Zoo

We went to the zoo the other day. Orion was our guide. I think he was more interested in the map then in the animals. He was ALWAYS looking at that thing trying to figure out where we were and where we were going next.


Ok, this picture of Oliver is supposed to be at the end. But I can't move pictures around anymore. (And I don't know why.) But isn't he just so cute!!!



Towards the end, the boys were walking rather slowly. William was THRILLED when Daddy picked him and gave him a ride.
So, this picture isn't great. But it was the last thing we did on the way out, and getting William to actually stay in one spot for it was nearly impossible!!

Easter

We had a fun Easter holiday this year. I'll admit, this year I kinda struggled with if and when we should do Easter Baskets. I really want my kids to know what Easter is all about, and not just that it is one more opportunity for candy and presents. But after much thought, I came to this conclusion. Growing up, we had Easter Egg hunts. We had Easter baskets. And I still have a testimony of the Atonement and Resurrection. I still know what Easter is all about. And my kids will too.

I am Blessed.

" god didn't give me a map of my life, so i'm a bit lost. he didn't bless me with a set of specific instructions. So im a bit difunctional, and he didn't make me with a manual so im kindof hard to understand. but what he did do is promise me light when im lost, a solution for every mistake, and unconditional love and understanding! GOD IS AWESOME!¡!¡"

One of my friends had the above statement as her FB status. And it just made me think about how blessed I am to have a knowledge of the Gospel in my life. God did give me a map for my life. It is called a Patriarchal Blessing. He did give me a set of specific instructions. They are called the Scriptures. And while He didn't send me with a manual for others to figure me out. He did send me to parents who taught me to be honest in all my dealings. While that doesn't necessarily make me easier to understand, I think it sure does help. (Just ask Philip.) I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and all the "things" has has given me to help make my journey in this life a little easier.

Orion got a hold of the camera the other day. This is a picture he managed to take of himself.

William LOVES playing with trains. Once we build a track for him, he will play happily by himself for quite a while. Trains are the first thing he asks for when he wakes up in the morning, and we usually don't pick up the tracks until right before bedtime prayers.

Oliver is smiling now. And in this particular picture, he looks a lot like Orion.

William has become a master at taking his pjs off without undoing the zipper. This night, he got them off just enough to stick his hand down his diaper. (If anyone has any great ideas on how to break him of the habit, I am open to suggestions.)

This is Orion saying "CHEESE". Not much has been going on with him lately. Just the usual stuff.
I have been watching my friend Shawnas' kids a lot this last month, and it has been a complete joy. Orion and Molly are great friends, and William and Bella are becoming great friends. They play catch together, and look at books together and are just generally happy together.
Oliver had his two month check up recently. He weighed 13 pound 8 oz. And was24 inches long. Compare that to Orion who was 15 pounds at two months, and William who was 17 pounds at two months (all were about 24 inches) and I think Oliver is our runt. That's ok, he is an awfully cute little runt. At his two month check up, we found out that I have mastitis. So now I am on an anti-biotic for that.
On Philips last flex Friday, it was pretty warm out. (Almost 60!!) So we took a family trip to the park. Orion and William were in heaven. We stayed for a couple of hours, and Orion was still super sad when we had to head home.
William has started taking pretend naps. It is very cute.
Orion just really wanted a picture taken with his brothers. It seems like whenever I have Ollie sitting on the couch both boys go and sit next to him and it is the perfect time to get out the camera.
For FHE treat, we had ice cream sandwhiches. And it is finally warm enough for them to eat their treat outside! (Although, I will admit that it probably isn't warm enough for them to be eating their treats outside with no pants on.)
A couple weeks ago, William started waking up in the middle of the night and was inconsolable. A few days later he developed a diaper rash. My children NEVER get rashes. So after a couple of days with it, I took him into the doctor. It wasn't just a rash, he had a strep infection on his bottom. Poor boy. He is on an anti-biotic now too.

Family Pictures 2011

We went and got our yearly Family Pictures taken yesterday. And can I just say how much I like the place where we get our pictures taken! I strongly suggest that if you need your pictures taken, to go to Portrait Innovations. They don't have a sitting fee. They do several different poses and backgrounds. And best of all, they are very affordable! Here is a link to visit their website.

http://www.portraitinnovations.com/

And no, they aren't paying me to talk them up. So without further ado, here are some of our favorites. (I say some because they took almost 200 pictures.)