Busy Week

Wow it has been a busy week! We were supposed to go camping near Payson to celebrate ustin's end of the semester. But, where we wanted to go was surrounded by forest fires. So, we went to Kingman instead to visit Grandma Joan. We went through Flagstaff, which really made us want to be camping. Then, we drove to the Grand Canyon Caverns. It was a fun trip for the boys. They sure wanted to be out of the car. They had fun exploring the caverns. It was here that we discovered a career for Noah- modeling. The pictures of Noah with the giant dinosaur are all his "poses" as he told Daddy.

The kids had a great time in Kingman. we took them up to the Hualipi mountains and went on a very short hike- it would have been longer had I remembered my tennis shoes. I only had 2 sets of flip-flops the whole trip. It was a beautiful area and we hope to go camping in it this October. The kids loved playing at Grandma's house- especially outside in her bird bath and fountains. My pretty little princess was the dirtiest I have ever seen her!!!

Once in Mesa again, we took the kids bowling for the first time. Noah and Daniel had tons of fun. Noah's competitive edge came out. He would be quite upset if he knew he were losing to Daniel! They lasted all of a game and a half and then it was on to the arcade room. Dustin and I got lots of bowling practice in playing their spots as well as our own. We also got our exercise running back and forth from the lanes to the arcade. I was awesome and beat Dustin- even after his semester of bowling class!!

Noah thinks he has discovered how to get what he wants qithout actually asking for it. Noah had a homemade cookie bar earlier in the afternoon. Daniel hadn't had one yet and was having the pleasure of enjoying one after his nap. noah was playing and noticed Daniel eating a cookie. We told Noah he had already eaten his and he could have one later. The next thing we hear is Noah talking to Daniel saying, "Daniel, do you want me to have a cookie? Say yes!" Then Noah turned around and told us that Daniel told him he could have a cookie. It was too cute. I, of course, gave in- but I know the trick and am on my guard! Also, we were in the car and Dustin and I were just teasing each other/ mildly arguing when Noah pipes up from the back, "Will everybody just calm down!" I busted out laughing. Noah had to say it a few more times when he realized there was a reaction to his comment. What a ham!!!

Jodi is now drinking from sippy cups and going to sleep on her own- no more rocking chair. I miss those moments and am feeling not needed. It's silly, but I love those moments and truly so treasure and feel the loss of them. I can't believe how fast this year has flown and how much I have been blessed in that year. Jodi is such a joy and I can't imagine our family without her. It's like she always had a place and was just waiting to be physically in it. I hope that makes sense. Enough sap= We had a great week!