Random July

I don't think we've ever had so many beautifully sunny and hot days as we're having this summer. While we've gotten some smoke from the California wildfires, lots of the days have been clear.  Regardless though, it's too nice to stay inside, even if I do feel crummy!

Generally Tyler does like the pool, but not so much being in his floatie ring.

Usually, the kids only get screen time when Tyler (and me!) is napping, but sometimes I'm lenient (or just too pukey to care):

Jace is taking full advantage of my 'indisposition' to learn how to cook for himself:

He can now make grilled cheese sandwiches and quesadillas by himself.

Hailee has really gotten into Legos!

She's making some movies based on 'The Lost King' with Legos right now... most mornings, I wake up to the sound of her in the Lego room (below my bedroom) sorting through Legos- it's a surprisingly loud and distinct noise.

Our wonderful piano teacher Diane decided to retire amidst the Covid pandemic.  I lined up a new teacher for them, but she doesn't do lessons in the summer.  Eager to get lessons going for Hailee and for Jace to start, they are both taking from their cousin Bekah this summer, Jace is loving it!

Tyler too!

Jace and Hailee love having sleep overs in the family room...

Me and my sweet boy on the hammock!

7 Weeks

I went in for my first trimester/dating ultrasound this week.  I measured 7 weeks, which is off by a few days according to my calculations.  I was a little surprised because I was expecting a little gummy bear on the screen- the ultrasound tech explained that the 'gummy bear' phase is the next week!  So funny how dramatically everything changes in such a short time!

Grow baby, Grow!

Silverwood

A fun day at Silverwood!  Because they sometimes get to ride rides before work, you'd think that Bryson and Dallin would be all 'Silverwood-ed' out, but they totally looked forward to be able to just play there instead of work!

Tyler was a little overwhelmed by all the people and wasn't sure what to think of the rides:

Nice photo-bombing Hailee and Jace...

It didn't take long for him to be completely tuckered out:

I was feeling pretty crummy, so I laid in the grass while he napped... the rest of the fam had a blast though!

Jace and Hailee both rode Panic Plunge for the first time:

They were so brave- what a thrill!

Golfing

Jace and Eli are lovers of all sports.  They come by it honestly- they get it from their dad!  Every day, they're outside playing one sport or another- often times making up a sport/game, and it looks like Tyler is going to follow in their footsteps.

Jace and Eli have both been begging Nathan to take them golfing- unfortunately, we only got pictures of Jace and Daddy at the course...

and Jace and Eli at the range:

Our boys love spending time with their Dad!

And again...

Whelp, the first test was a squinter for sure...

But subsequent tests were more convincing!

Hey, they were dollar store tests and I had them, so why not?!?

Tyler was the first to find out:

 For whatever reason, despite all those positive dollar store tests, it just didn't seem real.  Maybe because it was our first month trying, but I don't think that with any of my other pregnancies I ever took so many tests... but the 2nd (positive result) line was just so faint on the subsequent days when I tested... I felt like it took too many tests/days for that 2nd line to finally get as dark as the control line.  Of course I didn't feel pregnant, so two weeks later, still in a little disbelief, I bought a three pack of not dollar store tests:

I was SUPER confused for a minute... there was only one line on two of the tests, but the 3rd/digital test (which took SO long to result) said YES???  And then I looked closer... notice the 'key' to the left of the result window- the first line is the positive result- turns out, the first two tests are what are called 'dye stealers'- meaning that it's such a strong positive, it literally steals the dye from the control line.  I had never heard of such a thing, but I'm convinced I'm pregnant now!

Since I was starting to feel crappy, we told the kids over dinner... a dinner of BABY back ribs, BABY carrots, BABY potatoes... it took them a minute to figure out the theme and then it dawned on them:

They're really excited because they know just how special it is to hold a new baby and just how fun a toddler is.

Deacon's Camp

Eli and Nathan went on a canoeing and camping trip last week with the Deacon's quorum. The drove to Montana and then canoed 26 miles on the Flathead River over the course of 2 days.

Eli brought along our waterproof camera, so I actually got some pictures to post! *wink*

Silly boy!

On the last night, they went to Wild Horse Hot Springs and suffice it to say, there were some 'sketchy' senior citizens who obviously spent a little too much time and were a little too comfortable at the hot springs.

Jace's Party

Better late than never!  Because of scheduling conflicts and because he wanted a pool party, we put off Jace's birthday party a little bit, but we were determined to have one!

After swimming, we had cake and ice cream and Jace was all about opening presents before games... why not?!?

Caleb, Jace, Jackson, Wyatt and Colin!

4th of July

Since the 4th was on a Sunday, we kept it pretty low key.  We grilled out and enjoyed time with family.  Because of the fire risk, Dan's friends decided not to do their fireworks show in their neighborhood and instead moved it to Newman Lake.  We all piled up in Dan's boat, blasted some patriotic music and watched the show:

And a great show it was... right up until someone's firework went awry down the lake and started a fire!

It was pretty crazy to watch how fast it spread, but it mostly stayed on the ground and they were able to get it put out quickly- thank goodness!