Lagoon Day 2012

One of the many perks about E's company is the annual trip to the amusement park. The company pays for the entire family's admittance and food. It is seriously awesome. Each year E's family looks forward to Lagoon Day even more than we do. Everyone wants to see James go on rides and they are always eager to spend the day with the family.

Yesterday was HOT. Like really hot. We decided to go late in the day and spend only as long and James wanted to. We ate and chatted with E's coworkers and James asked us to go on a couple of rides (even one alone!). We didn't want to pressure him at all, so when he asked, we were all thrilled that he was willing.

Now onto more photos than you likely care to see:

First ride of the day was the Merry-go-round. James chose the sweet gray kitty to ride.

 James was very focused on watching the rides and deciding what to choose.

Finally he choose this space ship one. It was one where the kiddo rode alone. E and I asked him a couple of times if he wanted to go on, and he never wavered. "Yes!" he said.

Once the ride started we thought we might get tears, but no, look at this smile!!

 He chose the blue ship all himself and was thrilled.

 He went "up down up down and around and around!"

 Lots of photos because he was just so sweet.

 We went on the kiddo swings.

 What an adoring crowd. Seriously, everyone's face is so full of love. James has quite a fan club.

After our Old Timey photos were taken we were super duper hot. James asked for the big waterfall ride and once on it decided he hated it. His little head was so low he couldn't see over the darn edge of the boat. The big splash was fun, however.

 Near the end of the ride I let him stand up.

 And one more funny Old Timey photo, we are such a silly group.

And one of just my family, because James's and Juliet's face just kill me. James was not happy. He didn't like the costume or the heat, or sitting still for that matter. When the workers told us to all make a serious face, James made the most serious of all. ;)

PS - Juliet was there. Other than the photos of her in the group shot, she mostly hung out and slept in the stroller the entire time. Such an easygoing baby! Didn't even get a photo of her, but she looked adorable.

Outlaws and saloon girls

Outlaws and saloon girls, circa 1853

I personally think the smallest saloon girl steals the show. Click on the picture to make it bigger.

More Lagoon goodness coming soon to a blog near you. (I'm off to cool down, it was hot!)

My extremely hot week {according to Instagram}

Oh man it's been roasting around these parts. This is how I spent the last extremely hot week:

1. Short (thrifted!) dresses and leg rolls in the shade.  2. He found a forgotten piece of charcoal. And he looks like a puppy dog!


3. We still take a lot of walks when its early, and James's favorite part of any walk is throwing rocks in the ditch up the road. Our sweet neighbor helps him locate the biggest rocks.  4. Lots and lots of water activities. James simply adores the sprinkler.


5. Weekly visits to see Nana. 6. Late morning bedtime snuggles (James was waking at 6:30 am but now is sleeping until 8:00! Whoa!!)


7. Daddy took James to the pool last weekend and the girls stayed home in the AC.  8. Picnic in the mountains when it's 100 degrees in the valley.


9. Stay until sunset. 10. Last light at Silver Lake.


11. This little girl loves her Daddy! 12. We didn't know what to do last Sunday when it was 100 degrees, smoky, and windy so we decided on the Aquarium. It was Juliet's first visit and she was mesmerized (just like James was on his first visit!).


13. One night James pulled everything out of his crib and slept on the floor. What a goof!  14. Another day he woke up and the first things out of his mouth was "I want ice cream!" so later that day we decided on an ice cream date.


15. My sister nannies the two cutest boys. Best thing? Now we have play dates and it is a little surreal, it feels like we are both Mamas. The younger boy loves babies and gave Juliet a hug and kiss. 16. All three boys playing in the backyard on the slide. It was so so hot.  (Both of these last photos are from my sis, follow her @neverhappier on Instagram!)

PS - I made it MUCH easier to leave comments (no more of that horrible word verification). I'm not asking for comments per se (I do love them so!), but wanted to let you know that if you want to leave one, it's easier now. ;)

James says

James has been saying the funniest stuff as of late. When I was pregnant one of the things I was most excited about was when my children started talking, and saying funny things. Well the time has come! He cracks me up on a daily basis. I try to write things down when he says them, so I don't forget. Here's a few recent gems:

• He hates diaper changes. Hates them. Acts like I'm shoving a nail through his foot. So to try to get him to hold still and stop the ever-loving crying, we've talked a lot about how a clean bum feels nice, and to have "poo-poos" on our bum hurts. Well now when you wipe his butt he says "that feels really nice!" in a high pitched soprano voice. So so funny.


• He told me today "Salad makes Daddy very very happy!" (No idea why he thinks E loves salad so much, but he always talks about it).


• When driving in the car "Come on Mr. Light! Turn green Mr. Light! No more red Mr. Light!" I have no idea where he learned mister from, or why the light is "Mr. Light" but adorable.


• One night at bedtime he noticed he could see the sun shinning through the leaves and onto his wall. He told Daddy "the wall is blink-a-ling!"


• He says "I think!" in the highest of the high voices and adds it to everything. For example "Murray Park sound good (and then he changes into his soprano voice) I think!"


• He stepped on some rough dirt without shoes on the other day and said "it's really sparkly right here on my feet."


• "I want to X-plore!"


• Finally around Easter he understood that special gifts were from the Easter Bunny (he didn't quite get the concept at Christmas, so Santa will blow his mind next year). Whenever he sees something he really likes, he says "Easter Bunny brought this!" One day he told E that "Easter Bunny brought kitchen and living room and James's room. Really nice Easter Bunny!"


• He thinks of random things out of the blue. He said "I love Puffer Pete so much!" today and "Honeydew is James's favorite" the other day.


• And one last thing, he doesn't quite understand "me" and "you" yet. He always asks to "pick you up". He sometimes asks for a hug and says "a pick you up hug!" Melts me. 

I love this kiddo. More than he will ever know.

The smallest weekend post ever

We planned on going to my cabin on Sunday because we knew James would love it. Love it. Forests to explore, rivers and rocks, and trails to hike. But on Sunday morning he woke up on the wrong side of the bed and told us "feeling icky" over and over. So we decided to bag our plans and go when he's feeling up to a day full of sun.

So, because I was planning on bringing my big camera to the cabin, and then we didn't end up going, I have only two photos to share. I did a quite a bit of Instagram photos over the weekend, so I'll post those later this week.

Until then, here is a tiny peek into our weekend:

Oh this girl's thighs. They are so rolly polly. I just love them.

 And this boy kept asking for "more upside down neck tickles", so I really had no other choice.

On Saturday night we went up the canyon with a huge group of friends and Logan and Brooke announced they are having TWINS in December!!! It was quite a happy announcement, and I smile every time I think about it.

My week according to Instagram

1. He still loves the pine tree next door. We visit it at least three times a day. 2. Eyes.


3. Since Juliet is now going to bed at seven, I have some time to myself for the first time in ages. Last night I went to the thrift stores (something I always enjoy) and got all these goodies for $9.96! 4. James - June 2010, Juliet - June 2012


5. Beautiful morning at the park. 6. Spraying a sprinkler on his Mama, which of course is hilarious.


7. Eating ice cream on our patio, enjoying the sunset with my sweet husband. 8. Only photo from our dinner at Snowbird. Juliet was fussy and cried a bit. Finally she drifted off.


9. Every morning for the last ten or so years I've put two sugar cubes in my coffee. Sugar cubes are becoming harder and harder to find, and they no longer carry them at any of my local stores. These were my last two. The end of an era. 10. Yee-ha!


11. This vintage romper was mine when I was a babe. It reads "thank heaven for little girls" 12. This kiddo has not been going to bed well. He wakes up grumpy in the morning because of his late night the night before. My only solution? Start shortening his crazy long naps. He does not want to get up.


13. Wheeler Farm date with my sis. James found a rock. 14. Another day, another park (oh wait, judging by the outfit, it seems as if it was the same day, we often visit two parks in a day). This one has the best tree fort.


15. "Looks like a beautiful day Mama!"  16. Chunky monkey at her four month appt. She looks a bit filled out. ;)


17. Only good thing about waking a boy from his naps? He's willing to snuggle for a bit. 18. Summer reds, me and my boy.


19. So much drool. 20. Our bedtime routine just got 50% crazier. (He asks for jammie hat almost every night).

To see all my Instagram photos (yes, there are more!) check out my feed here. Or follow me at HappierStill.