Mr. Cool Guy

Have you ever seen anyone cooler?  We spent all of spring break outside riding bikes.  Dallin has never showed any interest in riding and then all of the sudden it is all...he...wants....to...do.  He does look pretty cool even with his tongue hanging out!

He looks pretty cool too!

First Sleep Over

These boys are always asking to sleep over.  Caleb looked at me with big brown eyes and asked really nicely and I finally consented.  Afterwards Zane asked why I would say yes on my birthday.  It all worked out though.  Unlike most sleepovers, the boys went to bed early but enjoyed waking up to begin playing right away.  Life couldn't be any better!

Gavin's First Year Book

 My blogging slacked in February because I spent my free time working on Gavin's first year book. I'm not a scrapbooker, but I really like my kids to have a first year book and an adoption book.  After a first birthday, the scrapbook will hang over my head until I get it done.  Once I start one though, it is all I can work on.  I'm thrilled with how this one turned out, but even more thrilled with how much Gavin loves it!  He looks at it all the time!

Super Baby!

Dallin loves baby Ellery.  He also loves playing super baby with her.  In fact, according to Dallin, our next baby will be a girl and her name will be Ellery.  I hope my brother and sister-in-law are ok with that!

Who Are the Mormon's?

Find out more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by checking out this article!

Learn more by checking out this site.

Rodeo Time!

 We had guests in town for a weekend, so we headed to the rodeo.

 The boys became farmers, planted seeds, collected eggs, and road a tractor.

There were lots and lots of animals to touch and see.  

This cow got more attention than the real cows except for the mommy cow who had just given birth.

Watching the rodeo was tons of fun with Carolee and Melissa.

Especially if there is popcorn involved!  (Lady Antebellum was pretty cool too!)

Lovin It

One of Dallin's best traits is that he is a leader.  I see it all the time in preschool.  He does something and the rest of the boys follow right after him.  The problem is Dallin loves to do things that get him attention which usually is something silly or naughty.  I'm constantly telling his friends that if Dallin is choosing the right, then follow him.  If he isn't, then tell him to stop.  Four year olds don't get that.  It is much more fun to watch Dallin do something he shouldn't be doing like throwing balls over the back yard fence.  Some friends join in, some just watch knowing it isn't right, but they enjoy the show.  This is so reenforcing for Dallin.  Zane and I feel this big responsibility to teach Dallin how to be a good leader and choose the right.   So, when I learned more about karate, I jumped right in.

 Dallin started Taekwondo at the end of the December.  I spent a couple of weeks checking out classes with Dallin until we found the right fit for him.  I had heard that karate teaches self-discipline, respect, character and a lot of other great qualities.  Thirty minutes of someone besides us giving Dallin instructions....perfect.  The first couple of classes were hard on Dallin because he tried to test the boundaries and see how silly he could be in class especially because he had two friends with him.  He didn't get away with it.  His instructor is strict with him but really good with kids.  The best part is that Dallin loves it too.

I don't know much about Taekwondo, so when it was time to do our yellow belt test, I didn't know what to expect.  Belt tests I learned are a big deal.  This was so reinforcing to Dallin.  He tested in front of a huge group of kids then watched the other belt tests. He had to sit for an hour while the other groups went. Dallin doesn't sit for an hour, but he did it that night.  He is starting to understand more what he is learning. At the end, all the white belts came up again and took their turn breaking a board.  Then they were presented the board and the yellow belt.  Dallin was so excited and I admit, I teared up a little.  He is really excited about working towards his next belt now.  Next time, we will come earlier so that we can get better seats for pictures.

Couldn't be prouder!

Where's Your Pants?

Does anyone else have a hard time keeping pants on their kids?  Gavin is easy to understand. I put him on the potty multiple times a day and get tired of fighting him to put pants on him (he would rather play than get dressed.)  Dallin though, we are lucky he remembers to put underwear back on!

CHEESE!

 Cheese is Gavin's new favorite word and getting his picture taken is also his favorite.  If he sees the camera, he squints and says, "CHEESE."  

 He does have a super cute smile!

Here Gavin fell asleep in his high chair.  I went to grab the camera and Dallin said, "Say cheese!"  Gavin smiled while still asleep!

 Of course when there is a girl involved, Gavin will not smile.

I think he found his match for someone who is as giggly as he is and I'm not sure he could handle her.

By the way, this super cute giggling girl is Gavin's cousin Alex.  They were best friends until she moved far away.  Maybe when she moves back, he won't be so scared of her.

A Character

 This is my cute nephew at our family photo shoot last December.  Isn't he handsome!

This is his super cute sister.  See how well they pose for pictures...

Dallin though is goofy.  He can't help it.

 
 

 We did get a couple of good ones in the end though.  He can't help being handsome either!

A Mater's Tall Tales Party

This year we did a Wrestling Mater cake.   I'm in charge of the baking and Zane does the design.  He drilled holes in the pretzel rods and threaded licorice through the rods.  Dallin was pleased.

Finally it was time for the party.  We played different games for several of Mater's Tall Tales.

Mater the Greater's Obstacle Course

that ended with the "ring of fire."

El Matador Tag

Heavy Metal Mater Hot Potato

 Pin the Teeth on Rescue Mater (my brother-in-law Matt painted Rescue Mater for us.  Isn't it awesome!)

 After lunch and presents, it was time for cake!

 Finally, the boys became Mater Private Eye in search for the missing Lightning McQueen!

 Lightning McQueen was hard to break, so while the boys worked on that, Gavin did his own thing.

And then took his turn.

The party was a success and Dallin was one happy boy!

Birthday Boy

My blogging has been sparse lately.  Between Zane's busy season/ two months of being a single mom (note it was only two months though because of the new job!), visitors, and birthday celebrations, it has been a busy month.  Dallin enjoyed his week long celebration.  It was great that it lasted so long since he can't understand why it takes so long to have another birthday.

We started the celebration with Dallin sharing his frosted, sprinkled donuts at preschool.  They were a hit and Dallin was super happy.

Gram, Zane's mom, came into town and so Saturday night we all went to Red Robin for dinner joined by my parents.  Dallin loved being the center of attention, sitting between his grandparents, having waiters singing to him, and getting his own ice cream Sunday.

During the singing- I forgot the camera so these two pictures are taken with Zane's phone.

Sunday morning (Feb. 19th) Dallin had his birthday breakfast.  He liked licking out the pan more than the actual breakfast.

I love watching Dallin open presents because he is so excited no matter what he is getting.

Even when clothes come tumbling out of the bag, he still gives me a huge, "Thank you mom, I love these."

The boys spent Sunday afternoon putting up and playing with the new wall track.

Dallin's friend party was a week after his birthday.  Zane and I really wanted to make a cake that match his party theme, so on Dallin's birthday, we had cupcakes and ice cream.  Both boys were happy with it!

We love having Dallin in our family.  He was an answer to many prayers, a gift from heaven.  We love his energy and love for life and his really sweet, sensitive side.  He is a wonderful big brother and a great helper.  His favorite things right now (besides cars) is to play outside riding his scooter, play with Gavin, and act like a clown with his daddy.  He really loves to make people laugh and is happiest if he is the center of attention.  We are amazed with how much he seems to understand about the gospel.  He makes random comments about how he has repented like Nephi or has a soft heart like Alma.  He talks about how Heavenly Father and Jesus are happy when he chooses the right and how we need to go to church so that we feel the Holy Ghost.   I am always wondering if anything is sinking in and then he makes one of those comments and I have a feel good mommy moment.  What an incredible kid!