Bear Lake

Our annual Bear Lake vacation - this year Mike's parents rented a cabin closer to the marina.  The cabin was large and nice but didn't offer the playground, min golf or open grassy area for the kids to play in that Ideal Beach has.  It's such a toss up, it was nice to have the space but we missed being about just to head outside with the kids.  

One morning Mike came and got me to watch the sunrise, this picture doesn't do it justice, but the sun was bright red, it was the coolest thing I've ever seen.  Bear Lake was really smoggy and I'm sure their was a fire somewhere close, that's probably why the sun was red.  But each time I'd try and take a picture it came out white....  weird. 

Mike relaxing with Bennett and Daisy.

Grace got a hold of my camera, this was one of about 20 pictures.

Although boating wasn't the fun experience it usually was, Josh and Daisy got out on the tube and had fun.  Grace freaked out and bawled that Grandpa was driving too fast, she wouldn't settle down.  I hurt my thumb about a week before Bear Lake and had no strength to hold on so I didn't even go out on the tube.  It makes me sad because I want it to be something my kids enjoy, but after Grace's trouble last year on the tube it seems she might not enjoy it again. 

My sweet boy taking a nap

Trying to get a picture of these three is like taking a picture of cats.  This was the best of the group, they are so wiggly!

The beach day was our favorite day.  We went to the north beach and the kids played for hours.  We were ready for storms that day so we headed over early and were so impressed.  The water was warm, the sand was great and the kids played and played.  Mike's parents rented jet ski's and we had fun riding them, minus Grace who refused to get on. 

but, she was completely content playing in the sand. 

I toyed with the idea of getting Bennett in the water but he was so good the whole time we were there, I worried if I got him wet he'd get cold so he took a nap under the shade awning.

Tylor brought a friend Debbie (I don't remember his real name).

This was the view from our cabin.  

We ended up coming home early, everyone else was leaving and we decided to come home and have a good night sleep in our own beds and go to Lagoon on Friday.  I'm so thankful for the time we get to spend with family, playing cards, at the lake and just hanging out.  What a nice break!

Aquarium Days

These sweet kids make me so happy.  I can't get enough of them.  When they are happy at least!

Grace still loves to match Bennett, she waits until I dress him and them picks out what she is going to wear for the day.

I love Bennett's feet, they move constantly, he is so busy.  His 2nd and 3rd toe are just longer than his big toe and he can bend his smallest toe so weirdly! 

One day we were headed to the pool, Max asked if their were sharks in the pool, I told him no.  Then he asked if there were sharks in Bear Lake and I told him no.  He said he really wanted to see the sharks, so we planned a day to go the aquarium.  Grandma Ruth had been wanting to take the grand kids out for an activity - and we're so thankful she did! 

The River Otters were so fun to watch.  They were really playful and active.

Max, Grace, Daisy and Bennett

Grandma Ruth helping Max pet the Manta Ray.

Max really liked the hands on part, he loved to touch the star fish and see urchin. 

They had 3 shark eggs that were in little slimy leather pouches, they told us they were called Mermaid purses.  It was so neat!  You could see the sharks moving around inside when they shined a light on them.  I would never haved dreamed that was what an egg would look like.

Max was so tired he couldn't make it up the stairs when we got home.  He slept on the bottom stair for over an hour.  A good move might have moved him, but he looked so peaceful.  Until Grace threw a train on him and cut his lip open.  

We really enjoyed the aquarium, it's much more fun when your kids are older and they enjoy it too.

August random's

A few randoms from August, Bennett loves the crib, he is my best sleeper by far.  He started sleeping through the night at 10 weeks, he usually gets up 1 night a week, and the rest he sleeps 8-10 hours straight.  I couldn't ask for more.  

It's a little blurry, but with the addition of the baby my other two actually like their picture taken.  I wonder how long this will last! 

One more of Mr. Smiley right out of the tub, which he loves!

I hung up Max's old mobile, and Bennett loves watching it.  He will lay there and just be as content as can be, unfortunately it's one of those old mobiles that you have to wind every minute.  

I quit my job after I had Bennett, it's kind of weird being home all day, but I'm sure enjoying spending time with my kids!

Random July

Random things we did in July - I went shopping for something to decorate Bennett's room with, I came back with this bird for my kitchen/living room area.  I love it, it's my most favorite decoration in my house.  

Grace still loves Diva, and Diva loves Grace.  I hate Diva, she's ruined my back yard, she's chewed on several wood slats in my deck, she's ruined several of my baseboards in my house and I want to get rid of her so bad.  And then Grace cries at the thought of her friend leaving, and I can't break her heart yet.  

Grace is the best big sister to Bennett, he loves her so much.  He gets so excited when she talks to him.  

 Our ward started some cooking classes and the first thing we made was California Rolls, I can't even imagine eating them, but Mike sure did and he loved them!  It was such a fun thing to do, we had a really good turn out and can't wait for next months - learn to cook lessons.

 I moved some of my crafting stuff into Bennett's room, I thought if it were upstairs I might actually use it, and I did.  I made this cute little magnet board out of a cookie sheet and put it in the area of my craft stuff.  I love it!  It makes me happy.

 Max got a Dumb and Dumber hair cut. Meet Lloyd Christmas.  In my defense I didn't go with, and Mike refused to take him back.  The kid needs his head shaved its so bad.

 Bennett started sleeping in his own bed at about 8 weeks, I have a fan in my room and he woke up stuffy every morning, I moved him to his own bed and he wasn't stuffy any more.  It's the earliest I've moved my babies out of my room, and for some reason I was completely okay with it.

 Grace painted this water color of Bear lake in anticipation for our family vacation in August.  I'm going to frame it and put it on her wall in her bedroom.

And a video of my happiness - he really is the slimiest, happiest little one I've ever met.