Summer Fun

The second weekend in July was spent hanging out in the backwoods, basically in my backyard! Not really, but about 10-15 minutes away. We were enjoying the wilderness with a few of my Armstrong Clan. My Dad and Lorelie arranged for a great weekend. We ate yummy food ( my favorite is always breakfast!---Grandpa Armstrong makes the BEST campfire pancakes!) went on a few four-wheeler rides, and chatted around the campire.
Carter had fun, but he had a hard time seeing us eat all that yummo food. He did get to eat a pancake a day! Such a lucky kid!

One of my favorite parts to camping is waking up in the tent. It is that sudden warmth combined with the smells of dirt, trees, and bacon that drags you out of the sleeping bag. Lucky for me I haven't yet reached the "you're in charge of breakfast" stage! I also love this stage because it takes over that biting chill you feel right as the sun is coming up. That chill really bites at you and my kids didn't know how to handle that. Hailee would wake up as soon as the morning dew hit and want to climb in with us. It just so happens that Carter also wakes up at about 5 for a feeding. Our airmattress is not so comfy with four. Something to think about for our next camp out!

Curt missed out on a lot of the fun because he had work on the farm, but he was able to come up at night and then he would leave after breakfast. My dad picked the location perfectly for Curt to be able to participate in some of the fun!

My cousins were camping with us and they have kids of their own. Isabel was a great friend to Hailee and invited her to sleepover both nights. The first night I caved and the second night Hailee caved. We are getting there!

Little Eli was also so friendly and sharing with Hailee. He had some cool bikes that they could ride together around the trees. So much fun!

Curt is such a great dad. He has been in and out all summer long. We love being here to welcome him with a smile, a soda, and sometimes a snack! He is good to grab each of the kids and love up on them even if he is tired. He gets the biggest grins out of Carter when he growls into his cheeks. Carter still hasn't given us a good ol' belly laugh, but I am sure it is coming. He starts to chuckle but that is about where it stops. Soon....I can just feel it!

Hailee Girl has started her first year of "On-your-own" swimming lessons. It was a fun experience for her. Her friend Leah took the classes with her. They were always budding-up and having to get reigned back into the herd. There were a couple of really cold days where you just can't get much out of 3 and 4 year olds. Then there were a couple of really fun days when the kids did really well.

Things she learned. She puts her whole head under and blows bubbles. She can monster arm all the way around the pool. She does some pretty big kicks. She likes to glide around blowing her bubbles and maybe adds some monster arms or some kicks. She can sort of float on her belly and even better on her back. She still has NO fear of the water.

Carter's best little buddy. Hailee was gracious enough to allow Carter to play with one of her toys a few weeks back. She chose this silly little lion that one of my previous students gave me for Valentines Day. I am not sure what it is about this one but Carter loves to love, slobber, and chew on this dinky thing.

Speaking of Carter Man. He is getting SO BIG!! I can't believe he is 5 1/2 months already! I remember being pregnant with him a year ago. I remember taking care of Hailee 3 years ago. I can't believe it has gone so fast.

Anyway. He wants to crawl really bad. He moves quick from his bottom to his belly just so he can start his pushups. He is trying to be the youngest enlisted Marine or something. This kid goes crazy trying all sorts of positions to help him move. His new favorite is the "star- pushup". He stretches everything out and up he goes, until he decides to attempt a move...then he falls down. I know it won't be long until he is everywhere.

That is all. And don't be dissappointed. We have been really buisy. Between gymnastics, swimming, family fun, farm things, and life we are pretty tired at the end of the day!

247

247- That is the number of pictures I just downloaded onto my computer. I know it has been a lot worse in the past, but I've been trying to be better at it. Sometimes these long posts overwhelm me, then I start avoiding posting, then I submit to posting because journaling is very important to me. AND then it takes me a long time to sort through it all. I am trying to be more punctual, thus save myself time and energy

Starting with our most recent experiences.

We enjoyed watching the fireworks at the soccer field in town this year with the Schauerhammers. They are a fun little family with two little girls Hailee's age. We went to their house for a babeque, a couple of bottle rockets, and some more fireworks. It was the first time I have ever made or eaten kabobs. They are pretty tang good eats!

Hailee had a lot of fun with these sparklers. She actually held too close and earned herself a couple of nasty burn marks. It was pretty painful, but she wanted another sparkler after we bandaged her up!



We watched the parade and Hailee got a TON of candy! Seriously it is rediculous. She would sometimes just try and follow the float with the candy down the block. Other times she would get too excited and run to a piece of candy, if another child was there, she would scream and scare the other kid away. She was cracking us up! Towards the end she was too wore out to get anymore. She would sit by Aunt Cathy and ask her if she could go to her house and take a nap. It was such a great parade! I loved it, and I am a big parade person. I always tell myself that next year I want to do a float. Maybe.....

Carter spent his time moving from Grandmas to Uncle Jase and Grandpa Layne. He liked the parade. I think. He didn't cry from the fire trucks, so that is a definate plus!

Our cute little kids in the 4th of July onsombles. They are too adorable!

On July 2nd we went to Driggs/Tetonia to see some family, go to Huntsman Springs, and visit my cousin Alexie's wedding. It was such a good, long, busy day. My kids were on crazy eating schedules, which I always feel bad about as a mom. We should have stuck around and watched the fireworks. Next year we will make a go of it. My cousin's wedding was beautiful I wish I had a better camera to capture the views of the Tetons. My Hailee friended up with my cousin Michele's Hailey. Hailee loves girls just older than her. They are usually so good to play with her. Hailee and Hailey did some fun dance moves and ran up and down the lodge. Pretty fun!!

Funny story. They were throwing the garter and AJ was so awkward standing in a group of young boys. He definately didn't want to catch it, and he didn't. I think he is afraid of commitment right now. Silly guy!

I have loved our quiet little family moments. My favorite part is how simple it can be. I love just taking everyone out and catching the colts. It seems like the weather is just perfect and things are so wonderful. Our new filly is getting pretty big. She is almost as big as the two colts from last year. Her mom is also continually growing. Cherry, loves to eat. Curt doesn't think she has lifted her head since arriving in the new pasture. She is a good mom though and lets us work with her baby really well. Shoshoni, our horse that lost her filly to the wolves, is a second mom to this little babe we call Suprise. She is often much more protective than Cherry.

We recently borrowed Aunt Cathy's walker for Carter. I love this walker because unlike the new ones, it is smaller, and can be set really low to the ground. It is currently on the second notch and Carter is busy scooting around the house like a mad man. He also gets pushed around by his sister. Sometimes she puts him random places and leaves him there. My biggest worry is keeping the basement door shut. Carter's biggest worry is getting tied up because he is the bad guy in a game he doesn't quite understand!

The cows have arrived! It seems like in the past 7 years since I have helped Curt with the cows they have been showing up later and later in the summer. This is due to the weather and to our busy lifestyle. This year it was definately a weather issue. It was way too wet and snowy to get in to the pasture to fix the fence and then too wet to get a truck into the corrals. On June 29, forty cows were unloaded and it was a fun experience as it always is.

The night before I was getting together a crockpot of roast cooking. Curt asked why, and I told him that it was for barbeque the next day. He told me it wasn't a big deal and didn't understand why I was bringing lunch. I kindly reminded him that we have done a lunch when the cows came for a long time. This time however, I think was the best. The barbeque was actually Cafe Rio' pork and is absolutely delicious!

On our way home The crock pot was sitting on the floor of Curt's truck. I mentioned several times to Hailee not to step on it. She did. The lid turned and in went Hailee's cow-pie covered boots. So much for tastey left-overs. Good thing it is an easy recipe!

Hailee has always been such a big helper. Her favorite thing to do is whatever I am doing. She loves to vacuum and has her very own pink one that she uses when I am vacuuming. Lately we have introduced a few more chores. She can help wash the pans, wipe the tables and chairs. She also picks up her toys and folds laundry. I'm sure she would do much more if I was prepared to let her!

Hailee is such a growing kid. She loves taking pictures and is so silly sometimes! The long, hot, and BUSY summer days are putting a toll on this three year old energizer bunny. She is hardly ever able to stay up past 8 and more often is out by 7. She goes hard all day long and hardly takes time to eat. The most memorable was when she had been playing all day with her friends Leah and Lilly outside. I knew she was tired and so I threw her in the bathtub and got her in her pajamas. She sat at the table and ate her dinner. I was in the living room feeding Carter and talking to her. All of a sudden she stopped talking and I went to check on her and she was OUT. It was so funny. I left her there just so her dad could see her and so I could take a few pictures.

WE LOVE SUMMER!

Hailee Updates

Hailee is growing and changing all the time. I am shocked all the time by what she says or does. She has words in her vocabulary that just amaze me! I love that she is so quick, but I am realizing all too fast that she is watching me ALL the time. I am definately trying to be more aware around her and I am ever so grateful for that! She is a great little person to offer reminders to better myself! She loves eating her breakfast and is so sweet to talk to her brother and help me with him. She is often bigger than she needs to be. Can you tell how much Carter wants her food. He is totally drooling right there by the way!

She is very artistic and into writing these days. With all of the rain, we have been stuck inside a lot and so she was going through around 10-20 sheets of copy paper a day! She was making pictures and letters for EVERYONE! I am glad we can go outside now!

She LOVES working with her dad. He is good to be patient when he can with her and I don't think he quite realizes how much it means to her. She has a new found independence and will escape the house and run out to the shop to "go to work." She sometimes gets brought back tears and all, but a lot of times she gets to help with something for a little bit.

She loves being surrounded by all of the animals. She still chases the geese around the yard, tries to pick up the cats, and takes a rest with the dogs in the shade. She really does live the life right now.

She also creates quite the messes. She actually isn't that messy, this is colored bubbles. ( Not something I think is really worth the stress). She totally thought she was in trouble, and kept saying, "don't be mad mom, we can wash it." She was right, we can, and I wasn't mad. I must have looked like it though as I was snapping several photos of the scene.

Hailee is so silly. This is Carter's but she always runs around pretending it is her backpack.

9 times out of ten she is sweet and loving to Carter. Then there are those times when she wants her space. Such as on her first ride of the summer. There just wasn't room on the saddle according to Hailee.

This is our silly diva at her best. She is all ready to go out. She always has her backpack/purse packed to the brim. I love this look!

This is a funny night.We had rode in the tractor that afternoon for several hours. She slept the entire time and we couldn't get her to wake up. Carter on the other hand, would NOT sleep! Well suprise, suprise! Curt went all night and who wanted to go out with him at 11 PM that night! Yes, wide-awake Hailee. She loaded up some drinks and a couple treats for her and her dad in a sack, put on her tool belt, and out she went. Curt said she helped him check the seed and other stuff, rode for a while, but was out at midnight. He brought her in a little later. I think it is really fun how much she loved going with her dad! I also think it is really neat that her dad takes her out with him!

Hailee updates:

At 3 years old she weighed 27 pounds.

She wears 3 T on top and 2T on bottom. She wear size 5 1/2 shoes and basically anything pink.
Her favorite color is pink.

She LOVES chocolate and gum.

She LOVES breakfast foods.

She is a great baker and cleaner.

She is a great friend and goes a little crazy around other kids. (She is improving the more we do it!)

She loves art and playing games.

She has recently started speaking foreign languages, some real, some her own. Blame that one on Ni Hi Kolan and Dora!

She is silly and does silly things like mimmicking voices and dressing funny.

She always calms me down by saying, "It will be ok mom." I need that sometimes.

She is full of energy and sometimes it is hard to restrain, and sometimes I don't want to restrain her!

She is great about brushing her teeth and saying prayers.

She is a sweet, all girl, all out tough 3 year-old!

Cute Carter Moments

He loves to stand. He needs his "stand time." Hailee was the same way and it can get a little tiring always holding their little hands, but I promise you it nevers tires you out! Especially when you know how much they love it because they sport you this huge "Aren't you proud of me" smile!


He WANTS food. He screams and bawls anytime you eat around him. He watches the food go in and it drives him banannas. He even starts crying when you drink water, or get the water from the fridge for that matter! It is pretty pathetic, but it is also quite adorable!

He has entered the "I can sit up if mom puts me in the right spot and I don't reach out too far" stage.

Because he has been wanting food so darn bad, I did start feeding him. He is NOT a fan of apple sauce, but likes the rest. He likes it so much that after a couple bites he gets to crying because he can't figure out how to swallow it fast enough! Again kind of sad, but he is learning! He ate banannas tonight and loved them. It was his best feeding yet, and he didn't have any spitups!! WAHOO!

This is kind of blurry, but my little man has the MOST adorable smile! (See below!) He not only likes to stand but has recently started trying to walk. I really don't want him to be an early walker, but I don't think I have much choice in the matter!

Isn't this just ADORABLE!!! I love my Carter Man TONS!

Other Carter Facts:

Weighed 13.5 at 4 and a half months and was 25 inches long. He was in the 20% for both.

He rolled belly to back at 2 months and back to belly at 3 months.

He holds himself up off his chest and can reach and grab things.

He SCREAMS and gabbers all the time, esspecially when he wants Mommy time.

He stays dry through the night- weird I know.

He won't take a pacifier, but has a desperate desire to suck on something!

He watches TV. I know it is bad, but he turns and flips and whatever just to watch.

He drools like crazy!! I swear we go through 5 bibs a day just in slobber!

He loves playing with his toes and his sister is kind enough to take off his socks for him!

He is absolutely loveable and gives the best slobber-kisses around!

Happy Father's Day!

For Father's Day we had my Mom and StepDad Jack out for Dinner on Saturday. It was WAY fun just hanging out and playing Trek West. I won, which made for a great night! I tried a new recipe and the pork was delicious, but the rice was yucky! Our dogs still haven't eaten the stuff!!!

On Sunday we had my Dad and StepMom Lorelie, Roni and Tadd, and AJ out for dinner. It was a great time. I have been trying to be all "cook-like" and it actually was pretty good that night. I made Honey Mustard Chicken. I was happy even though I was about a half hour late! It was a great night. AJ stayed late and we played Trek West. A long weekend, but totally worth it!



The best part about Father's Day was that my kids could spend it with their dad! He is so great to take time for them, even when he is tired or stressed out. He loves them both and I have loved watching the man I fell in love with become a Daddy. Yes, a daddy. One day he will be a dad, but for now it is perfectly fine that he watches Tangled, eats pink pancakes, and paints finger nails! Uncle Tadd and Taylor got to ride horses with us after dinner! It was so fun even though poor Shoshoni was pretty muddy from all the rain. We just let the kids ride her because she is pretty sore in the back legs right now.

Out on the deck watching the horse rides.

A fun picture of Aunt Roni and Uncle Tadd. Notice the height difference, it is a little exaggerated here.

My cute little man and his his grandpa! He is getting so big!

This enormous moth was hiding under the siding. AJ took a great fascination in it! I think they made a special bond....

The Second best part about Father's Day was spending it with my dad! He rocks!

Gymnastics!!

Now that Hailee is 3, she can start taking dance!! I LOVE that we are in this stage and that she LOVES dancing!I started dancing at 3, actually from Curt's mom, Trudy. I took several dance classes and a couple of years of gymnastics from my mom. My mom was a very talented gymnist and is as excited as I am to get Hailee dancing. She will be in ballet in September, but I thought a more active group activity, such as gymnastics would be a good ice breaker. So far Hailee talks about it all the time. It is the highlight of her week! Her favorite part----the PIT---- it is a big pit filled with square foams, that you jump into.

I am a thorough believer in getting your kids active early. I know it helps with coordination, communication skills, and team work among many more areas. So far I like the gymnastics.

Mother's Day!

The BEST part of Mother's Day was spending it with my Mother!!! Yeah! My kids love having Grandma here to play and cuddle with them.

My little brother changed his first diaper, EVER, not a bad one, but it was a nice gesture. Carter was a little worried, I could tell.

Hailee and I made lovely playdough flowers for grandma! Too bad our colors got mixed, now they are more mud-colored!

At nursery Hailee made me this cute flower bouquet. Each flower has a special job she could do, like "hugs", "clean up", "kisses." It was really sweet.