How in the world did it get to be September already?!?!?
Maybe it was because we had an awfully long and cold winter season last year and it didn't start warming up until almost June, but this was seriously one of the fastest summers EVER!!
It honestly feels like we just got back from our California vacation, when in actuality, that was over four months ago!
WOW!!
The days are starting to cool down again, and whether I am ready for it or not, summer is sadly coming to an end. Even though I really love the fall, I am not quite ready to give up my warm summer weather yet. I thought that cleaning the house yesterday and putting out my fall decorations would help to erase my denial and help me to accept that fall is really here. It didn't. (Okay, maybe a little=)
This summer has been one of change for our little family. It was really fun to have a (very) chatty toddler around - one who livens up our days in every way imaginable. And the chance to add a second little guy to our brood has been an experience we will certainly never forget. Somehow, however, having two little ones has proven to me that my time is no longer my own. I no longer have the time to blog about our experiences like I would like to - imagine that!=) Some days I am lucky to get a shower in!!! But I wouldn't change it for the world and have loved every single day that I get to say "my two boys".
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| I just can't get over how cute these two are!!! |
Speaking of my two boys, here is a little update for you about our situation with Mason. We are anticipating having him with us for about two more months, and it is our sincere plan to squeeze in at least a million kisses and snuggles in the short time we have left together!
His birth mom is doing really well. It is encouraging to see how much she loves him and how she is doing everything that is being asked of her to get Mason back in her life. Having been through this a couple of times already myself, it eases my fears to see how much she is trying to be a good mom for him. As much as it pains my heart to think about him not being with us, I am grateful that he will be going back to a mother who loves him so much and wants to take good care of him.
Mason is such a sweet baby and we all simply adore him. He still sleeps through the night like a champ, and then he wants to eat all day long to make up for time lost!=)
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| Awww... |
When I took him in for his four month checkup Monday, he weighed 15 lbs. 1 oz. He is so much chunkier than Ian ever was, and we love every single ounce of that little chub!! He is so happy and has a smile that just melts your heart.
And Ian is as amazing as ever! He is a stellar big brother and is always more than willing to help take care of the baby, even when he is not asked to help=)
Ian is kind, sweet, funny as heck, and so smart I will admit that it scares me a little. He has good manners, is thoughtful and is so fun to have around. I just love that little guy to pieces!!
I am so lucky to have two such sweet and amazing boys in my life!
But since my days with these two amazing boys has left me little time to blog about our adventures, I have gotten a little behind. So I am just going to let some of our pictures tell the story of what we have been up to lately.
ENJOY!!
At the end of July, we went to northern Utah for Mike's family reunion. It was at a guy's farm which he turns into a water slide every summer. As you can see, we all had a blast!!
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| Photo taken by Danielle Rainey |
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| Photo taken by Danielle Rainey |
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| Photo taken by Danielle Rainey |
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| Ian was even brave enough to go solo |
We took a little jaunt up to Bear Lake with our buddies Matt and Steph and their two adorable little girls. They are wonderful and gracious friends and we always have such a great time with them. My face still hurts from laughing so hard=)
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| Cutest boy ever!! |
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| Daddy and son trying to catch tiny fish off the dock |
Matt was trying his best to throw me off the tube, but I held tight!
And of course we didn't take the camera out on the boat the second day, when I actually got up on the wake board, so you will just have to take my word that I (and Steph) rocked it!!=) (Never mind that I couldn't lift my arms for three days afterward!!=) We hadn't been boating in many, many years and we had such a great time!!!
At the beginning of August, Mike ran a half marathon with Matt, Steph and our neighbor Melissa. They all did awesome and each of them surpassed their own personal records. Way to go guys!!
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| Pre-Race |
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| Post-Race |
Mike and Mason crashed on the couch for several hours that afternoon=)
On a particularly gorgeous day, I took the boys for a day at the zoo.
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| Oh, that smile... |
This day was an outing to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. It was probably one of the busiest and most crowded places we have ever been, but Ian loved looking at the "dragons" and digging for bones.
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| He looks so big with his "pack pack" |
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| Whoa!!!! |
Even though it went by entirely WAY too quickly, I am so grateful that I got to spend my summer with Mike and these two incredible little boys!
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| These are the moments that make being a mom so wonderful! |
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| Cute even with a blurry face=) |
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| No Buddy like a Brother!! |
Okay... I am ready now.
Bring on the fall!!!!
