Cousin Lovin'

Summer is always a blast hanging out in the heat and playing with cousins. We have had so many cousins come into town that we don't get to see that often! And we have the best grandparents that make sure we stay cool this summer while we play.

Swimming with Isaac and Hannah at Boofie and Grandpa's

Popsicles at Grandma Rita's

Sharing chicken Nuggets with Marcus

Slip n sliding and sun bathing at Grandma Rita's with Maren Jane and Tess

Marcus and Peter playing in (and eating) the rocks

Watermelon and swimming with Clara who moved to Salt Lake so we get to see her lots now!

Eating with Walt at Grandma Rita's

Enjoying popsicles, swimming, and lounging with Clara at Boofie and Grandpa's

Eating treats at Gray's baptism

Pioneer Day Celebrations

Our stake made a float for the Days of 47 Parade so we had to join in the festivities this year! We got to walk past it being put together each day as we walked over to Boofie and Grandpa's to water the plants the week before so we were excited to see it all done!

The kids and I went to the float preview at the South Town Expo Center and enjoyed seeing all the floats up close and voting for our favorites. And getting a balloon flower, of course.

Then instead of braving the huge parade on Monday we went to the youth parade on Saturday. It was perfect for us! Peter was mesmerized by all the floats/cars/bands going by. Afton liked the single piece of candy she got and the clowns the best.

I wore Peter in the backpack and pushed Afton in the stroller so we could quickly get a spot since we were running a little late. It was hot walk!

On Saturday we had a party with Mimi's side of the family and enjoyed getting to play with extended cousins.

Afton was in HEAVEN with all these older sweethearts including her!

Dad turns 2-7!

We REALLY love Dad around here and tried our best to celebrate him the best we could! On Friday we had a picnic in his honor although he couldn't be there for it. Peter got to sit in a big kid chair and couldn't have been more pleased.

We made cinnamon rolls and helped him blow out the candles. And then we helped him eat them of course!

 You can tell little Peter was quite excited for the festivities!

On Saturday Afton took Dad to see Finding Dory, after which Mom and Dad went on a date without the kiddos! 

Happy 27, Daddy! We sure love you!

July Fourth

We had a great 4th of July weekend, which luckily Pete had off! We went hiking, had dinner with old friends from high school, attended the Hidden Oaks annual breakfast, and had a BBQ with Pete's extended family.

Peter (baby) was exhausted and so was Mom (still recovering from surgery) so just Dad and Afton caught the fireworks. It was a fun little date for them to enjoy together. It was so nice to have Dad around for the celebrations!

Tonsillectomy Round 2

Pete has been bugging me about getting my tonsils out probably since we were dating. Or maybe first married. Anytime I breathed on him or got slightly sick and complained of a sore throat. So after we put Afton through it, I figured it was only fair to consider it for myself. I mean, if she was brave enough then I could be too, right?

After a consult with the ENT I decided it would be worth it to get them out now. I just didn't want to look back when I am 40 or 50 and wish I had done it when I was "younger" like I do now! And since there really is no great time with Pete's school schedule this year, except for perhaps Christmas break, we decided to rely on the mercy of our parents for help with my recovery and the kids.

All went fine with the surgery. They removed my tonsils and adenoids and I was on to recovery. I had SO MANY people tell me it would be rough so I was expecting it but that still doesn't make it easier. It was just painful. But I am past it now and am already started to forget the intense pain (I have this issue of forgetting how painful things are--like birth--and Pete gets so frustrated because I act so nonchalant about things in retrospect and he tries to remind me that I was, in fact, in a great amount of pain). But I think it's God's way of making sure I continue to have babies! :)

We feel so immensely grateful for the help from family and friends to take care of the kids and me and help us all get back on our feet!

I texted Pete this picture to tell him I was really going through with it. He knows how much I hate IVs so by this time there was no turning back!

Happy kids at Mimi and Grandpa's while Mom recovered

A lot of lying around with Mom

A LOT of creams for Mom and Afton

Peter got to love on Rosie lots

Afton became obsessed with this little game while I was recovering. She would ask anyone who would pay attention "Which of our mouths is bigger?" Because I couldn't open my mouth very wide, she would always win, which she LOVED. Since I can open my mouth wider now, the game has lost its appeal. ;)

Epic Fail

I had this grand idea of taking a cute photo of the kids that we could print and give to Granny (the kids' great great grandma) for her 100th birthday. I set up a little back drop and got the lighting just right and then even dolled up the kids, all of which was no small feat. Unfortunately, neither of them wanted to cooperate. Afton was good on and off until she would squeeze Peter extra tight or refuse to smile. On top of it all my phone was having trouble focusing and would take forever to focus. So with that and Peter constantly moving, I got mostly blurry pictures.

 I was pretty frustrated in the moment that all my efforts and good intentions were wasted but I look back at these pictures now and laugh.

Needless to say, Granny did not get a photo of her great great grandchildren for her birthday :(