A Camping We Will Go..

   We took our 1st family camping trip this week.  We headed up Farmington Canyon and found a nice shady spot at Bountiful Peak Campground.  Not quite what Logan was visioning, but it worked out really well.  

2 Kids + LOTS of dirt + laid back mom and dad = a FUN camping trip

Sophie spent much of the day and evening digging in this sandy dirt.  She was looking for treasure!

Both kids were so dirty--I seriously don't think either one of them had ever been so dirty.  I guess that means they had a good time, right?

We took a hike, which didn't really go as planned.  Sophie refused to walk and then later needed to go potty and wasn't thrilled about becoming one with mother nature.  Therefore our hike was cut short in order to make it back to the potty seat set up at camp:)

Good times at camp!

Collin held onto this box of Rice Krispy Treats all night long.  He didn't want to eat one, but he had to hold them.

We roasted hot dogs, and made s'mores.  The kids were eating all night long.  I didn't take a picture, but Collin had set up his own camp on the table surrounded by chips, chocolate, marshmellows, graham crackers, and apple juice!

Sophie felt more at home once we discovered a pen and paper in the car.  She could color her life away, she seriously loves it.

There never have been 2 kids more excited to go to sleep.  They could not wait to get in the tent-- We wouldn't let them in it because of all the dirt they were covered in.  Once they got in, they were bouncing off the walls.  After finally getting the kids to sleep, I was thinking this might not be too bad--despite the hard ground that my pregnant self was not too thrilled about sleeping on!  After several hours, Collin woke up crying.  We got him settled down and then Sophie woke up crying to go home to her own bed.  She cried for probably a half hour before going to sleep and was up off and on throughout the night.  We also had a racoon rummaging through our camp.  Needless to say we were all pretty tired the next day!  Despite this, it was a fun camping trip and one that I hope we try again (this time with an air mattress!)

A Nice Sunday Evening

Last Sunday after a relaxing day at home, I was feeling itchy to get out of the house.  We decided to go to Temple Square and walk around--it had been a while since we had been there.  The evening was so nice.  The weather was cool (a little windy and rainy) and it was just so nice to get out with the family and enjoy each other on the grounds of the Temple.  I think this was probably the kids most favorite visit to Temple Square.

Both kids loved the fountains and had fun splashing in the water--maybe too much fun!

Sophie is just about impossible to take pictures of lately.  I usually have to bribe her our catch her off guard.  This is the only picture we got of her that is in focus.  She is constantly moving!

Happy July 24th!!

Pioneer Day is a big celebration here and I look forward to it every year.  This year was no exception.  We were lucky too, because Logan was able to spend the holiday with us.  We started our celebrating the night before at a local parade with my Mom and Dad.  It is a good parade, with lots of great floats and marching bands.  However, it might be getting too much for me--it was such a fight to get seats and a constant fight for candy, which Sophie was living for!



Even my Grandpa was able to make it to the parade this year!  It was fun having him there too!  On the 24th, I spent most of the day cleaning our house (which had become a disaster) and later that night our friends Jeff and Mindy and their cute little boy, Owen came over for a BBQ and fireworks.  It was an enjoyable night with friends.

Our Firework show was spectacular!  It was drawing all of the neighbors overs.  Here is Sophie and Naiih (her friend from across the street) enjoying the show.

Here is mom and Collin.  Collin was a bit afraid of fireworks this year, but was so brave.  He would sit on my lap and hold onto my hands or cover his ears and shout "Fireworks don't scare me!"  Cute kid!

Baby Oh Baby!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice, That's What Little Girls Are Made Of!  

We have thought all along that we were having a baby girl, and our suspicions were confirmed today when we had our ultrasound.  We are officially having a healthy baby girl.  It will be so fun to have another girl in the family.  Both of the kids are excited and I know that Sophie will love having a sister (eventually!).  We brought home a picture of the baby for each of them to have and Collin kept lifting up my shirt trying to "see" the baby.  I think that he is understanding that we are having a new baby--at least a little.

Now to come up with a name!  Logan and I each have one that we love so we will have to battle it out for the winner.  I suggested arm wrestling and the winner gets to choose the name, until I realized that I would lose for sure.

Neighborhood Pioneer Day Celebration!

Last night was our Neighborhood Pioneer Day Celebration put on by our ward.  It was so much fun.  The evening started out with a Children's Parade.  There were so many kids that spent a lot of time decorating their bikes, scooters, and strollers.  Sophie and Collin enjoyed covering their stroller with blue crepe paper and then a few minutes later, ripping it off!  During the parade, Sophie was really into waving and saying "HI" to all of the spectators.  After the parade everyone met at a neighborhood park and ate, played games, got wet, and of course socialized.

Here is Sophie and Collin enjoying their plated full of chips and cookies!  You can't really tell from the picture, but there were so many people.  Our blanket became Collin's safe spot.  If he ventured far from it or me he would start crying.

There was a fish pond, slippery slide, candy cannon, and face painting.  So much fun for the kids.  Sophie and Collin loved the fish pond.  Sophie figured out how to swap prizes and went back and traded hers two or three times until she found a prize that she thought was worthy of coming home with her!

Here is Collin looking handsome in his prize from the fish pond!  It was a fun night with fun people.  The kids were worn out afterwards which makes bed time so much better:)

PaRtY tImE!

We celebrated Collin's birthday on Saturday with both sets of grandparents and Logan's sister, Andrea, and her husband who were visiting from Seattle.  It was a Thomas party and everyone, especially Collin, had a good time.  Collin was so excited he could hardly wait for his party to start!

Here is the birthday boy!  Let the party begin!

Collin was so excited to open his presents.  They were tempting him all morning.  He loved opening them and he had a ton.  It seemed just like Christmas.  What a lucky boy!

This trumpet was a hit.  It was actually a present given to Sophie by Logan's mom, however both kids love it and Sophie won't let it out of her sight.  This is probably one of the only times Collin has been able to use it.  I didn't get a picture of Collin with his presents, but he loved them too.  He got lots of cars, books, trains and clothes.

The cake!   Collin loved the cake and was so excited for this part of his party.  This was the first time I didn't stay up all night making one.  I must say that it was so nice not to stress about how the cake was turning out.

Collin sang Happy Birthday to himself like a champ and gave blowing out the candles a great big blow, however his sneaky older sister managed to blow them out before he had the chance.  He was still happy with the outcome though and was ready to eat cake!

Happy Birthday bud!

2 Today!

Holy cow, I can't believe that my baby boy is 2 years old already.  I can remember the day he was born like it was yesterday.  He is growing and changing so much.  I must admit that he is much easier today than he was back then and for that I am grateful.  I love Collin so much and and am so very grateful that he is a part of our family.  Life wouldn't be the same without him.

Here is some interesting things about Collin at 2 years old:

• Favorite Foods:  Collin loves frozen bean burritos, chili, fresh fruit, vegetables, yogurt, ice cream, and treats of any kind.
• Likes: "B Lovey" (which is his binky and a burp rag), cars and trucks, animals (especially the elephant), reading books, playing with Sophie, playing outside, playing in the sand, and coloring.
• Dislikes: Collin hates being told "No", getting his hair washed, wearing a bib, and being left out of the action--he wants to be doing just what everyone else (especially Sophie) is doing.
• Commonly Used Words and Expressions: Collin can say most anything, but these are a few of the things that he says all of the time-- "Logan!", "My name is Collin Curtis", " It Is!", "No like it", "Ya", "No take a nap", " Love you", and "Be right back".

Happy Birthday Collin!  I hope that you have a special day and know just how much you are loved by everyone.