A Temporary Thomas Truce

The boys have been fighting a lot this summer, but they have also been playing a lot together. They go back and forth all day. I love to see it when they play side by side. They are both into Thomas the Train and is probably the source of most of their fun and their fights.

YEE HAA TEXAS!

The first week in July we went to Texas and our first stop was Amarillo to spend time with my sister and her family!

Can you imagine the fun we had with these 6 kids?

Loads for fun! We played and played. It was crazy at times, but for the most part it was just fun. The kids got along so well.. Nobody got sick until the last day or until after we left.. We went swimming where Gavin showed that he has no fear and Eli uncharacteristically showed fear, by by the end he was jumping into te deep end. We ate yummy food.. We bounced and bounced at Jump N Jive, we learned at the discovery center, we went on a hike, and the kids just played and bonded.

Anna Min and I also had a great time just being together. I am extremely jealous of my sister, which is why I hesitate to show a picture of us side by side. But, mostly I just admire my sister. She is such a great mom, a great friend, and a great sister. We had so much fun just spending time together. We were even able to play a game of tennis and play some volleyball pepper.

Boyd was able to be there for the first couple of days. We were able to celebrate the 4th of July together. We went to my some friends of my sisters where they had large slip n slide, bbq, water, golf, swings, trampoline, and of course fireworks. Jereme it was great to see you too!

After Amarillo, it was off to Dallas where we were able to spend a couple of days with our good friends, the Killoughs, who moved from New York a year and half ago and their absence is still felt! We had a great time playing and hanging out with them. Gavin and Meg spent the first couple years of their life around each other quite a bit, and they are still great friends!

They had just moved into their new home and were already willing to host us in their beautiful home. It was 105 degrees the whole time we were there, so we went to a few indoor things, like Cabella's and Gaylord Texas.

We also went to the Ft. Worth Stockades and got a little Texas culture in us!




and of course, ICE CREAM!


We had a wonderful time catching up with the Killoughs!

God Bless Texas!

An evening out

When Boyd and I were dating, he gave me a gift for my birthday. Three or four weeks before my birthday, he told me he got me this gift and he couldn't wait to give it to me. He kept bringing it up. I kept speculating on what it could be and of course for a girl who loves surprises, I could hardly wait for my birthday. I didn't expect it be a ring at that point, so I am not exactly sure what I thought it would be. The big day came and the time for the unveiling arrived. I ripped the paper off to find... A picnic basket... I was dead silent. Now, don't think I was ungrateful for the picnic basket. I thought it was very romantic, but I think it the moment, I was unable to act as elated as I think he hoped I would. I guess I had been imagining many things in the all the work up for the day, that a picnic basket just didn't have the "surprise" factor. I guess I am telling this story because we finally used it for the 2nd time last night and it was perfect.

A very kind friend offered to watch the boys while we went to the free New York Philharmonic concert in the park. We have gone every year, but in the years prior we have sat way in the back and we have had the kids. We have never lasted more than a half an hour and we had never seen the fireworks that come after the concert. So this year, I decided to make it a romantic date for the 2 of us. I wanted to sit closer to the front. Diane told us that most people who get front spots got them early in the morning the day of and put blankets down and then leave. I was a bit hesitant to do this since I wasn't sure if that was a fair way to save seats (Monica, I am sure you won't be happy with me). But, I decided that since that is how most people do it, I am going to follow the crowd).

I got there early to put a tarp down, but I was informed by other seat savers that tarps aren't allowed and that the parks people will take the tarps if they see them. I decided to leave it anyway. When we returned an hour and half before the show, the crowds were so heavy I wasn't sure I would find my lone tarp. I luckily spotted one after climbing through crowds, but there were people sitting on it. It turns out it wasn't my tarp, my tarp blew onto the blanket front of the one they were sitting on. How convenient for them. We were about to leave, but a guy that I met earlier when I was there earlier saw me. He told me he saw my tarp fly and saved us a seat on his many blankets. What a nice guy.

We sat on our new friends blanket and pulled out our dinner from that special picnic basket and enjoyed a romantic evening together amongst our fellow New Yorkers..

It was cut short by lightening, so once again we missed the fireworks. Next weekend will be our 6th Anniversary and I am sure that we will have many more years of our own fireworks!

Vroom Vroom-- A CARS Birthday

In Gavin's prayer this weekend he thanked Heavenly Father for his CARS Birthday, so I think it was a success.

We had to change it to an indoor party because rain was in the forecast. So, we had over 12 kids and several adults in our small apartment. We had black and white balloons to go along with our race car theme. Orange cones were scattered throughout the house. Gavin insisted on helping me with the race car cake..

Boyd stayed up with me until 3 Am the night before making cars out of boxes. I intended for simpler car, but the kid in Boyd always goes for the coolest.

The rain held out long enough to bring 12 kids holding onto a rope over to the nearest park where they could live out their race car dreams!


Boyd lead the kids in song on his Guitar and then it was song and cake time!

Gavin could hardly handle all the excitement! He loved every minute of it!
It was a Happy Birthday indeed.

Gavin at Four

Thoughtful: Eli broke a necklace I had purchased for Gina's wedding that I had searched high and low for and spent more than I normally would for an accessory. I was furious and Gavin new that I had been. A few weeks after the incident, Gavin made a necklace at Preschool. When I picked him up at that day, I picked up his stuff and put in his backpack. We were walking home he kept asking me where necklace was. I finally pulled it out and he said, "This necklace is for you because Eli broke your special necklace." He was so proud. I couldn't take it off that whole day because it really touched me. He has become aware of other's feelings. He held my hand the other day when I was laying on the bed because I wasn't' feeling well. (Eli took the other hand following his brother's lead)

Example: Eli follows Gavin's every move. Everything Gavin does Eli wants to do it to. If Gavin is playing with something or eating something, Eli wants it. It drives Gavin crazy, but I also think he kind of likes it. He is excited to teach Eli to do something. He was able to get Eli to finally lay down in the bath tub by showing him how to do it.

adventurous: While he has never been a big daredevil and he is quite cautious, he is becoming a bit more adventurous. He is climbing on everything. He is a pro at his scooter. He loves to swim.

sensitive: Gavin is having a hard time controlling his emotions right now. He is easily riled up. He is easy to upset and offend. He gets hurt quite easily. (physically and emotionally.) But, that makes him sensitive to other's feelings as well, so I think it is a good thing in the long run! :)
Imagination: He is into Disney's CARS right now and it is fun to hear him play with his toys and create new worlds. He still loves trains. He is also enjoying cooking. He wants to help me with dinner almost every night. HE always makes breakfast with his Daddy.

He is a daddy's boy right. Who can blame the boy when he has such a fun dad. Here is a Tie he made for his dad for Father's Day. He was so excited to have him wear it. Boyd got some great compliments on it!

Does it get any better than this?

Gavin on the beaches of Ft. Tilden, Picture by Brecken Cook

So Proud

Gavin gave his first talk this past Sunday in primary and he made his mommy and daddy so proud.

Elder and Sister Nolte, also known and Grandma and Grandpa and mom and dad, finished their missionary training. They crossed the border into Mexico on Sunday and drove down to Tampico beginning their missionary adventure. Luckily Gina got married the weekend they finished their time in the MTC and I got to see them when I was in town for the wedding. I was so proud to see them with their missionary name tags.

I was able to to attend my dear friend Gina's wedding/sealing in the Salt Lake Temple. She looked so beautiful and more importantly so happy. I was so proud seeing her marry the person she has patiently awaited.

I was able to attend the wedding with both Monica and Julia and feel so proud to have such amazing friends. It was a very nostalgic trip for me. I wished that Boyd could have been there with me to share in the excitement and I wanted him to somehow know that part of my life. For fun, I am showing a picture of us then and now. Thanks Monica for the pictures.

Monica, me, (laura), and Julia / summer of 1999 Salt Lake Temple

Monica, me, and Julia / Summer of 2009 Salt Lake Temple

I don't have a have a pre-picture with Gina...