Disneyland

We spent two days in the Disneyland Park. Our hotel was only a fifteen minute walk from Disneyland, which was really great. After pushing our boys to exhaustion all day in California Adventure, we figured out we would be happier walking back to the hotel for a mid-day nap/break. Our hotel room was a two-room suite, which I insisted on so that we could actually sleep. The boys did miraculously well sleeping together, but I think thoroughly wearing them out each day had something to do with that.

Jason got really scared by Frank on the Radiator Racers ride, which made him nervous to do any other ride that went in the dark. I created a "Brave Chart" where he could earn a sticker each time he was brave and went on a "dark" ride. After earning a certain amount of stickers, he got to choose a souvenir. This brave chart worked out great. And what did Jason choose for his souvenir? Why another Lightning McQueen car, or course! But this one was different-- it had an orange construction cone glued to the hood of the car-- so of course he needed it. Sadly, this poor car got lost in our hotel room.

We had SO much fun with Grandma and Grandpa Hunsaker. We felt spoiled having them all to ourselves. Noah was their little buddy, happily going on almost all of the rides with them since Jason was a little scared and needed his parents close by.

Favorite Rides: "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Toy Story" for Jason. "Dumbo" and "Carousel" for Noah. "Radiator Racers" and "Tea cups" for Kate. "Toy Story" for Kyle.

Least Favorite Rides: "Radiator Racers" and "Alice in Wonderland" for Jason. Noah didn't like any ride that he couldn't go on. "Matterhorn" for Kate. "Star Tours" for Kyle.

We will always remember how hilarious it was watching These three cram into this rocket. I was afraid we we need some grease to get them out.

Linda, Valerie, and Sienna joined us on our last day in Disneyland, which was a lot of fun.

Jason keeps asking when we can go again. I don't know the answer to that, but I hope it is sooner rather than later.

California Adventure

We took our boys on their first California road trip. Our plan was to meet up with Grandpa and Grandma Hunsaker in Anaheim to do Disneyland together. Kyle and I chose to drive, and we invited Grandma Linda to ride with us so she could see Valerie, who lives in California. It was fun having Grandma Linda along. We stayed in St. George both ways to break up the drive. Kyle's grandparents were kind and let us stay at their house there.

Our worst adventure was our car breaking down on the freeway on our way to California. Our fuel pump decided to give out on us. We were stuck on the side of the road for over an hour while we figure things out and waited for a tow truck to come get us. We did have many tender mercies throughout the ordeal:

•  We were in civilization! Tow trucks and mechanics were close by. 
• The boys were happy playing out of their car seats while we waited in the car-- they were too little to be scared.
• The temperature was not too hot, otherwise we would have been way too uncomfortable in our car.
• Valerie was only an hour away, so Sean came and picked the five of us up. We crammed all six of us and all our bags into his car. 
• We got our car into a mechanic's shop before it closed for the weekend. 
• They were able to fix the problem in a day, so we got our car back in plenty of time for our drive home.
• My dad was able to drive Kyle the hour and an half trip (one way) to pick up the car.

Here are pictures from our day in California Adventure. Cars Land was magical for the boys. I am grateful Noah was tall enough to go on all the kids rides because he was always anxious to do another.

I love these Mickey Mouse ice cream treats!

9.10.13

Summer is ending, and I think we played hard enough that I am ready for Fall. I am grateful for the fun memories we were able to create. I took Jason and Noah on a hike almost every week. Kyle and I even managed to squeeze in a hike without kids up at Alta. Jason got easier and easier to hike with as he got stronger and more used to walking, while Noah got harder and harder as he became more and more independent, wanting to be carried less and less.

The boys spent a lot of time in their swim suits. Noah can spot a swim suit from a mile away; he picks it up and brings it over for me to put on him, no matter the size. We got some good laughs at him wandering around with size 5 trunks barely hanging on around his diaper. Noah also loves his life jacket, and he wants to walk around with it on whenever he sees it, even if that means walking around with it on in our garage.

Jason is a lot braver in the water. He loved his swimming lessons. After a whole summer of the three amigos (me, Jason, and Noah) doing all sorts of activities together, I am finding that Jason is having some separation anxiety now that is time to go back to school. Hopefully the anxiety will be over soon.
Jason and I had this conversation yesterday:

Jason: When are we going to have another baby?

Me: I don't know. Not now.

Jason: Will it be a boy or a girl?

Me: I don't know. What do you want it to be?

Jason: A girl. We already have a boy.

Me: Well, we don't really get to choose. Heavenly Father chooses for us and sends the babies down from heaven.

Jason: Did Noah cry when he was in heaven?

Me: Why would he cry?

Jason: Because he missed you. (Separation anxiety)

Me: No. Heavenly Father is the father for all of us, and he loves us, and we love him.

Jason: Does he have holes in his hands?

Me: No, that is Jesus.

Jason: When we die, will we get holes in our hands?

Me: No, just Jesus.


Jason also learned how to pump himself on the swing and ride his bike with training wheels this summer. He has graciously given Noah his scooter, which Jason now refers to as "Noah's scooter." Those boys get along pretty well. Jason is great at helping Noah on the playground, whether it be pushing him in a swing or catching him at the bottom of a slide.

Noah still doesn't say much, but he has started saying "kitty" and "doggy" more often. What else is there worth saying? He also uses the sign for "more," which he uses when he wants anything, even if we haven't even given it to him in the first place.

Random pictures:

The boys having a blast at Airborne.

Enjoying our newly inherited croquet set.

Natural History Museum of Utah

Half Marathon

I have been wanting to run a half marathon with Kyle since we got married, and this year we finally did it. We ran Deseret News Classic on Pioneer Day. We had fun training together and getting in shape. We trained separately during the week, but on Saturday mornings I hired the neighbor girls to come over bright and early so we could run the long runs together. Kyle stayed with me during the race until mile nine, at which point I could feel myself slowing considerably, so I sent him on ahead. We were both pleased to finish under two hours.

Showing off our new shirts:

Thanks, Heather, for babysitting the boys for us during the race.
Thanks for running with me Kyle! I love you!

St. George Getaway

Kyle planned a getaway to St. George for my birthday. A big thanks to Curtis and Linda for watching our boys for us!

We got to see two plays at Tuacahn: Thoroughly Modern Millie and Mary Poppins. We also went to the St. George temple for the first time. We had so much fun getting away together. Thanks for the awesome birthday present, Kyle.

July Activities

 Some of July's activities included:

Children's Bike Parade. We made it through the parade fine, but at the finish the rains came pouring down. We tried to wait it out, but we finally ran to our car. We were totally drenched and the boys were crying.

We've continued our weekly hikes. One week we went with Melissa and her kids to hike at Snowbird. We packed a picnic dinner, but who can eat when a pot-gut is around? Not Noah. He was glued to the ground looking for the tame animal who loved cheetoes, as were all the other kids.

Jason enjoyed some carnival rides with Austin and Grandma Linda at Steel Days. Noah got to hang out with me in the wrap.

Watching the Highland Days parade.

We've also enjoyed more boating with Grandpa Jesse, and Jason has loved going to his swimming lessons.

Noah finally decided to walk everywhere in July-- he was 17 months old. Now I can't get anything done while he is awake, except play :).

Noah's Photo Shoot

Melissa took these pictures of Noah back in May when Noah was 15 months old. I am obviously not very funny or entertaining because I could not get this kid to crack a smile.

This is one of my favorites. I was blowing bubbles to get him to smile, and he started blowing too.

I had a hard time getting a good smile out of Jason, too. He is almost four in this picture.

Austin and Jason

This is my very favorite picture!