{New Things}

We've had some pretty nice weather the last few days...so we have been trying to enjoy it. Including-

Watching our shadows :)

Capturing cute little faces

(again)

Checking out the architect of the new gazebo at the lake

and just being happy to be outside!

Its a little scary to take Jonas next to the water since he loves it so much. He doesn't have that sense of danger quite yet. Scares me to death!

Also Jonas has discovered the joy of chocolate. Chocolate pudding, chocolate chip muffins, chocolate cookies, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!!

He also uses pudding as paint. That's not my favorite.

We also moved Jonas into a big boy bed. He loves it.

This was the set-up. I was..........paranoid that he would roll off the bed. We've since moved the mattress.

Lou-Lou thinks Jonas' big bed is pretty fun too!

Jonas has a habit of putting stuff in, on, and over Lyv's face. She doesn't mind. She adores her big brother!

We watched CARS in our big bed the first day. Also I should mention that Jonas refused to sleep on the mattress for the first few nights. He wanted to sleep on his crib mattress. So he slept on the crib mattress on the big boy bed. Comical? Yes.

We've learned the art of making forts. Except Jonas sits on them. Every. Single. Time.

Lou DOES NOT like cereal. At all. So we'll hold off for a while....at 15lbs 10 ozs....she won't starve to death :)

Philly

Devin had to attend a conference for work a few weeks ago. It was in Philadelphia and I'd never been there...so the kids and I tagged along. It was a quick over-nighter..but very fun! We rode the train up and it was the BEST idea ever! It was relaxing, quiet, and only took 2 hours. I loved it and the kids really loved it...especially Jonas. He is very in to trains right now!

Alyvia slept all the way to Philly and all the way back :)

Maybe Jonas liked that he could be mobile and watch whatever he wanted to.

Once we got to the hotel, Jonas found lots of ways to entertain himself. We had a big floor to ceiling window that he could stand in it and see the river between Philly and Camden, NJ. He thought it was way cool to play in the curtains and hide from Mom and Dad!

Its hard to tell, but he has a BIG smile plastered on his little face.

There's that cute smile!

This was right out our window. It went over a freeway in Philly. The taller buildings you see on the other side is New Jersey.

Jonas also discovered the phone. We eventually had to unplug it because he wouldn't leave it alone. He called, Kaylee, Taryn, Brook, Papa, Gram, and Dad about 1000 times.

Devin had meetings half a day both days. I really wanted to see the city, but I was nervous to go out on my own with the kids. Luckily, Ruthie-Devin's co-worker, brought her husband with her. He just happens to be on the Arlington City Police Department. He let us tag along with him while he toured the city. He was a great body guard and was so helpful with the kids. My sister, Taryn, said I was "cheating" on Devin :) Richard and I did look like a married couple! Thanks for protecting us Rich!

Jonas and Richard feeding the pig (its a statue- the money goes to help hungry kids in Philly) money. Jonas thought it was pretty funny when the pig talked back. We were in a HUGE indoor market that was amazing! They had ever kind of everything you can imagine. Food, handmade stuff, junk...everything!

Jonas giving the "Philly Fanatic" a hug. It went against my Dodger Blue Code of Ethics to let him hug the Philly's mascot, but he loved this guy...so I let him.

Jonas and Mom at the Liberty Bell. Very cool to see...although they usher you in, and usher you out.

This is in the building that houses the Job Corp Office (Which Devin also works for). Devin is over the Philadelphia region and met some of the people he talks to everyday for the first time.

Ruthie and Alyvia. Seriously Richard and Ruthie treat us like family. We loved spending time with them!

Jonas and Dad in the pool. We had a great time swimming-especially J. He LOVES the water!

Alyvia swam too. I think the water was a little cold for her. She liked putting her toes in the hot tub better. I just thought she looked super cute in her new swim suit!

While we were tagging along with Richard we saw a brief reenactment of a drumming parade. Jonas was VERY into it. He marched around the little park with the people and had a great time. We had fun watching him march, march, march!

A glass Tiffany's Mosaic...also at the Job Corp building. The picture doesn't do it justice. It was beautiful. They also had super cool elevators. (Obviously don't frequent big buildings in big cities!) When you pushed a button it flashed a number or letter on the keypad and that was the elevator you were assigned to. It seemed totally awesome at the time...

On the second day Devin got a little (or a lot) bored and left early. So we went to the Philadelphia Zoo. I was a little disappointed. It was very expensive and not any better than the National Zoo in D.C. which is free!

Jonas and the Sheep (I didn't go with him into this part of the Zoo since I was feeding Lyv, but Devin said Jonas was SO scared of the sheep!)

Jonas with some black and white monkeys in the back.

Ms. Alyvia liked the Zoo too. How cute is she?

All in all it was a great trip. We ate a real Philly Steak and Cheese (not my favorite), and had some really good ice cream. It was nice to get away for a day or two. I loved the train ride, and we enjoyed great company. I don't, however, think I will visit Philly again any time soon. It has soooo much history-but our family is a little young to enjoy that yet. Someday I will go back...and be a little more brave!

{Raspberry Girl}

Alyiva has been busy busy busy. She can roll over, laugh really loud, cry even louder, eat like a champ (tonight we try rice cereal), and blow raspberries. She sure is fun!!

{All Grown Up}

..Bear River High School - Class of 2011..

Brooklyn, Kaylee, Taryn

Brookie and Kaylee

Kaylee and Taryn

Natali, Chad, and Alyvia

Kaylee is in the white at the top with two reds next to her.

The Story: So we had been planning on going to UT for Kaylee's graduation since Christmas. Then flights got expensive, and then they got more expensive and we decided it was either graduation or Christmas. I chose Christmas. I called Kaylee (secretly crying) and told her I wouldn't be able to come. She understood. She said it was OK. Then Devin surprised me with an early birthday present: A plane ticket to UT. (yep! he's the best!!) I WAS GOING TO GRADUATION. Oh man. It was the best. I was so excited to surprise Kaylee. She didn't suspect a thing and was shocked when she came home and Alyvia and I were there. It was worth traveling with a very sick baby, leaving Jonas home with Devin for 5 days (they had a blast), and all the late-nights.

Congratulations to my Favorite High School Graduate (for now). Kaylee (who was a Valedictorian-and got the Presidential Scholarship to UVU) is a great sister, one of my best friends, and a wonderful Aunt. Good Luck at UVU in the fall sis, I Love you!

P.S. Aren't my sister gorgeous?!

{first Splash of the Season}

We tried to beat the hot, hot, hot, weather over Memorial Weekend by going to the Splash Park. Jonas loved it last year so it was a safe bet for fun. It didn't disappoint. While I could do without the splashing in my face, I do love to watch Jonas run around and be oh so happy.

Hop, Hop, Hopping through the water.

More Hopping

Showing us where the water fall was.

Under the Mushroom. He's so much braver than I am. He doesn't even mind the water in the eyes.

Dad and Jonas under the mushroom.

Ms. Alyvia went too, but she wasn't herself that day. We thought it was the heat, but she ended up getting really sick that night with the same virus that J had had the week before. Maybe next time she will like it better.

All together. (poor Lyvie)

She sure looked cute for the splash park..even though no one saw her since she preferred her carseat.

This was her preferred place from that night on. Poor sick baby. It was not fun!

{Friends}

Never forget me, because if I thought you would, I'd never leave.

They did it. They left us. It was a very sad day to say goodbye to our best friends and neighbors for the last two years. They've been so much fun to be with and we'll never be able to say thanks enough for all of the date-nights, the concierge doctor calls, the game nights, the dinners, the laughs, and the tears. We will miss them-but we're excited for them and all the things their futures hold :) Good Luck Friends! We love you!

Ms. Lily

Mr. Liam

All the kids in the moving truck. (It had a ramp and blankets..they were in heaven)

Jackson, Lauren, and Brady (Sorry Lauren, this was post our hugs...not very nice of me)

More moving truck fun.

Lily and Liam hiding from Barrick. They refused to go outside if he had the hose on. Don't blame them. He watered the carpet a few times too :)

Jonas--mastering the hose

Mr. Barrick. I was shocked he would play in the water. It wasn't warm water...or a very hot day, but he played in it for hours. It was fun for us all!

August come quickly so we can all be together again!!