Happy 1st Birthday Avery

Today we will celebrate Avery's 1st Birthday! I can't believe how quickly this year flew by! I decided to do a little time line of pictures...Enjoy! I also put together a video...it's long, so sorry about that. I don't think many of you will last through the whole thing, but I had fun with it. Happy birthday baby girl!

Nauvoo Trip

Nauvoo Family Vacation

We spent the 4th of July in Nauvoo! It's only an 7-8 hour drive from where we are. We left on the 2nd, and went 1/2 way, and stayed the night in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis is so fun, I wish we had had more time to do more. We just went to the Zoo, which is hugh, and FREE! It was an amazing zoo. We saw a fun sea lion show that Ethan just loved, he loved "Benny", and I would never have remembered the sea lions name if not for Ethan. In Nauvoo, we had two days to see the sights. Ethan loved seeing the beautiful temple a few times a day, and we would sing "I love to see the temple" every time we drove past. It had been about 5 years since I had been there. And it was just as great as the first time, except I didn't get to have my wonderful husband with me. Jesse had to stay home because he is in a very tough statistics class right now. We sure missed him! The first day we did the horse and carriage ride and the "wagon" ride, I wouldn't recommend doing those back to back like we did, especially with an active 11 mo. old, but we made it fun. They were both very informational, and much better than walking and trying to figure out where you are. We heard a lot of interesting stories. Dad went over to the office of Land and Records and looked up some ancestors. They are so awesome to map out the properties that they had owned, and then we drove around and saw "about" where they had lived. Ethan loved hearing about how bricks are made, and actually was able to repeat it to me, I think he sat so still because of the donut in his hand. I wish I'd figured out that trick earlier. We also hopped on down to Carthage and visited the jail. Here are some pics of the trip. The spirit in Nauvoo is so strong, and it makes me really admire those early saints for all they had to endure.

Ethan's Highlights!

Disclaimer: This entry is for my benefit, I am trying to be better at writing down the funny things the kids do and say. This one is all about Ethan, it's long, and I will be trying to do an entry like this at least once a week!

One day after bath, Ethan decided it would be fun to run naked through the house screaming "Naked, Naked, Naked!" After letting him do this for a few minutes and trying to catch him, I got frustrated, and pinned him down, at which time he threw the bowling ball at me and it hit my shin...OUCH!, I asked, "Ethan, what is your problem?" He was upset from having been pinned down, and was a little scared that I was mad at him, so his reply was tearful as he said "I don't know. What's Avery's problem?" How do they know just what to say to make you laugh and forget your frustration?

During Family Home Evening one night we were having a lesson on temples. We asked Ethan if he wanted to be with his family forever, he said "Yes, in a tent". Random huh?! He often makes this much sense.

His favorite drink is "rabbit milk". This is regular milk with nesquik powder in it ( strawberry). One day he saw a commercial for his "rabbit milk". His other favorite drink is "bear milk", which is the pediasure drink. One day at Subway I ordered him regular chocolate milk with his sandwich (he won't drink plain milk), and there was a picture of a cow on the front (Horizon), and he screamed out to everyone at the restaurant, "Hey, this is cow milk!" Of course only I thought it was funny because I knew the story behind it.

Whenever Ethan is watching a show and a commercial comes on he gets really upset. I have to explain to him that his show will come back, it's just a commercial. Well, apparently everything I watch is a commercial to him (because it's not a cartoon). One night after putting him in bed and reading books with him, he wanted me to stay and read more, or sing more, or tickle his back, or whatever he could think of to get me to stay. So, I told him that I needed to go, because I was going to go to sleep too and he said " No, mommy, you are going to watch commercials." He's partly right because we do have a TV in the bedroom at the moment and I watch before I go to sleep.

Ethan has an imaginary friend. I had noticed him talking about "Little Sheepy" quite often but it never really hit me that this was his imaginary friend until I heard a friend of mine talking about her little girls imaginary friend. Ethan often talks to "Little Sheepy", and asks to bring him when we go places. I think it's so cute that most kids have imaginary friends that are people, and Ethan's is a sheep! It's so random.

Sometimes kids are curious about bodies. I have been trying to explain to Ethan why I need my privacy when I am using the bathroom, or getting ready to take a shower. I tell him that what's under my clothes is "my business". So that's what he calls it now. He'll point to a body part and ask "Mommy is that your business?" And I have no idea where he came up with it, but he likes to walk up behind me, or anyone and press my bum and say "honk, honk", and so I explain to him that I don't like him to do that to "my business". Today while I was feeding him lunch the TV was on in the background and the person was talking about building a business, and Ethan's head pops up and he says to me, "Mommy, she's talking about your business?" ( and points to my body). He understands the word in the context that I use it in, just not in the context that it's meant to be used in.

Avery Pics

The other day I caught Avery putting on Ethan's sunglasses all by herself, what a cute baby, if I don't say so myself! She is the busiest baby I have ever seen, it can be a nightmare, especially in church. I can't believe how much energy she has, it's all I can do to keep her from diving headfirst off the bench. Her new love is climbing. She's really good at it too, she will climb on anything that has any height, a step stool, the kitchen bar stools, and the fireplace mantel, just to name a few. She can climb right up and get down by herself too. Very independent. I have to say though, that after all the fear she evokes in me with her stunts, she is just the cutest little peanut. I haven't been one place without someone commenting on how beautiful she is. If only they knew that beneath her beauty was a little rascal of a girl! She is such a joy! Here are just a few pics of her highness!

So proud of herself for putting on the sunglasses just right!

This is her on her was back down. She usually gets up there and turns around to sit on the edge for a few minutes before turning back around and climbing back down.

Not walking all the way yet! Sometimes she will surprise us and walk across the room, and then other times she will have nothing to do with it, I call it noodle legs!

Avery 11 months old (July 11, 2007)

Blueberry Barn

Two of my cousins from Utah are visiting. Yesterday we took everyone to Blueberry Barn, a blueberry farm to pick fresh blueberries. It was so fun. Ethan picked a few but mostly hid in the bushes and just ate. Spencer (cousin) and Uncle Brendan had fun popping blueberries into Avery's ready open mouth. They had fun counting a total of 35 and that's not counting what Nana, and Mommy popped in. We picked 3 buckets full. Michael (cousin), and Ethan are the biggest fans of blueberries by far, and Avery comes in a close 2nd. It was a blast and we had a nice overcast day for it too! A little humid though, and some sprinkles! But overall very cool.

Ethan busy picking berries.

Ethan, Michael, Spencer, Brendan

Ethan Showing off is blueberries.

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

This surprised me, but it's seems pretty close to how I would describe myself. I never liked the movie Pocahantas, probably because my little sister watched it like 5 times a day. If you see this on my blog, I want to see it on yours!

Happy Brithday Big Sis!!!

I thought I would dedicate today's post to my big sister Christy! She is 29 years old today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Here are some pics I scrounged up to commemorate the occasion. Sorry if some are a little embarrassing, they were just so cute I couldn't help myself!

Christy, wearing who knows what?!

Christy, and me; Halloween, I think!

Christy on The John, I really can't imagine why this picture was taken.

Christy and I posing in our dance outfits.

More dance poses!

Dad, Mom, Christy, and me.

One quick apology to Jessica, I didn't have a lot of time to look for pics so most of the ones I found were before you were born! Sorry you don't get to see cute baby Jessica too!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTY! We love you! Hope you have a worderful day!

Journal Entry

YES! You are in the right place. The fact is, I don't have a very long attention span. I got tired of looking at brown, I had to change my template! So , blue it is. However, I do have to say that it is too much work. I couldn't believe all that was deleted in the process. Luckily, I learned from Aubree and I saved all my links before I made my change.

Anyway, I wanted to document some funny sayings, stories, experiences or whatever before I forget them altogether. Ethan just does so many funny, sweet, infuriating things, I can't forget to write them down.

Disclaimer: This may sound more like a journal entry, because it kind of is.

I am such a lucky mom. My kids are the sweetest, ( I swear I'm not biased).

Ethan's new favorite book is "I love you stinky face" (thanks Christy). His favorite part is "But mama, but mama, what if I were a green alien from mars and I liked bugs instead of peanut butter". The mother goes on to say that she would dress him in colors that showed off his green skin and pack his lunch box with the very tastiest bugs. Then she says I love you my green alien. I know why he loves the book. My favorite thing is that after each time I read it to him, he looks at me and says "I love you mommy".

My little boy is also a very observant one. He is always aware of my emotional status. I'm afraid I don't hide my emotions well. What melts my heart is when Ethan can tell, and asks "Mama, er you happy?" If I dare to say no, he starts to cry and says "NO, you be happy!" I have to say, that it really helps me to remember that what I want my kids to remember is that I was happy. Kids really are so much smarter than us. They truly know the meaning of love, and life. They have such strong spirits. How lucky are we, as parents to be able to be trusted with these little souls.

I have to say that I don't always feel like this. Of course, I have my days, more of those days than "perfect" ones, I think. But I thought that I would take advantage and write while I was having a good day, document the moment. And the longer I write the less patient they become, so I guess it's time to sign off, as Ethan just hugged me and said "I love you mommy".

I love you too Ethan!

For Sale!!!!!

Jesse recently purchased a dream of his, a 1977 Corvette Stingray. Unfortunately, it needs a little more lovin' than he has time for right now, and we need to get him to and from work without complications. So, it's for sale! We hope to find it a good loving home, soon. Here are some pics of our almost new adopted baby.

Yeah for Summer!!!

Americas next top model!
Setting up the palm tree sprinkler.
Before the sprinkler came on. Cheesy smiles!
Avery trying to get out...FAST
Ethan, showing off his swim trunks for Nana Conn

This last week it has actually been in the 90's. I miss AZ's HOT weather, so I have been waiting for it to get warm for a while. I got so excited I went out and got a play pool for the kids. Then it rained for a few days, but on Friday, we finally got to pull it out and play in it. Ethan was in heaven, and Avery, well, she liked it until Jesse turned on the palm tree sprinkler too high. The water was a bit cold, but Ethan braved it and stayed in for almost an hour.

The Circus is Scary...

Last Saturday we heard the circus was in town, we got some free tickets for the kids and so we decided it would be a fun experience. I've never seen a circus before so I was actually excited. We got there kind of late and they were just putting the lions away. We must have missed the best part, because the rest was a joke! Jesse and I were laughing because the performers seemed so proud that they could get some ponies to run around the ring in circles. The part with the elephants was actually neat, but I couldn't help thinking about the stories I've heard of elephants suddenly turning on the crowd and charging. We had an escape route all planned out. Anyway, I guess what matters is that Ethan had fun. Here are some videos, and my favorite picture of Avery, giving me a sideways glance.

Stories

"Kickin' Soup"

Whenever I am in the kitchen Ethan and Avery have to be right around my feet, opening all the cupboards and emptying them. Ethan usually wants a taste of everything I'm making and will pull everything out of the cupboards asking for a taste of that too. The other day I was talking to Jessica on the phone as I was making dinner, and Ethan was begging me for a cube of chicken bouillon. Jessica was listening to the conversation, it went something like this... "Mommy, pweeeese can I haf one of deese?", "No Ethan, that isn't candy, it's what we use to make chicken soup". "OH, kickin soup?" "Yes, you won't like it." "OH...Mommy?" "Yes, Ethan?" "Pweeeeese, can I haf one of deese?". After hearing Ethan and I go back and forth like this for a few minutes, Jessica says, "Just let him have one", so I went and got the camera so I could be ready for his reaction, I unwrapped it for him, and and gave it to him. Here's the picture I snapped. He didn't complain or anything after this, he just took it out of his mouth and threw it in the garbage.

"Car Washing"

Nana needed help washing her car the other day and Ethan was all over the job. I went out to check on them about 30 minutes later and Ethan had taken the bucket of soapy water and sponge around the house to the backyard, where he has his own Little Tykes Cozy Coupe (my favorite garage sale find for $1). He was so cute washing his own little car, I had to snap some pics.

"Busy Baby"

Of course, I have to throw something in for my little princess. I just love how busy she is (most of the time anyway). She is always inside or under or behind something she's not meant to be. I have found her under her crib, under Ethan's bed, please consider that these locations are very small. The only pic I've managed to snap is of one of her favorite locations, under the coffee table. If you notice, she is actually sitting up straight under there. She likes to knock down the pictures, and play with the phone.

New Picture

Jesse and I took Ethan and Avery for some pictures. It was fun to dress them up in costumes, and despite Avery's absolute fear of the photographer, we actually got one nice pose out of it. Ethan had fun though.

The Great Escape

For those of you who don't know Ethan well, here is a little character background for you. Ethan is very theatrical. He loves to pretend, we can always get him to brush his teeth by pretending his "spider man" toothbrush is calling to him (we use funny voices and all). He is always acting out different parts of his favorite movies or TV shows. Anyway, now that you have a little background let's get to the story. Yesterday, during sacrament meeting I was trying to wrangle both kids, pretty much on my own. Jesse was distracted with last minute study for the sunday school lesson he was giving, Brendan was sleeping, Dad was helping in the library, and Mom is in Brazil. So essentially I felt like I did when Jesse was in Bishopric. Anyway, I noticed Ethan passed me on the bench to the side that was open to the aisle. I was distracted by Avery trying to dive off the bench, and for anything she could get her hands on. I wasn't watching Ethan, he usually doesn't try to be sneaky. So when I turned and didn't see him my first thought was that he was bending down getting a toy that fell, but when I looked further he was gone. I turned around, only to see about 20 people pointing in the direction he had gone, I got up to follow and when I got to the doors leading out to the foyer he wasn't there, I had more people tell me he had actually ran out the doors into the foyer. I went out and found him chatting it up with some fellow nursery friends. I thought that was it, not that funny huh? Now picture this, when I took him to nursery his nursery leaders told me that it was hilarious when he ran out and this is what they saw...Ethan does the army crawl under the benches until he gets to the back, he gets up and takes about five tiptoe steps as if he is sneaking up on someone, he then turns to look at me, notices I am not watching and turns and takes of running. When I heard this version I was laughing so hard, now I know why everyone in the overflow pointed to which way he had gone, they all saw The Great Escape. I just had to share this story. We love our little guy, he makes my life complete. Not a day goes by that I don't laugh about something he did or said. What a joy!

Now I don't want to leave my little princess out, so here's the update on Avery. Yesterday my 10 month old Avery took 2 steps. She has been standing every once in a while on her own for little bits at a time but this is the first time she has taken any steps unassisted. WOW! Ethan walked at 11 months, I think Avery may be a bit sooner. What a competitive little woman. She is my sweet little angel.

By the way Happy Mothers Day to all moms. I am so proud to be a mother, and grateful to have been given the opportunity to raise children of God. What an incredible responsibility, I don't always feel qualified. But I couldn't be more grateful to my Heavenly Father for my children and my wonderful husband.

Some videos from the zoo

I thought I would post some videos that we took at the zoo. I didn't have time to do all in one sitting along with the slide show, there's quite a few. My apologies beforehand if I get carried away.

As we were driving through the safari, we were stopped looking at the camels, and one stuck his head through and began trying to eat the insulation stuff around the window of the car.


This one's of a bull butting the side of the car.

I couldn't believe how brave Ethan was with this snake. At first he kept telling Jesse to put it on the ground. But he actually smiled when Jesse put it on his shoulders. What a brave boy!

Emu's are pretty dumb animals, they just stand there as close as they can get to the car and won't move for anything, I thought for sure we would end up running over one. This one is pecking at the window.

Here's Ethan watching the baby spider monkey playing.

Here's Jesse with the kids and a baby goat. You can hear the rooster in the back ground and Ethan thinks it's hilarious.

We wanted Ethan to touch the sleeping pig. So Jesse did it first to show him that everything was ok, it was just sleeping. But, every time we touched it it would make a snoring sound, we don't know what it was trying to do, but it was hilarious.

Ethan begged to ride the camel. I think that after the price of admission a camel ride should be free, but we gave in and Jesse and Ethan rode the camel together. He was scared at first but had fun once it got going.

Wild Wilderness Drive Through Safari

Saturday we drove about 45 minutes away to a little town called Gentry, AR. And took the kids to the "Safari". There is a large petting zoo area, and then the drive through area where the large animals roam. It was really fun, Ethan was extatic, and only got scared when the baby goat tried to nibble his fingers, and a little when Jesse convinced him to put the snake around his neck, but he was very brave.

Emergency Preparedness Fair

Our stake hosted an Emergency Preparedness Fair last Saturday. We had an amazing turn out from the community, over 2000 people came throughout the day. For those of you who don't know, Bentonville is the home of Wal-Mart, and Sam's Club's. Also, all of the vendors who supply Wal-Mart and Sam's club are in this area. That's why we are here, working for Unilever. We got everything we needed for the fair and more donated from these companies. For instance, Sara Lee and Pepsi CO donated lunch for over 2000 visitors. We were able to put together over 2000 basic 72-hour kits to give away. The items in the kits were all donated from various companies. Of course Unilever was a big donor. For those of you who are not sure what Unilever is, let me just list a few of their products. Jesse is the Sales analyst for their health and beauty line which include, dove, suave, carress, axe, sunsilk, ponds, and vaseline. But they also have products in food, laundry, and home care. Ethan had a blast checking out the AirEvac, he got to wear the headphones, sitting in the firetrucks, jumping in the bounce house, and meeting "Dora", who he was actually a bit scared of. Here are some pics of the event. The helicopter pilot gave Ethan a little stuffed eagle because he was the first to visit, she only had three so we felt proud to get one, Ethan held it all day and when we got home he wouldn't take a nap without it.

Pre-Walking

Avery loves to get up and go. She's almost 10 months old and likes to hold onto the tractor toy and push it along walking behind it. She's so short and tiny, we are not ready for her to walk, but she sure looks cute doing it.

Ethan, the next American Idol

American Idol had never really interested us, but this season we been really into it, we watch it every week. Usually Ethan is asleep before it comes on, but he has seen it a few times. This last time when it came on, Ethan ran into the toy room to find his toy microphone and began singing right along with the idols. We were able to catch it without him knowing. It's not audible, we can't tell what he's actually saying, but it's funny anyway. Sorry it's sideways, I couldn't switch it.

Bonfire Weather

Bonfire Weather

A few weeks ago, it started getting warmer out, and I thought it would be nice to build a bonfire in the backyard. Ethan had a blast gathering sticks, and dry leaves. Unfortunately it rained a few days before and everything was still a bit too wet to keep the fire going for long enough. But we had fun swinging on the tree swing and trying to roast marshmallows. My mom didn't like the pictures because the trees in the forest behind the house hadn't turned green yet, I will be sure to post some recent pics though, it's beautiful. It gets greener everyday.