Girls Night Out

We had a fun girls night out in honor of our good friend Kristy, who is leaving us to move to Russia! We will miss her so much!

Our Birthday Boy!

I can't believe Ethan is 3! Here are a few pictures from his birthday party, which we had at the Water Mine (our favorite place this summer). It is a fun water park with lots of slides just about Ethan's size. The kids all had a great time and it was such a great way to celebrate Ethan's big day, with some of his favorite friends!

Eden Petting Zoo

In Utah we also went to the best petting zoo.  The animals were so much fun and the people who run it are so nice.  The owner gave us a tour and told the kids all about all the animals and let them hold them.  All these fun farm animals, and Ethan's favorite was of course the kitten!  The kids even got to ride a horse!

Surprise Pajama Baby Shower!

We also had a surprise pajama baby shower while we were in Utah, which was a lot of fun!  I got the cutest little girl things and lots of fun bows!  I can't wait.  Ethan and Sydney were mostly just concerned with who would get to open all the presents!

Dancing the night away!

Who knew Ethan was a dancer? He definitely doesn't get his dance skills from mom and as much as dad might argue, I'm pretty sure they aren't from dad either. Ethan and Sydney danced the night away together and had a blast! They were so funny running around, dancing and laughing. By the end of the night they were so exhausted they could hardly walk!

Court and RJ's Wedding

The wedding was beautiful.  Jay's mom does all the flowers for the weddings and they are always amazing and the lodge (Snowbasin) was such a beautiful place.  And doesn't Courtney look amazing!  Mac gave a toast, which was so cute and the day turned out perfect.  It was such a fun wedding.

Bubbles!

Here are some funny pics of Sydney and Ethan (I think Kate must have been asleep already, but she was part of the fun times too!).  The jetted bath tub made some major bubbles, and they absolutely loved it!  They had so much fun.

Swimming in Eden

After New Mexico, we were off to Utah to spend a week of fun with Jay's family.  We all stayed at this beautiful resort in Eden, Utah having fun and Courtney and RJ's wedding was on Thursday (Jay's sister).  Here are some pictures from swimming, always a favorite past-time.  

Fishin' with Papa

These are some of my favorite pictures ever!  My dad had been telling Ethan he wanted to take him fishing and that was all Ethan would talk about when he would hear Papa's name. So this day papa took Ethan fishing at the pond behind my parent's house.  At first we didn't have much luck, but then Papa helped Ethan find some worms to fish with (Ethan had as much fun with the worms and with the fish!) and we caught one immediately!  Once we caught a fish, Ethan wasn't so sure about touching it and he definitely didn't want to eat it for dinner!  We'll work on that one for next year.  But we had a great time.  This is my brother, Tom, also helping Ethan once he actually caught the fish.  

New Mexico Fun!

The rest of our time in New Mexico I spent introducing Ethan to all the fun things I grew up doing (you get creative when you live in a small town).  So I took him 4-wheeling (yes that is a pregnant girl on a 4 wheeler and no, neither of us is wearing a helmet.  Please don't call CPS, I promise I drove slow).  And we set up the slip and slide, and let him jump on the trampoline (or jumpy-jump as Ethan calls it).  Growing up my friends and I would put the water hose through the swing set so it made a waterfall on the trampoline and play in that on the trampoline and Ethan loved it!  He was so cute running circles and screaming when he went under the water.  Behind the trampoline pictures you can see what my parent's backyard looks like - I never appreciated it when I lived there, but now living in the city where we don't have a backyard, I am just amazed!  Ethan had a blast!

Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad

This is basically Ethan's dream!  He is completely obsessed with trains right now (namely Thomas the train).  So when we went home to visit my family in New Mexico this summer, it just so happens there is a tourist railroad right in my hometown.  Ethan was so thrilled!  When we drove down to where the railroad station is Ethan said "Look mom, it's the Island of Sodor!" (which is the island where Thomas the Train lives).  He had alot of fun.  And because I am from such a small town, we had some great connections.  We knew the conductor of the railroad and the engineer that drives the train, so we got some free memorabilia and Ethan got to get up in the engine and sit in the driver's seat!  What Ethan didn't know was how noisy and big and dirty real life trains are!  I think he was a little nervous getting in the engine - it is really hot because it is a coal engine and the engineer blew the whistle for him which is really loud.  He gave me a look like he wasn't quite sure what to think!  But then he got to talk to the conductor and run around and play in all the "freight cars".  He had a blast and we even got him his very own conductor hat.  Next year I might even take him for ride (I thought it would be a little long of a trip for him this year!)

The 4th of July!

This year for the 4th of July we kept it low key and hung out with some new friends from our new ward.  Ethan had plenty of fun playmates and we had a barbecue and let off our own little fireworks display.  The kids loved it and they each even got to hold the sparklers (the first year we have entrusted Ethan with a combustible item).  It was a great way to spend the 4th!