The Pulleys and the Phoenix heat!

A little over a week ago, I had the opportunity to go down to Phoenix to meet my new little nephew and help out my sister. I knew going down to Phoenix in July would be hot, but I wasn't fully prepared for the 115 degree temperature coming out of church on Sunday. It sucked the life out of me!

First and foremost, I have to say that baby Jonah is adorable. I just couldn't get enough kisses and snuggles from him. So fun! Next, it was fun to see Tyler and Hayden play together. Here are a few pictures of them having a blast together. The boys were both laughing so hard in the shower, that I had to take a picture of it.


While we were there, we had to find wet or indoor activities to keep us cool. We went to a really fun bounce house. Tyler was a little hesitant at first, but once he started climbing and sliding, he couldn't stop. I love the first picture of Kristin, Hayden, my mom and Tyler. Each of them has a different emotion on their face!



At the bounce house they had a boxing ring that the boys had a great time in! Tyler looks like he's ready for the action. He was jumping all over and turned and looked at me and said, "Mom, I'm a jackalope!" That is a clear sign he's watched Boundin' one too many times! It made me smile though.




Phoenix was really a lot of fun but I admit it was nice to come back to cool temperatures in the 90's! Props to you Kristin and Kalie for living in that heat!

I can do this...I think

A warning, this post is mostly to get the ideas and concerns out of my head. A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from a bishop of a BYU student ward who wanted to meet with Steve and me. We met with him, he asked a little about us and that was really all. Well this morning Steve was called as a counselor in the Bishopric. And, although it isn't my 'calling' to go to the student ward, it was highly encouraged that I attend with Steve each week. It is sort of confusing because I will still pay tithing, go visiting teaching and have my records in the family ward, but just attend the singles ward. In a way, at least at this point, it seems like I am just going to be in limbo...neither here nor there.

My thoughts are sort of scattered on the subject. I feel bad for Tyler, he will now be the only child in nursery (the toys being supplied by us.) I'm sad because he won't see his friends anymore. He loves nursery and singing with other kids.I'm really trying to see the positive in this, so I guess it will be good because he will now get individual 'tutoring' in the gospel. But looking at the glass as 'half empty' there isn't a mother's lounge or changing area for babies in the meeting house. Hmmmm. Having a new baby in this ward should be, well, interesting.

I am also very sad to be leaving my calling in the Young Women's. I just love their enthusiasm and desire to do what is right. I love when they would come up to me and tell me how they did on a test they were worried about. On the flip side, this ward is full of single sisters seeking to do what is right. Not a bad atmosphere to be submerged in! However, it does feel sort of isolating to be going from a family ward with other mothers I can relate to and chat with, to a ward of single young girls who think all kids are cute and don't understand the challenging aspect of motherhood yet.

The funny thing about all of this is that the actual duties and time of Steve's new calling don't worry me at all. He's gone all the time anyway with school and work, so I'm used to that. I have the faith that this is right. I don't doubt that even a little. I also know that things will work out, but I just wish I had a crystal ball to see how they do. The coming months of Steve's classes, him being an editor of a law journal, being in the bishopric, and us having a new baby will bring some stresses and obstacles. As is the case with all challenges and callings, I know the Lord will bless us on this new adventure.

So there you have it. If you stuck it out...points for you!

As good as it's gonna get!

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not super creative when it comes to crafts. I prefer to buy cute things instead of come up with the ideas and make it myself. Or if every possible aspect has been thought up and provided, I don't mind putting it together.

My first attempt at making something for Tyler was, well, interesting. I wanted to make him a baby blanket. With help from my mom, one new sewing machine, four hours and a lot of unstitching later, his square blanket was finished. Sorry Tyler, but I struggle at things like this.

Well, I finally buckled down and made something for Tyler. Since he thinks every stick is a fishing pole, I thought, "I should make him one." So I found some cute sea creature pictures online, colored them, laminated them and put strong magnets on them. Steve went to the hardware store and made the fishing pole. Needless to say, Tyler LOVES it. After he used the magnet pole to catch the fish, he looked at Steve very enthusiastically and said, "Take a picture!" A true fisherman.


Enjoy it little man, this might be one of the only things I actually make for you!

Summertime Fun

It is funny to me that all winter long we are stuck in the house because it is too cold, and yet in the dead of summer, we all want to stay in because it is too hot. Well, last week we braved the heat to meet Tyler's cousins at Liberty Park in Salt Lake. I remember going there as a kid, but don't remember it being so much fun. Tyler went on the Ferris wheel, airplanes and carousel with his cousins, Hudson and Claire.




The park had a great water feature. It was mostly just small little streams for little ones to play in, and then those streams lead to small pools for older kids. I thought "what's the harm in letting Tyler put his feet in the water?" The answer....a completely soaked child. He thought it was too much of a temptation, so he just sat in the water, as did Claire. Nice! So with no change of clothes for him, Tyler wandered the rest of the park and fed the ducks looking like a white trash child. Next time we go to that park, I'll be prepared!



Oh, and just for kicks, I thought I'd post this picture of Tyler. He sure liked his smoothie!

A nice long weekend

Steve has been working hard at his internship in Salt Lake since May. Between driving to and from work and actually working, he has been putting in 11 hour days. Steve comes home to a usually exhausted pregnant wife and a toddler who is 'sick of his mom' by then. We decided that since he had off July 3rd, we wanted to get away as a family and relax. My dad let us use his house in St. George all weekend. Even though we knew it would be hot (and it was) at least it was getting away.

Thursday night after Steve got home from work we loaded up and drove to St. George. After getting Tyler to bed at like 11 (it was the pattern for the weekend), we headed off to a king size bed. Come Friday morning, we got up and headed to the outlet mall before it got ridiculously hot. After finding a few fun things for all members (and soon to be members) of the family, we took Tyler home for lunch and a much needed nap. Once he woke up, we went to the Washington Aquatic Center that had all sorts of slides, pools and such for kids. It was big and cool so we were all happy, especially Tyler. He had no fear and told us that he wanted to dunk his head in the water. Tyler also loved walking like a crab in the water. Very cute!

The morning of the 4th, we drove down to the St. George Temple. It was so beautiful and white next to the red rock cliffs. Tyler loved climbing up and down the stairs.

After the Temple, we headed to the City Center to see what activities they had going on. Even though it was only 11 in the morning, we were all roasting. Tyler went on the little train/tram and loved every minute of it. The heat was getting to all of us after just that one ride, so we went to cool off with some snow cones. Let's just say that Tyler had a lot of fun eating his, as evident by his shorts! Thank goodness for Spray n' Wash!

After all of us took an afternoon nap, we went swimming at the community pool at my dad's house. Tyler again thought he was Super Man and jumped off the stairs into our arms more times than I can count. That evening we ran into a cop when scouting out a firework viewpoint, who told us where the best spot in town was. He was right! The fireworks were right on top of us. It was pretty awesome! Tyler kept saying, "fireworks kind of loud" or "fireworks say boom!" He even told us some of the colors he saw in the sky. And we all know it wouldn't be the 4th of July without hearing Neal Diamond's "Coming to America" and the Overture of 1812. Good times!

Even though it was very hot down there, we had a wonderful time together as a family free from work, plans and obligations. Tyler got undivided attention all weekend from us, and Steve and I were able to relax. I'm already looking forward to our next family vacation!