Happy 4th Birthday, Aidan!

It's hard to believe my baby boy is already 4 years old! I know I say it often, but where does the time go? I was telling his birth story at his birthday dinner that we had for him, with my family, on Sunday (a tradition in our family at birthday dinner). He didn't seem as interested in it as others were but later that night he was asking Brett and I more about it and I had told him that we had wanted a baby so badly and were so happy when he was born. It made me realize how grateful I am that even though we might struggle for the things we want in life, the blessing of what comes gives us so much to be grateful for. We are so grateful for this incredibly sweet child of ours. For his laughter, his imagination, his determination, his willingness to love always and forgive quickly, I could go on and on... Something about that first child seems to determine so much of who I am today. We are so proud of him and are so happy he is a part of our family! We love you Aidan!

Few Days Old


1 year old- check out that hair!


2 years old: not a happy camper but my friend, Amanda, always seems to get beautiful pictures!


3 years old


4 years old: always in motion- what's he doing with his hand?


One quick funny story I've been meaning to post: Aidan came into Brett the other day and said, "Sorry Daddy." Brett asked why he was sorry and Aidan said, "I turned on your I Pod and put the headphones in my ear and my thoughts came alive!!!"

Aidan's First Day of Preschool

Aidan started preschool this last week and was so excited to finally get to go. He could have started last year but because he has such a late birthday and will basically start kindergarten when he's 6 (his birthday is only 3 weeks after school starts) we thought it would be better to wait for this year. He's been talking about it all summer and had such a good time this week. He was concerned that his backpack had a hole in it, so Brett and I surprised him with a new backpack and once he understood why he didn't need a lunch box this year, he was set! He already has another Aidan in his class, which I'm sure he will for the rest of his schooling years. He's excited that his snack day is on his birthday and will get to share it with the kids in his class! I can't believe how fast he's growing up and was a little emotional during our family prayer that morning. I'm so proud of him and am excited for him to start this new adventure, even if and because it doesn't include me. I can't get over how cute he is- especially in his new school clothes. We love you Aidan boy!

These were actually taken after I picked him up which is why he has his name tag on. The ones I took inside, before school, didn't turn out great so I thought I'd try again outside. Much better!




Aidan wanted me to take the scary face picture.

Ethan walking

I've been meaning to post this video forever. Ethan started walking about a month ago and I got this little clip on camera. It makes me laugh every time- I end up watching it about 4 or 5 times in a row. What the camera doesn't show is that they bonked their heads and were both crying afterwards but I still think its so cute! I can't believe how fast my baby is growing up!

Make sure you turn up the sound so you can hear Ethan's funny sounds

The end of summer...

It's hard to believe that summer is already over- it's gone by so fast! We seem to have more and more fun every summer with our boys. We have such a good time showing them what summer is all about and living it through their eyes. We've been so busy, or I've been trying to relax a little, and haven't kept up with my blog at all. I've spent the last couple days trying to get caught up and hopefully I will be better at it now that we'll be back in a regular schedule again.

We had a fun and busy Labor Day weekend. Friday we went up to Alpine with my parents to a back to school party with some old family friends. We BBQ and listened to a string quartet that a friend of theirs plays in, and had a good time visiting. Saturday we dropped the kids off with my cousin, Sarah, and her husband, Tom, and Brett and I hit the outlets in Park City for the Labor Day sale. It was so fun to shop without the boys! Afterwards we headed back to Sarah and Tom's house in Midway and headed down to Swiss Days. It was so much fun- I don't know why we've never been-and the food was SO good! Good thing I had started Weight Watchers again the week before. Next time I won't be doing that before a holiday weekend- I have no willpower. Thanks again Sarah and Tom for a fun day! Sunday we had a quiet day at home since all my family was at Jordan's house for Lauren's blessing and on Monday we spent the morning getting rained out of the Onion Days Parade, for Payson's City Days, but it cleared up enough to hit the booths in the park that afternoon. Then we drove up to Patrick and Leslie's for a fun BBQ at their new house Saratoga Springs. We miss having them closer, but we've still seen them as much- just more driving involved on both sides, right? We're glad they've found such a nice place to live and are settling well. And now we're back to the fall schedule!

Aidan and Ethan dancing at the parade


Trying to stay warm and dry- I've got my beach towel wrapped around me because its the only thing we had in the car!


I actually made strawberry freezer jam this summer- I was so impressed with my domestic abilities I had to document it. Too bad I had no idea how incredibly easy it is or I would've done it much sooner!

The Great Outdoors

The weekend before Labor Day we decided to get in one camping trip with the boys before the summer ended. We went up Payson Canyon with Joseph and Juli and Anson and Julia and had a great time! We spent the afternoon at Payson Lakes and then went to our campsite and cooked Boy Scout dinners and smores around the fire. My parents joined us for dinner and the boys had a lot of fun. Next year we'll be purchasing a new tent- we fit all 4 of us in a 2 man tent and Brett and the boys all had colds so they all snored. Needless to say, I didn't sleep much which is why we only camp for one night at a time.

Dad, Joseph, Julia and Anson


Ethan was making cute faces at Papa while eating!


Joseph and Anson cooking


I don't know what Juli is doing in this picture, but it makes me laugh- whatever it is!


Aidan wearing Joseph's big gloves


The boys and me

Dinosaur Museum

Thanksgiving Point had $2 Tuesdays in August, so we happily jumped on the chance to take the boys to see the dinosaurs. We had a great time and while we expected Aidan to love it (which of course he did- the Woolly Mammoth was his favorite), even Ethan had such a good time. He was yelling and pointing at everything. It was really nice to have some family time with just us!

Visiting Jordan and baby Lauren

I had such a nice time at my sister, Jordan's house, visiting with her and getting to hold baby girl Lauren. I got to relax, sleep, read (and finally finish Breaking Dawn- which I loved!) watch movies, talk and play with the kids. It was such a nice week! Ethan was a dream to travel with and I missed Aidan desperately but he had a great time playing with different friends while Brett worked. Lauren is so cute and I miss Jordan and her kids so much. It's so fun to have a baby girl in the family!



We were able to drive down to Boise one day to see my good friend, Brandi and her son Davis, that I went to college with. It's been nice that Jordan and her only live about 45 min. from each other so I can still see Brandi every now and again.


Ethan loved Lauren but she wasn't too happy to pose for this picture.


At one month old she was just barely the size of when my boys were born and my boys were just average size babies! She's so tiny!


Trying to take our own picture at the airport. If you look closely you can see Lauren's tiny little head by Ethan's shoulder.


One more cute baby picture. I love you and miss you Jordan! Thanks again for having us come!

Boys can go to tea parties too!

Here are a couple pictures of Aidan at Princess Shalee's birthday tea party. All the girls dressed up in their princess costumes so I couldn't resist dressing my prince in his pink tie. I can't get over how cute he is in it.
This picture is kind of blurry, but I love his smile. He's not a poser for the camera so I'm happy when I can capture his genuine smile.

Princess Shalee opening presents. I'm in love with her Cinderella dress. I kind of want one.