Happy Birthday Noah

Our sweet boy turned 2 yesterday.

We decided to go out as a fam for Noah's b-day on Saturday. We went to Payton's baseball game and then out for lunch and cupcakes. We were planning on going to the zoo, but it was too hot. We ended up going to Bounce. Presleigh had a good time with her friend Saylor there. Noah was still sleepy so he mostly just sat on his momma's lap. But he did go down the big bounce slide a few times.

Then Yesterday after church we ate yummy sesame chicken and had the Lewis fam over for some dessert. Noah had a little bit of a rough day. But his mood completely changed once the Lewis' showed up. Noah got mostly Toy story themed toys for his bday. He loves Buzz:)

Noah is such a fun little boy. He is always running around and playing. He loves his sister and is always wondering what she is up to. I love the way he talks, and the funny things he says. I love that he reminds us to say prayers in the morning on our breakfast and it's even better when he will say them all by himself. He loves all things boy. He obviously loves toy story and randomly sings "You got a friend in me." He puts his arms out and flys around the living room and will say "look flying."

He absolutely loves the Lewis fam. He asks to go to the lewis' which is so cute and he will list everyone in the family, including their dog buster. He loves to play outside and loves to ride on his scooter and tricycle. We have to keep the bathroom doors closed at all times because Noah loves hand soap and my make-up. He loves to pump loads of hand soap on his hands and rub them:) He still has to have his blanket when he goes to bed and unfortunately still takes a pacifier too. He loves his oatmeal in the morning and can eat more than I can. I love it when he asks for "Milk in a cup" He loves to wrestle with his daddy and grunt. He makes this silly noise with his throat that sounds like a frog, and he thinks it's hilarious.

We love this little boy, and he is such a joy to spend every day with:)

4th of July

Our 4th of July is definitely one that we will not forget. It started off with a quick run to Target for a few things. Then we went swimming with the Lewis family for a little while. The kids had so much fun. Presleigh spent most of her time in the big pool playing with Krista. Noah enjoyed playing with a little girl in the baby pool. They are becoming quite the little fish this summer. I forgot my camera so I didn't get any pictures from the pool:(

Then we went home for a little relaxation. I had a big surprise for Wayne and I wanted to do something a little more fun this time. So I packaged up this pregnancy test and had Presleigh give it to Wayne. She told him "Daddy we're gonna have a baby." It was the cutest thing. We know that it is still super early but we are still very very excited and hopeful that we will have a healthy pregnancy this time around.
Then it was on with the festivities. We went over to the the Lewis' for a bbq dinner. It was extremely delicious. The boys gave Presleigh a water balloon that she carried around with her, she called it her baby. It popped all over her dinner. She was very upset. But then Jake made her a new one. I think it eventually got thrown out into the street. It was so nice to be able to have a low key 4th and still spend time with family. We love the Lewis fam and are so happy that we live close.

Then we headed over to a park with our friends to watch the fireworks. We got there pretty early so the kids were running around and playing. Noah was all over the place. I think it was all of the lemonade that he drank. He was hyped up. He was running around talking to strangers and playing catch with random people. He had no fear. I was worried he was gonna run off and get lost or taken. We were chasing after him quite a bit. But then the fireworks started and it was all worth it. The kids loved them. I love the 4th. I love wearing red white and blue, I love seeing flags out, and I love the patriotic music.

I am so grateful to live in this country and all of the freedoms that we enjoy here.

Playin

This summer has been a little crazy so far. I've been working a ton, and so has Wayne. During the day the kids and I spend lots of time at the swimming pool. It is right down the street from us, so it almost feels like it's in our backyard. The kids love to swim. Presleigh is a little fish, and tries to sneak into the big pool sometimes. Noah was a little nervous at first, I think because the water is super cold. But now he loves to walk around in the baby pool. We pretty much play all day:)

A couple weeks ago the Wayne and the kids came to visit me at work. It was during family night, so they got to see Andy the Armadillo, and eat free ice cream, and watch the balloon guy make them fun balloons. They loved it and pretty much wouldn't stop talking about the armadillo. Every day when I would go to work they would ask to go in and see the armadillo, and I would have to tell them that Andy only works on Monday nights. So this past Monday they got to come in again. We decided to take a picture:) Presleigh is so funny because she sits and waits for him to come to their table and then she gets all shy and acts scared. I'm thinking that they would love Disney Land and all the characters there.

Dear Daddy

You have been on my mind a little more than usual these days. I would say that it had something to do with Father's day but memories of you have been surfacing for months now. As I face trials as a mother I can't help but think of you and mom and wonder how the heck you guys were able to parent 6 kids with such love and devotion.

You are an amazing father, but you are also an amazing person. Your love for the savior is so clear in your words and actions and I love that about you:) You are one of the hardest workers I know and it makes me sad that I didn't always appreciate that. I admire the sacrifices that you have made for our family and the example that you have set for me. You are so personable and funny, and I love that you enjoy making others laugh.

I love that you give people the benifit of the doubt and how forgiving you are. I love that you were taught the gospel later in your life and how you accepted it, embraced it, and still live it. I am thankful that you took mom to the temple so that we could be an eternal family. I am impressed with how positive you have been through your trials, and how you have been able to brush off the negative that has been thrown at you, unfortunately by me at times:(

I love that you enjoy doing missionary work through geneology. Growing up you always made time to play run, jump, and flip, dark night, take me on trips, coach my basketball team, and just enjoyed us kids which has made a huge impact on my life. And you still make an effort to spend time with me and my family even in difficult times. You have the biggest heart ever!!!

Your encouragement has helped me get through some really tough things and all your love has helped me gain confidence in myself and my abbilities to do hard things.

Thank you for always doing your best!!

I love you dad and I am so grateful to be your daughter:)

Father's day weekend

Our father's day weekend was filled with company:) My mom and dad brought my sister Julie and baby Laila here from Montana and then Jules hubby Paul met them here to pick up his family. We only got to have one full day with them all but it was so nice to have visitors.

Friday we ate a yummy dinner and just chit chatted. Saturday my mom offered to watch our kids so Wayne and I could attend the Temple. Grandma's are the best, and we really appreciated being able to go to the temple together. After the temple, the boys watched a movie while the girls went to garage sales. I scored a spindle bed for Pres that I am super excited about. I also found a little dresser for Noah and a few other things. Then we all went to Peyton's baseball game. I have never been a fan of watching baseball but I really enjoy watching Peyton play. Plus the kids have fun at the ball field:) Then the girls hit up Seagul book and target looking for things for our hubbys for Father's Day. While the boys enjoyed pizza and another movie. I have to say that this is not like my husband. He usually falls asleep during the first 10 minutes of all movies.

We then had dinner at cafe rio, which was delicious. We spent the rest of the night playing games. My mom and I made a yummy breakfast for the fathers. Then my parents had to get on the road. Jules and Paul left after church. It was so nice having everybody in town. As soon as they pulled up Presleigh and Noah were in hyper active mode and enjoyed every minute with everybody. Presleigh fell asleep during sacrament meeting and was very sad when she woke up and julie and paul were gone. It made me sad and wish that we all lived closer:( Spending time with family is always so great!

Wayne and I combined my birthday and his father's day gifts and got a deep freeze. I couldn't resist getting him a small gift though so we got him a new basketball. So after church we went over to the park and played horse. He of course won:)

So sorry I don't have any pictures from the weekend

Memorial Day Trip

We drove down to Salt Lake over Memorial weekend to help my sister-in-law Joanna get her house all set up pretty. She just moved into a new home and wanted help decorating it, and I was able to work on that with her. I spent a lot of the month of May working on mood boards and finding accessories for her home, and it was tons of fun. I don't have pictures because it wasn't all finished before we left, but I will post the mood boards that I came up with, so you can get an idea. of what it looks like.

Potty break on the side of the road:)

Presleigh holding baby Laila

Eating breakfast at Grandma and Grandpa Taylors

Presleigh has been talking about the temple a lot lately. She looks at our wedding pictures and talks about how we were married in the temple and now we are "the boss." Then she talks about how someday she will be married in the temple and then she will be "the boss." I love that she loves the temple and loves to talk about it with us. She obviously doesn't understand the importance of being married in the temple yet, but I am so glad that she can see the pictures of us and want to follow that example:) On our trip down we decided that we would take her to temple square. She was very excited to be able to go see the temple. She was a little dissapointed when we told her she couldn't go inside yet though. It was the perfect Sunday afternoon activity.

The kiddos were chasing Wayne by the conference center. It was pretty cute:)

Another potty break, on the way home. Noah was running around, trying to get out the wiggles:)

Toys Toys Toys

We've been dealing with toy issues for a while now. Wayne is not a very big toy fan and i'm not a big mess fan so we needed to come up with some way to eliminate these problems. I don't buy toys unless it's a special occasion (birthday or christmas) and we have had them, for the most part organized in our credenza. I tried only letting the kiddos play with one thing at a time, but they are pretty much capable of dumping out all toys in a matter of seconds, so that wasn't really working. Pres and Noah make huge messes and we have a hard time getting them to clean them up. I would just throw the toys all in the trash but I hate to get rid of the few that we have.

A while back Wayne suggested that we should lock them (the toys) in a closet or something. I laughed and thought he was crazy. Then after a few more days of toy chaos I caved. Wayne decided to bust out the childproof locks and now our toy credenza is kid proof. Sometimes I feel like a mean mom because my kids can't freely dump out all of their toys, but I have noticed that they are still able to find other ways to play without a massive plasstic mess in our living room.

So now instead of toys all over the place we have new messes to deal with. Wall decor, book cases, shoes, and pots and pans are all very fun for our kiddos now. Lately the fridge has been a huge hit in keeping our kids entertained. They love to swing on the door and rearrange condiments. Hairbows are found throughout the house and stuffed in random places. My make-up is also fun for little Noah, who like his mother, has a love for red lipstick.

I guess we should have just locked them (the kiddos) in the closet instead:)