Early B-day Celebration for Bella

The weekend of the marathon we decided to have an early birthday celebration for Bella. Along with Chuck's family that was here for the marathon, my parents, Aunt Trina and Uncle Wes came for the day. Bella wasn't too excited about blowing the candle out on her birthday cupcakes.

Bella opening her birthday presents from Grandma Jerri Lynn.



Bella riding the little tricycle Grandma Jerri Lynn got her. Bella doesn't talk very much, but she sure spoke when someone tried to climb on her bike. She said so clearly, "My bike, my bike!"

Grandpa Clayton helping Bella ride her bike. She can't really pedal, but she sure enjoys manuvering with her feet. I was excited that mom got Bella her own bike, because her and Samuel have been fighting over his bike for weeks. Now they can ride together.

Bella opening her present from Grandma Luann. She got her the tube that connects to the tent they gave Samuel for his birthday.

The cousins crawling through the tube.

Marathon Weekend

Chuck, his sister Fawna and brother Danny at the starting line of the St. George Marathon. It was a cold, raining miserable day! Chuck had been preparing for this years marathon since he finished the marathon last year. His knee started hurting him again this year after he ran the half marathon so he was worried about running the marathon. He called me Saturday morning and said he was dropping out of the race after running 9 miles and then walking another five because his foot was hurting him. I was more upset than he was that he wasn't able to finish the race. I really felt like crying because he had put so much time into training. Of course Chuck felt bad, but he likes running to keep in shape so he wasn't as disappointed as I was. Fawna and Danny were able to finish - congrats guys!

Gillette Grandparents, Uncle Danny and family stayed at our home that weekend. Aunt Fawna and her family also stayed with us on Saturday night. We had a house full, but it was a lot of fun to have everyone here. Samuel and Bella especially enjoyed playing with their cousins.

One of the favorite activities was digging in the red dirt. Fun for the kids, but the red dirt gives me nightmares! It stains everything! Grandpa Clayton also got in on the digging action.

Hiking with Danny's family on the Dixie rocks.

The cute cousins. The kids love climbing all over the rocks.

Brothers

I needed to take a few more pictures of the boys for a picture board I have in Samuel's room.
Here are a few pictures I took to hang up.

I was worried Samuel might let Big Buddy fall since he looks almost as big as Samuel, but he managed to hang on to him for a few pictures.

Vinyl Projects

Okay - so this picture should be at the bottom of this post, but something just went wrong. Anyway this is a picture that we got Bella for her birthday. I really love this picture and the little girl reminds me of Bella. I also love this saying.

I have been working the past few weeks to try and finish some home projects before all the company arrives this month. It's a little hard to get much done with the kids! Last weekend I took the baby and left the other two with Chuck while I went to Trina's house to have her make me some vinly. This is the Laundry room - folding laundry is one household task I just dread.

Our picture nook - I saw the saying Trina had done for Audrey and decided I wanted that one too. Unfortunately despite my best measuring efforts it was crooked when I got it on the wall. I ended up having to take it off. We also just got this new picture of Christ holding a baby. I just love this picture!

My piano picture in the living room with an added vinyl saying. I remember a picture that great grandma Jean had hanging in her house of a girl playing the piano . I looked all over the internet, but couldn't find it so got this one instead.
Bella's room. The vinly saying on top adds another cute touch!I have been dragging my feet on getting Bella's room decorated. I just wasn't sure what to do with it. Then I took the cute pictures of Bella for her birthday invitations and this idea was born. Trying to get everything to look the way I pictured in my mind was a real pain. I have decided I'm not that great at decorating. Especially when it comes to painting. I have six different paint colors in our entertainment nook and finally decided that project was just not going to get finished any time soon.

Swiss Days

Last weekend was Swiss Days in Santa Clara and Heritage Days in Ivins. On Friday night we went to the outside carnival and fireworks show they had in Ivins. Big Buddy was the only one who didn't cry during the fireworks. Samuel and Bella finally stopped crying and then Samuel informed us that he didn't want to go there ever again. On Saturday we took the kids to the Swiss Days parade. They love parades - or I should say they love the candy!

Big Buddy watching the action.

Samuel running with a handful of candy. There were quite a few kids all around us so he really had to fight for every piece. He was so proud of himself each time he got a hand full.

Every since Chuck read Samuel a Star Wars book he has been fascinated with Darth Vader so imagine how excited he was to see this parade entry coming down the street. Samuel has been telling us for months he wants to be Darth Vader for Halloween.

Bella with an otter pop, a sucker and another piece of candy in her hand. She would take a few licks of the sucker then switch to the otter pop. She was shoving candy in her mouth as fast as Samuel could gather it.

Misc.

The brothers - Samuel crawled into Isaac's bed and the two of them were just laughing. Samuel's a great big brother! It's been so fun to watch Samuel play with Isaac. The other day he was giving him kisses and telling him "I love you Big Buddy".

I thought this was too funny when I saw Bella and Samuel sitting on the end of the couch watching a little tv before we went swimming.

Bella got herself stuck in the pantry the other day. I think she was going after the dried blueberries.

Then the next day she got herself stuck in her closet trying to get to her binkies that I thought I had hidden from her. I obviously wasn't that tricky!

No wonder Trina worries about Bella "playing" with Kambree. I walked over and started laughing when I saw that Bella had stuck a picture to Kambree's face.

Summer Swimming

We had a weekly swimming play group all summer at one of my friends clubhouse pool. It's a perfect location for the kids because the little pool is only 2 feet deep. We've been going most of the summer, but I finally remembered my camera. This has been a fun activity for us despite the fact that poor Bella almost manages to drown just about every week. She has caused my heart to skip a few beats many times including the time she fell face first into the pool fully dressed and sank right to the bottom. I've tried the life jacket, arm floaties and a tub, but she still manages to get herself into trouble.

Samuel loves to wear the goggles and has improved his swimming skills drastically since the beginning of the summer. He used to always want me to get in the water with him, but now he jumps in and swims a little bit all by himself.

Isaac in the car seat during all the swimming action - the story of the poor guys life. We actually go during his nap time so he usually falls asleep. Thank goodness for mom since I need all my energy to keep hazard Bella safe.