Back To School

Cael just started his 2nd year of pre-school. His teachers this year are Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Veater. He goes 3 times a week in the afternoon. I am loving the schedule this year because Ava takes her nap for almost the whole time he's gone. So I'm able to get a lot done during those few hours. It's so fun to see the progress he's made since last year. He's already excited about going to kindergarten next year, but I believe it's because he thinks he gets to ride the school bus...which he doesn't, because we live so close to the school. :(

#3

To answer some of your questions...yes, I AM pregnant. I've been feeling pretty yucky lately, but if this pregnancy is anything like my other two, the sickness should go away in the next few weeks (hopefully!). I know I don't even get it as bad as some, and I'm grateful mine only lasts through the first trimester, but the constant nauseous feeling can sure make the hours drag on. And it was a sad day when the smell of my favorite laundry detergent started making me want to hurl, and I was forced to switch. :) Also, this is the reason why I ended up not running in the 1/2 marathon. I had an appointment with my doctor 3 days before the race, and due to certain things (I'll spare you the details), he recommended I not run in it. So, luckily I was able to sell my spot, and Andy and Allyson ran it alone. Oh well, there's always next year.

Aside from all that, we did have a great time in Montana. I'll get around to posting pictures of that trip and Lake Powell...someday. Finally, I have to say it's been fabulous having so much help around the house, since I've been so sick. Our maid, nanny and chef have helped out a ton. I know, I'm so spoiled! ***totally kidding, I would kill to have just one of those at this point, I dream about it daily!

Splish! Splash!

Cael and Ava love their nightly bath, and I do too!! There are few things better than the smell of a freshly washed child. YUM!

our favorite summer treat

All summer long I've been buying a box of these every time I go grocery shopping. Cael and Ava LOVE when I let them have one, and I've discovered Andy loves them just as much. Although, for awhile I couldn't figure out why we were going through them so fast. I've known Andy usually grabs more than one when he hits the freezer, but the other night I came down from bathing the kids and found him with about 15 empty wrappers. I thought it was so funny, and he had no shame in telling me that he does that quite often. I guess for only 30 calories per serving- they aren't that bad of an indulgence. :D

A Night at the Museum

Here we are at the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. We did it all...the exhibits, the sand & water sinks, the pretend quarry, touched the bones, and ate at the deli and the ice cream parlor. And after all I saw and supposedly "learned", I can still only name like 3 or 4 dinosaurs (pretty embarrassing). Going there was quite the activity to top off our already VERY busy day, and yet after all of it, Cael was begging to go to Wal-Mart...of all places. He sometimes comes up with some pretty random ideas of things we could go do, just to get out of going home and going to bed.

Congrats Scott!

I just want to congratulate Scott for graduating from the Firefighter and Paramedic Programs at UVSC (the soon to be UVU). He has put in many hours and hard work to earn his degree. Scott, I know you would never admit to this, but you've already been a hero countless times in your shifts in the ER, and on the ambulance, and in fighting all those forest fires. Many people have been blessed by the service you've rendered. I'm so glad you are now able to do what you've always dreamed of doing. We are all so proud of you, and love you so much.

Mullet Showcase

So, Ava's over a year and a half now and her hair is taking forever to grow in (Cael's was the same way-he was bald till he was 1). Andy will not let me cut it though, because some friends told us once that if you just leave it alone, and give it a little time, it will all even out. Well, the other day I HAD to trim up her bangs because they would hang right in front of her eyes if I didn't have them pinned back in a barrette. I thought it looked fine, given her hair's struggling right now anyway. But, when Andy came home that afternoon, he pointed out the obvious...that I'd basically given her a full-blown MULLET! So, now I'm trying to look at the positive side to all of this...like- her hair will grow back, so I should really embrace this time that she has a quite coveted hairstyle (among some people), and- if I actually do it up with pony tails or something, it doesn't look that bad, and- honestly, who wouldn't want a hairstyle where it's "all business up front and a party out back"! :)

the 24th

I've always loved the 24th celebration that Spanish Fork puts on. The parade, carnival, fireworks and rodeo are all among our favorites. I ran in the 10K again this year with Allyson, and we ALMOST broke 50 minutes...we'll get there someday. :) The weather all day long was great, just a bit overcast and breezy, so we never got too hot. We watched the fireworks down at the softball fields with the rest of the county it seemed. Andy brought a bunch of the neon light sticks that we had left over from the 4th, and ended up attracting every little kid around to our blanket. After Ava and Cael had a few of their own, he gave the rest away (he's always the life of the party). The fireworks were great. We did however have to watch the finale from our car, as we were driving home. Andy always has some well thought out escape plan to beat the traffic jams after events like that. His exact words this time were- "okay... when I say GO, you grab a kid, I'll grab a kid, and then book it to the car" (which was actually parked only about 10 feet from where we were). But he's dead serious, and if I don't haul tail- I'll hear from him. :) It was a fun day. A shout out to the great state of UTAH! Happy 24th!

Timpview Class of '97 Reunion

7.4.07

We began the day with the freedom festival parade, which was surprisingly enjoyable because we had great seats in the shade. Ava loved all the pretty girls that would wave at her, and Cael liked seeing Cosmo (BYU mascot) on a motorcycle. We sat by my family and the Fullers (Scott's in-laws). After the parade we had lunch at Scott and Brittany's house, and then got ice cream at the mall. It was quite a relaxing day. That night, Andy put on a fireworks show on the street in front of our house. The Harris' and the Nerias were very gracious spectators, they cheered after EVERY single one he lit. :) The only injury sustained that day was when Ava tripped on the driveway and skinned her cute little nose. All in all, it was a great 4th.

4 going on 14

Next week Cael will give his first talk in Primary, and he's pretty excited about it (which is unbelievable!). Ever since he entered primary, he hasn't really liked going to sharing time OR class, which has made Sundays a little rough around our house. Andy is at meetings all morning, so I'm left to get the kids ready, and needless to say, there is usually crying involved (sometimes by both parties). Cael will first hide from me, and then once I've found him it's a wrestling match to get him dressed. I honestly didn't think I'd be dealing with this stuff until I had teenagers. But, some good news... he and a few other kids just got switched over to the other Sunbeam class, due to growth in the ward. Now he acts like Primary is the coolest thing ever (I've concluded it's because of his teachers). I'm so grateful to people in the ward that take their callings seriously, and prepare good lessons, because that has made all the difference in the world with Cael. I know sometimes it gets discouraging to be a Primary teacher. I used to feel like the kids weren't ever listening or even cared...but being on the other end now, I know they do.

Happy Father's Day!!

Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad...Happy Father's Day, I love ya babe.

Hallelujah!! Hallelujah!!

Today Ava was officially allowed into nursery, because she'll turn 18 months in a few days. What a great day it was at church for that reason. :) I actually got to sit by Andy in Sunday school, and I even learned a few things from the lesson. Relief Society was wonderful too! She went in willingly and had a great time, never cried once (so I was told). I actually had started to miss her by the time church was over. Anyway, we don't need to bring up the topic of Sacrament Meeting...we are a complete circus to watch, and then when Andy has to leave our bench to do his Ward Clerk stuff -it's a joke. But I'll take what I can get. So, until we have another baby I can at least enjoy 2 hours of church. :)

Visiting the Graves

This past Saturday we went with my mom to visit the graves that she had decorated the previous week. She always goes to retrieve the silk flowers after Memorial Day is over, because the grounds crew at the cemetary will throw everything away. When we got to Grandma and Grandpa Nelson's graves, there were two Dove chocolate candies placed on their headstone, so we knew Aunt Janis had already stopped by.

The whole day I was trying to explain to Cael where we were and what we were doing, and would tell him that it wasn't a place to run around. Sometimes he would forget, and walk on the headstones...but I know for sure Grandma and Grandpa loved having his little feet on theirs.

Memorial Weekend

Andy's entire family was in town for Memorial Day, which never happens (we usually see them all at different times). Everyone spent alot of time either at our house or Shelly's. We barbequed, went to some of our nephew's softball games, and just enjoyed the great weather. On Monday, we drove up to Sundance and took the kids on the scenic lift ride. Cael loved it, as long as Andy wasn't rocking the chair... Ava was a little uneasy at first, but by the end she was so mad, because I wouldn't let her stand up. We stopped off at the little cafe' after the ride. The kids loved the HUGE Sundance suckers. That night we barbequed and watched the Jazz lose AGAIN. Aside from all the fun we had this weekend, I truly do feel blessed to live in such a wonderful country. I am forever grateful to all those who have died for the freedoms I enjoy, and for all those who are currently serving our country. I look forward to the day when I can meet those who have passed on, and tell them thank you for sacrificing their lives, so that I could live in this great land.

Scott and Brittany's Wedding Day!!

Scott and Brittany got married in March, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They had a beautiful reception up at the Zermatt Hotel in Midway. The whole family was there minus Matt who was in Iraq. It was such a fun day for all of us. They will be so happy together.

Cael and Ava

Cael and Ava have turned out to be the best of friends. There are definitely more challenges to having more than one child, but in many ways it makes life easier... Cael and Ava love to play together, and Cael teaches her so many new things-even when he's not meaning to. Seeing how happy they make each other, makes me want to have a large family. My husband and kids are my biggest blessing. With nothing else have I felt the most intense of emotions, and experienced such happiness. I love them more than words could ever explain.

Cael can be pretty rough with Ava sometimes, so I'm often reminding him to "be softer" with her. He loves to wrestle with her and she actually enjoys it too (oh, how he could use a little brother). There are alot of little boys in our neighborhood that are Cael's friends, but you'll always see Ava right in the mix of them, just as dirty and scuffed up as the next kid. She does like all the "girly" things, but she sure has a tomboy side to her too. Oh, and something she is doing lately that is so funny...she thinks she needs to use the toilet the same way Cael does (even though she is still wearing a diaper, and I'm not even thinking about potty training yet). She will stand in front of it, put up the lid and the seat, and pretend to go. Although, a few times (like right before a bath), I didn't have a diaper on her, and she let it all out right there on the tile. So, I'm trying to teach her that girls sit down and face forward. She doesn't like that style at all.

One of their favorite things to do together is get all cozy on the couch with their drinks and blankets, and watch a movie. Ava loves to have her hand on Cael, and she usually ends up falling asleep on his lap. It melts my heart!!

Viva Las Vegas!

For our anniversary this year, we were able to spend it in Vegas with some of our best friends. We had such a great time eating out, shopping, swimming, and just hanging out at the hotel. My mom tended Ava and Cael for us, so we weren't worried about our kids for a second, which made it that much more enjoyable. Thanks Mom!
Ben Harris owns "Inspired Iron", and had a booth at the Hospitality Design Show that weekend also. Andy was able to help out in his booth, along with Jesse and Kimberly.

Cael's Pre-School Graduation

This past week Cael had his "Country Kids" pre-school graduation. It's been a great year and he has learned so much. He's loved his two teachers- Mrs. Kelly and Miss Kim. They do such an amazing job. Cael was so cute in the little "Farewell" performance. He's excited to return again in the Fall, for one more year before kindergarten. But for now he is pretty happy that it's summer, and time for swimming and T-ball.