November 2015

Cam with his wolf and Kimball with his chameleon

BYU vs Mizzou

This summer, Dale bought tickets to the BYU vs Mizzou game to go with Kimball. He bought 2 more tickets for our nephew, but since our nephew wasn't able to make it, Cameron, Lily & I tagged along. We left Friday afternoon and got to Independence, MO just in time for the fireside the BYU football team puts on before their games. It was neat to hear them, and I especially enjoyed Bronco Mendenhall's talk...he talked about how much we could give if everyone put more effort into their children (just like moms already do :)). Kimball got to meet Bronco and a couple of football players (including McCoy Hill) after the fireside and was so excited!

October 2015

We started October in the 90's and it ended in the 60's. The trees haven't changed much yet, but it's cooler. We paid $1000 to have our huge trees out front trimmed! Lily loved watching all of the heavy machinery; the boys were also thrilled to come home after school and watch.

Halloween

Much like last year, the theme for our family was Star Wars this Halloween.

Pumpkin Patch

During fall break, I took the kids to the local pumpkin patch. All 3 kids loved the "diamond dig"...

September 2015

Football season started again and, of course, we had to get all decked out for the first BYU game!

Bathroom Remodel

We have an itty-bitty half bathroom in our master bedroom, about the size of a closet. We've hated it since we moved in and finally decided to remodel it for our anniversary at the end of June...because we're romantic like that :).

The bathroom was carpeted when we moved in, but the first time the toilet overflowed, we ripped it out to find ugly, nasty linoleum underneath. The vanity was old and had chunks missing at the bottom. The toilet made an obnoxious noise forever after being flushed. While my dad was visiting, we started thinking about it and he said it would be a one-day project, so we decided while the boys were gone, that we would do it!

August

I love this time of year! I love how the weather is cooling down and things start to calm down briefly before all the holiday chaos happens. After our trip to Colorado, we had a week before school started. Cameron was so excited for school to start, but Kimball just wanted to keep swimming every day. School came before we knew it!

Kimball is in 3rd grade. At his school, they have homeroom teachers, math teachers and English teachers. Each day Kimball comes off the bus reading a different book, and he loves the "I Survived" series. Cameron's in 1st grade and his school is doing a super hero theme...a little boy's biggest dreams come true!

First day of school- 1st and 3rd grade!

Colorado!

The best way to escape the Oklahoma heat is to run away! This year we went to Colorado for the Rex reunion. We arranged to go a few days early and stay in a cabin with the Ferrells and it was wonderful. On our way out to CO we got to stop in Kansas and see our great-niece Emma get blessed.

The cabin was fully furnished with everything we needed except for food. We played games, read, relaxed, and enjoyed the mountains. Our boys were scared to walk through the tall grass until we reassured them there were no chiggers to be found!

We ate Alfredo, burgers, waffles, German pancakes, and roasted marshmallows for smores.

On the last day we went to a resort and played with all of their outdoor games like giant Jenga.

After lunch we said goodbye and drove to Rocky Mountain National Park to meet up with Dale's family. We set up camp and enjoyed pizza on our first night.

On Thursday we hiked up to Emerald Lake. Once the boys got moving, they did ok until it was time to come back down...then their legs hurt too much and it was slow going.

On Friday we drove around to several smaller hikes, and drove up to the visitor center. Kimball was adamant that he had to touch the snow. Alluvial Falls was beautiful!

We went to a homestead and Dale got to try on a buffalo coat :)

Naturally there were campfires, and games played. On Saturday it was time to leave. The boys got their Junior Ranger badges and we drove home.

It was depressing to go from 80 degree temperatures back to 100+ temperatures, nevermind all of the bugs. But it is good to be home and I've almost finished putting everything away from our trip (over a week later).

July 2015

July flew by way too fast! Now we're getting ready for school to start and summer break is practically over :(. At the beginning of July, my Dad and sister visited, then took the boys with them to NM. While they were gone, we remodeled our 1/2 bathroom in our bedroom. Then Lily turned 12 months and we celebrated her birthday!

Poor Lily got her shots and was miserable all day (6 shots! 2 in each leg and one in each arm). They only time she smiled was when it was cool enough to go outside and swing.

Kimball started Cub Scouts when he turned 8 and got to go to a twilight camp. On the last day the families were invited to participate. Swimming, canoeing, fishing, growing sweet potatoes in soda bottles, and more!

Fishing at scout camp

A sister in our ward has a miniature pony and we finally got to go ride Shorty...well the boys at least. Lily was not a fan! Kimball is getting too tall and almost didn't fit on Shorty.

Our ward scheduled a softball game, but when we got to the field found out they only allowed T-ball, so we played wiffle-ball (much to Dale's dismay). We took turns caring for Lily and playing.

 Lily still bathes in the bathroom sink since it's the perfect size that she can't crawl away in it.

One of the boys took the above picture with their camera. They know more about that little camera than I ever learned and it's fun to see what pieces of our lives they capture on it.

Dale got me a new lens for my camera for my birthday, so I've had a lot of fun taking pictures of our kids on it!

At the end of summer, Kimball got up the courage to jump off the diving board. He tried first with a life jacket and goggles, but then he started doing it all on his own and I was so proud of him. Once he started, he kept going back for the whole time we were at the pool!

Lily found Dale's tie one day and walked around with it on. She also learned how to climb on the table. The only way we could get her to stop was to put her in her room with the door shut for a minute and she learned quickly that the table wasn't worth being put in her room!

It's fun to see how quickly Lily is learning! She is starting to try to "dress" herself in all sorts of fun things like Kimball's swimsuit.

Lily's Birthday

The boys had been anticipating Lily's birthday for months. They kept asking how much longer until she was one. The morning of her birthday, they were so excited and wanted to set everything up right away...make the cake, wrap presents, etc.

For dinner, we had chicken nuggets and sweet potato fries.

I made her a purple butterfly cake. Her bedroom is decorated in purple and pink butterflies so it was perfect.

We sang to her then had Lily open presents. She got the hang of unwrapping pretty quickly (though her brothers had a hard time moving at the speed of a one year old). 

Kimball gave her a giraffe and activity blocks, Cameron gave her clip-clopping horse toys, Grandma & Grandpa Bundy gave her a Disney princess ride-on toy, Grandpa & Grandma Rex sent her $5, and we gave her a shopping cart.

Then it was time for cake! Lily dug right in and seemed to enjoy it. I wish I had made the frosting darker so you could see what a mess she made :).

What a sweet, adorable one-year-old she is!

Lily at 12 Months!

12 months have come and gone since you joined our family!

During the month before your birthday, you got your 8th tooth (6/17/15). Progressively you became a toddler! On 6/21 you took 4 steps, and it only increased from there. At the beginning of July you could walk across a room. By your birthday you preferred walking over crawling and now toddle everywhere.

At Cochiti Lake, NM

Grandpa Rex and Grandma Sharon said "Lily is a real live angel and it is apparent that she 'rules the roost.' She has such a sweet disposition. She's a beautiful combination of both her parents."

At the OKC Zoo

On 7/6 you tried to put your own shoes on. You also like to close doors when asked, blow raspberries and stick out your tongue.

Shopping for bathroom remodeling supplies

You know that I like to dry my hands after washing dishes, before I pick you up. On 7/7, you pushed me away from the sink towards the towel so I could dry my hands and pick you up. It's so fun watching you figure out how to communicate your needs and wants.

Super Lily

On 7/5 you learned how to climb in the little rocking chair and rock yourself, and on 7/7 you figured out the big rocking chair! You were so proud or yourself and frequently disappear into your room to climb.

You also started to shake your head for "no" and sign "all done" at meals. You discovered how to click your tongue, and the excitement on your face whenever you do it is adorable. You learned how to say "uh" for up on my birthday.

"All done!"

Stranger anxiety is still very real for you. When Grandpa Bundy & Aunt Hannah visited, you would not let them hold you! Grandpa was just excited that you voluntarily touched his nose before he left. But by the time we left Albuquerque, you were willing to stay in Grandpa's arms for crackers or other yummy treats.

You have a few lovies that you snuggle with at nap and bed time. You grab one with your left arm and suck your right thumb as you fall asleep.

 Sweet girl, life is an adventure with you! You love to climb, and scream when you're mad. You pull our finger to steer us wherever you want to go. You want so badly to play outside all day long, but it's too hot. We are so blessed to have you in our family!

After trying chocolate chip cookies

What a wonderful year it's been! Just born, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, 7 months, 8 months, 9 months, 10 months, 11 months, 12 months.

Albuquerque!

After my Dad & sister visited, they took the boys back to NM with them. It was the boys' first time going to Grandma & Grandpa's house without us, and they were so excited! They drove there on the 4th and did fireworks with my parents that night. They were thrilled to have tank fireworks.

My mom kept them busy while they were there. They got to go swimming...

To the children's museum...

To the aquarium, zoo and botanical garden...

 Kayaking with the adaptive sports program (working with kids & adults with special needs)...




To the recreation center in Santa Fe, and more. While the boys were there, we remodeled our master bath since we really know how to take it easy when we only have 1 kid to worry about ;).

On Thursday the 9th, I drove out to NM with Lily to pick the boys up.

We went kayaking at Cochiti Lake on Saturday, and then to Tent Rocks.

 Tent rocks is a bunch of sediment that formed in the shape of tents from volcanic and other run-off. There is only one other place in the world like it!

 On Monday my family celebrated my birthday by taking me out to lunch, then mom made me a cheesecake and I got fun gifts. My boys gave me roses and earrings. They already know how to make a girl feel special.

On Tuesday we loaded up and drove home. We finally stopped to see the cars half-buried in Texas...

Our kids are amazing travelers! We can usually make a 9-10 hour road trip with only 2 stops.
All the while, Dale was home, working or finishing up some of the last details of our bathroom.