Our Journey to Forever - Private: July 2008

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

SanDiego Temple

On Tuesday we headed out to San Diego for the day. Andy agreed to spend the afternoon with the boys while I went to the temple. The plan was for them to go to the aquarium nearby while I attended a session, and then we would meet up again afterwards. We spent a few minutes wandering around before I went in. Then we split up - I went my way and they went theirs. Apparently the boys were so happy to just be playing outdoors that they never actually made it to the aquarium. They had a lot of fun, though, and I enjoyed my time inside.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Swimming

Although I have taken the boys swimming a handful of times in the past few months, I have not been able to get any pictures as of yet. It has just been hard to keep two children from drowning, much less get out a camera, keep it dry, and get cute pictures. Totally not worth it! But it's made me sad because I have missed some adorable shots! Ammon and Peter both love swimming.

Finally, the other day, it was just Ammon and me at a ward play group. Peter and Andy stayed home to sleep. Ammon had a blast. We had just been swimming a few nights earlier and realized that it was time for him to get a nice life jacket (since he literally almost drowned). So with his new gear, he had free roam of the pool. I seriously need to get him into swimming lessons. The kids here are like fish in the water. I was amazed! Anyway, Ammon had a great time swimming around including several jumps off the diving board. He has no fear in the pool (which, again, is why the life jacket)!

Peter Found Markers

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

SOOOO Much FUN!

Brian and Tiffany came to visit and we had an absolute blast with them here. They are such great friends and we always love to see them! Brian hadn't been in the door for more than a few minutes before he pulled out his "Cry Babies". They are a sour gum that he wanted to give Ammon. Of course Ammon was eager to accept the treat, but quickly discovered the misery of it and raced to the trash can to spit it out. Ammon no longer likes gum. Thanks Brian! ;-)

We HAD to play Hand and Foot while they were here. It is my favorite card game (well, other than hearts, of course) and it was Brian and Tiffany who originally taught us how to play. It was a close game, going into the final hand with only a 500 point spread. In the end, Brian and Tiffany won and I wish we had time for a re-match! Of course the Brian/Andy tradition continued and we were sure to have Rootbeer and Peanut Butter M&M's. They can't get together without those things!

We took the boys to the spray park and they enjoyed playing in the water. Brian went in his swimming suit too, but quickly found himself standing in a dry place with lots of sun. Despite the 115 degree weather we were in, Brian decided he was cold!

We had so much fun with Brian and Tiffany. Kyler is absolutely adorable!!! It was such a fun day and we were sad to see it end.

Peter had already gone to bed when the Smith's were heading out. I thought it would be fun to get a picture of the guys with their baby boys so I was disapointed that Peter was in bed. Of course Ammon was happy to be in the picture too, so here are Brian and Andy each with their first born son. ;-) They thought that was cool too.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Breakfast Time

This morning when I sat down to eat my oatmeal I sure wasn't expecting it to turn into this:

Peter had a great time turning the tables on me and enjoyed his turn putting the food in my mouth for a change!

Of course when Ammon saw what was going on he felt compelled to jump in on the action as well.

House Arrest

After a week of living on the beach in the San Clemente climate, coming back to the temperatures in Yuma has been hard! I really enjoyed the time outdoors and have struggled being back in the house 24-7. As a result, we have gone on a few walks and bike rides when the temps cool down to the low hundreds... Huh. Not exactly what I'm looking for - although just getting out of the house seems to be a big deal right now...

Mostly right now we are counting the days until I head to Utah with Ammon and Peter. We are trying to get our activities scheduled so we are able to fit in everything we want to do. Three weeks sounded like such a long time, but sometimes I look at the calendar and think it will go so fast!

In the mean time we have Brian and Tiffany visiting us from Utah tomorrow, and next week we are planning to go hang out with my cousin Scott and Katie, his wife. I am hoping that as long as we are headed to SanDiego I can sneak in a trip to the temple too. After that it will be time to get packing and then we will be Utah bound.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Peek-A-Boo

What child doesn't end up in the cupboard sooner or later? Today was Peter's day. I didn't necessarily know that's where he would end up. It started with him clearing a space out and bringing me all the canned and boxed items that normally go there. But that is pretty typical of him - he likes to bring us things whether it be toys, food or whatever. This time he took it a step further though, and once he had cleared a space he got into the cupboard. He was a little bit frustrated when he couldn't close the door so Andy helped him and they had a fun little game of Peek-A-Boo where Andy would close the door, Peter would pop it open and repeat.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Family Reunion

From DisneyLand we went straight to our family reunion in San Clemente. We had an absolutely AMAZING camp site right above the beach. It was a big group camp site so we had everyone together, which was lots of fun. Jeremiah (my brother-in-law) gets the credit for researching, finding and reserving such an amazing place. There is nothing like camping at the beach where the weather ranges from 65-75 highs and lows. It was amazing! We did have 4 nights of camping, which, in my opinion was about one night too many. But had the reunion ended a day earlier, it would have seemed too short, so - what do you do?

Ammon loved his time at the beach and of course we all had a great time with all the extended family. We started the reunions in 1990 when there were 6 adults and 16 grandchildren. We were sad to be missing a few people this year, but still had over 55 people who showed up for at least part of the reunion. Absolutely amazing to see how the family has changed in 18 years! I am so glad that my children get to be part of such a fun family. My favorite part was hanging out on the beach with Katie, Katy, Mandy, Paige and Stacy just having girl talk time. It was the best!

Monday, July 14, 2008

DisneyLand

We had so much fun at DisneyLand last week! It was surprisingly not busy. We spent two days running around with the cousins and riding the rides. It was amazing how much more was left undone! Hopefully we will get to go back again soon.

Friday, July 04, 2008

4th of July Festivities

Apparently even sparklers are illegal here. With Andy being gone at work and the community fireworks not scheduled to start until 9:00 PM, I confess I kind of bombed on making this a really great holiday for the family. My efforts included buying sugar cookies with American flags on them and having Andy and Ammon bake them together this afternoon. Other than that, my plan was to put the boys to bed like normal so they didn't know the difference.

But I have great neighbors, who I appreciate more than I can say, and they called just as the boys were headed to bed to invite us over to throw poppers. It was great to get out of the house for a few minutes, and Ammon had fun with Malachi - as always. Now I can go to bed without feeling like I completely let my kids down.

Thanks Crystal and Matthew! You guys are wonderful!

Up and Running

Yesterday was the first time we have been to Carver Park since Peter was a walker, and lately he has been more of a runner. Anyway, he LOVED this park!!! Ammon had a blast too. It was nice to get out and spend some time as a family.

Thursday, July 03, 2008

First Time

Andy was at work and I had just sat down with Ammon and Peter for dinner. I noticed Peter sitting in his highchair with his hands clasped together. He was just chattering away. He was half looking at me through squinty eyes as he talked. It took me a moment, but I realized that he was praying! What a total surprise and shock. It was absolutely adorable!!! It was a perfect reminder that maybe I really am doing something right as a mom. It is amazing what these little kids pick up on.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

The Music Truck

Big thanks to Amanda for reminding me of this since Andy and I had both forgotten. When we lived in Willow Cove Apartments in West Jordan, the Ice Cream truck was always driving through the complex. It was always very noticable but we didn't want to have the constant argument with our 2 year old about buying candy or icecream or whatever else was offered. Andy came up with a brilliant plan to teach Ammon that the truck was actually the Music Truck. Ammon loved the Music Truck and every time he heard it he would run out to the porch to watch it go by! It was a super fun thing for him. It got to be so routine that Andy and I stopped thinking anything of it, but Amanda saw it in action one day and reminded us of the cute and trusting nature of our little boy (and the lying, devious parents we were)! What a fun memory.

Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.