Thumb Sucker

We went to the grocery store last night and it was right after I fed Jaina. She tends to take little naps after each feeding, and we forgot her binky (which she uses to fall asleep). When she doesn't have a binky she likes to suck/chew on her hands and last night she found her thumb a few times. So I got out my phone and took some pics of her. I wish I would have taken a video, because she makes the funniest noises when she has her hands in her mouth.

She finally fell asleep after a few minutes. 

Oh how I love my little girl :)

2 Buck Tuesday

Last Tuesday I was able to tag along with my friend Shelene and take advantage of the last 2 buck Tuesday at Thanksgiving point.  There were a TON of people there but it was still fun. It was just weird not to have Xander with me.

Apparently Mara weighs the same as a Goat! (probably not though)

She was a little nervous about touching a cow but did it anyway!!

We waited in line for 50 minutes to have a pony ride and she was SOOO happy to finally have her turn!

Somedays I wish I had a jail in my house, it would be a great time-out spot :)

Spencer & Mara on the cow couch :)

Afterwards we had lunch at Iceberg. It was alot of fun to get out of the house and see friends. Thanks for letting me tag along Shelene, I appreciate it!

Brown Eyed Girl

Jaina turned 3 months on the 28th! Here's a few things about her:

She loves to be held (which happens all day long)

She's starting to chew/suck on her fingers.

She'll only take a binky when she's trying to fall asleep.

She sleeps at least 6 hours straight during the night on average.

But doesn't sleep very well during the day :(

She weighs at least 14.5 to 15 pounds.

She's our only child with brown eyes :)

She loves to smile and is starting to laugh a little bit.

She loves her daddy and always smiles the best for him!

She's starting to eat more and going longer between feedings during the day :)

I just love my brown eyed girl!!!

Bridal Veil Falls

We went for a walk up the canyon on Saturday Aug. 28th before Pat went to work.  It had been awhile since we've done it and I was happy to have the family time.  We had wanted to go the night before with Morri & Liza & kids, but it was really rainy so we just hung out at their house instead.

Here are some fun pics:

I didn't mind being the picture taker this day because I really didn't want to get in the water and I hadn't done my hair and so I just stayed on the walkway with Jaina (while she slept).  Pat did get a pic of me with the kids but it's not my fav, so it's not going to be posted :)

After we were done, we picked up lunch from Sonic then ate it in our backyard!  It was a great morning spent together as a family!

First Day of First Grade

Xander started First Grade this year!  I can't believe how big he's getting. We were able to meet hiis teacher, Mrs. Brock on Back to School Night on Aug 24th.

School started on the 25th! Xander is a Later-gator so he goes from 9:15 to 3:30. He knows alot of kids in his class which is great!  He even gets to walk to school with our neighbors. (which I love!!)

Xander & Weston

At the school!!!!

At his desk!

The first day was a little rough because his best friend Tanner is an Early-Bird, so he got to go home before Xander did and that made him upset because he wanted to play with Tanner when he got home. School's been in session for a week and a half and I think Xander is loving it.  He gets to eat lunch at school and have multiple recesses!  And I'm loving that I don't have to run back and forth to the school each day because he's walking with friends :)   I think it's going to be a great school year!

Playin' Around

Whenever the kids want to hold Jaina I feel obligated to get the camera out. But it's a good way to document how big Jaina's getting :)

August 21st

This is how Xander plays with Jaina. He likes to put his toys all around her and tells me that she won a bunch of prizes!!  What a silly boy!

Here's Mara and one of her best friends Marissa. They love to play together everyday!

New Camera

My sister Karri bought a new camera (Cannon Digital Rebel) a week or so ago and has been having too much fun with it. It's my dream camera and I'm excited that I'll be able to borrow it. She's been nice enough to let me copy all the pics she's taken too.

So here are my favorites.

My mom has a wall with pictures of the grandkids and they are WAY out of date, so here are some new ones for it :)

I love the way they turned out. Good job Karri!

Hogle Zoo

Last Wednesday, August 18th, we took the kids up to Hogle Zoo for a last family outing before schools starts. After a very long and frustrating detour because of an accident on I-215, we arrived at the Zoo and went straight to the train!!

Here's our attempted family picture before the train got going.

Pat & Xander got close to some animals.

We were able to see Baby Zuri, the 1 year old Elephant.

The kids got to ride on the Carousel.

And saw a big Ostrich!

Xander's favorite: A Snake!

And this animal is called a Mara or Patagonian Cavy. Our Mara wasn't very happy that this animal had the same name as her :)

We saw alot more animals, but didn't take many pictures of them.

It was a not-so-quick trip to the Zoo, but we were lucky and left right before the rain started. Afterwards we went to the family favorite Red Robin for some lunch, then visited with Grandma Ethel before she left Utah.

It was a very fun day to be together as a family :)