A is for Apple

Cameron had his first field trip yesterday! It's not exclusively for the kids in joy school-but for anyone who wants to come. We took the kids to a small apple orchard! They had such a great time. The tour included showing the kids how the apples are packed, the giant refrigerator where they are stored, the forklift used, and of course: the apple trees! Each kid also got to pick an apple. Our apples were washed and we all stood in the shade of the orchard eating the most delicious apples I've ever had!

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Going back a few days: Amy and the kids got to spend the day with us! Cameron and Gwen played very well together. Cameron especially liked Chloe: I thought she would be too young for him to care about. But he would get so excited when she'd join them playing! Can't wait 'till they live here and we can play like this more often!

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Going back even farther (I would have done a post sooner but our internet had problems: AGAIN), are pictures from Cameron's play-date with Abby. It was so funny: when she first got here, I sent them in Cameron's room and told Cameron to get his toys out from under his bed. I went to check on Alexis, and when I came in his room, they were both just standing there, staring at each other! I guess it really does take practice to associate with the opposite sex! I brought them downstairs to play with the toys down there, and she was still acting shy and Cameron wasn't his bubbly self either. Again, I went upstairs to check on Alexis, and as soon as I was upstairs? They were laughing and giggling and talking and playing. I just had to laugh! I thought, 'Oh no. We're starting this already?' I could hear his thoughts... "Jeez mom, would you go upstairs and leave us alone to play? You're embarrassing me!" Hahaha. It was really cute.






Cameron has also mastered using the computer mouse! It's great... There are some really cute games online for toddlers that he loves to play. He spent an hour playing the same game yesterday!




Well that's all for now... I'll leave with a new fav. picture of Alexis. Bye everyone!

Alexis' blessing

Yesterday we had Alexis blessed, and then a brunch at our house afterwards. It was such a great day! Tyler's blessing was beautiful (and it made everyone cry!). She looked precious in her blessing dress. It was so fun to see all our family and hang out afterwards to visit. Not really much to report: just lots and lots of cute pictures! Cameron is having his first playdate with a girl! I used to babysit a little girl, but this is his 'girlfriend' from nursery. Her name is Abby and she is a doll! I'm sure I'll do a post about it later. Anyways, for now here's lots of pictures.






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Laughter is the best medicine

So my mom sent me these and Tyler and I laughed so hard for about 5 minutes striaght. It's true: laughter really is the best medicine. It sure put me in a good mood. So here's hoping they brighten your day as well! (can you believe this? 2 posts in 2 days here? WOW!)

Let's try this again!

I had every intention of updating this blog AT LEAST every week: and then what happened? We rearranged our house and put the computer downstairs. That meant that we were without the internet for at least 3 weeks waiting for the internet people to come and connect us all over again! ::Sigh:: Let's hope this attempt to blog more often is more successful than the last try. Moving on.

Lots has been going on, and I'm sure I won't remember most of it. First, Tyler Granmother, 'Branny', passed away a few weeks ago. She was 90 years old and had been struggling with ill health for a while now. It was sad, but also a relief. She's been without her husband for 10 years now, and it was time they were reunited. The funeral was very lovely. Tyler was asked to speak and did a terrific job. It was nice to be with family, although the reason for being together was unfortunate. Cameron had a blast with his cousin, Jaden, who is 4. At one point they were playing football, and Cameron tackled Jaden, sending him to the ground. Cameron told him he was sorry. Jaden's response was priceless: 'I love you. Now let's play football!'
I thought how true to life that is for boys (of all ages!). They don't hold grudges; they don't pout; they don't dwell on the negative. They just pick up, move on, and have fun! I explained that if that had been 2 girls, they would have whined and cried for longer than neccessary, and then been hesitant to play with each other again. 'She was mean to me! I don't want to be her friend anymore!' is all I could hear in my mind. I'm so grateful I have a boy! (And worried about what will happen when Alexis is older. YIKES!)






Cameron and Uncle Shawn after the funeral



Cameron and Jaden



Family fun! Bubba, Dillan, Colton, and Tyler




Dillan and Tyler are the 'belt brothers'? They called themselves something silly like that! haha

Let's see: Oh yes! My dear friend, Kyla, went off and left me to study abroad in London for 4 months! I am sooo excited for her, but I did cry like a baby when we had to say goodbye! I will miss her terribly and my kids will, too!




We are blessing Alexis this Sunday, and I am very excited. It will be another chance to see family, and to visit at our house after church. There are still a few people in our families that have yet to see our house, and I'm thrilled to have them finally come over! I am truly an honored host: I love love love love to have company! I bought a special outfit for Alexis to wear after the blessing, and it is adorable! There are a few people who still have not seen her, and it will be fun to show her off: both to people who have yet to see her, and people that have seen her numerous times. She's just beautiful and we are very proud!

Cameron has finished his second week of Joy school, and so far he loves it! He won't even turn around to tell me goodbye as he marches to the front door of 'school'! I usually drop him off at the sidewalk, and let him walk to the door himself. I think it gives him more independence. Not only to go to school, but to walk up the stairs and get to knock on the door himself. He's such a little man! I was supposed to teach next week (letter C) but Alexis has her 2 month check up on tuesday (the same day as school). Also on thursday, my twin (I mean my friend) Amy is coming to visit! Her and her family are in town from Oregon and it's the only time we get to hang out. I'm so excited to see her and for Cameron to get to play with his girlfriend, Gwen! Luckily I was able to switch weeks with another mom, so now I have the letter 'E'. Hmmm. pretty boring letter!

Tyler is still busy with work and school. He is usually home by 6:00, and I love it! He has a few leads on some cabinet jobs, so we are hoping they work out. We could always use the money, and I think he misses working in the garage! He is excited to go hunting. Just two more weeks! He's gone shooting a few times and has been playing his "Cabela's big game hunter" X-box game a lot lately! It's fun to see him get in 'hunting mode'! He's like a little kid at Christmas! (Now let's just hope he kills a big one!)

I've had so much more I've wanted to blog about, but I can't recall everything. So that's it for now. I'll include some random pictures, since Alexis is chaning so much! Love you all, friends and family! And hey: how about leaving some comments?! =)

Pa-a-a-ancakes.

So you'd have to know Brian Regan to appreciate the pronunciation of the title. Anyways, Cameron has been rather moody lately. I know a lot of it stems from jelousy combined with the lack of attention he is used to receiving. So this morning I decided to make pancakes with him! Normally I am not up to such a task (especially first thing in the morning) but I woke up to a clean house so I was already stress-free! (Only because I cleaned the house like a mad woman at about 10 last night, so I could do it fast and without interuptions from kids!) Cameron had a blast helping me make the pancakes. I even let him crack the eggs. So here's a picture of our finished product. By the way, Cameron's right eye is kind of swollen, although you can't really tell in the picture. He got hit in the eye with a toy while playing with some friends last night. Him and 2 other boys were playing 'swords' with plastic croquet clubs (is that what their called?) and they were swinging a little too high! That's it for now. Here's a few cute pictures of Alexis...

Lots of updates...

Okay, so it's only been about 7 weeks since I've done a post.. How pathetic?! Where to begin... Alexis is almost 6 weeks old, and weighs 8 lbs. 10 oz. She is a really great baby. She has a two hour cranky period each night, but compared to Cameron, that's nothing! She is very alert when she is awake and is already starting to smile. Cameron is a great big brother. He likes to help: sometimes too much so! He is always anxious to give her her binky, feed her a bottle, kiss her, give her a toy, etc.

Cameron starts pre-school in a few weeks. We are doing joy school, with 5 other moms and their kids. For anyone who's unfamiliar with how joy school works, each mom hosts pre-school at their house for a week. Each week it rotates to another mom's house. So each mom only has to teach 2 days a week, every 6 weeks. We all met up last week and have our schedule all planned out. We are teaching the alphabet; 1 letter a week. I teach the second week, so my letter is B. I've got some ideas, but if anyone has any of their own ideas: let me know! We have at least 1 field trip a month, with a Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas party. There are 3 boys and 3 girls in the group, and they are all very sweet, cute kids! It will be a wonderful experience for Cameron to socialize more, and gain some more independence. (Plus, it won't be so bad for Mommy to have a nice break twice a week, either!)

Other big news: Tyler is going back to school. He starts Wednesday, Aug. 22nd. He is taking a few general classes, and some pre-requisite classes to apply for the radiology program. He will be going to school full time (13 credits!), and working part time. The great news: He finally was able to quit his wonder bread job! He is returning to work at Peterson's (the cabinet shop where he used to work) tomorrow, and is so thrilled to be doing cabinets again! We are so thrilled to be able to have a 'normal' schedule and to see more of him!

Well I think that about does it for now. Check back often, guys. I'm hoping to make these posts fairly regular from now on. We love you all! Enjoy these random pictures. (Sorry there's so many!)

This is one of my favorite pictures of her. She was just a few days old here.

This is our favorite outfit on her. Courtesy of Amy Marshall!

This is Cameron, Abby, and Paxton. They're riding a warehouse cart throughout Cabela's! Haha

She must like this position, since it's the same pose she has 2 pictures up!

Cameron wore Tyler's hat for 2 days straight...

So we finally bought him one of his own!

Not the most flattering picture, but it shows how alert she is!

Me in my new Hollister shirt. I love, love, love it!

It's about time...

Wow, I haven't done a post in forever! Let's see... where to start... Well I am now 37 weeks pregnant, and am considered full term! Let's hope she comes early! I had the flu last week and had to get an IV at the hospital due to dehydration. That was fun! Thank heavens for wonderful visiting teachers. Not only did she drive me to the hospital, but she watched Cameron until I was able to come home! Tyler & Cameron's birthdays are coming up soon. We moved Cameron into his new room, and his new bed! He transitioned beautifully and is so proud to be sleeping in a 'big boy' bed. It is a little strange to see him in a twin bed. He looks so small in it! We are almost done painting, and Alexis' room looks beautiful! Tyler just finished building an entertainment center for his Aunt and Uncle, and it turned out great! I'm including a picture of it in this blog, so make sure you check it out! It is nice to have him around more. I told him no more projects for a while! We miss him! Anyways, I am about ready to be done with this pregnancy. I've been so out of breath these last few weeks. Luckily not all the time, and luckily not every day! My back has really taken a beating with these 21 pounds I've gained. I can't wait to get skinny again! Haha. Cameron is starting his last week of summer camp on Tuesday. He goes to the local preschool 3 days a week for a different themed camp. 1st week was Ocean camp. Then Chocolate camp, Bug camp, and the only one left: Dinosaur camp! He's really loved it, and looks so grown up walking into his class with his backpack! Well, enjoy the pictures.

Pretty, huh?!

There's matching pillow shams, but they don't really fit on this small bed!

This thing was HUGE!

Art from Ocean week!

Starfish cupcakes from Ocean week!

Just hanging out...