SCOTT (18 months)

I am completely in LOVE with this little boy. I know my blog is pretty heavy on the Violet pictures, but that's just because it's easier to get her to stop for a minute. Scotty won't stop for a single second ---unless the TV is on, this kid is the best TV watcher ever.

Scotty still doesn't talk and I'm starting to really, really want him to. He says "Uh, Oh" sometimes and he babbles all day long, but no words. He grunts and makes all sorts of monstrous noises though, he definitely has his own soundtrack. The lack of words unfortunately, means he's a bit of a whiner/crier. And "a bit" is an understatement. He has a somewhat difficult temperament, but he also has a beautiful personality.

I love:

*when he laughs, the best sound ever. My favorite is when Violet and I are laughing and he runs up and starts laughing as if he's a part of things!

*when he walks backward and plops himself into my lap (at least ten times a day).

*the way he splashes in the bathtub, I just expect to get soaked now.

*he still gives me big wet kisses.

*how he sometimes spontaneously starts doing somersaults on the floor.

*how he likes to have a binky in his mouth and one in his hand, he spends all day alternating.

*that all of a sudden after 18 months of life, he sometimes insists on being rocked.

*what a good sleeper he is.

*how he follows around Violet all day, and looks for her while she is gone to school.

*how he still lets me squeeze, and tickle, and kiss him all day long.

Oh Scotty-Man, if you only knew how obsessed I am with you! I love you more than I ever imagined and you fit in so well in our family. I can't wait to hear your little voice say "Mama" and I can't wait to have conversations with you about cars and dinosaurs and other silly things.

Casual Family Pics

We had a very last minute barbecue this summer and took a few pictures on our back deck. I just love the way they turned out. They really sort of represent the way we really truly are. There's something about being on a porch swing that makes me look and feel relaxed. The kids are even in their jammies.

Oh, how I love this graying man of mine. I seriously wish his hair would turn grayer faster! He is so very handsome and is only getting finer with age!!!
Now, this little man can feel free to stay younger longer if he pleases!

That is the sweetest face I've ever seen.

The Summer When Mommy Took Awful Pictures - 2010

I can't believe it's been exactly 3 months since my last post! I am no good at this blogging thing. There is one thing that I am worse at however, and that is being a mommy photographer. I want to record all of the fun things we did this summer here on my blog, but all I have are a few pictures I took on my phone. It's awful.

Some of the fun things we did this summer:

*Long weekend in St. George with the Kane's . . . Zach couldn't come, but Violet still talks about going back to the pool and condo. I even took the kids to Zions.

*Strawberry Days Carnival.

*We had a great Fourth of July weekend.

*Camping Overnight at Blackhawk Campground . . . So fun except Scotty threw up several times in the night, poor guy.

*Lehi Family Fun Day

*Bear Lake with the Wilys . . . Amazing. (We miss the Arnolds!)

*Lots of Barbecues.

*We had an amazing birthday party for Zach (34!) complete with a Mickey Bounce House.

*Thanksgiving Point Petting Zoo


*LAGOON!

*Seven Peaks

*Feeding the Ducks

*Splash Pad in Highland, definitely Scotty's favorite spot.

*Violet had her first dance class, didn't last long. We'll try again in a few months!

*Violet celebrated being really, truly, potty-trained at Jump On It!

*Scotty no longer has "the puppy."

*Violet learned how to go cross-eyed and now does it regularly. She thinks it's so funny.
*She's still our Mickey Mouse Girl.


There is nothing better in this world than being a mom. I go from overwhelming pride and joy and LOVE to wanting to rip out my own eyeballs in a matter of minutes. It is definitely a unique "job." I've been an awful photographer this summer, but I've been a good mommy and it feels so good to look at my kids and feel that I may be just the least bit responsible for the smile on their faces.

I'm sure other moms feel the same way as I do. So many times in a day, week, or month, I think this is such a special moment that there is no way I could ever possibly forget it . . . and then in a couple of days, weeks, or months, I inevitably do forget all about it. I love being the witness of my children's lives, but I'm already forgetting so much and they're still so young. Anyway, I want to do better at recording these special things. Not so much what we did, but more about what we learned. Thanks for reading this . . .