Where's the sunscreen?

Today was the perfect day to play outside. Anna was very persistent in getting us out to play, so we played before lunch, after lunch, after naps, went for a walk and played more when we got back. It was great to be outside as Anna expresses in this picture!

I am the queen of the trampoline, since my brother isn't big enough yet and even when he is I have no intention of sharing.
Hi Mom! Do you like my hat? I don't! I'm taking it off so you won't take my picture anymore and you'll have to come over here and play with me.
He he he! I am so sneaky taking my hat off! I'm going to pretend she's not taking my picture, I'll just ignore her.

Anna loves playing in the sand "pile" since we don't have a sandbox yet...

This is a very strategic project she is working on here...everything has to be just right.
"I didn't quite get enough sand in last time, maybe if I add more it will look better."
"I definitely have to poke it because that is what all the famous sculptors do, it helps with texture, you know, adds character..."
Finished product...a very well shaped apple, I think, maybe its a pear, one of the two anyway. Great job Anna!

"Mmmm, whats in here? If I bend down far enough I might be able to reach"

"If I walk away as fast as I can maybe Mom will follow me and quite taking my picture!"
"She's still taking pictures of me so I'll just keep walking, maybe she won't notice I'm going into the front yard!"
"Run, run, run! She's coming and is still taking my picture at the same time!"
"Okay fine, I'll stop but you can't make me go back!"

Needless to say it was fun today. And I did forget to put sunscreen on. Some mother I am! At least they had their hats; nothing hurts worse than a sunburned scalp.

Got Moab?

Last weekend we took a little jaunt down to Moab. It was nice weather, the kids loved being outside for more than two days in a row and Cody got to ride his bike! Hallelujah!! Here we are hiking up Negro Bills Canyon. Anna was such a trooper, she did the WHOLE 2 miles by herself! She never once asked to be held. We were pretty proud of her. Jake was also a trooper, but since he had the option to lay his head down, he fell asleep. I was just glad that his hat would finally stay on; every time I'd look back at him the hat would be in his hands trying to hit me or Cody would be grabbing off of the ground from behind me.
Here is Cody finishing Porcupine Rim. One of his favorite rides. I was happy he got to do that ride this trip. Pretty awesome jump. Anna studying up on the Moab mountain biking trails. She was pretty disappointed that she couldn't actually ride on the bike with her dad. So we were informed that "when she turns 16 she will have her OWN bike and ride BY Daddy." Apparently she is reading up so she can decide what rides she wants to do, 12 years from now!
Jake had the wonderful experience of tasting rocks and he was also very enthusiastic about carrying them from place to place, for instance my hands to the ground and then from the ground to my hands. He was so independent and would get so mad that I would hold his hand while he would walk. Sometimes he would even just take off and starting waddling as fast as he could and be smiling the whole time.
It was fun and we didn't want to come home!

1 Year Pictures

Here are some pictures of Jacob for turning one. It took about 20 minutes just to get a reaction out of him. The poor girl was making a fool out herself trying to get him to smile and he would just give her a blank look and do nothing! Finally we had to have Anna intervene and do something to make her brother smile!

Happy Birthday Jacob!!!

Jacob turns 1 year old today! We can't believe our little guy is one! He is growing up so fast! He has such a sweet personality and loves his big sister more than anyone. The day he was born...

The day we came home from the hospital...
4 months old...
10 months old...
I can't believe how much he has changed and grown. We are so blessed to have him in our lives. We love you Jake!!! (even though he can't read, I'm still going to put that!)

Bath Time

Jacob loves the bathtub. While I get the water ready he will usually just stand there and wait patiently until it is time to get in. But last night I look over and he is trying to climb in the tub! He took his first steps last week and so he's getting pretty good at going where he wants. I just sat and laughed because he was so determined to get in the water. He kept trying and trying, but that darn leg couldn't quite reach over the side! Especially when he saw the bubbles starting to form, then he got really mad that he couldn't get in. As soon as I picked him up and set him down in the water he gave me the biggest smile and starting giggling. By the end of bathtime, I was just as wet as Jake.