Halloween 2009

Payson got the hang of trick-or-treating after a couple houses (he was trying to give them candy at first!) and looked so cute in his Bam Bam outfit. We were the Rubble family from The Flinstones cartoon (thanks to Shar for the costumes!) - and we had a lot of opportunites to wear them. My ballet class, a murder mystery party, halloween bbq, storytime, and of course trick-or-treating!

Patrick's parents were here the same weekend. It is always so good to see them - not just because they take us out to eat ;) Patrick's mother always says she feels for me when she realizes how much Patrick is like his Dad! Truly, we look up to them because they are great examples of hard work & love & fun!

Payson's 2nd Birthday Party

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo!! Payson LOVES trains and had tons of fun with all his new trains, train books & toys, making candy trains, pin the #2 on Thomas the Engine, bath squirting trains atop his train cake, jumping castle, etc. What a fun day it was for all of us! Thanks to all our friends who helped us celebrate!!

Lots to catch up on...

Trip to Utah July 2009:

Marathon for Erica, Roller Skating, Trampoline, Seven Peaks Water Park, Parks, Lunch with Whitney, Merry-go-Round, Jumping off the diving board, Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication, Mini-golfing, etc (and all the other fun things I never took pictures of -including all 10 siblings! Sad!)

Payson dances by himself on roller skates.

C is for CHOCOLATE

Forgot to post this almost 2 months ago...

Celebrating Summer & the 4th of July

Payson enjoying the "wa-wa" in a desert style river up Madera Canyon.

Story: Payson brings me Patrick's shorts repeating "ba-aball ors" -very excitedly. I ask him if he wants to wear Daddy's basketball shorts. "Yes" Being the resourceful and creative mom, I use a hair elastic to tie (the majority) of the shorts together so they will stay on. Then runs to the hoop on our fridge to play some ball. He looked so funny, and was so excited!

Payson & Patrick play on the calculator... NERDS!

4th of July french toast - or should I say freedom toast?? (I realize these look pretty unappetizing, but they were festive and delicious, and we were quite proud of our flags!)

Patrick came up with a great 4th of July activity: a visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum. We gained a lot of respect to the technology that has developed in flight, and the soldiers who flew.

Payson decides to set the table & get himself some cereal. (Note he chose a goblet, and used all 4 wooden salad bowls.)

Summer Projects: Patrick loves having time to do projects with his summer off from school. Payson LOVES using tools, he even got a zap when he ran over to the one uncovered electric socket and stuck the screw driver in. (He's quick! -not that it bothered him, he tried to continue....)

June is Patrick's month

Here's a look at the best little son a Dad could ask for during the month of Father's day and his birthday.

Fixin' Stuff (no need to mention that this toy still isn't fixed... at least Dad & Son got to use TOOLS and work on a project together!)

BUBBLES!!

Patrick is 27!! For those of you not nerdy enough to know, the cake is a "circuit board" with the number "27" written out in binary code. (I know, what a woman!) I always tell my wonderful man that he's a "sheek geek" -and I wouldn't have him any other way! I love that I get to spend forever with him! He's so fun, encouraging, and good! This engineer doesn't go anywhere without his pocket pc, or my heart.

Payson points out "Jesus" all the time now, and pretty much and picture at church is a picture of Him. I usually turn on "Music & the Spoken Word" Sunday morning as we get ready for church, but when Payson yelled out "Jesus" (seeing the Christus on lds.org) I got an idea to look for pictures of Jesus on YouTube. Of course, someone, somewhere has hymns to pictures of Jesus! (Who takes the time to do stuff like that? I sure appreciate it!) So this was our morning:

Yesterday, when getting Payson ready for swimming, I decided to teach Payson how to flex his muscles. (As you can see, his manly chest inspired this...) He picks up on things FAST! (BTW that picture in the back is where the whole "Jesus" thing started. Having church pictures around really is a great way to teach your child the gospel. They observe everything, and ask questions about what they see -teaching opportunities!! I need to get a temple picture or something for Payson's room, he spends a LOT of time in his crib -wish I slept that much!)

Yes, this is sideways, my bad. And don't watch the whole thing. I just wanted to show Payson's new FAVORITE thing. Jumping into the swimming pool with his floaties -let's just say, it doesn't go over well when Mommy says it is time to go home & say "bubye" to "wawa".

Payson loves his toilet, and will sit on it, and "flush" it (makes a water noise than says "all done"). Here he is NOT sitting...grrr... but pointing out all the characters. Tigger is his favorite, when he plays with his stuffed talking Tigger, he "tickles" it and mimicks the "whoo whoo whoo whoo". He is young for potty training, I know, but a Mom can have a dream!

Blogging is Journaling?

Lately I have been getting into You Tube. Mostly for 2 videos from Sesame Street. Elmos song & Cookie Monster's C is for cookie. Payson asks for "Melmo" everytime he sees my laptop now. So, I recalled this morning that our Bishop mentioned in church the "mormon messages" that are now on you tube. This one by Elder Eyring was very inspiring:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF01BQAcj8E

I jumped up in search of my journal, vowing to write a little somethin' everyday from now on. But upon arrival of my journal's usual spot, I was shocked to find it missing! How long has it been since I last wrote? I can't even find it! My blog becomes a journal of the precious moments in my family I catch on camera, but even more important are the things I learn and see that strengthen my testimony daily. These are not the public blogging things, but the things that allow me to see God in my life daily and help me realize how truly blessed I am! So hears to blogging! And to keeping (finding...) a journal!

Dadda Work

The first words out of Lil' P's mouth when he wakes (be it morning or post nap):

He's also quite the singer & runner, more videos to come.