Picking Up the Slack

Boy, oh, boy have I been slacking on the updates! We have just been having so much fun, enjoying the summer weather, learning new things and, at times, just trying not to drive each other bonkers.

April kept us on our toes with it's weather, true to Rocky Mountain spring weather. We would have a really nice day and think, "Hooray! Winter is over!" Only to have it snow the next day. We didn't let the weather ruin our fun, though.

Dallin took the boys up to McCammon for a weekend of freedom. Luke is always a bit bored when he comes back from visiting grandma and grandpa because we don't acres of land he can just roam about on, exploring every nook and cranny, nor we do we have tractors or quads (although he had no desire to go on the quad this trip. Silly boy). They got to fly kites, eat popsicles, drink chocolate milk and just live the country life while I stayed home and deep cleaned a few spots in the house. No worries. My 48-hours of cleaning was undone in 48 minutes of their return home.

Grandma Green found these amazing kites at Costco last year. We have kite envy! Perfect for McCammon's often windy weather

How gorgeous is this?!

Grandpa is the culprit behind Luke's chocolate milk obsession and now Caleb's popsicle obsession. What are grandpas for, right?

This kid has a major sweet tooth already

Oh Caleb. The things we do to you and you just happily oblige

We got to have the family to our house for Easter since it was so close to the Lehmitz family Easter party and some other things going on. Hayley got to come play with us for a little while, and Luke definitely kept her engaged. We had to tell him to let Hayley have a break. Such a good cousin to go along with everything he wanted her to do! The family party was fun, as always. Luke had a little more idea of how to hunt for Easter Eggs, enjoying it more than the mob of kids he experienced the weekend before at the Bountiful Easter Egg hunt which lasted a whole of 45 seconds...

Dying eggs. Hayley is the egg arteeeest!

Easter Morning. 

Hooray for Hayley!

The whole reason Luke LOVES going to Lehmitz family parties...

Uncle Jared and cousin Lucy

Grandma snuck Luke to the back while all the other kids were in the front so he got the cream of the egg hunting crop!

Obligatory Easter family photo

The boys and I took a trip up to Hill Air Force Base Aeronautic Museum one gloomy April day after a week of being stuck inside, getting a little cabin feverish. Luke was in heaven. Caleb was in awe. We got dirty, ran around and had good naps when all was said and done.

Fighter pilot Luke

Selfie time!

Brad came down to spend Conference Weekend with us, so of course we made him go on a hike with us. It was a beautiful weekend and I had been hearing about the Living Room hike from a few people, so we packed up lunches and the gang and made our way up the trail! Dallin was a trooper and carried Luke in the backpack when he got tired (keep in mind Luke probably went a good mile before tiring out). Brad is the best to go hiking with because his geologist eye catches things that the common folk would just walk by. Like the seashells and "Cool rock formations!"

We sure love this guy

Seashells (and moseying Luke in the background)

Almost there! Not really. I kept telling them this to keep spirits high

Made it!

At the top, Luke started scaling rocks

Brad's collection of shells at the end

At the end of the trail, ready for some Moochie's!

For National Park week this year, we made our way out to Vernal to visit the Dinosaur National Monument. So. Cool! Funny story. When we made it to the dinosaur quarry where they have a wall of half exposed dinosaur fossils dug out of the side of the mountain, Dallin says, "I think I watched a movie with a guy scaling this wall!" Sure enough, he texts Loel and the two figure out the movie they watched as kids. If you're interested, "Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs!" is the name of the movie. From what they summarized, it sounds like a funky movie.

We loved exploring the trails, fossils and petroglyphs. Highly recommended.

At the dinosaur quarry

"This way, guys!"

This tree was probably my favorite in the park. Middle of the dessert, it was the only actual tree, surrounded by sage brush.

Boys, dirt and sticks. Life is good.

Dirty bums are my favorite

Hiking up to the petroglyphs

Entrance to the visitor's center. We did it backwards and visited this, last...

Cute boys

Found a heart rock!

Taking a break

Off-trail climbing

I think we wore him out

Caleb was pretty warm so we hung out in the car while Dallin and Luke did some more exploring. We still had fun!

Lukey's best friend, Parker, invited us to go to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point with him and his mama and sister. Guys. I seriously considered getting a leash for my son after this trip. He has NO fear of just joining another family or going wherever his little heart desires, with no regard to how far away I am. It is a double-edged sword, my friends. Luckily, I think he is growing out of this a little and has started to respond when I tell him to stay close. Finger's crossed!

Anyway, the tulips where pretty awesome, the cute little friends had fun, and the babies were excited to be held at the end! I admire my mother for doing outings with 4 of us...

These sweet friends seriously make my heart happy

They thought these umbrellas hanging from trees were hilarious

Little adventurer

Eloise kills me in these, mainly because the entire time she was in the stroller she had the biggest scowl, then busts out Gerber baby smiles for pictures out of the stroller. 

Eloise and Caleb in this picture are too much

Luke, always the entertainer.

May was filled with tons of FUN!

For my birthday, Dallin took me rock climbing and to our new favorite restaurant, Spitz. It is Turkish cuisine and, basically, heaven in your mouth. We then had a delicious english trifle with the boys and our friends. Perfect 29th birthday, even if I sincerely thought I was turning 28...

We need a trifle bowl...

For Mother's Day, the boys made me breakfast, got me a gerber daisy for my pot and then we had crepes for dinner. It was perfect!

Terri came to visit, which is always a welcome treat. This visit also got Brad and Emma to come play (which, Luke is a little in love with Emma. Every night he says he hopes that he can play outside with her).

Terri greeted us with doughnuts from VooDoo doughnuts for my birthday treat. I think we should make a new tradition of whoever is flying in, brings doughnuts with them. It was pretty sweet.

Caleb's in the back thinking, "Ummm, do I get one?"

The first day she was here, Bountiful was having their annual chalk festival so we perused Main Street, in awe of the talent people have. I mean, look at some of these!

Can you tell it was a little warm?

Best little babe ever.

Luke was stoked 

Dallin teared up with this one saying it stole the magic of his childhood. Terri was astonished at his philosophical side.

Luke got to meet Darth Vader. Way to be weary of the dark side, babe.

We convinced Brad and Terri to hike to the Timpanogos Caves with us and explore their awesomeness. Of course, Luke almost hiked the ENTIRE trail up, which is quite steep. I'm sure that doesn't surprise many. When we were almost to the caves, there was a giant mountain goat that decided she wanted to give a few humans a scare by crossing the trail back and forth and, at times, just having a stare down with people. The Rangers were a little concerned she would charge some, but she didn't, and they got her to finally continue up the mountain. It was entertaining!

(Commence picture overload!)

Geology lesson from uncle Brad

Trail mix time

Luke's pretty weary of the goat

Waiting for our cave tour to start. We gave ourselves extra time thinking it would take longer with Luke walking, but we made it up the hill in 45 minutes!

Ranger Luke, trying to explain about stalagmites and such

These two have a special bond.

Adventurers!

The heart of the cave

Thanks for going along with our crazy adventures, Terri!

Billy goat!

I'll admit I'm quite impressed with myself on this picture

Just enjoying his hike

10-month-old selfie!!

We all loved the caves. Brad was the tour guides go-to patron as she asked for verification as to why certain things happened. So proud of our little geologist. Luke thought he was the tour guide as he led the way and would pretend to tell people about all the attractions. 

Trying to take a picture in the caves. Failed.

The ranger trying to shoo Ms. Billy Goat on her way as she made her way up the path, right towards us.

This warning sign made me laugh

When Dallin and I moved out here 7 years ago, this was the first hike we went on for my 23rd birthday and we took a picture in this exact spot. 

Cheeseball

 

If this does not put a smile on your face, you might need a nap.

We then got to eat at our favorite Thai place, Sawadee and ended the evening with a trip to Dallin's Alma Mater and a game of Ticket to Ride (even though I abhor that game) and Golf with Emma and Brad.

We wore Luke out

All Terri wanted was one good picture with the boys...sorry, Ter

Papparazzi!

Ticket to Ride aka Ticket to frustration land and bad moods

Peek-a-boo with Uncle Bubs

Emma and Caleb

Memorial Day was spent hiking a new favorite hike by our house, getting a little visit from Auntie Lexi, during which we took her to Antelope Island and got ATTACKED by newly hatched biting gnats, going on the Heber Valley Train for the Wild West Train ride and officially welcoming summer with Snow Cones!! Three day weekend well spent, enjoying our freedom that so many sacrificed to ensure.

We dream of this all winter long

Caleb wanted that yumminess in his belly

Selfie out the train window

Luke loved every minute of the train ride

Luke was mad it was over

Auntie Lexi!

Antelope Island adventure

Lexi: "I just want a cute picture with Luke!" Success!

Running up the trail

Biting gnats aside, this place is pretty awesome

Hiking North Canyon Trail. So gorgeous

Something growled at us soon after this picture. Dallin says it was a deer. I'm not convinced.

To end this marathon post, MORE pictures of randomness that happened the past few months.

Smiles everyday from this little bug

Lots of eating! Caleb LOVES food. So much.

That face.

Curious Luke is into putting things on his head. Hangers. Plastic bags...

Underwear...

Woke up one morning to Luke reading to Caleb. He had turned off his oxygen and took it off and was just reading to him. 

This is Joan, Caleb's first Early Interventionist. We now have Lisa come work with him. She is AMAZING!

Curious Luke getting into everything, trying to figure out how every single thing works. In this case, a can opener. Totally safe, right?

Free trial of The Little Gym. Definitely need to put him the older class if we do it. He was 5 times more energetic than every other child.

Working on mastering his balance bike! Getting closer...

Enjoying warm weather!

I fear he is just as silly as his brother.

A Cabela's opened in a neighboring city. Luke apparently thought a helmet was needed for the grand opening.

Grand Opening of Cabela's in Farmington. Luke is a fan.

I took Luke on a date to frozen yogurt. He was a perfect gentleman until he stole all my gummy bears when he ate all his.

The mountains have some pretty epic sunsets

Took Luke and his little buddy on a hike. These two are so opposite! Parker LOVES sports. Luke LOVES vehicles. Parker stops to smells the roses. Luke runs right past the roses, on a mission to find more. BUT, they adore each other and it melts my heart.

Little hiking buddies

For a date night, Dallin planned we draw a picture for the boys' room. This is what we created.

James Bond hanging it up without waking the lion

The norm

Staged

They love their daddy.

I convinced Brad to take Emma to SLO on their way to Disneyland. They just happened to run into Loel downtown!

Lately, Luke will come storming out of his room after a nap, lay on me and sleep for another hour. I kind of love it.

After a major windstorm, our neighborhood planned a tree branch clean-up night. These boys were in absolute awe watching them cut down dead branches. They were also the best little helpers picking up.

Caleb finger painted for the first time.

LOTS of baths because dirt and boys just attract each other

After a very long Sunday with no naps and grumpy boys, this was a welcome site on our evening walk.

Brothers

Caleb had his second Sleep study. Still has Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea, even with his nasal cannula so we will be discussing what the next steps are with his Pulmonologist, soon!

Such a trooper

Sleeping like a boss

Let the summer parties begin

Guess what's growing in our backyard again!! 

Dallin took Luke on his first fishing trip. They caught a fish. Luke stuck himself with the fly. No one fell in the water. The trip was a success.

First fish!

We are outside. A lot.

If you made it through all of that, I commend you! I'll try to be better at staying on top of things so that we don't have marathon posts anymore. We love you all and hope all are doing well!