Aunt Angie

Angie, Justin's aunt, came to stay with us for 10 days to be here when her son, Landon, got home from his mission. It was so wonderful having her here! (And I'm not just saying that cause you read this, Angie! :) ) I loved the company (not to mention the help around the house and with the kids!!) and the kids both took to her so quickly and always wanted her to hold them and play with them. B-rax liked to help her in the kitchen, but Angie had to teach him, "I'm the chef!" cause he wanted to help a little too much sometimes! I know Justin enjoyed having her here too. She is one of the few people who really knows and understands him, and she always has good advice for whatever is happening in our lives at the moment. It was a sad day when she left!

"Im the chef!!"

We love you Angie and can't wait for you to stay with us again!

Harvest Time

Look at those sweet, juicy, succulent peaches... Mmmmmm....

And they taste even better than they look.

Kiddos May '10

Braxton got an owie. It actually happened a few months ago, and all that's left is a lovely scar. He refused to let me put anything on it, so now he will have a testament of his stubbornness on his face the rest of his days. It was weird how it happened. We were having a family party for my Mother's birthday just a few days before Alisha left on her mission, and some of us were standing around a fire chatting. Not even close to the fire, like 5 feet away too. Braxton runs over, throws his arms around my legs and looks up at me to beg for some water, when suddenly a little ember shoots out of the fire and arcs across the open air to plop right down on his tender little face. Very weird. I am just grateful it didn't land another inch higher in his eye.

This is his "I have said 'cheese' three times now mom, just take the darn picture!" face. :)

Braxton is talking pretty much in full sentences now. He loves telling us stories about his day and some cool thing he saw. He is starting to really become a daddy's boy (it's about time!) and can't wait for him to get home every night so he can run to him and throw his arms around his neck. Justin couldn't be happier about that. He has been waiting a long time to have a little buddy to hang out with! Braxton is a social nut and any kid he sees is immediately his friend. He can't get enough of the outdoors, swimming, and ice cream or chocolate (still his momma's boy in that regard!)

I can't get him to keep his shoes on. No matter where we are or go, within minutes he had his shoes off and is running with the wind again. May change once he realizes the Arizona ground is a frying pan in the summer, but for now I can't help but let him get away with it. He is a free spirit. Hey, they are only young once, right?

Bella gets more sweet and cuddly every day, though she definitely already has an attitude, and she lets us know it! She started taking steps a few weeks ago, and mastered it quickly. It was neat to watch how persistent she was. She never gave up or resorted back to crawling once she started taking a few steps. She would fall over and get right back up and try it again, even if she was frustrated or crying. It makes me happy to watch her plump little body waddling around everywhere. I just want to gobble her up.

She loves climbing on anything and everything. I am amazed at some of the things she gets on top of. And I may be a horrible mother for it, but sometimes I allow her to climb on things I probably shouldn't because I can't wait to see that triumphant smile she flashes when she accomplishes her goal. She is a go-getter and life is going to be a ride with this one.

Bella finally has a tooth! Her first bottom one broke through about 2 weeks ago. She won't even touch baby food anymore and insists on having only "grown up" food, which sometimes is hard with only her one tooth. She makes it work though and always rewards me with her giant gummy smile that plays a magical chord in my heart. She LOVES cheese, cheese, and more cheese, and of course frozen yogurt. Wouldn't be my child if she didn't. :)

Dusting

Saw this on a cousin's blog, and loved it. All I have to say is "Amen!"

Remember...a layer of dust protects the wood beneath it.

'A house becomes a homewhen you can write 'I love you' on the furniture.'

I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect - 'in case someone came over. Finally I realized one day that no-one came over; they were all out living life and having fun!!!!!!!

NOW, when people visit, I don't have to explain the'condition' of my home.

They are more interested in hearing about the things I've been doing while I was away living life and having fun.....

If you haven't figured this out yet, please heed this advice.

Life is short. Enjoy it!
Dust if you must ...
but wouldn't it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake cookies or a cakeand lick the spoon or plant a seed, ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time . . . .
with Chocolate to eat, rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music, to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must,
but the world's out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair,a flutter of snow, a shower of rain. This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must ,

but bear in mind, old age will come and it's not kind. . .

And when you go - and go you must - you, yourself will make more dust!

It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.

First Swim '10

This was about a month ago. B-rax LOVES going swimming with his Daddy! Justin has been jumping in the pool for awhile now (Crazy kid!) but it was finally warm enough for Braxton to join him.

The dogs wanted in on the action! Loui can't swim though and Marley is too chicken to try. He did fall in once though and swam out just fine...but won't get close again since then. He is a big boob.

"I like to move it move it!"

I find her in the oddest places...

And always with a smile on her beautiful face!

Easter 2010

We had a sweet n' simple Easter. B-rax loved his Thomas train and new Thomas DVD and of course ate way too much candy. I love that I can still take part in the magic of the holidays through my children. There is nothing like the joy of a child!

"Wake up sleepyhead! Its Easter!!

Bella in her Easter dress!

Lyn Rae Ward Easter Egg Hunt '10

Heaven on Earth

I am sitting on a blue squeaky swing,

A beautiful babbling baby wiggling in my arms.

I sway steadily back and forth,

Matching the rhythm of the surrounding trees

As they dance wildly with the wind.

I close my eyes and feel the cool air

As it rushes over my skin.

The sweet scent of Orange Blossoms is thick and heavy.

It washes over me and makes my mouth water

With its tantalizing aroma.

I inhale again, just to see if I can really taste it this time.

Almost.

A sparrow whistles a happy tune,

And another joins in with twittling harmony.

A chorus of birds begin to serenade me

With their chirps and hums and peeps and whistles.

Nature's Masterpiece.

I hear my favorite word, "Mamma,"

And turn to see my brown-haired boy,

As he demonstrates his latest trick.

A fantastic smile, hair whipping in the wind,

Barefoot, dirt smudged from head to toe,

And blissfully happy.

I can't help but smile back in complete

Adoration.

The pearly pink sky is changing.

Firy red and orange set the horizon ablaze

As the setting sun desperately throws

Its last rays of light across the sky,

Reluctant to leave this magnificent day.

My drooling cherub squirms around

And climbs her way up my lap.

Twinkling emerald eyes stare back at me

With absolute, beautiful innocence.

A squeal of glee, chubby arms encircle my neck,

And a path of never-ending love is seared into my heart.

This is Heaven on Earth.

Bulldog Canyon

We took a little trip out to Bulldog Canyon a couple weeks ago before Alisha left on her mission. The weather was B-E-A-Utiful, the food was awesome, the company couldn't be beat. Another great memory to cherish.

Dad shooting off the potato gun. Can't go out to the desert without the potato gun!

Watching the taters FLLYYYY

Alisha, Nathan and Becca's brother waiting to catch a flying tater

Food. Mmmmm, mmmmm, Gooooood.

I love happy babies!

Roasting the wieners on a stick. The best way

Hyrum and B-rax sittin' by the fire

The kids got to go on a great Easter egg hunt!! Braxton's favorite part of the night

It wouldn't be a camp fire if mom weren't playing her guitar and singing her heavenly songs. Dad playing the saw was a special treat. Yes, the saw. Like one you cut wood with. Like I said, its a special treat.

I love my family!! Thanks for the memory!