Growing Up

Our little Logan is tender, shy, determined, sly and sweet. He follows his brother around picking up all his good and bad habits. Logan still has only six teeth and lack of a vocabulary. No babe has ever loved fruit so much. He is an excellent hugger and likes to give his kisses open-mouthed. He is perfect.

Gavin is full of energy, laughter and curiosity. He loves being a big brother and protecting Logan when he can. Don't get me wrong, Gavin also loves sitting on Logan's head. He loves to giggle and smile every day. For the past week, Gavin has asked me at night before bed if he can grow up tomorrow. I reply, 'If you promise to love me forever.' So far he has kept his promise. Gavin is also perfect.

Regardless, our boys are turning into brothers quite nicely. Loving then instantly fighting with one another. Playing nicely with each other over one toy then playing nicely at opposite sides of the room with different toys. Watching the relationship form between brothers is a beautiful, divine experience and we are grateful to watch it grow in our house.

Swim Lessons with Miss Amber

For the past two weeks, Gavin has been taking lessons from Miss Amber and loving it. The best part of any life lesson as a parent is watching your child swell with confidence and diminish their fears. Not that Gavin was afraid of the water but there were parts he liked more than others. And now he is a fish cannot wait for swim lessons this week. Can someone else wake up with us Monday morning and break his heart that there are no more lessons?

The 'Frog' class consisted of Devin, Gavin, and Max.

My favorite part of watching Gavin was his puffy cheeks face anytime he did not want water in his mouth. Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

Exhibit D

Miss Amber was fabulous and had these boys jumping then swimming in the pool with a noodle all by themselves.

Then once in the pool, they had to swim and rescue the animals (rubber duckies).

Miss Amber also had this great swimming trick of 'kicking and spanking' to teach the boys survival.

What was brother doing the lessons you ask? Normally being appeased by food and trying to get in the water when that ran out.

He is one happy boy. I love him and his smile.

Stone Mountain with Grams

While my mother was here, we took the short drive north to Stone Mountain Park. The park's namesake is this giant, granite dome that actually has a carving of three well known Confederates: Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis. The carving of this relief has quite the history if you wanted to learn more. You can actually hike up the dome or you can ride the SkyRide cable car. We chose the latter, because it was hot enough already that Saturday afternoon.

Grams and Logan chillin' in the shade under one of the four trees at the top.

After losing Sean and Gavin, we reconvened for a family picture before heading inside.

The boys appreciated the refreshing slushie, happily together I might add!

Apparently this carving is the largest relief sculpture in the world and the same guy who carved Rushmore started this carving.

See the tents on the lawn? Stone Mountain puts on a wicked laser show against the mountain (so we hear). We will have to attend sometime.

It's always fun to explore the local sights together!

Rainy Days

We have been experiencing extreme heat in the Peach State with the occasional thunder storm in the afternoon. Yesterday was such the case, but sadly we were dressed for the splash pool when the thunder started. The boys were devastated but were placated with turning the bathtub into a pool. Of course, not without watching the rain first.

Papa Came to Visit!

Saying good-bye to Papa minutes before he headed back home.

Two weeks after we moved in, my father came up for the weekend or roughly 36 hours. It was far too quick but we accomplished so much while he was here. My dad brought up some needed, spare yard equipment including a lawnmower we used that next day. While my father was here we tackled the exterior of the home pulling up practically every plant in the yard. We found out from our next door neighbor that the two previous tenants did nothing to the exterior except mow the grass. Awesome! This explained the severe overgrowth of every plant, tree or bush in the yard. We still have a long way until we are 'done' but we made significant improvements in the meantime. We are so blessed with helpful, loving, and willing parents on both side of the family.

Fourth of July

We were not able to make it back to Utah for the holiday which meant no Fairview cabin, no Aunt Stephanie's salsa, and no games with all the cousins. We thought there might have been a chance Sean would need some training back at headquarters in Utah but apparently he is exceeding expectations. The nerve.

So to help celebrate the fourth and settle into our new home, my mother came down for a week over the holiday weekend. She needed another vacation after she left Georgia since we had her willingly helping around the clock with home projects. I am pretty sure the only time my sewing machine and ironing board get used is when my mother comes to visit. The interior of our home look significantly better thanks to her, but more on that another time. Right now the focus is on the holiday.

Some friends in our church invited us to tag along for the morning festivities. First up was drive-thru breakfast from Chick-Fil-A. Peachtree City takes cart decorating very seriously during this holiday so we through together a two minute streamer decoration of our own. Next year we will have to prepare well in advance.

Then we were off to stake our parade-watching location. Luckily our friends were leading the way for we are still trying to get acquainted with the path system.

We made it but not without seeing a few hundred golf carts first. Apparently there are 10,000 registered in Peachtree.

We had a fabulous spot next to some fabulous families from our ward. It was great to finally put husbands with wives and children with their parents. Now we know who to call for a play-date.

Finally the boys got breakfast, and yes they did get more than splitting a fruit cup and chocolate milk. Quick factoid: Chick-Fil-A is headquartered in Atlanta so there are about three restaurants here for every McDonalds.

Although we missed the tradition of the Miner cabin in Utah, we were able to make the fourth fun here. I did not get a good shot of the aftermath of the parade but it was a gridlock of golf carts in every direction. It was quite the sight to see.

Thank you to those who make our freedoms and happiness possible. Hope everyone had a beautiful holiday.

A Side Effect

A side effect of too much fun riding in the golf cart.

Glenloch Splash Pool

Peachtree City has several neighborhood pools around the city and luckily our closest one is just a short walk away. At the Glenloch pool, there is a sweet splash pool we discovered while my mother was visiting last week. We went three days in a row since the set-up is ideal. The water is knee deep for Logan so even if he was to fall his head never enters the water. Plus the splash pool is gigantic seeing as we are the only ones ever it in. The little pool sits next to the main pool where everyone else plays. Everyone now and then we get a wandering kid, but mainly it is just us. So with a bag full of toys the boys play forever and I actually get to relax.

Phone Camera Upload

It was time to upload the pictures from my camera again. In no particular order, here are some of the happenings of our life since settling in to Peachtree City.

Southeastern Reptile Rescue show at the Library. They have guests (magicians, local theater group, snake man, etc.) come in each week and entertain the kids. Our first show was the snake man and he was very entertaining. I think the mothers in attendance were more vocal than the children that week. And yes, he is holding a snake in this picture.

Anytime we go to the library or the big park, we get to pass by this beautiful lake.

After shortly moving in, Gavin rediscovered his inner pirate.

This past Friday one of Sean's best friends from high school had a layover in Atlanta so we took the short drive to greet him in between flights. It was great to see Jesse if only for but a half hour and four hours later than what he previously told us!

We have a very large family room window in which the boys love to monitor the street's activities. Too bad for them we live at the end of a cul-de-sac. The trash man as seen below is always guaranteed excitement however.

A Morning Surprise

picture by Cami in late April

After sleeping in this morning, Gavin greets me with a very enthusiastic 'GUESS WHAT, MOMMY?' I tell him good morning as he proceeds to tell me that last night he sang to Logan to help him sleep last night. Break my heart with sweetness! This is music to my hears (pun intended) for ever night after books, teeth, and prayers I sing to the boys who now share a room quite well. I sing not because I know how to sing, but because I choose to as a memory for my boys.

Then right after hugging Gavin for his sweetness, he flashes me his naked bum to show how he is going commando this morning. Oh, boy!