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The boys LOVE to play outside in the water. On really hot days, I filled up my two biggest bowls with water and put them out on the deck for the boys to play with. They thought it was great fun and would play with the bowls of water for quite a while.
We decided that perhaps they needed something just a little bigger to play in. They love the pool even more.

Happy Birthdays!!

We had a couple of wonderful birthdays here this last week. William and I both turned 16 this year! Huh? You say we didn't turn 16? I was under the impression that you only got a car for your birthday when you turned 16. Yep, you read right. William and I both got cars for our birthdays!!

I got a 2008 Grand Caravan, and William got a 2010 Handy Manny Motorcycle.

For my birthday, we had Wanda and Robert over to play games and eat cheesecake. Philip got me a couple of cute new shirts and the boys got me a new pair of flip-flops.

William started his birthday off with a bang. On Friday, I took him to Wal-Mart to pick out a fish from Grandma M. and to spend his birthday money from Grandma and Grandpa B. (He picked out some balls.) This morning after a yummy muffin breakfast we opened presents. He got some new summer pjs and a new Thomas puzzle. And then, he got his cool new car. (I think Orion was super jealous of William this year.) We also all went to go see Rango, and had pizza for dinner. A great day for our wonderful 2 year old!

Compare and Contrast

Oliver recently had his 4 month check up. The doctor commented on how big he was, just like his brothers. And then she commented on how much they all look alike. And asked if they all looked like "this" at the same age. I told her no, that I thought Orion and Oliver looked more alike, and William less so. I'll let you decide what you think.

Oliver at 4 months

16 lbs.15.8 oz.

26 1/4 inches

William at 4 months

19 lbs. 14 oz.

27 1/2 inches

Orion at 4 months

19 lbs. 13 oz.

26 1/2 inches

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.)