And the Wedding Bells Ring

Sorry I've been MIA - I'm in Kansas for my girlfriend's wedding. Michelle Vogt married Randy Bradford May 24, 2007 in the Nauvoo, Illinois temple. So wonderful! Will post more when I return.

Swimming Attire

Alden has a new swimming outfit - new sandals, new swim shirt, and new goggles. And then there are the new floaties he didn't need for our pool. Our thanks to Walmart for 2/$1 goggles and $1 floaties. Plus Emmett's $3 b-day present of the truck full of sand toys, which work well in the water too. (What do you get for a one year old with an older sibling?) Alden loves the goggles, he wore them for over 2 hours straight, I swear. When we finally took them off because he couldn't see through the fog anymore he had marks that didn't fade for another hour. We love that half our back yard is shaded during the afternoon - we'll probably spend many post-nap periods out there.

I Swear I Don't Beat Him

Today I took the boys to the doctor for Emmett's 12 month well visit/check-up. He looked pretty decent when we got there, both scabs having fallen off his face from 2 times I accidentally scratched him, and no overt bumps and bruises. That's the fun thing about learning to walk - you fall down a lot and run into things. It does not help to have a brother who constantly pushes you and runs you over. In we go to our waiting room, but by the time the dr. gets there, we have had 2 major incidents and new dingers to show for it. The doc said the one on his browbone will surely turn black and blue (and purple and green). The funny thing is, neither of these was Alden's fault. Guess I should have left Alden with someone so I could concentrate on Emmett. But I can't follow him around with my arms outstretched to catch him all day long, can I? Emmett's check-up went well and we even got a Rx for the bad diaper rash. But poor Emmy, after all that - he had to get 4 shots! So sad to be one!

Go, Emmett! It's Your Birthday! Have a Party!

Excited to start this birthday thing at 5:15 am.

So big! Still on the bottle, but can walk and drink simultaneously.

My sweet baby, Emmett, turned 1 on Thursday and we tried to make the day a little special for him. He had portraits taken and they were all so cute, I had a hard time choosing and ordered too many. I'll post them in a few weeks. But the big party was this afternoon. Like all 1 year olds, Emmy had no idea what was going on, but enjoyed the kids here to play with him. And apparently he loves cupcakes, even after the trauma of having chocolate frosting cleaned out of your eyes, ears, and nose. It did take a bit to calm him down after that. A big thank you to all the people who dropped by, and thanks for the gifts also - we will put them to good use. If you were one of the many people who couldn't make it - don't feel bad - Emmett didn't miss you, even if Aaron & I did. But come see us soon!

New Shoes

For the first time ever, I spent more than $5 on a pair of shoes for Alden. I have had success on ebay and the second-hand stores - not to mention the many generous people who have passed on stuff to us. These were $15! I almost choked. But I think they're kinda retro cool - hopefully.

Let me know if you have a good (cheap) source for kids shoes and clothes.

The Big Day!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy Jig

What a trip! We had a wonderful time and for me the whole thing was very relaxing. Probably not as much for Aaron as he watched the kids a bunch of times while I played with my girlfriends. But if it weren't for the 2 car rides, it would have been darn near perfect for me. We did make it back in record time, despite the tears falling from at least three of our faces. Just two pictures of me and my friends. Lori and I love to do the self-portraits - we have tons! Lindsay and I somehow forgot our cameras at women's conference. We are wearing the matching pjs that Katy gave us for Christmas. Thanks, Kate! Our thanks again to the Moores and Youngs for putting us up - we miss all of you already!

Showing off the new BYU apparel.

Now back to normal life. Anyone know where you can take your car to degunk the filth of two tired parents and two small boys traveling in a too small car for way too many hours? We are so getting a minivan before we have another kid!

Utah, Take III & IV

Highlights:

• meeting new friends
• J-Dawgs
• bowling at the Wilkie
• kids meals at the Creamery
• spending time with family & old friends
• Emmett's
• Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum

Is it sad that 3 of the 7 items on the list are places we ate? Don't judge us - we love food! We are having tons of fun hangin' with the Moores, visiting cool people & places, and enjoying the quality family time.