Summer Fling

Kellen's family came to visit this summer for a very quick week. We tried to pack as much as we could into a single week. A trip to the zoo, a day in historic, downtown Philadelphia and a couple of days at the Shore. It was so much fun to see the kids play and spend time with family!

Aley had her first chance to play with sand and she loved it!

Ava got a little too carried away in the sand and became a sand MONSTER.
Our future lifeguard in training.

I Love to See the Temple

"I love to see the temple. I'm going there someday To feel the Holy Spirit, To Listen & to pray.

For the temple is a house of God, a place of love & beauty. I'll prepare myself while I am young; This is my sacred duty."

"I love to see the temple. I'll go inside someday. I'll cov'nant with my Father; I'll promise to obey. For the temple is a holy place Where we are sealed together. As a child of God, I've learned this truth: A family is forever."

I went to the temple to the sealing of my cousin, Kurt. I love sealings. I love seeing the love of the couple getting married and remembering my own sealing almost 5 years ago to the day. I also love to hear what each sealer says to the couple. That little nugget of wisdom to take with you to aply to your own marriage. One of the stand out thing for me was the 4 C's of David O McKay: Constant Courting, Constant Communication, Constant Compassion & Constant Compromise. It was another first to have the power go out while in the temple. It was a great day and wonderful to see family. The day was beautiful and Aley was a dream the entire day. I couldn't asked for better.

Swimming

We love going to the pool. Bubba was terrified at first and refused to get in the water. At first he would only dip his fingers and throw things into the water. Each time he slowly got a little more brave. Stepping into the water and letting someone hold him and carry him around in the water. Avez jumps in full force and Aley just relaxes and takes it all in. Funny how each personality come out.
Avez has always been a water girl. She has to put her life jacket on because she has no fear and loves to jump in the deep end. It keeps my stress level down to know that whatever she decides to try she will be safe.
Now he jumps from the side and swims on his own. He sticks his face in the water. (Which is crazy because he freaks out in the tub when any water get on his face!)A regular little fish.

Free At Last!

The moment I have been waiting for and yet dreading has finally arrived. Bubba has finally discovered the ability to climb out of his crib and not be terrified of the fall. I knew this was coming and honestly perplexed it was still pending. Avez developed this talent at about 17 months and he is pushing 21 months.

So begins the long bedtime rituals of putting him down, only to have him climb out excited about his new found talent. Then placing him back in bed screaming. (There is no happy medium with this boy.) Last night this took place for just over an hour until he finally relaxed. My hand had to be stroking his hair for him to calm down. I escaped and thought about what the nights ahead are going to be like.

Transitions are never easy. After family comes it's time for the big boy bed. Wonder how that will go?

Avez Eyes

I wish I could see the world through a child's eyes. They don't have the build up of taint and distain that has clouded our eyes as we age. When we see people we don't know and haven't met, we see strangers, unfamiliar and unapproachable. When Avez sees a person on the side of the road as we drive by she says, "Look Mama, friends!" As we walk down the isles in the store she stops to greet everyone saying, "Hi, I'm Ava. What's your name?" Everyone is just a friend she hasn't met yet not a stranger to be afraid of. Maybe if we all look at the world like Avez there wouldn't be as much misunderstanding and fear, just friends who are waiting to say "hi".

The Princess & the iPod

Avez is always wanting to play a game on the iPod. She is great at solving puzzles, matching games, counting games and alphabet games. I have to fight to use my own iPod because whenever I pull it out to use Avez comes around and wants to use it for herself. Not that I have much down time to use it during the day. But for space sake it's become my scriptures at church and seems to end up keeping someone else busy instead. I've downloaded a ton of games just for her because she wants to use it all the time. She is great at switching to whatever it is she wants to do. She can watch her movies, play her games. One of her favorite things to do is watch princess movies, especially Cinderella. My little techno wiz.

I took this picture the other day and thought it was priceless. There isn't even one bit of cropping or editing!

I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home

Every day when Daddy walks in the door from work, everything that was going on stops. All eyes turn to the sound of the front door beginning to open. Avez and Bubba look with anticipation and joy. I look with a mix of relief and gladness. Aley just senses the electric charge in the room and begins to kick her legs.

The first thing you hear is little feet running and "Daddy" being shouted with exuberance. Daddy's daily reply is, "Hi guys!" I love to see how happy it makes everybody to have the whole family together again after several hours without Daddy.