4th of July

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Although we celebrated the holiday with playing, swimming, eating and laughing with family I couldn't help but ponder on my devotion and love of America. I feel such love for this country. We got going early in the morning and enjoyed a lovely breakfast and program with the Colfax Ward. The scouts posted the Flag and we reverently put our hands over our hearts and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Joe then gave a wonderful speech about a man, who was a reverend, and his struggle and then decision to fight in the Revolutionary War. A canon was set off and America the Beautiful was sung. Three old war type planes flew overhead painted with red, white and blue. How blessed are we to have this nation! A land founded by Godly, honest, moral men. Many have died to give their posterity the gift of freedom. What is most important is that this is a land through which a prophet was called of God and the priesthood was restored to the earth. How blessed we are......

It was an exhausting day (aren't ALL holidays with little children exhausting?!?), but a fun one. It is one I'll remember for a long time. We had lots of family from both sides come to the Forman's house and we had a great time swimming, visiting, and eating. Bryce played with his cousin Avery. Hope soaked her brother and I with water from squirt guns. Hope had an adorable star spangled outfit custom made by Grandma Cox. We got to visit with cousins we haven't seen in awhile. It was a good day.......

To the zoo, to the zoo!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Jared's office was closed for the 4th of July holiday so we decided spontaneously to take the kids to the zoo. We actually had been planning to take them at some point during the summer and the weather was really good this Friday so that morning we decided to go. We quickly got ready, packed a lunch, and headed out. I was at happy as a kid on Christmas morning. I cherish the activities we do as a little family.

The weather was great, cost was minimal, and we really enjoyed ourselves. Sacramento zoo is pretty small so we got in and out within 90 minutes. For our little ones, considering the drive to get there, that was just the right amount of time. There is a nice park just next to the zoo so it was fun to lay a blanket out and eat some lunch while we talked about the squirrels and the things we saw. To my surprise Bryce even stayed on the blanket, instead of scooting all over the place and getting filthy. We then enjoyed a nice, quiet, silent drive home while the kids slept. I often feel that the peaceful drive home is such a reward for taking the kids out to do fun activities. :)

Video of Bryce Walking

Jared captured this video of Bryce taking steps on his birthday. He is walking from Grandpa Forman to Mommy, with Hope hanging all over Grandpa Christensen. I just love how Hope comes to help her little brother. Precious, sweet kids.

Bryce's First Birthday!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Happy Birthday Bryce! Daddy and I decided last minute to have a small party for our little one year old. (as in we called and invited just the grandparents the morning of his birthday!) We didn't have room, or energy, to get a big party together with all of our sweet family. We were just going to do little family thing and then decided to just invite our parents and Grandma & Grandpa Cox. I spent the whole day cleaning, and thanks to a little bit of decoration and food help from the Grandmas we got everything ready in one day. Talk about last minute!

It was great fun. The kids loved it. Bryce's outfit was destroyed at dinner, and so he was sporting just a diaper for most of the event. The kids loved the time with the Grandparents and although we didn't get many pictures, we had lots of fun. Hope was in a great mood and helped open the presents and play with them. Bryce was sweet enough, as always, to share and love everything!

We are so thrilled to have such a sweet boy. Late at night we sit in out bed and talk about what a blessing our sweet children are (of course this is while they are quietly sleeping). Bryce is a great blessing and joy to our life. I can't believe he is one and we anxiously await many more years of birthdays to celebrate with him. We love you Bryce!

Bryce's first steps and Tanner love

Sunday, June 28, 2009

As my energy level remains lower than normal I have been especially hopefully that our sweet Bryce will start walking. (It really gets exhausting to have to be picking him up so much) Finally, just one day before his first birthday, Bryce took his first steps! We were at the Forman's for dinner and it was special to share that with them. We always talk about Bryce being a little Jared, and Jared took his first steps at Grandma Cox's house, so it was special that Bryce took his first steps at Grandma Forman's house. In other news..... Bryce has fallen in love with dogs. He loves Tanner and has started whining to get to him when he is around. Hope was terrified of touching or getting close to Tanner for a long time so this surprised me. Grandma Forman now takes Bryce out to play with Tanner each trip up there and I think that both Tanner and the kids enjoy it. In fact, last night Tanner was so excited to see the kids that he accidentally knocked Grandma, Hope and Bryce onto the ground.

Photo shoot to showcase Hope's new dress.....

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Sweet, Sweet Grandma Cox made Hope another beautiful dress. We (I) had a very unprofessional photo shoot of the kids to get some pictures of this dress that Hope now asks to where to church every week. Here is my success as a photographer:
ok, not too bad, we are getting some half smiles.......

Oh, excuse me, Hope has a phone call......

Very quickly Bryce went from half smile, to no smile, to.......

My big helper Hope gave Buddy a kiss to make it better.....

Then I switched the kids on the chairs and Hope gave a pat on the head and some reassuring words to make Bryce feel better......

A half smile again......

The half smile was short lived and misery encompases our sweet Bryce.......

I can just picture him saying, "Mommy, please stop taking pictures and come hold me!"

My favorite shot. Hope is running to help me with the camera while Bryce continues in disgust....

A big smile from our beautiful, precious girl to show off her lovely dress.

THANK YOU GRANDPA AND GRANDMA COX!

note: Bryce went straight to bed and felt much better after his nap. :)

Father's Day

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Everyone who knows Jared very well knows that he is not really crazy about birthdays, parties, presents. He is a bit of a party pooper. He likes Christmas and holidays, but would prefer to just occasionally pick out his own things that he needs (and wants) throughout the year instead of waiting to get them on his birthday. So, since our first year of marriage I don't think I have gotten him anything for special occasions. That is just how he likes it.

This year, since Hope is starting to understand celebration concepts and is Mommy's big helper, we decided to go against Daddy's wishes of nothing for Father's Day. Hope, Bryce and I went and picked out a Polo shirt and brown belt at our nearby TJ Maxx, and made sure to keep the receipt. :) Hope helped me wrap the present and hide it under our bed. We then picked out a breakfast recipe for that morning and made a shopping list. She was so excited about it all that when Daddy came home she told him all about it. She told Daddy what we got him, where it is hidden, what it is for, and was thrilled to death about it. Jared was surprised, but thorougly enjoyed asking Hope all sorts of questions about the present and what Hope helped me do. It was one of the sweetest little conversations I've seen her have.

It was painstaking for Hope to wait until Father's Day for the present unveiling (since it was such a surprise), but finally Father's day came. The kids enjoyed their customary early morning beverage, acting as if they woke up on the wrong side of the bed. However, when the present was brought out the kids perked up. Our party pooper was a bit difficult to get moving, but enjoyed the kids excitement and actually kept the shirt and belt we picked out. It was a fun morning and we love our Daddy!

here are some pictures of our morning.....