Lincoln turns 2!

(July 15, 2011)

Back in July, our little Lincoln turned the terrible 2! We had family and friends over for cupcakes and swimming (including a kiddie pool & slip-n-slide) in the backyard. Lincoln loved it, because of the following: unlimited cupcakes (with car-shaped gummies on top), lots of little kids, and playing in the water.

Here he is listening to the birthday song.
(That's his cousin, Lola, behind him, and me holding the cupcake.)

One of the multiple car gummies that he ate.

Other than Lincoln, Lola (9 months) liked the pool the most!

Lindsay with Ella & Evie, Audrey with Flora, and Amelia

Ashley, Kurt, (Peggy & Charlie in back), Matt, & Jesse

Jesse, (Eli in back), Jen, & Grace

Grace

Cody

Mimi helping Lincoln with his new bike!
(it's gonna be awhile before he learns to pedal and not expect to be pushed around...)

I'm glad so many of you came! It was a good turnout and Lincoln had a blast!

Hogle Zoo, the Hotel, & Logan's Blessing

(June 18-19, 2011)

This is when we went to Provo/Salt Lake to visit Rachel & Darrin for their new baby Logan's blessing. We went to Hogle Zoo Saturday morning...

Lincoln with the elephants

Looking at the "ay-fant"

Lincoln with Mama & the giraffes

Jesse, Rachel, & the 3 kids

Parker & passed out Lincoln

In the hotel... (not a very good night sleep with Parker in my bed...)

Everyone came for the blessing (Jeff & Jackie left early, so they aren't in the pictures)

The new proud parents

All 10 grandkids (Jackie was pregnant then, but has since had her baby)

We had a great time and it was good seeing everyone! Congrats, Rachel & Darrin!

Lines of Cars & Smiling Parker

(June 2, 2011)

Lincoln loves cars. I'm afraid to show him the movie "Cars" because of this. It would turn into a 10-year-long obsession. Maybe longer.

He likes to drive one around and park it.
Drive the next one around and park it RIGHT next to the first.
And so on.

Here's Parker... at a little over 3 months old. Happy guy.

Totally different look than his brother. But just as much of a cutie.

Strange Sleeping Quarters

(June 1st, 2011)

Don't you love pictures of kids sleeping? Especially when they fall asleep in totally random places...like in the middle of the living room while playing cars under the couch.

Memorial Day Campout Day 3

(May 29, 2011)

Day 3: Lincoln was a lucky one - I had him sleep in the trailer with Mimi & Papa the 2nd night. More hikes, deciding after a night of {more} cold (and a forecast for SNOW that night!) and no Jesse* to pack up and come home. Good plan. Obviously I had a TON of help both setting up and packing up - thank you, everyone!!

Also - THANK YOU Becca for organizing the campout. Thank you to those who helped me with the children, ESPECIALLY Mimi & Papa. I probably would have come home much sooner without your help.

I think maybe next time I will make sure Jesse is coming BEFORE I leave.

*Jesse had a terrible week at work (really, really, REALLY busy...) and to make a long story short... decided not to come. He would have come if I asked him to, but I knew how his week went so I understood and didn't want to top it off with a weekend of camping - something Jesse less than likes.

Belle (Lincoln's cousin) & Lincoln became pretty good buddies, always following each other around.

This day was pretty cold - but Lincoln refused to wear the mittens I got for him. So... his hands were always bright red.

Oaks, Jude, and a friend playing fight club or something...

Boston & Berlyn
Meal time

Becca

Cohen & Carly

Cody holding Ella (who was freeeeezing AND sick)
Matt holding Kash

Berlyn with her carved knife

Boston & Steele

Ellie, Claire, & Olivia hanging out in the trailer

Elyza

Papa & Mimi

Kurt & Ashley

Dryden, Natalie & Jimmy

A couple attempts at a picture with Lincoln...

Natalie, Sarah, & Matt

Dallin & his wife (sorry, I can't remember your name...)

Memorial Day Weekend Campout - Day 1 & 2

Okay, okay, OKAY I know. It's been awhile. Blogger was giving me a hard time when I tried uploading pictures to this post back in June or July... and every time I thought of updating I dreaded figuring it out. It seems like Blogger must have fixed a glitch in the meantime... so I had no excuse, really. Here it is after Labor Day and I'm posting about Memorial Day... whooooops.

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(May 27th-29th, 2011)

Day 1 involved arriving to Barker Reservoir, setting up our tent, eating a little dinner, and going to sleep. Not too exciting. (Unless you count exciting as doing all the above without your husband and 2 kids under 2...)

Day 2: Ring toss, horseshoes, hikes, yummy food, getting dirty, going to see the reservoir, carving knives/swords, sitting by the fire, waiting for Jesse to show up..., waiting for Jesse to leave St. George.........., calling and calmly talking to Jesse (who was still in St. George)...

Lincoln watching the ring toss.
Jesse's cousin Nicolas & Juliette's husband (sorry, forgot your name..)

Cody, McKay, & Lincoln - more ring toss

Kurt prepping for the horseshoes

Matt with Ella & Kash

Lincoln loved the campout. Lots of room to play, plus unlimited fruit snacks.

McKay & Cody

Jana & Simone

Matt carving a sword. Ella & Kash

Jude & Dryden

Looking for fish in the reservoir

Barker Reservoir (upper or lower... can't remember. The smaller one.)

Taking a hike.

The aforementioned 10-man tent.
Room for: a cot (Jesse), 2 sleeping mats (Parker & Mindy), Port-a-crib (Lincoln), indoor-safe propane heater (necessary out in that cold.. especially with babies!), and luggage (obviously we were not cramped).

Loving the outdoors.

Papa's truck with an RV for Mimi
(a condition for Mimi to come??)

Papa, Mimi, Natalie, Ellie, Berlyn
Discussing the big move to China.

Loving the freedom to just RUN.

Jude, Lincoln, Ellie
Hitting the big sticks with little sticks. I mean swords.