July

The big boys joined baby.


Baby really loves to be around them and feel like he's part of what's happening!


Some photos of baby:

Music! Towel!


Food!


He can't resist going under this table to shake the curtain.


More on baby soon! He's 9 months old today!!!!!

Our 3 year old:

He says very brief and fast prayers. One time I was in the middle of praying and he said "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen! I helped you mommy!" He also likes to say his little prayer over whoever else is praying; then he'll exclaim "I passed you!"

One day after nap I saw his Daniel Tiger's watch was coming off.  It had the previous day too and he had me fix it then so I asked if he'd like me to fix it again.  He said yes and as I fixed it I asked why it keeps coming off. "Because he's getting his swimsuit on."

The week after he turned 3 he kept telling me he was going to turn 2 again.  I wish I could keep you little too, buddy.

He copies some of my phrases, like telling me "you're so sweet" and "I love my mommy hugs," and it's adorable.

He's very affectionate, as always.

Our 5 year old:
(I can't find the face pieces for this. But shapes work too :)

One day I hit my head on the mantle as I stood up. It was a pretty hard whack and I had a bump for a few days. When it happened our oldest saw how hurt I was and seemed concerned. He asked me to go down to him and he gave it a kiss! And then he gave me a sweet hug. He could see how hurt I was and knew just what to do to take care of me ♥  He's a sensitive little boy in a very quiet and thoughtful way, but I didn't expect that instant aid :)

He continues to enjoy reading and math and has completed the Kindergarten workbook I got for him to do this summer.

He's loves being a big brother, and is pretty awesome at it.

I thought him telling The Very Hungry Caterpillar story to his brother was adorable.


I've heard both boys (separately and together) singing I am a Child of God and Give Said the Little Stream and other songs.

They stayed up late to watch the fireworks on Independence Day! Fun and festive time at home!


Here we are at the library. Preschooler's class was about zoo animals.


When we picked up Kindergartner from his class he was using this pencil to curl these octopus legs.


We went to a horse rescue farm and blackberry picking with some friends.
Here they're petting a goat at the farm. They have goats at the farm so that visiting kids can pet an animal, but also that is where the inexperienced volunteers start, until they're ready to help with the horses. In the second picture our preschooler is explaining and demonstrating how the goat is being tickled when he pokes him (gently!) with a piece of hay.  He's hilarious.


This is toward the beginning of blackberry picking when they've each only picked a few.  Kindergartner has accumulated a few and will do great filling his basket.  Preschooler hasn't managed to save any and never finds the will to do that.  Definitely an age difference thing.


Here's a super fun picture of all the kids that day.  Photo taken by my friend.



On the last Saturday of the month we had a really fun time with my dad!  My mom was out of town so we had him all to ourselves.

We returned home that evening to find our town had fallen apart during the storm.  Our regular route home was blocked by a tree.  Our second by a river (flash flooding).  But our 3rd and last option got us home.  Then I learned online that our Historic area had significant damage :(

The final day of the month our ward boundaries changed significantly.  I'm initially rather sad that the kids don't have any of their old primary/nursery classmates.  (Not that they seem to care, which is good I guess.)


Just chillin'