Bowling

For Memorial Day we took the boys bowling. We hadn't been in a couple of years. It was Lincoln's first time, and he loved rolling the ball down the ramp.

Porter was hilarious. He would throw the ball so high that I was worried that he was going to break the floor every time it hit.

He also got the most unusual frames! I've never seen pins left standing this way!

Ethan was just having a blast!

Bryson hung out most of the time in his car seat, and was a complete angel.

It was so fun that we might have to take advantage of the free summer bowling for the kids!

Rolling

This morning before church I laid down Bryson on his back. A few minutes later I walked by and saw him on his tummy. Ethan was sitting by him, so I started giving him the "you shouldn't be moving your brother around" talk. He insisted that he didn't touch him and that he rolled over on his own. I thought Ethan was playing a joke on me. I put Bryson back on his back and he rolled over on his own! I couldn't believe it! I am not prepared for him to be doing big boy stuff!

Zion

Thursday a few of us that were still in Utah decided to make the most of our trip and went up to Zion National Park. I hadn't been up there in a long time. We used to take family camping trips every summer when I was young, and it brought back great memories. 

I loved watching Lincoln hike most of the way holding hands with my Dad. They were buddies all day.

We made it up to weeping rock

Lincoln thought it was pretty gross when he leaned his hand against the wet slimy wall!

Our hiking group for the day.

After weeping rock we went up a little further in the canyon. It was a beautiful walk, I could have stayed there all day! We came up to the river, and right away my sister Amy was in trouble. Amy has a reputation for falling in any kind of water during our family vacations! It didn't matter what it was, if we were by water, she fell in it. So now we are all adults, but the sight of Amy standing next to the river was too tempting! There was a lot of teasing, even Nathan's kids were in on it after being told stories. So Amy was determined to cross the river to prove to us that she was no longer prone to falling in water!

I think every member of the family had their cameras out waiting for the moment she would fall. (I think we were all secretly hoping she would.) But, after a couple of close calls, she actually made it across and back.

Trevor was a great help on the trip. He was my co-pilot, and super uncle!

Grandpa

My Grandpa passed away last week. He was an amazing man, and a great example of service, and dedication to the Lord. 

My parents and siblings all rented a house so we could all stay together. It was so much better than everyone being separated in different hotel rooms. Rob stayed home with Ethan and Porter since they are still in school, but I brought Lincoln and Bryson with me.

His funeral was on Wednesday. Each of his grandsons were pall bearers...

Every grandchild was able to be there. We hadn't all been together for almost 3 years.

The lunch that was provided after the funeral was so nice! We were well taken care of by the sisters in my grandma's ward.

All my siblings with my Grandma...

After the luncheon some of us went to the St. George temple. Lincoln loved all the steps!

It put things into perspective. I'm so thankful for eternal families!!

And so thankful for the knowledge that I can see my Grandfather again!

Happy Mother's Day?

Because were were at church with my mom for Mother's Day, I received my cards the boys made at church a little late. I couldn't help but laugh at Porter's card. He has become quite the teaser lately!

He crossed out the M and wrote D and crossed out Mom and wrote Dad! Then to make it worse, inside he wrote this...

" Boo Mom Yay Dad"

Gotta love that kid!

Lincoln's Birthday!

My little buddy turned 3 yesterday!! He's been telling everyone he knew (and didn't know) how he was going to have a birthday with a "woofie cake" and "balloonies". With such simple requests, I had it pretty easy!

Ethan was sweet and bought this car for him with his own money.

Porter picked out a special coloring book for him.

I can't believe how big this boy's getting! His "terrible two" year was pretty easy. He's such a happy kid, we love him!!

Lincoln's 3 year old fun facts:

Favorite food: pizza

Favorite color: green

Favorite Show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Wants to "grow big, big, big, like a robot".

He's a natural charmer. Everyone loves him and fights for his attention.

He's got a great sense of humor, and keeps everyone laughing.

He loves his big brothers, and is determined to do whatever they do.

He is the most loving kid I know

Summer Preview

Ever since the boys had their swim lessons, I've been anxious to get them in the pool to make sure they didn't forget what they learned. Porter and Lincoln on the other hand practically start to cry at the mention of a pool. They both didn't want to be anywhere near one. So we decided to go to palm springs and enjoy the warm weather and get these boys over their fears!

Ethan actually fractured his foot mothers day weekend and was in a special boot, so he was nervous to take it off and swim. He spent a lot of the first day in the shade with a new book to read.

Porter did great. He stayed where he could touch the bottom, but practiced swimming on his own. Lincoln was amazing. I asked him if we could take off his floaties and practice swimming and he started to get upset. Then I changed tactics and just told him we were going to do it and show Dad how good he could swim. After I had him swim to the wall once, he didn't want to stop! He kept saying "Again, again!" I couldn't believe how excited he was about it. Bryson was awesome and slept on a lounge chair most of the time. When he woke up we let him have his first dip in the pool, he loved it, and didn't cry at all.

After the pool we went and got pizza and hung out in our room the rest of the night. The next day we wanted to swim again before checked out so we packed everything up except our clothes to change into. As I laid out all the boys stuff, it really hit me that I am a mom of 4 boys now! I couldn't help but smile looking at the line up of clothes!

We made it down to the pool with a couple of hours to swim. I got to hang out poolside with Bryson for a while until he fell asleep.

Rob convinced Ethan to let him throw him in the water, and once he did it, he didn't want to stop. He was so funny. Every time he threw him, he would pose in the air.

Lincoln got brave and gave it a try too.

The trip couldn't have gone better. We've decided to have one more lesson with Ms. Tiff for Lincoln, hoping that warm water will make all the difference!

Mother's Day Tea

Porter's kindergarten class hosted all the moms for a mother's day tea today. We all got to sit in their seats while they sang songs to us. He did such a good job! After their performance we got to have refreshments and were showered with gifts. Porter has been growing me a flower and made me some sweet cards. I even got my own corsage! It was great to spend the morning with Porter, I'm glad I get to be his mom! 

When I Grow Up...

Last night during dinner we asked the boys what they wanted to be when they grew up. Their answers were pretty hilarious and fit their personalities pretty good.

Porter said he wants to be a spy.

Standing for what's right, and taking out the bad guys!

Ethan said he wants to be a king.

Wants to rule over everything! 

 

When it got to Lincoln, he said very seriously that he wants to be...

...a mountain!

We couldn't stop laughing!

A Special Gift

Yesterday after the blessing Bryan and Reanna treated Lincoln to an early birthday present. Lincoln has been very fascinated with watches lately. Anytime he sees someone wearing one he wants too look at it and wear it. While he was checking out Bryan's watch one day, he told him that he wanted his own watch. Without thinking about it he told him he would get one for him. Lincoln has been telling me ever since that "Uncle Bryan is getting me a watch". I told Bryan that he better follow through or we'd have one sad kid. Luckily Lincoln's birthday is right around the corner, so Bryan and Reanna brought a gift for him yesterday. Not only did Lincoln get his own Lightning McQueen watch, but matching sunglasses too. He was pretty excited about it, and feels like such a big kid!

Bryson's Blessing

Bryson was blessed at church today. Rob gave him a wonderful blessing. He blessed him with health and strength. He blessed him that he would understand right and wrong and be an example of right. He blessed him to be sensitive to the spirit, to faithfully serve a mission, to marry in the temple, and to raise his own children in the shadow of Jesus Christ. It was a special day for our family and we were so glad that so many family members were able to be there with us.

Love

I love to see Bryson with his big brothers. They love him him so much, and are so good with him. Ethan loves to sit with him on the couch. And I think Bryson loves it too!

Concentration

Bryson is loving his play mat lately. He can now reach for things, and loves hitting them around. He always sticks his tongue out while concentrating on getting them!