Hotel Park City GETAWAY!

Back in May I was helping my boss schedule his anniversary stuff for him and his wife to celebrate when I heard about this great deal Hotel Park City was doing. They were offering "buy one night, get one night free" and I thought it was too good to pass up. So after scheduling with Nana to babysit I reserved us a weekend together to get away. It just happened to be on the seven year anniversary of the weekend my parents moved to Colorado and Nate proposed to me. We spent the 2 days shopping and eating some good food. We also saw the movie "What to expect when expecting" which was perfect timing with us being 20 weeks pregnant. Its amazing how little munchkins distract you from each other so it was SO nice just getting Nate all to myself.

 

Seven years later I still LOVE kissing this boy! Happy Anniversary Nate. Very grateful for all our memories we've shared and created together over the years. I love you!

Another Colorado Trip

Back in May, Nate was gone for a work trip all week and Woodbadge all weekend so the boys and I made a quick trip to Colorado for Mother's Day and my Dad's birthday. The boys LOVE going to visit so it is always a nice get away. It has become a tradition for the boys to feed the wild horses with Grandma and Jackson's favorite, shoot Grandpa's guns. This visit was Andersen's first time getting to shoot the gun all by himself. This trip was also the mark of Andersen being completely potty trained. I told him if he kept his underwear dry all the way to Colorado we would go get his scooter he wanted. The bribery must have worked because we were at Walmart that afternoon. Jackson has always reminded me of myself and my Dad growing up. I was always his little shadow, but this weekend Jackson took over my role. My dad told Jackson he would get the guns out in the morning once the chores were done. I don't think Jacks slept very well because he tossed and turned all night long and was out of bed at 6am! After waiting an hour he was asking for my help to get him dressed and ready to help Grandpa with chores. They worked for a few hours spraying weeds and then went to McDonald's to surprise us ladies with breakfast in bed for Mother's Day. After breakfast the guns came out and he was a happy camper! Definitely another fun trip to Colorado and even better that we got to celebrate Mother's Day and my Dad's birthday with my parents. 

Love this picture of my parents and my boys!

Silverpup Graduation to Kindergarten

Seems like yesterday I was just going to Jackson's preschool orientation and now its over and he is onto Kindergarten. Back in May Riverton High did the cutest graduation program for Jackson's class. All the parents were invited to come watch the kids perform everything they learned that year. Each child had a speaking part. Jacks did awesome and remembered every word although he was a little scared to make eye contact with the audience. It was so fun to watch and listen to all their cute songs and see them with their friends and teachers. After their program, every child had the cutest cap and gown (Jacks was more a shirt!) to wear and had a chance to "walk" for their preschool diploma. Of course I shed a tear! We definitely enjoyed Riverton High School Silverpup Program and Jackson really loved Miss Sarah (his high school student teacher) and Mrs. Hicks (the actually class teacher). Still to this day he says he misses Silverpups! Must have been worth the money for all his fun memories he made.

 Only a few months later Jackson was onto Kindergarten

... A bitterweet Mommy day! He has finished 3 weeks of school already and LOVES it! He was so excited to start Kindergarten. He kept asking to go get school supplies (just like his Mommy! That was my favorite... new crayons, markers, pencils, etc!) even though he didn't need anything for class. Of course I was just as excited as he was so off to Walmart we went for a few things we could keep at home to do his homework throughout the year. As soon as we got home from the store, I asked him to do something and his response was "I can't right now mom, I have all this stuff to do! AKA... Sharpen a box of pencils!) Love this boy! 

Two days later it was his first day of Kindergarten. I think I was more nervous than he was. I got out and walked him to the Kindergarten grounds to watch with all the other moms. Luckily for Jacks he has some good buddies in his class this year. (Landon Christensen, Jackson Mather, and Deacon Smith). It was fun to watch him and all his friends play on the playground and then eventually line up to go into class when the bell rang. The hardest part was watching his teacher come out to gather her class and then they told the kids to blow a kiss to their moms... the tears were already puddling in my eyes, but that was the breaking point! Of course 3 weeks later it is no big deal to drop off and pick him up, but at that moment you realize your child will spend more time with their teachers at school from this day forward than they do with you at home playing and being your little buddy during the day. When his first day of class was over he came running out to me with the biggest grin on his face. Here he is posing with his Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Calhoun. So far she has seemed great for Jacks and a great teacher. Jackson's favorite part of school is definitely his homework folder. He is always so willing to get to work on his assignments and wants to do multiple days of work in one night. Lets just hope the excitement continues since he's got many years ahead of him.

ROOMIES!

Our bunk beds FINALLY came yesterday!! With sister being just weeks away and her stuff starting to pile up in Andersen's room, we've been planning and moving him into Jackson's room for a while now. It started with painting and rearranging closets and dressers and ordering their bunk beds over a month ago. We weren't expecting it to take 6 weeks to get their beds shipped and set up but they eventually came. You would have thought it was Christmas because the boys were so excited! Last night was their first night in their new beds. Jacks of course slept like normal because he is used to a big boy bed, but it was probably the easiest transition from crib to bed for Andersen. He was a champ! He went right to sleep, woke up to go potty around 3:30 and then back to bed until 8:30 this morning. He looked so little in this big bed. There definitely is pros and cons to little ones having their freedom in bed, but him being able to join us in the morning as soon as he woke up was so nice, plus I think he liked it too. He even wanted to take a nap on his bed this afternoon. He keeps saying, "sister is going to sleep in my crib!". We are still waiting on the quilts my mom has made the boys so only a couple more weeks and their room will finally be complete.

Lets hope the excitement lasts and they continue to love being roommates!

More FUN in the SUN

Thanks to Lindsay's last minute idea to take the kiddos swimming we got to beat the 100 degree weather we've been having lately. We probably only swam for a couple hours but the kids still had fun and were able to stay cool. Andersen and Jackson probably spent half their time jumping into the pool (thank goodness Andersen is liking the water again) and the other half eating lunch and treats we brought to snack on. I loved the picture of the 3 older kids and their individual bags of chips the were enjoying. Can't believe we've all been friends since middle school! We don't see each other very often now that we all are busy with our kiddos schedules but its always fun to catch up. Thanks for the fun afternoon ladies! Hopefully we can do it again with all of us.

(Sorry we missed you Michelle in the group picture of us moms, Jacks took it before we all packed up to leave)

GO Mariners!

Back in April Jackson played another Spring season of Baseball. This year it was coach pitch and Nate was the coach (when he was in town). Our team was a group of boys from our neighborhood (plus Dr. Elison's son Nicholas) and then we got a few more just randomly assigned to our team. They were a good addition to our team, especially the girls because they could definitely hit better than half the boys! Jackson has always loved baseball and shows to be a natural when he is really concentrating on hitting the ball. He even got a homerun this season! Another memory from this season is Jacks hitting a ball right at the other teams pitcher hitting him in the "junk". Poor kid dropped to his knees, started crying, and walked off the field. After Jacks made his run around the bases he went over to apologize and make sure he was ok... So sweet to watch Jacks be so sensitive to someone elses feelings. Hope he keeps that quality about him because he definitely can be a big teddy bear when he wants to. It definitely was another relaxed/fun season of Baseball with his buddies, but I am sure the older Jacks gets, the more intense it will be... So until then we will enjoy the innocence of our little rec leagues.

Good Job Mariners!!

Kamas with the Marsings

Last weekend Nate's friends, the Marsings, planned a little get together of some of Nate's guy friends and their families from high school. It was been quite some time since we have hung out with some of his buddies like this so it was a fun night in Kamas. We spent the night riding the Marsing's parents horses, catching up and of course eating. Our boys, especially Jackson, have wanted to ride horses for a while now so it was a perfect opportunity for them. We are still hearing about "Sassy" and "Trumpet" (the horses they rode). I love seeing Nate with his buddies from school because it brings out a relaxed Nate that our family doesn't get to see very often, plus we get to hear all the crazy, funny stories from their high school days. This picture of the 5 of them is only probably half of the crew, but I love how Andersen wanted to join the big boys for the picture. We definitely need to do these get togethers more often because its always a good time catching up and letting all the kiddos play.

America's Birthday

We started our 4th of July celebration by joining the Whiteside's, Bailey's, and Ball's at the Riverton Parade the night before. We got there around 5:45 (it started at 6:30) so we grabbed a pizza and had dinner while we were waiting for the parade to start. You would think being there that early we would have plenty of time to get some spots for the parade, but it was crazy busy!! We ended up sitting in the driveway of the Riverton office buildings which wasn't a bad spot besides it was towards the end of the Parade route and they weren't throwing much candy by then. It was nice to have an evening parade but it didn't do anything for the heat. It was so hot and the parade was extremely long. An hour and half later our friends were leaving so we bribed the boys with Slurpees if we could leave too. They didn't think twice about it and we were off before the crowds.

That night Nate had a sleepover in the family room with the boys on the air mattress. They always love to do this so they couldn't be more excited. We popped popcorn and watched movies for a couple hours until the boys finally gave up and fell asleep. Being 6 months pregnant I headed off to my bed because there was no way I was sleeping on the couch. Good thing I did because the air mattress had a slow leak in it and Nate had to jump up to the couch in the middle of the night while the boys stayed on the mattress.

The next morning we enjoyed some family time just hanging out. It was nice not having to worry about getting up and going anywhere like we usually do on most days. The boys were being so silly and making us laugh! Jackson was making silly faces with his glasses while Nate taught Andersen the art of "brewing" Looks like its a genetic Rothe gene!

That afternoon we got ready to go swimming at the Riverton Pool. We stopped at Subway to bring with us for lunch and we were off to meet the Ball's for some fun in the sun. We spent 3 hours at the pool playing. Jackson and his buddy Cannon enjoyed their squirt guns and practicing all his new tricks from swimming lessons, while Nate helped Andersen become more comfortable in the water. Last year Andersen loved the water, this year he loved it too until he about drowned at my brother's pool. Ever since then he has been very hesitant of the water. At first he had to have his life jacket on and would scream if we put him in. He felt very comfortable just sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else have fun. Gradually Nate got him to warm up to the water and the last hour he was swimming around in the shallow end without us and jumping off the side to Nate.

 Its amazing how just a few hours in the sun can wipe you out. I jumped in the shower as soon as we got home and this is what I found when I got out. The boys were crashed! So I joined them for an hour or so until it was on to the next party.

After our naps we had the Christensen's over for a some dinner. We enjoyed some Pacos (their family business recipe of Quesadillas) for dinner...They are my favorite! Once it got dark we played outside with all the glow sticks Alison brought for the kids and watched all the neighbors light fireworks.

Besides the 4:30 am fireworks going off in the neighboring streets by some punks with nothing else better to do that early in the morning, I would say we had a fun and perfect 4th of July this year! The glow sticks were definitely the hit of the night though. (Plus they were fire safe for this years crazy fire scares).

Boys and their Toys

Last night we finally finished the boys Bows and Arrows. Jackson has been begging for one of these since he first saw his friend Logan's. Jackson and Andersen spend Wednesday mornings at our neighbors while I work and this has become Jackson's favorite toy. It has been weeks that I told Jacks we could make our own and I finally got around to getting all the stuff and making them. Thanks to Maria's tutorial and Nate's help (also our neighbor Kenny for some tools) we got them done. The boys couldn't be more excited! I made 2 extra for Parker and Landon since I owed her mom for babysitting one day while I was at work. Together they shot their new bows and arrows for a couple hours. As you can tell from the dark picture it went late into the night and they were still so excited. It was the first thing Jacks wanted to do this morning. It took them all sometime (Jacks has had plenty of practice on Logan's) to get a hang of how to hold them and actually shoot the arrow but after a few rubbed arms from the string hitting them as they shot, they started figuring it out. It was so cute as the boys were saying goodbye last night, both Jacks and Landon were saying to each other "thanks for bow practice, lets do more bow practice tomorrow!" Let's hope after all those hours we put in to making them that the excitement at least lasts throughout the rest of summer!

Bribery at its finest

Jackson and Andersen will do anything to stay up late! If you notice our clock on our dresser it says 10:41pm. This summer it has been a battle to get them to go to bed because we stay out late and then they want to watch TV to "relax" when we come in. The boys didn't want to go to bed one night so Nate bribed them to tickle his back if they wanted to stay awake. The boys of course got right to it and Nate enjoyed every minute of it. Too bad I didn't think of this one earlier!

... and its gone!

I CAN'T BELIEVE HE CUT HIS HAIR! 

I don't think it was Jackson's intentions to really cut it but it turned out that way by the time we were done. Thursday night we all went to Hollie's for our usual hair cuts. Jacks first round of cuts was still his same style of hair he has been doing for years just shorter. Once Nate got there to pick up the boys, so I could get my hair done, Jacks asked Nate "Can I wear a spike with this haircut?" Nate said no, and back to Hollie's chair he went to get the top chopped off. 3" or so later Jacks officially had his spike he wanted. I totally wasn't prepared for this one! It took everything in me not to let the tears fall, but I didn't want him to think I wasn't happy for him because he was grinning ear to ear. Yesterday was the first day to style it and I think I got asked a dozen times if his spikes were still standing. This hair cut is definitely going to take sometime getting used to but as long as Jacks loves it, we all love it too! This is just one more thing making me realize my little boy is growing up. First the glasses, then Kindergarten orientation, now the haircut... Good thing I have a few more weeks until he officially starts school.... SNIFF, SNIFF!

A bittersweet GOODBYE

After 9 months with Milly, it was time to say good bye. If Nate had it his way she would still be with us today, but I just couldn't take her anymore. She was really difficult for me to handle with two kids and I was always losing my patience with her and the kids. I came home from work one day to find poop smeared everywhere (this wasn't the first time, nor the first time of things chewed up) in the kitchen and I knew it was time. I had shared my feelings with Nate multiple times about my frustrations and he has always comforted me through it. That last incident I didn't get any response on keeping her so after I cleaned up the disgusting mess, I bathed Milly and took pictures to post on KSL that night. Within 24 hours I had multiple buyers for her and it was a done deal. She went to a single guy that had been traveling for some time and was going to be home now and wanted a dog for company. I am sure she was perfect for him, because I couldn't give her what she needed. With us bringing a new baby home in a few months I have felt major relief having her gone and being able to refocus back on the kids and our new addition coming soon. The boys and I don't miss her at all, but I know Nate does, so hopefully as our family gets older we can try again and have better experience.

Best Friends

Jackson and Landon have been best buddies for years and I am so glad Jacks has such a good friend to play with all the time. A while back Landon joined us one night for dinner and ice cream at Arctic Circle. These two are so silly {and sometimes naughty} together. I thought this picture was perfect of the two of them because it shows their cute personalities. They recently got their Kindergarten teacher assignments and they will be starting the school scene together in the same class... Mrs. Calhoon get ready for the ride! Man do I love you two boys. I just hope you stay friends over the years and you two stay out of trouble as you get older.

A new addition {before the real new addition}

 Back in April we said good bye to the Jeep {and ate my words} and bought a van! I can't say I was super excited about the purchase at first and I said I would NEVER drive a van, but I haven't thought twice about selling the Jeep so I guess I can officially say I like my van. It is always bittersweet to me to say good bye to something that carries memories with it, but I know we will make many more with our new vehicle. We bought the Jeep when I was pregnant with Jackson because I was driving a 2 door explorer {from college} and I didn't want to deal with putting a car seat in the back through a small opening behind the front seat. Now we are on to our 3rd child and we needed some more room. If I had all the money in the world I would have gotten my Armada, but I couldn't talk myself into the payment nor the gas I would have to dump into it every week. So my next option and definitely the most logical choice was a van. And man I am happy we did. They boys LOVE IT! You can't beat what a van has to offer as a family vehicle and I am loving the gas mileage. I am very grateful that we are able to drive nice reliable cars. Hopefully sister likes it because that is all she will know for a long time!

A new {AFTER} Easter tradition

 Thanks to the Christensen's idea, these boys have a new favorite Easter tradition! After each time of coloring eggs, we went to a hill close by our house to let them throw the eggs and watch them roll down the hill. Andersen always went through his eggs so fast and before you knew it they were all rolling down the hill at once with him following right behind to catch them. Jacks on the other hand had to throw one at a time. He had to smash them on the ground first so when he would throw them down the hill they would burst into pieces rather than just roll. Boys will be boys, but a couple dollars worth of eggs it was worth all the lose to watch them be destructive of something other than their toys or my stuff at home. We definitely will be doing this next year if we have good weather around Easter like we did this year because it was SO nice to have those stinking eggs out of our fridge quickly.

Easter Day

After decorating Easter Eggs and getting the boys in bed for the night, it seemed like it was only a few hours and Jacks was up at the crack of dawn, so excited to see what the Easter Bunny brought. Unfortunately Andersen didn't get the early morning memo and Jacks had to wait until his sleepy head brother woke up.

What I am sure felt like FOREVER to Jacks was only 30 mins or so and they both finally got to go see their surprises.

The Easter Bunny brought them both some new shoes, sunglasses, some washable paints with coloring books and of course candy. Those smiles don't lie that they weren't disappointed at all!

Once the baskets were explored they were off to find all the eggs. They were so cute to find the eggs together and to make sure they both were getting eggs. Those are the parenthood moments that it makes everything worth it just to see their excitement.

The highlight of their baskets were their new sunglasses and shoes. They had to have them where ever we would go for weeks! Happy Easter little munchkins!

Then we were off to church, then a regular Sunday family nap, and then over to Nana's to get spoiled again. Nana has always done baskets for the grand kids and then hides 100+ eggs filled with all sorts of candy, prizes and tons of $$! Here they are with Nana and their baskets.

 Then it was time for their last egg hunt of the year! Nate even gets to help find eggs at this one because there is just way too many eggs for 2 little boys...plus Nate and I wanted in on the $ of course!

 Here is all the loot. Too bad Uncle Chase didn't come again because these boys scored and we got all the prizes and money to ourselves.

 To finish off the day, the boys got their usual root beer floats for desert (Not like they needed anymore sugar after the many pieces they devoured from their candy bags) and enjoyed modeling their new PJ's before we went home for the night. What a fun Easter holiday we had! I love these boys and I love seeing their happy smiles when we are doing fun things as a family. Hopefully next year sister can keep up with you two wild monkeys!

 With Nate missing the first night of coloring eggs we definitely needed to do it again so he could join in on the fun. The boys didn't mind coloring more eggs that's for sure. If anything they were pros after the Christensen's house. With our days filled up until Easter, we hurried and did them Saturday night before the Easter Bunny came. Jackson picked out the set that had markers so after they were dyed to the color of their liking, they spent most of their time coloring all over them. Almost colored them too much because the marker wouldn't dry and was "marking" everything in its path, but at least they were all ready for the Bunny to hide in the morning!

With Nate having school Monday nights usually, the Christensen's are always so nice to invite us over for Family Night. They happened to be doing Easter Eggs, so of course we couldn't pass that opportunity up. This is one of Jackson's Easter favorites and it didn't disappoint. They boys each had 6 eggs to color. It was so much fun they couldn't all focus to take a group picture so that is the best we got. They were all so proud of their creations so I guess that is all the mattered!

Every year our ward has done an Easter Egg hunt for all the little kiddos. Usually it is at our clubhouse but this year the weather was yucky so it got moved into the church. Each kid is to bring a dozen eggs to share. They all get gathered together, then hidden and then found just a few minutes later. Its the fastest activity but the kids love it. It was so fun to watch all the kiddos run around for a new set of dozen eggs. Jackson and Andersen are at such fun ages because they are so independent and they love these simple activities because they don't need Mom. Maybe its their friends being there too, but I think the candy part of it all is their favorite (as you can tell Andersen and Parker are already eating it just minutes after the hunt was over!)