Summer Fun

Today we spent the afternoon with Mckenna & Noah having some fun in the sun.

We took the wagon down to the park and played in the stream. On the way back home Ledger was getting fussy and sleepy and Noah made up a song about how much he loves Ledger and sang the whole way home to him :)

Thanks for a fun day Kenna & Noah!

Playtime with Daddy

I can't tell you what I fun dad Marq is, but I can show you...

Could they be any cuter? I don't see how!!!

Potty Seat

We got Ledger a potty seat and so far he really likes to sit on it although nothing has actually happened yet.

16 Months

Ledger is... 16 months old He is... turning into SUCH a ham! His new favorite foods... he likes pretty much everything but loves fruit. His favorite toy is... his water/sand activity table. His newest trick is... he can high-five, pound and spin in circles. He is starting to...quack like a duck and bark like a dog. He knows... where his ears and nose are. He has... 12 teeth and has been working hard on his canines for over a week. He is wearing... 12 & 18 month clothes. He likes to... pull everything out of the diaper bag. He loves to... be outside. He has started... trying to use a spoon. He picked up... an evil cackle, don't know where. He loves... rocks. He likes... smiling and flirting with anyone that will pay attention. He drinks... about 8-12 oz of goats milk a day and lots of water! He usually...takes a nap around 12pm for anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours. He is sleeping... about 12-13 hours most nights. He loves... to be chased. He is getting really fast! He hates it when... I close the dog-door. He likes to... hike. He is... such a comedian. He is... starting to sit on the potty but nothing has actually happened yet.

He is a busy little man most of the time, exploring and testing his limits. He is starting to play really well by himself. He loves attention, likes to be laughed at and will try to entertain anyone that will watch him. He loves other little kids and dogs and seems to have no shy bones in his body.

Memorial Day

We decided to take a day off and spend it with one of our favorite families, the Ovards. We set out for a morning hike up to Battlecreek Falls above Pleasant Grove. Surprisingly neither of us had ever hiked the trail but Nick had.

It was pretty chilly to start out with but warmed up as we got going up the steep, rocky trail.

We love hiking and camping with Nick and his family and we are excited for them to come explore the Northwest with us!

Chevy, Koda and Sox were happy to be there and the view down the canyon was beautiful.

There was a waterfall at the top but it was too shady and cold to play in the water.

Brig & Sophia were little troopers and hiked really well on their own.

Ledger loves to be packed around. The backpack is great because he sits up high where he can see everything. "Just watch for trees daddy!"

After the hike we headed down to Nick & Noelle's for some sunshine and lunch. Ledger took an awesome, long nap and we got to sit in the sun and just hang out which is just what I needed. Once he woke up he was ready to play! He loved climbing in and out of Sophia's jeep with her and Brig drove him around and around the yard in his Gator. Ledge was in heaven.

The kids played in Noelle's parents huge sandbox and the kid pool and Marq & I crashed their family dinner ;) Everyone had a blast and we ended up with 3 very dirty kiddos and lots of tired doggers.

We have loved spending time and doing fun things with the Ovards over the past few years. We have enjoyed spending time with and camping with Noelle's family as well. We always have a great time and lots of laughs. We will really miss them but we sincerely hope they will come to visit us in the Northwest very soon!!!

Boxes, Boxes and more Boxes...

In other news: with almost a month left until Moving Day we thought we ought to start the packing so we stayed put for Memorial Day weekend and continued to pack.

We managed to have some fun while packing up our house. Koda objects adamantly to making the 13 hour trip to Beaverton in a box! I guess we'll let him ride shotgun :)

I think Chevy objects to making the 13 hour trip at all but we obviously are not going anywhere without her although we have had several offers to keep her ;)

Ledger seems up for the trip although I might disagree after the long drive with a one year old!

Happy Anniversary

Hard to believe it has been 6 years since we stood before our family & friends, looked into each others eyes and took these vows...

"From this moment, I choose you, as my best friend for life. I promise to encourage your enthusiasm, because that is what makes each day with you new and exciting. I promise to nurture your dreams, because through them your soul shines. I want to spend the rest of my life hearing your thoughts and seeing your dreams. When our way becomes difficult, I promise to stand by you, comfort and uplift you, so that through our union we can accomplish more than we could alone. I promise to work at our love and always make you a priority in my life. I promise I will always be there for you. I promise to be your partner in all things, not possessing you, but working with you as my partner. I promise to share with you the joys of life, because with you they will be that much sweeter. Lastly, I promise to you a marriage full of love and happiness. This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things."

I am so thankful that through all of the challenges we have faced together we have been able to remain dear friends. I can honestly say that I love him more now than I did the day I married him and I think I even know him a little better too :)

I am grateful for the fun that we have together. It is so nice to relax and try to forget about the details of our life and just enjoy each other.

I am thankful for the extra effort Marq constantly makes to help out and make sure I know that he loves me and thinks I'm special.

This year we are getting ready to start a whole new chapter of our life together. We are moving to the Portland area in July and although I will be sad to leave many loved ones behind I am very excited for this new journey. More than anything I am so thankful to know that no matter what happens we will face it together. Here's to many more happy years together!

Happy Mother's Day

I am very grateful to be Ledger's mom. Although the transition into Motherhood has been challenging for me I am very lucky to be able to stay at home with him and watch him grow and learn each day. I love to watch him discover things and see his personality come out more & more.

I think it is true that being a mom is to "forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." I love this little person more than I ever dreamed possible.

I am thankful for my wonderful mom. She is an example of determination and love. In the face of much adversity she has always been there for us. I truly don't know how she puts up with the six of us but I am grateful for her love and support. Ledger loves his Grandma Lana :)

/div> I am grateful for an amazing Mother-in-Law. She has raised five wonderful children and I know that Marq would not be the man he is without all of Kae's hard work, patience and unconditional love. I am very grateful to her for all of her help with Ledger and the love that she shows to me. She has a calm gentleness that I wish I had. Ledger loves his Grandma Kae :) I am also very thankful for all four of our grandmas, my sisters, sister-in-laws, amazing best friend, and some amazing Aunts. All these wonderful women in my life have taught me so much about being a mom. Thank you to each of you!

Happy Campers

On Saturday Ledger and I played at the campground with the dogs while everyone else went for a bike-ride. We played with rocks, climbed a tree and sang songs. It was nice to just relax and enjoy the sun.

After lunch we all headed to the pool to cool off and then had dinner and a cardgame.

Ledger loves playing with Grandma & Grandpa and Aunt Emmie & Uncle Randy. He loves the attention!

We are ALL really going to miss Aunt Emily!!!

Koda spent the rest of the trip licking his sore paws.

Chevy was exhausted but happy.

Ledger enjoyed the life-sized checkers...

and chess.

We had a great trip. It will probably be a long time before we find ourselves back in Southern Utah so we tried to soak it all in. I love the stark, bare beauty of the desert. It is warm, calming and peaceful. We are excited for the adventure we are about to embark on but in our hearts Utah will always be home.