Fatherly Love and Forgiving

Since my parents bought season tickets in LA, we have been lucky to see them quite often. Though the time was short, we had a great day hanging out with them. Ryan and Jena have been going on special daddy daughter hikes in the hills near our house. This week Grandpa went with them. They were gone for almost two hours and Jena hiked the whole way. She's our little trooper!

James decided to not go to the play and stayed with us instead. The girls and Cody love their uncle James.

As to the forgiving part of this post...

Today, Ryan decided to take Jena home teaching with him. The family he was visiting have an 8 year old daughter and a 10 year old son. They are always very sweet to Jena and she loves going to their house. Before Ryan left to go he told Jena that they were only staying a short time and that she shouldn't cry or throw a fit when they needed to leave. Well, they had their visit, but of course, Jena was not ready to leave when it was time. As the tantrum was being thrown Ryan took her to the car. On the way home he was explaining to her how she should act, why she shouldn't cry and that he was a little disappointed in her for acting that way. She replied, that Sister Nichol told her in church today that if she did something wrong, she just needed to say sorry and you (daddy) needed to forgive her.

She definitely understands the concept of forgiving... I wonder if the behaving lesson sunk in as deep :)

First Day of PreSchool

Today, Jena had her first day of Preschool. Ever since Joy School ended she has been very excited to start a new school. She headed off with her backpack and snack inside. We can hardly believe how big she is getting...

But before we could get to her classroom, she had to try out the playground...

After meeting her teacher, the first thing she wanted to do was play with the blocks.

Three hours later, Jena and I had a conversation in the car that went something like this...

Mommy - So how was your day at Preschool?
Jena - We got to put marbles in the marble jar.
Mommy - Was that if you were good today?
Jena - Yeah.
Mommy - What else did you do?
Jena - I drewded a dinosaur. Look Mommy look. Then I drewded a snowman and I drewded a butterfly.
Mommy - Did you get to paint?
Jena - Yeah, I got my hands really dirty.
Mommy - Did you eat all your snack?
Jena - No, I got full. I did eat the cheese and crackers. I dipped the crackers in the water and it was really good. I like water with crackers, I love it.
Mommy - Did you get to play on the playground?
Jena - The merry-go-round?
Mommy - No, the slides and swings.
Jena - Yeah, we went outside and I rode a bike. There was a bike that was mine and I rode it. Mommy, I'm hungry. I have a snack here in my backpack. Oh, carrots, I like carrots.
Mommy - Did you like your teacher?
Jena - Yeah, she's a good one. She let me play and eat my snack.
Mommy - What was your favorite part about preschool?
Jena - Going outside.
Mommy - Do you want to go again?
Jena - Yeah I do, when it's Monday again.

What and exciting day and what a cute little girl!

Summer Fun

Ryan was out of town for a few days and luckily Jeanette came to safe me from madness. It was great to spend a week together and to find out we are more similar than we knew. It is an interesting thing to have your little sister of 12 years become a friend instead of a little girl that use to flirt with my friends :) One day while she was here we let the girls play with bubbles. Then the bubbles turned into a sticky mess and we needed to wash off. Usually the girls play around the water, but today Jeanette convinced them to run through it. Jena loved it, but Taylor needed a little more encouragement.

Jena thrilled to challenge the water

Taylor still not convinced to try by herself

All three girls in the sprinkler

Mommy and Cody hung out in the shade watching the girls in the water. The crazy thing is that he's going to be running with them before we know it.

3 1/2 Men and 2 Little Ladies

Grandpa, Jeffrey and Jonny stopped by last weekend. We all stayed up way to late playing games, telling jokes and making cookies. I love these guys and girls and especially this picture.

Bubbly Toes

We finally got out the baby tub and Cody had a proper bath. He seemed to love the water and smelled even more wonderful than he normally does...

and nothing could be cuter than a dinosaur hooded towel.

Family of Five

It has been a little quieter now that we are back to our five... even though we can hardly believe we are now FIVE! Cody is a really sweet baby and the girls seem to like him quite a bit (at least most of the time). Jena is turning into a very good helper and enjoys being in charge of a few things. Curious Taylor likes to point out Cody's features and pat him on the head. She also likes to try out all the baby gear to see how it works. We are very blessed to have three crazy kids and we are excited to see where this adventure goes.

Our Little Boy

We love puzzles and at least it is one thing that is relatively quiet :)

Week Two with Three...

Grandma Sue came to help out next and while she was here we also had a few visits from the Rochelle's family, Grandpa Rod, Parker and Bailey. With all the fun happening and the many cameras flashing... we realized most of the cameras weren't ours... so the pictures are really limited to show the party that really went on. Jena and Taylor loved having some cousins around. One night Parker and Bailey slept over. The two of them and Jena talked and talked all night while Taylor slept near by. It was quite the picture with four little beds side by side. We also had a BBQ to celebrate Grandma Sue's Birthday. The kids tried to go to the park, but soon came home to play in the sprinklers and attempt to play dress-up with what limited masculine dress-up clothes we have (Sorry Carson). We had a great time and appreciate the many tasty dishes and desserts that showed up too. Hopefully Sue will be able to take some time to recover now :)

After a night of play, this is where we spend the day...

or at least after a show or two.

Taylor's new favorite seat

Another sleeping Cody picture

Rochelle, We will have to get some of the pictures you took too.