Memorial Day

For Memorial Day afternoon, we planned to be with Steve's girls and their families. Well, the girls called and suggested a hike..... to Bells Canyon Reservoir. Yep - that's twice this week - bring it!!! We were joined by Rachel and Kevin and their kids, Anistyn and Stockton, and Shannon and Matt as well as Matt's Dad, Paul. Yep - a motley crew for sure, but we made our way up the mountain. I always feel bad because Matt ends up being our pack mule, carrying one of the kids, a bag, or something that we should be carrying ourselves. Thanks Matt! The trail and the reservoir were as crowded as we've seen them, but there's room for everyone. Kevin and Anistyn fished while Rachel and I sat with the kids. Steve climbed on rocks with the kids and Shannon tried to nap. By the walk down, Cole was sacked out - both kids were sleeping in the car on the short ride home. A great day for being with family and for enjoying the great outdoors (again). Thanks guys - we had a wonderful time!!!!

Bells Canyon Reservoir

After our attempts to take a hike, later in the week we actually did hike up to Bells Canyon Reservoir. There are two ways to get there - one is shorter and steeper while the other is longer, but less steep. We chose the longer route (I'm blaming it on the kids). Really, Reagan walked the entire way and Cole walked about 3/4 of the way - we finally put him in the backpack as he was picking up every rock he could see and we were moving at a snail's pace. What a beautiful reservoir and view of the mountains. You can see the waterfall, the mountain and across the valley. We had a good time and on our way home, Reagan said "it was so nice to take a hike with you Mama". Yep - you too Reagan. Here's some pics from our hike:

Take a Hike

Well, we headed out one night last week thinking we would take a little hike with the kids. We set out and planned to hit Bells Canyon Reservoir. As we were driving, Steve said that it seemed too hot and that it wouldn't be that fun. So, we decided to head up Big Cottonwood to one of our favorites... Silver Lake. We thought it would be cooler and the kids could just walk around the lake, no real hiking involved. Um... yeah! Cooler indeed - snow covered actually. Seriously, you couldn't even go anywhere near the lake - there was snow everywhere. Steve kept saying "what was I thinking? I know when this lake thaws." Well, we headed back down the canyon and decided to stop at the Lake Blanche trail. Steve has hiked up there his whole life. We've only been up there once and I remembered it being pretty difficult, but we decided to take the kids up part of the way. We didn't go far, but still had a great time. The water was rushing down the mountain at such force - it was beautiful. The kids had a blast. Who would have thought it would be so hard to just take a hike? But all in all, we had a fun night and a great little hike. Here's a few pics from our evening:

Happy Birthday Rachel

For Rachel's birthday, we met at a park near Rachel and Kevin's house and had dinner and fun. The kids played with each other (and with the dogs) and we had a great time just hangin' out. Not sure how I failed to get a pic of Rachel, but here are some of the rest of the gang:

Poor Shannon had been in a snowboarding accident (without the snowboard) the day before, so, she was pretty banged up. Then, I had to include a pic of Stockton and Cole fighting for a chair - they were both crying and pushing and pulling and shoving. Finally, Stockton must have thought it wasn't worth it and he yielded. Cole stayed in the chair for a long time, not willing to risk losing it. Shannon made the kids' day when she bought ice cream for all of them. Kevin flew his rc airplane until we damaged the prop - air show is over :(  We all had a great time until it was time to leave - Reagan was not pleased and even a ride on Steve's shoulders didn't make up for forcing her to stop playing. Well Rach - we had a great time. Happy Birthday and here's to a great year for you... you deserve it!!!!

Bubbles

As you know from previous posts, Reagan LOVES bubbles. She was lucky enough to get some for Easter and for her birthday. So, one evening last week, she had to check them out - really.... every last bottle of bubbles. With a bubble wand for her and one for Cole, they were swinging their arms around, throwing the bubble solution everywhere (I was covered). We had some great bubbles and lots of fun! Luckily, Steve was able to get some pics of the bubbles - hopefully the camera was spared from the bubble solution  :)

Mother's Day Weekend

We had a great Mother's Day weekend. Friday night we played in the yard. Saturday afternoon, we headed to Steve's parents' house for fun, food and family. Sunday, after church, we went to Rachel and Kevin's house and were able to hang out with Steve's girls, their Mom and stepDad and Kevin's parents and brothers. Fun, fun all around and we were able to see my Mom and Dad the week before. Thanks to my Mom and to Steve's Mom for all that you are to us and to our kids. Thanks also to all of you friends and family who "mother" my kids (I need all the help I can get). What a great day to celebrate Moms. Thanks Steve for making it a great weekend - I loved it all.

Reagan's Birthday

We had Reagan's parties on the weekend before her birthday, so on her actual birthday, we did whatever she wanted. That, predictably, resulted in McDonalds for dinner and hours of playing at the park. We had so much fun just playing and after a few hours, we wandered over to the baseball diamonds where some little leaguers were playing baseball. Cole was entranced - he kept watching, so intently, trying to take it all in. Reagan was entranced with the snack bar. When the game was over and we were walking back to the car, we asked Cole "Did you see the kids playing baseball?" He would say "nah" (yes) and act like he was throwing the ball - overhand - just like the pitcher. What a boy! After almost a week of birthday celebrations, Reagan has only now stopped asking "is it my birthday today?" It is over for now, you'll need to make wishes on dandelions instead of birthday candles. Until next year, here's to my little 3 year old Reagan - Happy Birthday!!!

Grandma Great - A Great Grandma!

We are sad today as my Grandmother (my Mom's Mom) passed away last night. She was an amazing lady and a great example of a follower of Jesus Christ. As I was her first grandchild, I have been lucky enough to have her as "my grandma" for the longest. She and our grandfather moved to Arizona to be close to us after I was born. When my sister had the first grandchild in our family, we started calling her Grandma Great (instead of Great Grandma) - it was appropriate as she really is Great! She has always been around - on family trips, on holidays, on special occasions and just on regular days. I have not had a milestone event in my life that she has not been in attendance for. She and my grandfather served a mission when I was 9 or so and we couldn't stand to not have her with us as frequently as we were used to. She always served others, volunteering at the hospital and at the temple until her health required her to stop last year. She didn't like the spotlight, but was deserving of it as she always tried to do what was right and to do good to others. At 89, she took great care of herself, eating right and exercising each day and she would always look so pretty (hair done, nails done, shoes, clothes, jewelry and bag that matched). She had many friends and kept in touch, and traveled with, her high school buddies (class of '38) or as many of them as were left. She had a strong testimony of the Gospel and had pioneer ancestors, from whom she inherited great strength and resolve. Once she decided to do something, she was undeterred. She was here to celebrate Reagan's birthday with us last week and we were teasing her about her "boyfriend" and about all the things she was doing. She is an amazing lady. 

Selfishly, I am sad as she will no longer be with us and that Reagan and Cole will not be able to know her more as they grow up, but I know that she has now reunited with her friends, parents, companions and siblings and, most importantly, with our Heavenly Father. She will be with us in spirit. We love you Grandma Great and will spend our lives trying to live up to the example that you set before us. We will miss you, but we will be with you again - forever.

My First Little Baby

Reagan celebrated her third birthday this week and I can't believe she is three. It doesn't seem like three years ago that I was pregnant with her. It has gone so fast... truly. I have always called her "My First Little Baby" and she often tells me that I am her "First Little Baby", not quite getting that it is the other way around. She will ask "Mama, am I your First Little Baby?"

She came over a month before her due date and we were unprepared to say the least (no car seat, no preemie clothes, no diapers small enough to fit her little 5 lb body). There was a big storm that night and my water broke. I remember waking Steve up at about 1 am and telling him that I thought my water broke and that we needed to go to the hospital. He just kept saying "no, wait, it's not time yet - no, it's too soon". Luckily she came at about 7 pm and all was well. The only thing the doctor was worried about was her lungs, but when she let out that first scream, he said "nope - she's fine".

She's been more than fine - what a joy she has been in our lives and what a personality! She has no doubt who is in charge (a point Steve and I disagree with - we happen to think we are in charge). She makes friends with everyone and talks to adults like she is their equal. She has been my own little dress up doll and loves the color pink. Although there are times when she overpowers her "witta bavee bruva Cole", she is learning to share with him and look out for him and I think the two of them will be great friends. Since birth, she has been a "mini me" of Steve (although many say she has my personality). She adores her Daddy and can hardly stand it when he is at work all day. She is usually smiling, although she has a great scowl (which she uses quite effectively) and she loves to be outside. She has endless energy and is so smart. As I have posted about before, we were referred to a great photographer when she was a new baby and she took pics of Reagan (and Cole) to put in a "First Year Book". We have so enjoyed Reagan's book and are selecting the pics for Cole's book now. I just received her book in electronic version so, here it is. I plan to add to it with Reagan's second and third years, but I'm sure they won't match the gorgeous way our photographer (English Photo) put this one together. Until then, here's Reagan in her first year:

Reagan: Happy Birthday!! I am honored to have you be "My First Little Baby".

I'm So Glad...

We've been singing all kinds of Primary songs lately and the kids love to sing "I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home".  I assume they like it so much because of all the hand movements that accompany the song (and because it is about Daddy). Cole loves to try to keep up with Reagan in the song and the actions. I was taking their pic before church on Sunday and Reagan started singing the song - so I switched to video and taped them - check it out. (I tried to get them to sing it again in order to have Cole do the actions, but Reagan wouldn't let me sing or prompt them in any way. - Oh well - I'll take them just the way they are). In fact, we are ALL so glad when Daddy comes home ... not just the kids :)

Finally, I had to include a pic of Reagan in Primary. Because it was her birthday, they brought her in from Nursery and sang to her. They put a hat on her, had her hold a birthday sign and gave her a gift. Since I am the unofficial Primary Historian, I always have my camera in Primary to take pics of anything special that week. I got this cute shot of her and had to laugh. She looks a bit apprehensive and sort of scared, but she is loving that the whole Primary is singing to her and her alone. Too cute!!!

Reagan's Birthday Party

We celebrated Reagan's third birthday on Saturday. What a fun day she had. For reasons unknown to me, she is totally into Hello Kitty (seriously - I never introduced her to Hello Kitty). Well, we had to have Hello Kitty be the theme for our party. Pink, hot pink and white were our colors (very appropriate for her) and we had a way cute cake (that took quite some time to figure out) as well as some fun decorations and tons of balloons. We wanted to have the party outside, but Saturday was a day of serious rain (the only rainy day in a two week span - ugggghhh!). So, we adjusted and brought everything inside. Reagan invited four friends from the Nest (and their moms - two of which work in the Nest) as well as Rachel and her family and Steve's parents. Our friend Stacey (who made Reagan's tutus) made custom, Hello Kitty colorbooks for the girls to color in. Next, we frosted sugar cookies and had pizza and veggies. Then, we opened gifts and played. Finally, we sang Happy Birthday and cut and served the cake. What fun she had with her little friends and her niece and nephew. Later that day, my family came up for a family party. Last year, two of my sibs and their families resided out of state. This year, they have returned and Reagan so enjoyed playing with her cousins, friends (the Davis family joined us as well) and other family (Shannon and Matt were able to make it for the second party). What a great day - Reagan had a ball!! I had to laugh that at one point during the chaos of her "friend party", she put her hands out and announced "Guys? Hey guys - It's almost my birthday!" Yes it is Reagan - enjoy! Obviously there are way too many pics to post, so, a slideshow is the only way to show you our day.