Fall Festivities

Happy Halloween!

What a fantastic fall it's been so far. All of my family made a huge effort to come out for the Halloween weekend and spend it with Alex, Lucas, and myself, and we're SO very glad they did! Lucas was so thrilled to have his cousins here to Trick-or-Treat with. Before the Halloween festivities kicked off though, we headed to my Grandma's house for a little R&R.

She lives on a really beautiful piece of land, and has a few cows and horses that we took Lucas to go feed. He LOVED IT! Even though the wind was blowing like crazy and our ears and fingers were ice cold within minutes, he couldn't wait to hop out of the truck and pet the animals. He explored the land with his Mema (grandma) and his two cousins and then we nestled in for the night, eating an amazing warm meal and sharing lots of laughs with each other. I'm so grateful to have a beautiful place like my Grandma's to take Lucas to and create so many of the same memories with him that I made with my Mom there.

Speaking of Grandma's.....

Lucas adores his Mema :) She would take him outside in to our front yard and roll around in the freshly fallen leaves and he would giggle and laugh as she'd chase him around or as the leaves would tickle his sweet face. So grateful for all of her love and tenderness towards him.

Love you Mom :)

Finally....the big finale to the weekend....Halloween!

Lucas dressed up this year as a brave and extremely cute firefighter! He had a super cute hat to go along with it, but it kept bothering him so we didn't bother too long with it. Alex dressed up as a soccer player and I went as a skeleton. All of my family members dressed up as well & it made for a great evening!

Now...bring on Christmas!

Jump! Jump! Jump Around!

Luke seems to be learning something new every day, but his latest challenge has been especially fun to watch. He has seen us jump in to the pool, jump up high to shoot a basketball or on a trampoline, and he has set out to do the very same. His only frustration seems to be- getting his little feet off the ground! Instead, he rolls from the heel of his foot to the tips of his toes, stretching his arms and hands high in to the air, and calling it "jumping"! This is one of those cute home videos you have to see to really understand just how precious this little guy is :)

Along with jumping, he is a busy body!!! His favorite toys are mom's container of cooking spoons & spatulas which he loves to take out and clank and bang on just about anything- couches, counters, mom & dad! Haha :) He loves taking each piece of laundry out of the basket for me, one-by-one, and having me fold it. When I'm done, he loves to then run/climb over each pile and have me start all over.

Food-wise he LOVES pickles and anything cheesy- puffs, string cheese, grilled cheese, you name it! He's learning how to not only drink out of an open water bottle, but how much to drink in at one time, rather than dumping it all over his face. He loves being outside, going for rides in his red wagon, and of course- swimming and splashing in just about any place that has water!

He may be a busy body, runnin' wild and curious about everything, but he's also such a sweetheart and so loving.

Summer Afternoons

Summer afternoons- two of the most beautiful words!

We have been incredibly fortunate this year to spend many of our summer days surrounded by lots of family. Lucas has had one adventure-packed day after another!- from saddle riding (minus the horse lol); circling around on the carousel; and of course lots and LOTS of swimming! My uncle took Lucas out back & put him on one of his horse saddles, making the trotting motion & having Lucas hold on to the reins. I got a few moments on video so check it out.

We also spent lots of time with the cousins- the Three Amigos to be exact! They loved playing the piano together, swimming, going to the movies (yep, they all sat through Cars 2), and even rode around on a horse carousel together.

For the 4th of July, we went to a baseball stadium to watch a minor league game and stay for the fireworks show after. They played music with the firework show & it was pretty spectacular. Lucas did amazing & really enjoyed the loud ones.

Such a great summer! Now bring on the fall....we're tired of the 90+ degree days!

Parks & Piggies

I don't think anyone could be more happier for the warmer weather than Lucas. He absolutely LOVES to be outside- whether it's playing in the yard, walking into a store, playing at the park, or going to Grandpa's farm. He could be in the middle of a very convincing fit, but the moment we ask him, "do you want to go outside?", his fit magically disappears & he's waiting by the gate at the top of the stairs, pointing to the front door, just barely able to contain his excitement. We bought him a Little Tikes lawn mower so now he can go up and down the drive way "mowing" just like mom and dad. He also has a red wagon filled with soccer balls, basketballs, volleyballs-you name it- and he loves to throw them one at a time out in the yard & then pick each one back up and drop it back in to the wagon. He's great at helping me with the weed pulling- in other words, I pull the weeds & he just makes the actions & sounds like he too is pulling weeds. He's a great helper!

We, along with my brother-in-law, took Lucas to a park recently to swing and see if he would enjoy the play area. We ate lunch at the picnic tables, and then took him for a relaxing ride on the swings. In the video below, you can see just how content and relaxed he is.

Lucas also loves to play in the yard at Grandpa's house, particularly checking out all of his animals. He has a few cows, a dog, and two brand new additions- piglets! Alex grew up in this very house for most of his life, and my Mom grew up on a farm as well, so it's special to see Lucas enjoying the same things and having the same experiences.

The two little piglets just came to the farm a few days ago, so they are still a little scared and skiddish around people. They are just too cute though, and I promised Mema we'd get him on video, so here you go! Enjoy!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day honey!

Yesterday was another very special Father's Day for our family because we get to celebrate being parents to an incredibly wonderful and special little boy :) Alex heard Lucas talking in his crib & couldn't wait to be the first to get him out. I layed in bed just listening to the two of them downstairs, talking & playing, and felt so grateful for the amazing person and example that Alex will be to Lucas now and over the years to come. We got to visit with both Grandpa's yesterday too, and watch them enjoy this Father's Day with their son and grandson. Alex and I have learned, now being parents ourselves, what a tremendous and profound responsibility and blessing it is to raise children. We have also learned that the extra-special times are found in the little things & little moments. It brings smiles to our faces every time we see Lucas learn something new & then see the pride immediately spread across his face! Every little hug & kiss, every time he reaches out to us when he's unsure or scared, every new step he takes as 'big boy' now- all are so special and are times we treasure.

I am so grateful and so proud of the way Alex has lived his life; I am so thankful that he served a mission; and I'm so thankful for the unconditional love he has for everyone, including myself and Lucas :) Happy Father's Day Al- thank you for being so incredible. We love you!

Walking Tall & Having a Ball!

He's a walking boy!

If there's any one thing to know about Lucas, it's that he'll do things on HIS own time :) No matter how much you beg and ask and try to persuade him, he'll consistently give you that look which says, "Just because you want me to, doesn't mean I'm going to do it"! He's been crawling for quite some time, and walking around the edges of couches and chairs & along walls, but finally, after much convincing and cheering and reassurance, he took a few steps and hasn't looked back since! He walking everywhere! We're so proud! He's so cute too because you'll notice how he uses his t-shirt to 'balance' him while he's cruising around. He's been walking a for about a month now, so check him out:









We also took a road trip back home and Lucas did so great! He was such a trooper for the entire ride & constantly kept us entertained with his jibberish and babbling words :)



As always, he was Mema's constant companion. My mom would sit him in the sink while they'd cook together (something she used to always do with us kids) and he'd just play and talk her ear off.




He loves, and I mean LOVES, his Aunt Nicole! He was googely-eyed the entire trip, flashing his sweet dimples and batting his eyes at her anytime she'd come in to the room. It was so sweet to watch :) He had a blast with all of his cousins too!


Finally, you can't make the trip official without a trip to Mema's pool! Lucas was caked on with sunscreen & the adorable hat, and away he went! He loved sitting on the steps with me, kicking and splashing his tiny toes in the water, and would hang on to me so tight as soon as we'd go all the way in. We would take frequent snack breaks (surprise, surprise) so the little man could get re-energized, and back in to the pool we'd go! Daddy couldn't make this trip with us because he had to work, but Lucas made sure to say hello to him in the video below :)

"He is the Reason for the Season"

Easter has become one of my favorite "holidays" (or should I say, day of remembrance) over the years. Not only do I recognize and feel immense gratitude for the role it continually plays in my own life, but the Atonement and the Savior's Resurrection brings great comfort and peace to me as I think of the family & dear friends that Alex and I anxiously look forward to reuniting with again someday. A friend of mine shared this quote today, and it really expresses what the Atonement, and each Easter Sunday, means to me:

"In our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning; 'He is not here; for He is risen."

To know that in the sorrow and fear that often comes with the absence of someone we love, there is also great joy and peace in knowing that they will rise again someday, and that as long as we live our lives worthy of our Savior's great sacrifice, we too can see them again! Alex and I have experienced losses in our life-an unborn child, a parent, and a dear friend- but through their passing, we have come to a greater appreciation for life & for our Savior, and feel so blessed this Easter day for the Atonement and Resurrection.

This Easter was such a treat with Lucas because he's at the age now where Easter Egg Hunts and Easter baskets filled with goodies are actually fun! Tradition in my family has always been to set out our baskets the night before & then come down the next morning, one by one, and see what the Easter bunny dropped off. Check out the video below to see Lucas's easter excitement!

Afterwards, we got dressed up for church! I'm so blessed to be surrounded by such handsome men :)

After church, we picked up my sister Lauren, and headed over to Grandpa & Grandma's house! We ate delicious food & spent the time talking and laughing at the table. Afterwards, Alex ran outside and 'hid' the Easter eggs & the egg hunt began!

Alex had to help Lucas along because Lucas has this new dislike for grass & the way it feels on his feet! It's soooo funny!

It was a wonderful day! I miss those we couldn't be with today, but carry their love in my heart.

Happy Easter!

Fish and Fancy Feet

Lucas is about as busy as a little boy gets these days so we decided to walk around the pet store & maybe pick out some fish for him. Come to find out, he didn't quite enjoy the fact that he couldn't hold them and touch them behind the fish tank glass. Take a look!

We knew his walking days were close by, and we're so thrilled to report that he took his first 6-7 steps all on his own tonite! Watch as he gets a kick out of us begging him to walk while he knows perfectly well that he's in control and he'll keep his feet firmly planted until HE'S ready :0 Stubborn little guy!

March Madness

To all of our wonderful & supportive family and friends:

This has been a crazy start to the year for our family- first with Alex's surgery, busy new callings, out-of-town visits from family, and the list goes on! We want to say thank you for all of your patience, love, and constant support. The blog is something I really enjoy doing, but it's amazing how an hour-alone- is scarce to come by! :) The little man is fast asleep, so I am sneaking in the time now and hope to bring all readers up to date on our little family!

The center of our family & the light of our lives, sweet Lucas, continues to grow and gain his independence faster than we can keep up. He crawls at amazing speeds everywhere around the house; can stand up on his own and walk along the walls and cabinets; and even took his first step-without any help or support-just yesterday!!! He is so, so close and we can't wait for him to connect all the dots and start taking more and more steps on his own. Even more developed than his mobility though is his ... motormouth!! LOL! He talks, nonstop, from morning til night! He points his little index fingers up at the sky and the ceiling and will tell us one story after another. (See the video below for a sneak peek!) He LOVES his veggies-green beans, sweet potatoes, creamed corn-you name it! Goldfish and granola bars are his new favorite snacks, and he's just adorable to watch as he chomps away with his 8 tiny baby teeth. Bathtime remains his FAVORITE part of the day! If he hears the shower or tub running, he starts grunting and babbling, and you know he's expecting it to be for him! Haha :) He loves spending time with his cousins & all his extended family. It's neat to see the different ways he responds to each one of them- with some, he's very playful and loves to giggle and talk their ears off. With others, he's very bashful and shy :) He looooves the ladies & they love him! Every time we're at a restaurant somewhere, he just bats his eyes and shows his sweet dimples, and they just adore him! He knows primary songs like, "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree" and he'll even do the popcorn popping motion with us. He loves "Patty Cake" and "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam"; we're trying to begin teaching him to fold his arms, but he's not quite ready for that yet :) All in all, he is an angel and a blessing & our miracle baby and we're so thankful he's in our family!

(Video of Lucas babblin away...)

I mentioned earlier that with some family members he loves to be playful- well his Auntie Lo is one of 'em! He loves to get on her shoulders & wrestle with her hair! He'll wind it up real tights around his wrists and both him & Lo just laugh all day!

Recently my older sister came for a weekend visit & we had a BLAST! Alex watched the babies, and I was able to have a girls night out with my sisters. We went to dinner & then bowling, and laughed until our cheeks hurt. It makes me excited for Lucas to have a sibling someday!

While my sister was in town, my Dad came by for dinner and we played Guitar Hero & Spoons all night. Lucas loves his 'Grandpa Time' and hangin out with his cousin Ethan. Family visits always go by waay to fast, so we make the best out of the time we have :)

We look forward to another year of love, family, and new experiences! Thank you to you all for coming along the ride with us! We love you!