good, dedicated people. He is growing into adulthood so fast but I'm confident he has great influences around constantly. I love our Chando Mando!

4th of July

I love the 4th of July! I love our traditional breakfast at my mom's house and watching the boys do fireworks. I love getting together with family, friends (old and new) and eating great food first thing in the morning on this holiday. We always say the Pledge of Allegiance and have a prayer together. It's the perfect way to start a day of celebrating Independence. We tend to allow the middle of the day to be relaxed and easy. In the evening we met with our neighbors for our own "Circle of Fire." We made cinnamon rolls again--the start of a new tradition, and enjoyed each other's silliness. I'm so grateful for the blessing of freedom I enjoy each day. I'm grateful for the men and women who work and sacrifice for me every hour. I live in a blessed country and hope to always treat my freedoms with care.

I love these two with all that I have!

Challey and her family and neighbors joined our celebration.

Chandler made sure to include me in the memory. I'm almost done growing our girl!

A Simple Birthday

Scott started a new job with a new company on June 29th. I think it will be a really good thing for our family, although the timing could have been a little bit better. This year my birthday was pretty low key, which I thought was great. I'm really nesting right now and just spending time at home is perfect for me. Scott was super sweet all day and added to my cupcake arsenal with a new carry case. My mom came over to help with some things for the baby's room. I spent a lot of time with my feet up and relaxing. We did celebrate at The Cheesecake Factory--that's always yummy. So, Happy Birthday to me! The best gift is knowing our sweet baby girl will be born this month and we can celebrate all together. 

Last Little Family Trip for a Bit

Summer seems to be going way too fast! It's been great to have Chandler home but it seems like there has been one event or another that makes family time difficult. Throw in me being really uncomfortably pregnant and then family trips seem impossible. We did manage to squeeze in one adventure before my due date. As much as we love camping it seems like it hardly happens. We decided to rent a tent trailer and spend a couple of days in Lava Hot Springs. So we got the Pilot outfitted to haul the trailer, packed up the kids and the dog and headed out. For the most part we had a good time. The community pool was close to our campground and big enough to spend the day at. Scott and Chandler did the little river run multiple times while Watson and I spent time in "downtown" Lava. I decided any kind of trip being eight and a half months pregnant may not be the best idea, but it was great to spend time together in a new place.

We camped to "escape" our technology ties....it didn't work.

The boys loved the tent trailer. There may be one in our future.

Chandler practiced forgotten Scout skills.

Handsome Scott.

A little campfire snuggling.

1st Cousins Camp

One of our family's favorite traditions during the summer is to stay a few days in Bear Lake. This year, though, our tradition had to be altered. Maybe it's because of late planning, or the fact that I'm due with a baby in six weeks and feel absolutely huge and uncomfortable... Who knows? But, we managed to still spend some good cousin time together, thanks to Aunt Challey and her good ideas. We had two days of "Cousins Camp." The first day centered on Utah County and fun things there. Our first stop with the Smiths was Krispy Kreme where the kids watched the yummy production and then got to eat donuts. We then met up with Amy and her girls to tour BYU's Museum of Art. There are some really great exhibits right now. After a great pizza lunch we headed up Provo Canyon to check out Bridal Veil Falls. It was really hot outside so the water felt heavenly. Of course the kids loved walking around barefoot and splashing in the clear stream. We ended the day with dinner and t-shirt decorating at Grandma Nettie's house. We even splurged on some BYU Creamery goodness for dessert.

The second day of "Cousins Camp" included a trip to Lagoon. Thankfully, I was relieved of being a part of this and spent most of my time with my feet elevated at home in hopes of getting my swelling to lessen. Challey brought Watson with her kids and met up with Channa at the park. Scott was able to spend part of the day with Watson and did all things Lagoon.

By the end of the night all the kids were exhausted but happy for the time together. It was a great adventure for everyone.

Greatest Father Ever!

Scott is one of the hardest working Dads I know. He loves his children and wants what's best for them always. Chandler was home this year for Father's Day and got to share in celebrating Scott. Watson cannot get enough of Scott, no matter the time of day or night. Sometimes Watson can be found sleeping next to him in our room, on a pile of blankets. Scott is the definition of fun and tries to make that happen every day. Currently he is working to build an awesome clubhouse for the boys (and eventually our baby girl) to enjoy. He has visions of late night outdoor movies, video games and explorer play happening all summer long in it. He is building it carefully with the plan for it to last through all of our kids childhood. I love him. He is amazing in so many ways. I'm grateful he loves his family so much. We are very lucky to have him.

This is the year Chandler is significantly taller.

Sometimes Watson doesn't want to share Dad.

A Sweet Shower

My good friends, Shelli and Megan, were super sweet to think of me and baby Daisy. They wanted to celebrate this miracle for us by hosting a little shower. They invited friends from our Parry Farms neighborhood and I felt so much love as person after person showed up. We were given many basic necessities, like diapers and wipes, and many fun things too. Lots of girlie clothes and blankets and a few toys. Megan made everyone homemade crepes and Shelli had the best cupcakes. It was so fun to talk with everyone and just feel lots of love. I'm very grateful for so many friends around me.

Watson's Adventure

My sweet neighbor, Lisa, volunteered to take Watson to the Hogle Zoo with her three boys. I offered to come but she insisted I put up my puffy, eight month pregnant feet and take a day off. I am so grateful for her service and willingness to be kind to me and Watson. Watson had a great time and was thoroughly worn out when he got home. He always has a good time with his buddy, Cache.

The End of Preschool

 Watson not only survived but thrived in his second year of preschool. He was excited and anxious to continue learning his letters and starting to read. He loved being with his friends at school every day and tried really hard to be nice to everyone. His favorite thing to do was play on the monkey bars at recess. He was persistent at getting strong enough to make it across and back many times. I loved picking him up from school and hearing about his determination and adventures. He started a little detective club and was the leader, Agent W. His creativity is fantastic and is super determined to make things work out. His gift for completing a great school year was to go to Build a Bear. We spent an hour there and he was over the moon about his new stuffed animal.

In keeping with tradition starting with Chandler, and because I can't get rid of all of my elementary school teacher personality, Watson is working on a summer workbook. He was very enthusiastic the first day, and it is waning but we will succeed! He's a smart boy, I need to keep him engaged.

A Real Trooper

Here we are, at Primary Children's Hospital in Riverton, again. This time it was for surgery to remove Watson's adenoids and tonsils and insert ear tubes. He seemed to get this lingering cough for weeks and weeks at a time every few months. After about two years of Scott's urging, and Watson's decreasing ability to hear well, I took him to an ENT. The doctor recommended the surgery to help with Watson's whole ear, nose, throat situation. Watson was so brave and patient with the whole process. We talked about it for weeks and although he was nervous and a little scared, he bravely endured the whole thing. The recovery was rough, and painful. Watson ate a lot of slushies, Sprite, and Oreo ice cream. After about 11 days, he was feeling more like himself again. It is truly difficult to watch your child be in pain or discomfort. I'm grateful for the Lord's comfort during it all. They are His ultimately anyway.