Six months old

Keith is six months old today. Time seems to be flying, it has gone much faster than Belle's first six months did. I'm not sure where it is all going. Sometimes I feel like I must be missing things because it is going by so fast. It's late, and I'm tired, so this will be short...but in six short months our boy has completely captured our hearts. He is sweet and social and smiles and everyone...random people in the grocery store, etc., he also wants to be involved in everything and does not like to be left out, loves cuddles, chewing on things, and Mommy. We are excited to continue to get to know you and love you!

PS I must give credit where credit is due...my brother-on-law's girlfriend took the super-sweet picture. Doesn't it just melt your heart and make you want to kiss those chubby cheeks?? Too bad he's asleep...

Families are Forever

We had a super-fun 2-day reunion with David's family last weekend. Only downside? No David.

Fortunately, I have awesome in-laws who are willing to help with the kids and make two crazy days work with two little kids, and reassure me that it's ok when I start to feel like a burden to the group.

I think for me the highlight would have to have been going to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open-house. It is beautiful and it was special to be in the temple with my little kids. The night before, while lying in bed going to sleep, I was explaining to Belle what would happen the next day. I told her she would get a special feeling in the temple because it is a special place where Heavenly Father and Jesus are. She replied, with no prompting for me, "Right here" while patting here chest, in reference to the special feeling. She KNEW what that special feeling would feel like, where she would feel it.

So the next day at the temple her Uncle Matthew was carrying her through the temple as I was carrying Keith, and she told him about the special feeling "right here" (in between exclamations of "What a pretty room!".
What a special girl, who recognizes feelings from the spirit at such a young age. It is overwhelming to me to think I am supposed to teach her things. I think she could teach me a thing or two.

Here is a picture of another highlight. Papa telling stories and Belle sitting next to him, crossing her legs just like he was, and declaring she was going to tell a story, too.



And I know for sure I will get in trouble for this one, but I couldn't resist. Here is my sweet mother-in-law, who was a good sport to get on the trampoline with the kids. It takes a special lady to be the mother of such a special family.





Thanks to all the Lewis' for a fun time, and for making the thought of eternity together a beautiful one.

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

Keith has been rolling both ways for awhile now. However, yesterday he figured out that he could use this skill as a mode of transportation, and today he took it to a new level.

This morning he started out in the middle of the living room floor, rolled over to where I was folding laundry and knocked over a laundry basket and chewed on a few items of clothing. Then he moved on to the edge of the room where he rolled onto the edge of Belle's rocking horse (that hurt), the little desk (we were frantically picking up the crayons out of his reach that were under the desk), beyond the end table, and ended up here:



Right in the toy closet, pulling toys out of this toy bucket. Super cute.

And so it has begun. Now every time I turn around he is in a different spot, reaching for something. We will have to be super vigilant to not leave anything not Keith-approved about.

This entertained him for nearly an hour. Usually when I fold the laundry I put in "Baby Mozart" and fold frantically for half an hour. Today I saved my "Baby Mozart" half hour for cleaning the bathroom =-).

Independence Day!

I'm not so great and taking the right pictures to capture the moments, but here are a few that I did get. We last-minute decided to run the 5K here in Grantsville and stay here for the rest of the festivities. I decided that small town holiday celebrations are the best. Less crowd, close to home. We could walk in the stroller most of the events. And I learned that the kids & I can have holiday parties even if David isn't home. We also went to the parade, pony rides, and made it through half the fireworks before Belle decided she was tired and was ready to go. We just went to the Jr High for the fireworks--no crowd, not as LOUD, and great view, a block away from home. Perfect.

I realized as I was just looking through the pictures that I don't have ANY of Keith! His first Fourth and no pictures! Arrghhh!! He mostly just endured the day of running him around, but was a trooper through it all. Even when he messed his diaper right at the start line of the 5K and I had left all the diapers in the car! Poor kid had to wait through the whole thing to get cleaned up! I think I was holding him every time I took a picture.



Waiting for the parade to start (with her baby & baby's car seat that have gone with us everywhere (literally) the last two weeks)







I can't express just how much Belle enjoyed her pony rides. She went four times, chatted the whole time, charmed all the people at the equestrian park, loved the little ponies and thanked them for the ride, and has been talking about it and asking to go again ever since. I wanted to see if they had pony rides somewhere because I knew she would love it, but I never would have known where to go if I hadn't been handed a flier at the parade. There is a full-service equestrian park in Grantsville with an indoor arena, lessons, dressage competitions and everything. They gave the rides right at their facility. I am now on their mailing list for future events, and have satisfied Belle by telling her "next time they get the ponies out to give rides, we'll go again". We'll see how long that lasts.

Bugaboo

David prompting Belle to say the prayer "Bless Keith"
Belle (repeating) "Bless Bugaboo"

It is impossible to hold Bugaboo while trying to get a drink. He LOVES the water glass.




Bugaboo has also learn to RaZZZZ and click his tongue.


Since I'm still here, even though it's late, I'll add a few notable Belle quotes of the week:
She was tired at a family dinner function and let us know she was ready to go home. "I'm going to catch a flight home."

"Mommy, you're more beautiful than Iris" Iris was a girl David dated in college. He has said that to her maybe once, months ago.

Scene: Belle's stool pushed up to the counter near cookie jar. Said jar's lid left open. "Mommy, I got a cookie. You want one? I'll get you one". At least she shared =-).

"I need to make a put. Daddy, don't use my putter. Where's your putter, Daddy?"


There were more I had in mind to share but now I've forgotten. The child is continually cracking us up.

Wet, Wet, Wet

As you all know, we have had more rain in the last month than usual. A LOT more rain. It rains more days than it doesn't. This has resulted in a few things around here.

1--It is July and we have only watered the lawn/garden a handful of times this year. Like twice in the last month. The lawn is also super long all the time because every time we go to mow it, it rains!! Too bad the rain waters the weeds, too.

2--Cherries. I'm not sure how the rain is related to the fact that the birds didn't like the cherries this year, but the whole neighborhood has so many cherries everyone with a tree is begging people to come get them. I figure it must be the rain. Why else? Maybe there is lots of extra bugs to eat and the birds don't want the cherries? Who knows, but my aunt sent all 5 of her teenagers out with a 5 gallon bucket and told them not to come home until their buckets were all full of cherries. She has made A TON of cherry jelly.

3--mosquitoes--I do not EVER remember having so many of the nasty little blood-suckers here at home. Belle came in two days ago with THIRTEEN bites. Teen's kids couldn't stand them today and had to play inside while they were here.

4--A two year old who looks outside and exclaims in despair "Oh! No! MORE rain clouds!!"

5--A Two year old who gets tired of having "inside" days and talks Dad into this: