Kid Vids

We recently celebrated Betty (Norheim, from work)'s birthday at their apartment complex downtown on their rooftop. This particular year they had to share the roof with another party- a rather eccentric party, guess where my kids gravitated?

Sometimes Dad and the kids like to have jam sessions before bed.

Father's interviews

A bathroom stool (this is me laughing uncontrollably).

I love the kids' bathroom stool. It's yellow, plastic, and dirty (because its so old that no matter how many times I bleach it, the dirt is just permanent). I remember using the exact same stool when it was a fixture in my childhood bathroom. It says,

"Stand Up To Be Tall

Sit Down To Be Small"

When we were in Seattle, I happened upon the same stool- yellow, plastic, and dirty- at Brannon's parents' house. Turns out we had the same stool growing up.

I've been meaning to write some kind of thought-provoking, creative post. Honestly, I just can't- this is the best I could muster. Pregnancy brain is a real thing, people. I typically forget 5 things a day, its like suddenly I'm wondering if I was every any smart at all. A few more weeks. . . .

Mt. Baldy

Brannon has been preparing for a hike up Mt. Whitney next week so he's been doing some long treks to get in good condition. First he biked to San Diego with the scouts (they took a train back) and then he hiked up Mt. Baldy in a morning with Matt Rich.

Just my cute kids

These two are the best of buds, they just pal around all day- running, jumping, laughing and occasionally bickering (although we have instituted a bench just for those situations and it seems to be less referreeing on my part).
Belize took this pic.
They like to "say" they want their picture taken but once posed they ALWAYS look away from the camera. So behind the lens of this picture, I am probably saying, "Look at me! Look at me! Look at my eyes! . . . at the same time!" I just think they are darling. They are getting so big, I wish I could just freeze time and have them be like this forever! I am so privileged to be their mom. Also they've recently shared an outbreak of MRSA on their bums- no worries, a bout of antibiotics did the trick.

Mayan's shower

It's funny to me how babies are in utero for their own showers- they sure do miss out! :) My very creative, talented, organized, amazing and BEAUTIFUL friends threw a shower that was to die for! I felt very loved and now I am feeling much more ready to welcome this sweet little girl into the world (she was really in need of some summer clothes)! These are just the pics from my camera- Angie, in 3 months when you read this- will you send me your pics? :)
Preggo ladies!! Melody is having a boy a few (I mean several, check out her teeny tiny tummy, weeks after Mayan is due).
Sister Haskell is dear to my heart, especially to Rio's heart, she is the nursery leader he absolutely adores!
My gorgeous hostesses: Kristen Harmon, Kelci Jager, Jessica Funke Ho (w/ Kalea), Tara Evans and Angie Nielsen- you girls rock! Thank you so much for putting this all together and letting me eat as many crepes filled with whipping cream as I wanted!

Tadpole

Belize finished her tadpole swimming class. She picks and chooses the things which she gets unsure about (it always surprises me) and swimming has been one of those. She can swim a "little" now, however she is WAY more comfortable in the water and has been swimming all over our pool with a kickboard and no adult (of course, there is an adult watching her).She adored Coach Molly and wanted to invite her over for dinner.

Daddy's back!

So far this 3rd year of residency has felt like a dream-surreal that I get to see Brannon's wonderful face throughout everyday. He is on his 3 month research rotation (the other rotations are going to be more time demanding) where he pretty much dictates his own schedule with the exception of some calls, a clinic and anatomy presentations. I am having a hard time describing how much I appreciate the work he's put into the past year and the joy I feel now that he is a more permanent fixture in our home. *sidenote- our grocery bill has gone up a lot now that we have an extra person to feed- totally worth it!He even swims at the beach! :)

Our best family picture to date- oh why do I have to be 33 weeks pregnant- haha!
Why does sand in food not bother kids? It's a little disturbing.
I got my first "day off" in 4 1/2 years!!! Brannon took the kids ALL day while Angie, Kelci, Alyssa (Angie's SIL) and I got to go see 2 "So You Think You Can Dance" tapings! It was AMAZING!!!!!! Florence and the Machine performed and the dancers were incredible! They even seated us "hot mamas" behind the judges panel so every time the camera panned to the judges, you can see us sitting above them! I love these ladies, I hope we get to do it again soon! (for the record, I did get about 5 texted from Brannon wondering when I was coming home-haha)
Belize (and especially Brannon) are into the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. They are on the 3rd book. I got those books from my Grandma when I was in 2nd grade, with the promise that after I would read one, I would return it to her and receieve the next in in the collection.
Rio "likes" the books too but mainly he jumps around the bed doing his own thing until he ultimately falls asleep in a weird position.

Is it July already?

Baby Keaton came to visit with cousins Marie and Chaz! Belize adored Keaton and wanted to pick him up, feed him, etc. I think she is going to be a fabulous big sister (twice). Rio wanted to touch him, a lot!

We attended Whitney (Elder) Snow's wedding reception in Riverton?, we arrived there early (to beat the traffic) and stopped off at this state park that was pretty much an orange orchard! We stopped at the gift shop/museum which totally paid off because we got a private tour and got to pick 10 different kinds of oranges (i think technically its illegal)- super delicious! Belize was fascinated with the bride and got very shy around her. When we used the bathroom, she said, "Do you think Whitney used this bathroom?" What a funny bunny.
Bro is officially a 3rd year! Saturday morning he took the kids on a walk and surprised me with these bouquets and a love letter! Ooooooo, I love that man when he gets all sweet and romantical! :)

 The summer with the Nielsens

Little Miss Graduate

Belize graduated preschool!!! The first thing she said was, "Am I a kindergartner now?". First up was pajama day at school with smoothies and waffles, then graduation that evening.


Rio really wanted to graduate too.

Sorry, I cut off the last word, my battery was dying- Miss Joan said that Belize is a very wise girl.
Miss Joan has been a really wonderful teacher, we will miss her until Rio joins her class. :)
Brighton and Belize
Miss Joan wrote little poems for each of the kids-

Bright

Energetic

Lively

Imaginative

Zesty

Entertaining

Her preschool favorite was playing with friends and her future goals are, "lots of ideas, not sure yet".