Summer 2013, Part 1

As I was going through recent family photos the other day, I was amazed at how long we've been living here in Nampa and how fast the time seems to have gone by! It feels like just yesterday, we were bundled up, trying to stay warm while looking for a place to live. It's fun to see the changes in scenery, changes in the house, and especially changes in our family. I love to watch my kids grow and develop and learn new skills every day. When we were going to school in Rexburg, I think we took a trip back "home" to Yuma every break we had between semesters. We've been here in Nampa for 8 months now, the longest we've gone without going back home. While we always miss our family there, our own family is growing so fast and our roots are starting to plant themselves as we establish our own "home."

We have grown quite fond of the Boise area. The weather is absolutely perfect for us during all seasons! We love it when it's cold, and we love it when it's hot--probably because we've lived in MUCH hotter and MUCH colder climates. So we think it's just perfect here. Boise has the small town feel, big city feel, and country feel all in one. We've got farms, mountains, lakes, rivers...There is beauty all around! And while our immediate families may be far away, we both have some pretty awesome cousins here that we have a blast with every time we get together!

Here is a photo update of what we've been doing this summer!

Tanner complained of a bug bite one day, and I thought it was just a typical mosquito bite. A few days later, we saw this.

His arm was quite swollen, hard, and hot to the touch. Pretty sure it was a spider bite. After a few days of essential oil treatment, it went away. Thank goodness!

One of Travi's goofy faces...I miss that gummy smile!

Blueberry mess!

This is what happens when you get too close to the rice cooker...Had no idea steam could burn you so badly! Over a month later, I can still see it on my arm!

Travis is cute even when he's crying...

My family came up to visit in the beginning of July. I think this is the only group picture I have! We were exhausted after so much fun at the lake jet skiing and at the water park in Boise.

Aunt Nana & Tantan floating at the lake

Daddy & Travi grillin' & chillin'...

Travi boy

Roasting a turkey

And the climbing starts...I've caught him climbing all the way on top of that shelf. Crazy!

Loves to chew on his toes

This is what Travis does when we say, "Where's Travis?"

Swimming at a pond with cousins

Cousin Meriden feeding Travis a chip

Future missionary

Morning cuddles

Bathtime!

This is probably the favorite time of day for everyone...the kids love to play in the bath, and for us it means almost bedtime! The sun doesn't go down until 10 pm here in the summer, which makes bedtime tricky. After dinner we throw them in the tub and let them play while the other one closes all the blinds and curtains, clears off the table, turns on soft music and a low light, gets the lavender going. Once the kids are done, we diaper, dress, and oil them. Tanner picks up any toys left out and grabs his Book of Mormon. We read a few verses and cuddle with their "B"s, then Tanner gets to put a sticker on the page we read. After family prayer we have "family hug," which Tanner usually calls out and Travis giggles and runs over to be included. We squeeze each other and all give each other kisses. Just recently Travis has started opening his mouth and leaning in for a kiss from everyone just like we all do after family hug. I love that he wants to be a part of these little daily traditions.

We used to tell Tanner to be happy after throwing a fit..We would say, "let me see a smile." Then after a half smile/half frown, we'd say, "Bigger...bigger...bigger..." until his face looked like this. Now anytime we take a picture and say "smile," he automatically gives the biggest smile possible! Love it.

Hiding in the toy tote

Travi's top two teeth poking through...4 for the count (2 top & 2 bottom)

Another steal from a yard sale--TV $1

We got this jogger at a yard sale for $20!

We took the kids to a huge park that the Boise River runs through in Boise and had a picnic, then walked around the greenbelt.

It is so beautiful here!

Crossing a bridge over the Boise River

It was quite a warm day for Idaho!

Tanner and Daddy cooling off in the river

There's a sound that he makes when he does this, but unfortunately you can't hear it in a picture! He saw a picture of our family doing goofy faces when he was a baby, and now mimics it by doing this all the time.

"Dirt makes me look cuter"

Teaching Travis how to walk is a family effort! He's taken 8 steps so far...

We had a lot of cucumbers, carrots, and bell peppers from bountiful basket, so we pickled them. Our first time!

We have a climber on our hands!

Tanner is very musical (runs in the family).

Travi's favorite seat in the house! He loves to chill on top of the couch like this or hang over the edge...I tried to push him over once to test his depth perception, and he strongly resisted.

Lunch time! We got this little table and chairs for free at a yard sale...the kids love it!