Everyday Happiness

Someday I won't come across such treasures; little boys parking their cars on my blinds.

11 months

Barrett at 11 months

1. Is right on the cusp of walking.  Thursday he took 2 steps and every day he tries to take more.

2. Loves he grandma, he willing goes to her, with arms outstretched, whenever she is around.

3. Loves to lift up the toilet seat lid and play in the potty.

4. Whenever Barrett is finished eating he starts chucking his food on the floor or throwing it at us.  So annoying.

5. Loves, loves, loves balls.  Not little balls, big balls.  Basketballs, soccer balls, no little baby sized balls for him.

6. Is nicknamed Mowgli - he hates the feeling of the grass on his knees and crawls on his hands and feet with his butt sticking in the air.  So funny.

7. Can destroy the house in 2.3 minutes
8.  If I'm trying to feed Barrett something the doesn't like he will pop his soother back in his mouth and then suck on it while he stares at me. 

Helamans Encampment Part 2

To celebrate100 years of scouting in Alberta, our province had a huge scout camp at Camp Impessa.  Scouts and Ventures came from all over Alberta to participate in this camp.  Nolan's birthday fell after the cut off date, but since Spencer had to attend the camp, we begged and pleaded with the powers that be and they allowed Nolan to attend.

Man are we ever grateful they did, because this kid has the best time.  The camp was 6 days packed full of one adventure after another.

The theme was the camp was Helamans Stripling Warriors.  All the activities they participated in had a scriptural reference and theme attached to them.  Nolan loved zip lining, building bridges and towers, sewing a sheath for his pocket knife (which he used to cut himself repeatedly) and hiking.

Spencer is over the Ventures so he and Nolan were separated for most of the activities, including the hike.  Nolan had to do the easier hike with the Scouts. 

Nolan was pretty excited to have his dad there with him.  Nolan told me one of the best things about camp was that there was no mom to make him brush his teeth, wash, change his clothes or basically practice any personal hygiene.  And believe me, he didn't.  He wore the same pair of shorts the entire time and never washed his hands or brushed his teeth.  Gross to me, but heaven to him.

Every evening all 3000 young men gathered for a fireside and were treated to talks by General Authorities.  The last night they had a stake fireside and talked about their mothers.  Each mother had to write her son a letter.  It was special moment that caused lots of the ym to tear up including my little tender heart.

He came home tired, dirty and happy.  He came in the house threw his arms around me and told me how much he missed me.  I soaked it in as I don't think every camp will have that home coming.  I loved hearing the debriefing as he and Spencer talked about their exploits and was so grateful he was allow to go and have these experiences

Silver

Jarom participated in the U10 Soccer event at the Southern Alberta Summer Games in Medicine Hat.  This is Jarom's first year playing soccer and he's really come along way.

It was so hot  - in the 30's but these kids played their little hearts out and came out with a silver.

Jarom got to play with his cousin Ethan and his new friend Darren

Calgary Zoo

Chasing tiger and lions at the zoo was on our Summer Fun chart, so we got to add a big check mark to the list. 

Russell was a tad disappointed at the dinosaur portion of the zoo as he expected the dinosaurs to be real.

The Hipps are mine and Nolan's favorite of all the exhibits.  I am always astounded by the mass of these creatures. This year we actually got to see them out of the water.  Man are they ever big.

Jarom's favorite animal to see was the gorillas.  He even got the see a show of the gorilla eating his poo.  He loved that - there is just something about little boys minds I will never understand.

Happy Stroller Dude!

This little girl won Jarom's heart.  He would do anything she asked of him and it was so sweet to watch him with her.  As we were leaving the Zoo, Jarom held my hand and we talked about the fun day and he told me how much he wanted a little sister. 

Nolan has been dying to see penguins for years.  He is pretty excited to come back next year and see these Arctic bird.

The pool was calling

Last week the sun finally decided to grace us with its presence.  It was hot and it felt good. 

Katrina came for a visit and it was so good to see her and her kids.  I also got to fill my little girl itch as I assisted Katrina making the cutest skirt and a very girly tutu.  It was so fun and man is that girl ever cute. 

As are these boys. 



*Sigh*

Man, what a difference a month makes.  This morning I was standing in front of the calendar - to see what was scheduled for today and there was nothing.  It was glorious. 

We finished our personal summer goals and our list of fun things to do as a family this summer.  I love this idea.  It keeps us focused and it makes sure we accomplish all the things we want to during our free time, instead of reaching September and saying, "darn, we wanted to ....". 

I love getting my kids to set goals.  It makes my life so much easier; they have 4 areas they have to set 3 goals in: Spiritual, Physical, Educational and Other.  Then each morning as I make out their to do list I include an exercise goal and one other goal to work on.  The beauty of the whole system is that they set the goal, so they can't complain - at least not in a perfect world.

Helamans Encampment

This lucky young man is off to camp and man I don't think he could be anymore excited.  I barely got a glance when I announced I was leaving.  He is going to have such a great time.

Gross!

We really do think everything this baby does is funny.  This is my favorite face; I never tire of it. 

It says it all.  "That is gross, I am NOT eating that, get that spoon away from me".  Sometimes I give him food I know he won't like just so I can see it. 

Here it is again,

and again.