Justin's Baptism

Justin was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by his Dad on June 5th. Justin was so excited and he told me how he felt so happy afterwards. Grandpa Davis gave a talk on baptism and Grandma Guptill gave the closing prayer at the Stake baptism. There were 5 children getting baptized that day and one of the girls was in Justin's 2nd grade class this year.




Grandpa and Grandma Guptill gave Justin his own set of scriptures with a red(Justin's favorite color)carrying case. Grandpa and Grandma Davis gave him a "Choose the Right" tie, a scripture hero poster for his bedroom and a really cool scripture marking mechanical pencil. Travis and I gave him his first personal journal. Aunt Nicki and Uncle Lance gave him a CTR tie tack and a fun scripture hero figurine.




Justin wanted a special BBQ dinner to celebrate. He requested rib-eye steak and grilled fish from our great fishing trip the day before. We felt so blessed to have so many family members with us to celebrate Justin's special day. We love you Justin!

Bugs, Salamanders, Peacocks and Trout

We had lots of visitors during the first weekend in June. Travis' parents drove over from Montana and my Dad flew in from Utah for Justin's baptism. My sister, Amber, had her baby, Zachary, on Thursday afternoon. So at the last minute, my mom decided to stay in Provo to help with Amber & Jeff's other kids. Travis' sister, Nicki, and her husband, Lance, came over from Vancouver. Then on Sunday, my Aunt Tammy and Uncle Craig from SLC came to the Northwest for a beach getaway. They came to church with us and had Sunday dinner afterwards. It was an exciting weekend!

I let Justin stay home from school on Friday so he and Tyler could have some fun with his grandparents, aunt and uncle and cousins. The boys played board games with Grandpa Davis in the morning and then we took a trip to Trader Joe's so my dad could stock up on some favorites to take back to Utah.

He brought bug catcher nets for the boys. They had a great time hunting around the yard. They caught a huge dragonfly, a ladybug and a spider nest.





Later in the afternoon we went fishing at Horning's Hideout with everyone. It is a privately owned spot so you don't need a fishing license. They have two stocked ponds and you just pay for what you catch. I think it is in such a beautiful location. We all had a great time and between the group caught 15 fish!















Look at these happy fishermen! It was such a fun day!

Cub Scouts

Justin is now officially a Cub Scout. And oh so happy about it, too!

Ty can't wait for his turn to join in with the Wolf pack for all their cool activities. So far, Justin has made a birdhouse, paper airplanes and a pinewood derby car. He'll be ready to receive his bobcat at the next pack meeting. Here is his pinewood derby "Titanic" ship:



Justin won "Best Design" and had the 3rd fastest car!!!

Catching up...

Wow. It has been a long time since I have blogged. Too long. I have been following all of your great blogs and neglecting mine. So, here's an attempt to "catch up" on what has been going on with our family.

I am feeling great now and am so happy to be back in the swing of things. I still don't feel like cooking or smelling dirty laundry, but you know...who does, really? Just kidding. Travis has been so wonderful to keep us going as I had a difficult first half of my pregnancy. I'm 26 weeks now and feel fabulous! Everything looked good at my appointment last week and we are really looking forward to this new baby. I'm all motivated to go through closets and purge the baby boy things we won't need anymore. The boys now share a room with a bunk bed and I am planning to organize the kid stuff in the toy room/baby room in the next while. I have been trying to put all my craft/scrapbook supplies in order this weekend. Now maybe I'll be able to actually find something when I need it. :)

We planted tomatoes and beans in our backyard yesterday. We feel like quite the spiffy gardeners now. This is our second attempt at a garden. My Dad's poor rhubarb start keeps trying to come back up each year, but petered out this time. We are hoping we have better luck with 6 different varieties of tomatoes. Hello BLT's this summer. I can't wait for that yumminess!

We have been busy each week (starting in April) with baseball games for ALL my boys on Monday through Thursday nights. Tyler turned 5 in April and graduated from preschool last week. He is just itching for Kindergarten to start. Justin turned 8 on Mother's Day, started Cub Scouts and is excited for his first Pinewood Derby this next week. He just finished the last details on his car tonight. He had his baptism interview with our new bishop today after church. We are looking forward to this special event in his life. It will be fun to see both sets of grandparents, too. He will be baptised on the first Saturday in June.

My niece, Sada, had a second brain surgery on May 4th to remove some tumors. She is recovering at home and our prayers are with her each day. Her blog is at www.sadanicole.blogspot.com. Her 11th birthday was yesterday and celebrated with a "Bubble Fest". Happy Birthday, Sada! We love you!

Well, there's the reader's digest version for now with pictures and more details to come.

Hey, if it works...

Tyler has been my little trooper to come with me to my Relief Society presidency meetings. Some days it has been quite the trick to get him to cooperate and get in the car so we can go. Finally I found a trick...a reward stop at the "dinosaur park" afterwards. Enter "happy camper" at my meetings.

Father and Son Campout - May 14-15

I believe it when they say a picture is worth a thousand words. But sometimes I think it would be fun to be a little birdie in the tree listening in on what's really going on...o.k., you caught me...I missed them.



They camped with others from the Cornell Ward at Cherry Grove.




Then they finished up the trip on Saturday with a hike around Hagg Lake with Dad.





All three came home happy, tired and already looking forward to their next special campout with Dad next year. And I welcomed them home rejuvinated from the dreamy 24 hours to myself and a great lunch out with my good friend, Upi. A win-win weekend for everyone.

A Day to Remember

This year, we celebrated Mother's Day and Justin's 8th birthday on the same day. (In these pictures, I'm 24 weeks along.) It was such a special day for us to share together. I love all THREE of my kids and feel so blessed be their mom.

Tyler's Family Birthday Party at the Zoo

Tyler will be 5 years old in a few more days!
Aunt Nicki with Brynlee


Travis and Kayelynn
Aunt Nicki with the kids

I can just imagine myself all dressed up

I just have to write these down before I forget...

...Tyler said he just had to wear his hoodie today so "my head won't blow away"!

...He also said today at lunch that he just really wants to move out, be a dad and have some kids. I asked him what he'd do for a job. He said "I'll go to work." Where? "In Oregon, Mom!" Can I come visit? "If you dress up like a grandma, then you can come I guess."

Hi Brother!

Tyler has been putting his hands and face on my belly nearly every day to try to "hear" the baby move. This afternoon, I motioned for him to come over and try to feel her kick. He quietly put his hand on my round belly and she kicked! His eyes just about popped open so wide and he exclaimed, "It's ALIVE! Justin, I heard the baby kick!"

It was so cute! I love it!