Fathers and Sons Campout

Zane has gone to many Fathers and Sons campouts, but this year was extra special. This was his first year to bring his son. Dallin enjoyed his camping experience immensely, so much so that he fell asleep at 11:30 and woke up by 5:45 a.m. much to Zane's dismay. The camp out was complete with playing in the lake, having marshmallow fights, cooking with a campfire, and sleeping in a tent (or a sauna with all the humidity).

A friend brought marshmallow guns. This is Drew (cousin) chasing Dallin while Dallin enjoys eating the ammo.

Dallin was intrigued by the smoke and kept running through it.

Uncle Jared cooling Dallin off with a water gun.

Best of friends...sometimes

Jumping from rock to rock

Since Dallin jumped in the water, he had to change shoes. One of the last things I did before the boys left was put Dallin's rain boots in the car telling Zane to put Dallin in them if he is going near the water. I know my son. At least he had an extra pair of shoes.

Finding rocks to throw in the water

Walking back to find more rocks after watching his rocks sink

They can't wait until next year for another fun filled, sleepless night. (Zane and some other guys slept even less because they enjoyed their boys' night by playing a favorite game Bang!)

One of Those Shopping Trips

Most moms will agree, the less shopping with kids, the better. Every mom knows these important rules: the time of day is everything, limit the number of stores you go to in one trip, stroller or shopping cart for containment is usually necessary, and bring lots of snacks! These rules are especially important for Dallin. Although he is a sweetheart, angel isn't his middle name (what two year old boy is?)

Yesterday we broke all the rules. We left the house at 4:00 (morning is always better), didn't grab the stroller, and hit four stores. I have never had a more enjoyable shopping trip though with Dallin. We went shopping in an area where there are many stores close together, so I decided to park in the middle and brave the heat by walking to each (before you get too impressed, I figured out it would take less energy on my part to walk then get Dallin in and out of the car just for a few seconds of air condition...tough call though.) Dallin held my hand the entire time, said good morning to everyone he passed (we say good morning to everyone during our morning runs, so he thinks this is the greeting for all times of the day), and Dallin got to pick out his own PJ's. He was so proud of his choices that he showed everyone in the store his PJ's and told them about the dinosaur and monkey on them. I had multiple comments from people about how cute my son is which of course I love hearing. (By the way, last night he asked to wear his doggy pajamas which of course is the one he didn't choose at the store. I was amazed he remembered though.) He carried his pajama bag to every other store. Even though you could tell he was tired at the end, he wanted to keep carrying his bag. We hit four stores very quickly and Dallin got to swipe my card and push lots of buttons. All and all a great trip and best of all, happy mommy and son... and a lot accomplished.

Jumper

Dallin is a jumper. He has been since he was born. His jumping may have been inspired by his froggy decor in his room, frog blankets, and frog infant clothing. I think though, he was just born jumping.

Dallin loved the pool last year, but I wasn't sure if he would still be a dare-devil this year. He was apprehensive at first to try the diving board and slide, but all fear left after the first jump.




No matter which pool we are in, Dallin will find a place to jump. We are so excited to start swimming again!

Yummy

You might have seen your two year old lick his plate when eating cake or ice cream, but have you seen your toddler lick his plate when eating spaghetti?


Dallin loves his food.

Happy Birthmother's Day

Two years ago I received a card from Dallin's birthmom wishing me a happy first Mother's Day. That first Mother's Day is a big deal for any mom, but it is especially a big deal for all the women who waited a long time for the chance to be a mother. When I got the card from our birthmom, I just cried. I couldn't believe she would be so sweet to think of me when all I could think of that day was her. She made me a mother. She placed in my arms the most sweetest, full of energy and love, and cutest little boy in the whole world. When I look at Dallin, I see her love and sacrifice for him. Although she has passed on (and I will forever be using this picture... man I wish I had more), she always remains with us through him. So whether you birthmoms celebrate birthmom's day or mother's day, we honor and love you.

And on His Farm He had a...

We had so much fun at the Old McDonald Farm. We joined another preschool group on their fieldtrip. My mom had all her grandkids minus the newest addition going on this fieldtrip, so she came along too. We are so lucky to have grandma close. She saw the most of the farm as she kept going with each grandkid to see the animals because they had to have grandma with them. There was a huge sandhill full of kids and our grandma as she played with my niece Samantha. When grandma is around, the mom's can relax because all they want to see is grandma! Again, we are soooo lucky!

This farm had so many fun activities including riding a pony, train ride, feeding the animals, and lots of playgrounds. We had so much fun!

This is my newest friend sitting by me with her mom's head poking out behind us! She is so grown up that she wanted to ride the train alone, but there was too many people for that so she got stuck with me.

I thought the kids would be scared to feed the animals, but they loved it. The animals would start crowing anyone with food too, but that didn't scare Dallin either. He just started chasing them.

We can't wait to go again!

Magic Words

Dallin has learned to say, "Right now" as in "Milk right now" or "Outside right now." The whole family is now working on using please more often since he probably picked up this phrase from the person he spends the most time with. I think he hears, "Come here right now" or "We are leaving right now" too many times. So when Dallin said, "Milk right now" I then asked him what the magic word is. He paused for a moment and then said, "Treat!"

We will keep working on it.

Enjoying the Festival

Every year a neighboring community has a festival to raise money for after school and summer programs. This year Dallin was old enough to enjoy it. I love watching him discover new things. He was shy at first but then he got to pick a sucker and get a prize. Then there was fishing where he caught a skunk stuff animal. Can you just see his eyes popping open in excitement? Throwing sponges at a ladies face, throwing balls through holes, miniature golfing, free toys, and best of all jumping. He loved it all!

Sucker in one hand and stuffed animal in the other (plus something yummy in his mouth)

Throwing the sponge- He needed some more practice

Throwing a ball was a different story though. After some warm-up, he threw it in the hole.

Jumping and sliding though was the best part

We can't wait until next year!

Time for Swimming!

We have enjoyed an unusually long cool weather spring. It is heating up now, so it was finally time to pull out the pool and slide. It is amazing how much entertainment this little pool can bring.

Sorry about the lighting in this picture, but I wanted to show his full on jump in the water even though the water is a little chilly.

Dallin is getting very creative in how to go down the slide. Much to my dismay, he tries to slide down standing up. There hasn't been much success with that one.