Father's Day Weekend

Poor Kameron, I totally need a day to spoil him and shower him with the praise he deserves for the hard work and love that he continually gives to me and to his children. He is a wonderful father and takes great care in his fatherly duties. This father's day, though, I decided with my siblings to plan a special weekend visit without the kids to be with and celebrate our father. Kam was very supportive and let me go leaving him with the boys for the weekend.

I really enjoyed my time with my family especially since there were no kids to interrupt us. I did take Riley, but luckily she was such a good girl the whole time and I was able to enjoy and soak up each minute with my family. We all got together Saturday afternoon and had lunch together and then some of us went to the movies while the rest of us went shopping. Later we played games and had a yummy BBQ dinner. We also all took turns getting a massage in my dads new massage chair. It felt so good but I seriously thought I was in some sort of space-straight-jacket-thing!

On Sunday we went to church together, played a little pickle ball, and then played card games for most of the afternoon. We did take some time to relax and to share special exchanges with each other.

Abi the Photo Bomber

With my brother Dane

Goofing off with Pedo

 

The Girls with our Daddy

Happy Fathers Day Dad! I love you so very much and am so very grateful for the things I am able to learn from you. You help me and encourage me to be a better wife, mother, daughter and friend. Thanks for always having my back and know that I've got yours as well. I love you!

The Games We Play

Braden and Carter love playing with their little sister and sometimes they are a little mischievous with her as well. They like play peek-a-boo with her and they dress her up a lot. Sometimes she gets a princess crown and other times well, I think the pictures explain their silliness. 

Riley even joins in on their games playing hide-and-seek with them. Okay, maybe not on purpose, but she does constantly cover her face with her blanket or burp cloth on accident while snuggling with them.

An Extended Vacation

My mom had a free room in Vegas she needed to use and was going to use it for a girls weekend when school let out. Unfortunately for her, her friends were not able to join her so instead she came down with Pappy and invited us to come play with them. She was staying at the Riviera and we spent lots of time with them swimming in the pool.

 

The boys even got to stay over one night for a sleep over and they had the time of their life. After their sleepover and some more swimming it was time for Grammy and Pappy to leave. They brought the boys home and were about to say goodbye when I said it was too bad they had to leave right away and couldn't just stay a little longer and come with us to visit my sister in California. My mom thrives on time spent with family and just couldn't resist the temptation and decided to stay behind sending Pappy home to go back to work. I was so very grateful that she stayed and came with me. It made the trip to Cali much easier on me since Kam couldn't come. Before we left we did a little shopping so my mom would have extra clothes for her extended stay.

The little monkey girl

We took off the next day after Riley's 4 month check-up. The ride was great and Sis slept nearly the whole time.

I didn't tell Ashely that I was bringing my mom hoping I could surprise her and her girls with her unexpected visit. When we got there I had the girls come look in the back of my car to see the surprise I brought for them and after opening the trunk and having my mom jump out I expected them to scream in excitement to see their grammy. Instead they just stood there staring wondering if there was some other surprise waiting for them. Tay afterwards even came up to me saying "where's my 'peasant'?" They were happy to see Bo but I guess people aren't the best presents.

While at Ashley's house we went to her ward BBQ where we got to see a special showing of The Croods on an outdoor screen, we went to the Beach to watch Uncle Ryan surf, played at the park and watched a softball game, we went bowling, and pretty much just hung out enjoying playing with each other. One of my favorite moments was walking in on Braden and K playing in her room. I asked what they were doing and Brady answered saying, "apparently K wanted me to do her hair."

On Sunday after church, Ryan took the kids on a hike. The boys had so much fun. I was concerned with how Carter would do and I was right to assume he might not be the best hiker as he was usually behind everyone and Ryan ended up carrying him some of the way on his shoulders.

Our time in Cali was brief but is was the perfect little weekend getaway. We had a really great time visiting with the Roberts' and I can't wait for more fun adventures on our visit next month. I might even remember to take some pictures of the fun.

Brady Graduated from Kindergarten

Braden has loved being in Kindergarten. He has learned so much this past year and has been at the top of his class in all of his studies. He met wonderful friends and like most littles fell in love with his teacher. Okay, maybe he didn't have a "crush" on her but he was always writing little notes to her telling her how much he loved her being his teacher. I remember not being sad when taking Braden to Kindergarten on his first day. I was too excited for him knowing that he was ready and excited to be there. I was however a little teary eyed at his graduation. I was in awe with how much he has grown and the thought of him going to school for the full day next year as a first grader just blows my mind. He's still to little!

For his graduation, Braden's class had a little program in the cafeteria where they sang a few songs and then we went to his classroom for awards and a little luau party. Braden received one of the few Outstanding Student Awards from Coach Nicole and Coach Alex for PE, the Michelangelo Award from his Art Teacher Mr. Harris for being the best overall artist, and the coveted Patriot Award for being one of the best overall students in his class (2 kids were given that award). Braden is a really great student and he learns things very quickly, just like his daddy. I am so pleased with his progress and can't wait to see where his schooling takes him.

Braden with Mrs. Hunt

Memorial Swimming

Over Memorial Day my sister Megan and my Momma came down to play and while they were here we took Sis swimming for the first time. She was super cute in her bathing suit and despite loving water, didn't really love the pool because it was too cold.

 

Riely at 3 Months: the Blow-Out Girl (May 2013)

Riley is a sweet baby. She is changing so much. She hasn't been nearly as fussy and is just starting to interact with us by cooing and smiling a lot. She is a beautiful baby. She has the most gorgeous eyes and eye lashes. She's also a big mess maker. Of course she doesn't make messes around the house but she dose make big messes in her pants that cause for lots of extra laundry needing to be done!

One day while at church she had a big blow-out. It was so explosive that it not only went up her back but all over Kameron's hand, his clothes, and on the floor. Kam and I just looked at each other and tried not to laugh as we got up and left the chapel to get her cleaned up. We left Braden and Carter behind to fend for themselves hoping they would continue to be reverent without our supervision. They were angels though and got many compliments from ward members that were awed with their reverent behavior. Kam ended up taking Sis home to change and brought me back a clean shirt as some mess got on me while trying to maneuver her to her car seat. She and Kam got cleaned up and got back to church just in time to teach our Sunday school lesson.

That Time I Ran Away

Kam had to have surgery on his back the first part of April. He hurt himself turning off a lamp if you can believe it. I'm sure when he twisted to reach the lamp was just the last straw of the underlying back issues he's dealt with for years. Anyway, he had an MRI done showing 3 herniated discs (1 major and 2 minor) and since he has connections with many doctors he was able to be in surgery 3 days after the MRI for a Laminectomy and Microdiscectomy with one of the best neurosurgeons in Las Vegas. His surgery went really well. In fact he called me as he was being wheeled to the recovery room to let me know how great he felt and that a nurse would be coming to get me so I could be with him (another perk of working at the hospital.) His recovery went really well as well. He was home for a month before going back to work and while he was home we decided to finish the BIG renovation projects we had started and didn't finish before Riley's birth.

We called up our contractor and told him we were ready for him to finish and he was here working non-stop making HUGE messes but also making HUGE progress too. I was having a seriously hard time functioning with a new baby and a dirty house so I packed up the car and took Riley and Carter with me and we headed to Salt Lake to visit family for a couple weeks leaving Braden home with Kam since he couldn't miss school. It was a wonderful get away. I loved the bonding time I had with  Riley and especially Carter. It was so fun to have some dedicated time to just him.

Our first night we stayed with my mom. The next day Navy cam to play while Megan was at work. Navy just loves Riley. Riley wasn't too sure about her though. While the little girls took naps and Carter played with the Uncles my mom and I permed Grammy Willy's hair and then loaded up in the car to visit Gramma Dee.

Doesn't she look Hot with her new do and Dane's sunglasses?

When Megan got off work she met us at Gramma Dee's for dinner and to play.

My momma had to work the track meet at the school over the weekend so I headed to the Henrie's to play for a few days. Carter loved playing with his cousins and I loved getting to visit with Konnie and my mother-in-law and the rest of the fam.

This beautiful girl has been the only girl cousin

on the Henrie side and has been patiently waiting 

for 8 years for another girl to join the family.

After a fun weekend in bountiful we said goodbye and headed back down to my momma's house.  Megan and Navy came down and stayed over as well making it feel like a vacation for them too.

Dinner at Iceberg

One evening we got all the family together for a BBQ to celebrate my step-brother Gareth's birthday. It was so fun seeing everyone. I especially loved getting to see Aubry's little Riley Olive again.

Carter with cousins Coen and Samus

The cousins roasting marshmallows and trying to stay warm.

Carter was a lot of fun on this trip. He was a little adventure man roaming in and around the creek and following Pappy just about everywhere. He also did some really funny things while playing like making sleeping bags for his toys using Sis' socks.

If I remember right, Riley was Hello Kitty, 

I was Dora and Carter was the Diego toy.

Carter just loves the little babies and loved playing with Navy.

 

He also really loved his time doing "Uncle stuff" with Peter and Dane.

There were a couple days when my momma had to work so I took that time to visit with my grandparents. I love visiting with my Gramma Goodie and Grampa Pete. They always make me feel like a million dollars and they almost always have ice cream to share! This was a special time because they finally got to meet Riley. I also loved that on my second visit I got to visit with 2 of my aunts as well.

My gramma is so funny. She hates having her picture taken. I don't know why because she is so beautiful. I was able get a couple pictures of her with Riley and I so treasure them.

Before leaving town I got to go back and visit Gramma Dee. My mom and her siblings take turns visiting and helping her at her house during the week. While we were there my momma weeded the flower beds in the back yard, helped gramma with her bath and put curlers in her hair.

 Riley and Dee Dee

 

BFF's

I also was able to take a few pictures of my momma with Riley wearing the blessing dress she had made me that Riley also wore when she was blessed.

I so needed this trip and probably should have stayed longer. It was great not having to worry about the mess that was happening at the house while I was gone and although things were messy when I got home I didn't mind too much because the work was DONE..well, almost!