Done camping for now...Yay!!

I know that I've been needing to update my blog with our many adventures, but a lot of times I sit down at the computer and then get busy (sidetracked) looking at everybody else's blogs. Well, today (for the past 3 hours!) I've been enjoying a very peaceful Sunday afternoon because I've had two sleeping boys and a sleeping husband, so I feel rejuvenated and ready to update my blog for those of you who have been anxiously waiting (okay, I know my blog might be a little boring sometimes, but it's good for me to get these things written somewhere before I forget them.)

Where to begin? Josey finished remodeling the bedroom in our basement. He worked so hard on it and learned a lot about home improvement so now I think he's ready for any project I put him up to. The only thing we have left to do is order carpet. The second he finished the bedroom, he started working on the front porch/deck, which needed sanding and restaining. This has turned into quite a big project, and we're not quite finished. Luckily, Jan was here for a few days last week while Arielle was at VB camp at BYU, and she helped us out quite a bit. When it is finished, I think it will look great.

Last weekend, we went to the Squires Family Reunion in Polaris, Montana. This is Josey's grandma's family, and it is always a fun reunion with lots of people. We went to Bannack, a ghost town that was the first capital of Montana. We camped in a pretty campground (and luckily Lyle & Jan camped next to us with their trailer so it wasn't quite roughing it in the wilderness.) Josey & Jesse took Jordan digging for crystals. It was a nice weekend to relax and have fun with family, although Jarrett did get sick with croup and by the last day he was really miserable. The poor little guy sat in his carseat on the way home for 7 hours without ever getting out or crying. He slept for about 3 hours and then just had this miserable sad look on his face for the rest of the way. I was happy to be back home.

Jordan & Jarrett climbing the rocks in our campground
The boys throwing rocks with grandpa

Jordan in timeout in Bannack

Our family in Bannack

Jesse, Jordan, & Josey with the crystals they dug
I should mention that to prepare for this camping expedition, Josey made us set up the tent in our backyard for 2 nights before we left so the boys would be prepared for the camping experience. His plan worked somewhat (Jarrett progressed from waking up at 5:30 to 7:00), although during the second night of backyard camping we had this huge thunderstorm and I was scared (I tried to make it seem like Jordan was the one who was scared) so we finally went inside around 3:00 a.m. Needless to say, these 2 nights of camp preparation wore me out and next time I think I'll let Josey prepare the boys on his own.

Jordan has also been taking swimming lessons for the past 2 weeks. He's done great and he's loved it (some of the kids in the class NEVER stopped bawling the entire time). I've always wished I would have learned to swim because I still don't know how. I can stay above water, but I don't actually know how to swim properly, like if I wanted to go swim for exercise. Maybe I could still learn. Anyways, here are some pics of him learning to swim.

Dirt is FUN!!

Our boys have been having a great time playing in (and eating) a lot of dirt this week. I find it kind of interesting that Josey got so upset with the boys for playing in the lotion (see previous post), but when Jarrett was apparently eating dirt and I asked Josey if he had been watching them he said, "don't accuse me of not watching them." Umm, okay. (Because you know I wasn't accusing him; I should rephrase what I said for clarification: I sweetly asked him if he had been watching them.) So anyways, dirt (probably tainted with lead and thousands of other toxic chemicals) is okay, but lotion is not.

Josey had to be the priesthood leader for a night at girl's camp this week, so we decided to take the boys and make it a family affair (a little test run before our family reunion camping trip this week). The boys had a great time, although I'm still trying to catch up on the lost sleep. When we got home, they played in the dirt a little more before bathtime. They were disgusting, especially Jarrett. His little towhead was caked in dirt (I think Jordan must have been having a fun time dumping it on his head.) I tried to get some pictures to show how gross it was. When I went to wash it, his head was turned into a big glob of mud. But at least they had fun, right?

I Did It!

Last week I ran in the Kemmerer Fossil Fest 5K (3.1 miles) run. Now, this is not a big race, and there was not that much competition. Consequently, I won!! I run a lot, but I'm not really fast (and I'm not really training to be fast) so I was surprised but happy that I was able to beat all of the other women in Kemmerer. (I got 3rd place overall, but was the 1st female.) My time was 21:30, which I know wouldn't have even come close to winning in a 5K with more competition, but it was only my first race where I was actually trying so I was happy. I also got a $20 gas gift card so it was worth it (even if that only fills up less than half a tank now), and I could hardly breathe for a few hours afterwards because that's the fastest I've ever run. Here's a cheesy picture of me with my medal, and a pic of me with my two silly boys who were waiting at the finish line for me & gave me big hugs. (No, that's not a real gun that Jordan has.)


And in other happenings...Jordan and Jarrett got ahold of the lotion bottle and had a little fun giving Jarrett a lotion bath & shampoo. At least he smelled nice afterward. They both got a spanking from daddy (who I thought was watching them until I heard a loud scream from upstairs.) The spanking didn't faze them for one second - we're having some discipline issues - and I probably shouldn't even mention spanking on my blog (I wouldn't have given them a spanking if I was the one who caught them). Anyways, I couldn't help but take a few pictures. (I tried to get Jordan to make a sad face for being a naughty boy, but this is the best he could do.)

What I Love About My Boys

Josey has been home for about a week and a half now and it seems like he's been busy every minute working on our yard or home improvement projects. I'm glad he's finding plenty to do to stay busy, but we've also had some fun too. We got to go to Utah for his cousin Luke's wedding on the 4th of July. It was beautiful and fun to see so many of Josey's relatives. We also took the boys to Bear Lake and they had a wonderful time. I love summer!

I just wanted to share a few things that I love about each of my boys:

Jarrett

Jarrett has always been such a good baby. He has his bad days (almost exclusively when he's teething), but overall he's just a sweetheart. He loves to make people laugh, and it is pretty easy to make him laugh. He loves to copy everything his brother does, even when his brother has continually pushed him down and bashed him into the wall a dozen times (he's very forgiving). I love how when he's sitting on my lap he doesn't want Jordan invading his space. He wants me all to himself. I love walking into his room after a nap and hearing him say "hi." I LOVE it when he cuddles with me. This usually lasts about 2 seconds, but occasionally for up to 5. (I thought when he was born that he was going to be my cuddly baby, but I was wrong.) I love how he finds so much joy in everything, just because he's a kid. I also love that he's so stinkin' CUTE!! I can't help but kiss his little face about a million times a day (probably one of the reasons he doesn't like cuddling with me, because I smother him.)

Jordan

Jordan is my little buddy. Each day is a new experience with a 3 1/2 year old. He's so smart (at least I think so because I'm his mom.) He has an amazing memory. He is a very active little boy. I like going on walks with him because he wants to run up the steepest hills in Kemmerer and then run down them in his flip-flops, biff it (he doesn't like to biff it, but he does), and he doesn't even cry as long as you pretend you didn't see it. Even when he tells me I'm a "mean old mommy" I can't help but smile. I think it's kind of cute (but I don't love) how he's very adamant about what he wants to wear. Almost every day he wants to wear his running shorts or a dinosaur shirt (notice the pictures). But usually his pteradactyl shirt just isn't good enough (of course, because it's actually kind of cute); it has to be his T-rex shirt. He'll get a shirt and put it on and then bring shorts out to me and ask "is this fine?" Usually I say no, but if we're not going anywhere I let him wear it anyway. I can't believe a 3 1/2 year old boy cares this much about clothes. I can get him to sit with me for as long as I want as long as I'm reading him books, but this is the only time I can get him to sit still. He loves to tease his little brother, but he also loves Jarrett and tries to make him happy when he's sad. Almost every day, one of the first questions he asks me is "where are we going today?" On most days the answer is "nowhere" but even a trip to the bank is very exciting for him. It makes me a little sad that he's growing up so fast, but I'm glad that he's a happy little boy and he still loves to give me hugs and kisses.

Josey

I love being married to my best friend. He understands me and knows me better than anyone else. He's very forgiving and understanding. He lets me do so much, whatever will make me happy. He supports me in the things that I do. He works hard to support our family so I can stay home with our sweet sons. He's really smart, and loves to learn. He loves our boys and he loves playing with them, teasing (tormenting) them, and making them laugh. He doesn't make me feel guilty (usually) about doing things and leaving him with the boys. He's willing to talk when I want to talk, and he's a good listener. He tries hard to be a good husband, father, and priesthood holder. I just love being with him, no matter what we are doing. I love it when he laughs because it always makes me laugh. He's my sweetheart, and he's handsome, and I could go on and on...

A Trip to the Farm

Since Josey is still in Mississippi, we decided to come up to Montana and visit his family without him. We've been having a great time, mostly just relaxing and enjoying the great weather. We've been to the auction, to Russ & Wendy's ranch, swimming, and sadly, I didn't get many pics until today. Today we took a trip out to a farm of one of the ladies that works at the auction. Jordan and Jarrett got to ride a pony, see and hold some baby ducks, and play with some sheep. They had a great time, especially Jarrett, my little animal lover! (There are a lot of pictures, but I figured their daddy would like to see what they are up to.)

Down in Mississippi

So I get snow and he gets this? What can I say, I'm jealous! (Except not of what he's eating.) Here are some pics of Josey in Mississippi. Hopefully he's learning something while he's down there too. Josey, we miss you! (But you're kind of looking a little lonely, aren't you?)

Almost Summer in WY

This is what we woke up to yesterday morning. C'mon, don't you wish you lived here? I don't think we left the house the entire day. It's getting depressing. That's why I changed my background to these beautiful blue flowers. (Thanks Rachel, I'm finally using your tips!) Maybe it will give me a little mood boost. And maybe (here's hoping with fingers crossed) tomorrow it will finally be nice enough that I can actually plant my real flowers.