We finally made it!! After 5 fun filled weeks in Utah we were reunited with Andy and are now in California for the rest of the summer. It is so good to be with Andy and feel like a family again. We are happy to be in California and look forward to more adventures over the next 6 weeks!

There's nothing like grandparents! Whenever we go to visit my parents it is tradition that my mom reads nursery rhymes to the kids and then tucks them in and tickles their backs while she sings 2 more nursery rhymes. The kids LOVE it and were spoiled to get nursery rhymes and back tickles every night for a good month. She also does a "grandmas day"each Wed. with Liz's kids because they live in Utah. So, we got to experience "grandma's day" while at my parents house (although everyday was kind of like grandmas day!!) Each Wed. mom would take the kids and do something fun with them and I got most of the day to myself to do what I wanted. It was GREAT and almost makes me want to move to Utah!!

We went to go and do a favorite hike of my dad's only to find out the road leading to the hike was closed. So, we changed our plans and the kids had fun doing the alpine slide and dad and I did a zip line (which I have always wanted to do). Dad and I waited in line for WAY too long which means mom was entertaining kids all that time. Although it was a long wait I had a lot of fun and it was fun to do it with my dad given he is the one who is always up for an adventure and willing to teach his kids how to have fun.

Gateway

For several weeks the kids looked forward to going to Gateway Mall where they have little water fountains the kids can run through. So, when Katie (sister-in-law) came with her kids we decided it was a great time to go. However, it wasn't quite how I pictured it would be. Within minutes of arriving they were ready to go. I couldn't quite figure out if they were scared, tired, bored - who knows. There was only one child who thoroughly enjoyed herself that morning and it was little Jane. I put her down and away she went. One time the water shot up right at her face. It scared her and she cried briefly but then she went back for more. She was really mad when it was time to go! She's so cute!!

Gardening with Grandma

The kids wanted to earn some money this summer. One of the things they did to earn money was help grandma plant her flowers. They had fun doing it and you can see Jane even got into it too. She sat in her "throne" and observed but once she was let out on the ground she had tons of fun with a big spoon and the dirt.

The kids loved going into the Canyon and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows and playing around the stream

Ethan became obsessed with this stick (more like a small log) that he found. He loved carrying it around and hitting logs and trees with it and he used it to attack beetles he found. He's such a boy.....right? I mean do all boys act like this or is it just mine?!??!
Once again - here is our nervous nellie! Lucas is very hesitant to get near the fire for fear he will burn up! He is also the same child who doesn't want to get his head wet in the swimming pool because the water is dirty.

Look at the size of these marshmallows!! The picture doesn't do it justice but these were really big marshmallows.....much bigger than the normal size!

Utah Hiking

We had lots of fun hiking in the mountains with my parents. Ethan LOVED it and was in his element. He has NO fear unlike our other two nervous nellies!! Lucas and Lucy were overly cautious about everything but everyone had fun and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to hike!
Dad was a good sport and carried Jane around. She was happy as could be!
Mom became Lucas'buddy and they were always bringing up the rear. She was good to make it a pleasant experience for him.

Exercise time

One morning after I came back from running I heard my mom's exercise video going along with some giggles from the kids. As I went down the stairs this is what I saw. It was really cute! The kids were loving their exercise time with Grandma.

Spoiled

The only time I ever get pedicures is when I am visiting my mom and she always seems to find time in the schedule for me to go have a pedicure. It's such a treat and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! So, just before leaving for California she made me an appointment for a pedicure. Thanks mom! She also took Lucy to get her nails painted but I forgot to take a picture of her cute nails. Lucy loved being pampered! And speaking of my mom we had fun going shopping together while I was with her. For anyone who knows my mom she HATES shopping but she was in need of some clothes and so was I so off we went on several occasions. We had many laughs in the dressing rooms - one time we were laughing so hard we were crying! Sometimes we went with kids and sometimes we were without. When we had kids I had to bribe them. I'd say things like "after grandma tries on 3 dressed you each get a peppermint patty and if grandma actually buys a dress you get another one!" It worked and by the end of the month mom had some new clothes (and so did I). Good times! Fun memories!!

Trip to the Zoo

We had fun going to the Zoo. I did threaten Ethan and Lucas that I'd leave them with the monkeys (which is where they really belong!!) but lucky for them my heart softened and I couldn't bring myself to leave them!! (I know, I am such a nice mom after all!) It's been fun going on lots of "field trips" and even better - we have had Grandma along for just about everything. I am sure she will be happy to have some time to herself once we leave!

Dear Daddy,

I am missing you a LOT and you wouldn't believe how much I have grown while you have been gone! I'm a really big girl now! While you have been gone I have learned how to make chocolate chip cookies.And speaking of food I have learned to eat a lot of foods - all by myself! I LOVE popsicles and frozen yogurt sticks are great too! Why have I been alive for an entire year without ever trying this stuff?!?! In fact, I hated cows milk when mommy gave it to me so I refused to drink it....until she took all liquids away from me (juice) because that is all I wanted to drink. I have been forced to drink milk. Life is hard!!
I have had fun playing on the trampoline

And I loved seeing my cousins and was especially fond of James who is the same age as me. People confuse us because our names are so similar.

I have also been introduced to the mountains.
I love fires and loved watching everyone roast hot dogs and marshmallows.

I love all the rocks that are in the mountains. They are fun to play on.

I must also admit I am a pretty good hiker. I don't know why everyone was complaining about their legs hurting at the end of the hike. I personally thought it was all a piece of cake!

I have become really good at going on picnics. We even met Grandpa for a lunch pic nic and we got to see where he works.


Oh and I don't like to stay put at all. I really don't love to sit in the stroller anymore. There is way too much to explore. Why do they think I should sit all the time?!?
Mommy even took me to Salt Lake to take my one year old pictures and I didn't want to sit for that either. She kept sitting me down and as soon as she would get ready to take my picture I would crawl away as fast as I could. I thought I was pretty funny!
I know it looks like I am all about play but don't worry, I do try to get some work done too. I love it when the dishwasher is open. I make a mad dash for it whenever it is open. I did topple the bottom rack on me. That didn't feel too good but I still love the dishwasher.

Oh I am a little naughty sometimes. Well, I wouldn't say I'm naughty. I am just curious. I have been found in the living room destroying things I shouldn't be.

I love to pull everything out of the drawers and I have claimed this drawer for my very own. There is absolutely no organization to it anymore. I prefer it that way.

I have been caught red handed in the pantry. Why didn't anyone ever tell me about these potato chips?!?! Mommy made me mad when she took them away and made me leave the pantry.
And speaking of mad..... I hate to admit it but I am a bit of a drama queen and might have a slight temper. But it's slight....I only scream when I don't get what I want!

Don't worry dad - I may have grown up a lot in the past month but I am still your little girl and still as cute as ever!!

Love,

Jane