Summer!

I love summer. And I forgot that I do like the Utah climate! I like going to the swimming pool and that I dry off almost instantly after getting out of the water. I think I prefer my summers to be hot and dry for three months straight, uninterrupted by relentless rain. Yup, this is me saying I have yet to miss the coast! ha!

I am really enjoying watching my boys play at the pool and observe the little miniature people they are becoming. Logan is fearless on the slide. Levi screams at people who come too close to his toy boat and sand bucket. Lawson mostly hates the water and runs away from me if I let him have a chance (he started walking a few weeks ago. Score!)

We planted a garden and I'm not as terrible at it like I thought I would be. Things are growing! Half of it is a total failure, but I needed to learn that carrots need a ton of moisture to be successful and green peppers from a seed usually are an epic fail. And I guess I didn't really want tomatoes, anyway. Now I need to weed, but the boys don't know it's a chore. They are loving watching the pumpkin patch thrive. Levi will die when he figures out watermelons are growing in his backyard.

Nick is studying for his real estate license and enjoying some time without a high pressure job. We've just been super happy lately. When we had our anniversary in May, we went to Moab, where we were told by a couple on a boat ride that year 7 is the hardest. We've yet to experience the horror of what they are talking about....knock on wood.

I also got to go to Frannie's wedding in June. It was probably one of the best sealings I've been to, besides for mine. Or maybe it just meant more to me than other sealings because Fran is my most favorite sister? I'm not sure. I would say Fran and my good friend Maria's sealings were the best I've been to, likely because they are crucial people in my life. Anyhow, I'm pretty proud of my sis, even though I almost got her shot the night before by taking her to a shady bowling alley the night before. Who knew the Oakland/Berkley area could be so sketchy? Not me. Apparently, I'm a small town girl at heart.

I've been getting up at the butt crack of dawn to run with some friends in our new ward. We're training for a half marathon. I am enjoying the competition and comradarie that it brings. I haven't been in this good of shape since before having Levi. Yay!

All in all, things are great, we're really enjoying Castle Dale. The people are great and the scenery is gorgeous. It's a different kind of pretty compared to Oregon but I'm thankful for what we have and the experiences of past and future.

Random Fun

Only the most adorable baby in the world.
The boys brushing their teeth before we go to church.

Daddy has been teaching Logan to play soccer.

He's catching on quick!

Levi, my little poser.

Spring!

Things are going great here in Castle Dale! This is genuinely one of the best areas we've lived in. I hope in a few years we can make it permanent by buying a home. But, that will wait for a while. In the meantime, Logan is loving kindergarten. He is reading now, too. He did not like wrestling. He is looking forward to soccer, which starts next week. Nick is big on soccer and his enthusiasm has rubbed off on our boys, who like to kick the ball around in the back yard. Levi is practically potty trained. He does have a few accidents here and there but he has done great for the most part. Lawson is still crawling and enjoying trying to keep up with his busy brothers. I really enjoy my job and Nick likes his, too. I work from 7-3, but this is pretty flexible. Sometimes Logan comes to work with me on slower days. My office is half a mile down the road, Logan's school is around the corner, and church is up the street. It's great. Now that the weather has warmed up, the kids are enjoying being outside even more. We have been getting to know our neighbors with kids the same ages as the boys. Last night we had a marshmellow roast with our next door neighbors. We are just really enjoying all the time we get to spend together and the flexibility of our jobs, which allow us to put our three troublesome blessings first.

Love you all and hope everything is going well.

Spring 2011

Lawson is not walking yet but he gets around really well. He and Levi play somewhat well together and Lawson communicates by screeching for what he wants. Levi usually just likes to take everything away from Lawson. Brothers.
Since moving to Castle Dale, we have had one bad snowstorm. The boys loved playing in real snow and building their version of a snowman. I admit that since I do not have much experience in snow, the snowman is kind of pathetic. We will have to practice. We should get at least one more good storm before spring is offically here.

Levi is really enjoying nursery. They say he is so well behaved! I wish that would translate into him at home....But, I guess I would rather he be nice in public than be the little treasure he can be at home. It's the bright side.

My baby is 14 months old! Any bets as to when he decides to start walking? I'm thinking 2 years old. haha!

A rare scene: three boys at the train table without screaming and tears.

Our New Home

I thought I would share the pictures of our new home. We are enjoying Castle Dale and we have been really welcomed here. I am still unpacking and getting settled into my office. I really love how everything is so close and practically just around the corner: Logan's school, church, work, and the park. It was great weather when we first arrived but today it is 11 degrees and windy. Luckily I thought to get us all warm coats and snow boots because we will need them! Hope all is well with our family and that you are warmer than it is here!

For Funsies

I have no idea how Levi did this but when he started yelling for help,

I got the camera before I helped the boy out.

When Lawson wants your attention, he tilts his head----just---so.

A friend of mine took some pictures of us in the park.

Yay for the first family picture in about three years! Ha

We Are Moving

After a ton of thought, prayer, fasting, and talking, and repeat of the same, Nicholas and I have decided to finish up our time here in Oregon and move to the area of Price, Utah (kinda south and kinda eastern Utah). This by far one of the harder decisions we've made as a couple, since there were a lot of reasons to go and a lot of reasons to stay. It's weird that the job opportunity has been one of the easiest we've come by and we're extremely grateful for it. I'm really excited about the job!

Unfortunately, it means we're leaving my family and moving about three hours away from Nick's family. So we're not going to be close to family, although I do have a cousin not far away in Orem, who I love to death, so that's awesome. This summer has been really really super tough; I think this was the biggest reason that lead to our decision to move, since the problem really only exists here and it won't where we're going. So, yay for good mental health, right?! I'm actually excited that this will be better for relationships all the way around. Who doesn't want that? So again, yay for everyone!

I am concerned about moving three kids but Logan has grown used to the idea. He is my biggest worry about moving but I think it's an opportunity for growth. As always, we will soldier along with him and we will be just fine. In fact, I expect him to improve, as he always does when tough times come.

In the meantime, we're intending to rent our house but so far, no takers. Here is our craigslist ad: http://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/apa/2127295784.html

Sounds like we're moving next month some time. We're playing a lot by ear and trying to stay flexible. In the meantime, I guess it's time to start packing since Christmas has passed and the time to go is getting close!