New York, New York!

This year was a big anniversary for Jeff and I ... 10 YEARS! We decided we needed to celebrate in style and booked a 6 day trip to New York City. Six days. Away from our sweet boys, work ... and reality. Other than missing our boys, it was bliss! We did a little of everything - two Broadway shows (Wicked and Les Mes), a Yankee's game, biking and rowing in Central Park, the Highline park, walked along the Hudson, and took the Staten Island Ferry. We saw so much of the city - one day alone we clocked 15 miles! Pictures below (warning ... there are a LOT ... and mainly of us, it was an anniversary trip you know!)!

And we're off!

The Manhattan LDS Temple - so beautiful!

After going to the temple we started meandering and
stumbled upon this pretty little park among the buildings.

Anniversary night! Dinner & Wicked!

Empire State

Times Square (where we stayed!)

Central Park ... it's AMAZING!

We biked and then rowed in this pond - so cute!

Our rowing was rewarded with very cool views.

The city skyline from the Staten Island Ferry
And just because we liked it so much we also
rode it a second time at sunset!

Lady Liberty herself

Breathtaking ...

Highline Park

For being such a busy city it is full of parks!

Yankee Stadium

Go Yankees!

If you walk long enough you stumble upon
amazing historical churches

... with cool 
graveyards

Or awesome food booths ... coolest city!

Manhattan

Wall Street

The Hudson River!

One World Trade Center

The 9/11 Memorial ... beautiful and so powerful

It was amazing - a time to have fun, reconnect, and remember why we started this crazy journey to begin with. I love this guy. I knew after 3 weeks I'd marry him, and I haven't ever looked back! Here's to 10 more great ones, babe! 

One last show on our last night ... Les Mes

Last Summer Hurrah ... and KINDERGARTEN!

The last few weeks of summer flew right by (and I'm missing them already!). We headed to Kanab/Page for a family baptism and missionary homecoming. The boys had so much fun playing with cousins, and getting to go play at Lake Powell. Landon even jumped off a cliff into the water (I have a super cool video - I just don't know how to post it)! 

So many cousins (and missing some!)!

Yes, I was totally wearing a life jacket.

Then, a few weeks later, we decided to head to Park City as a family for a fun weekend before school started. We biked, swam, ate at some yummy restaurants, did the adventure activities at Park City Mountainside Resort and just hung out together. It was so much fun! It also fell just before Jeff and I were headed out on an anniversary trip, so we were extra glad to spend some time just us, away from the chores of everyday life. 

Landon was all about the Alpine Coaster -
the faster the better!

Down they go!

On the ski lift up to the Alpine Slide ...
he was just a little too little for the coaster!

His goal was also the faster the better!

And then came the FIRST DAY of KINDERGARTEN! Landon has been counting down since the month of August started - he was that excited. It was almost torture that his friends all started the week before (since Kindergarten starts a week later. For me, it seemed like it snuck up way too quickly. 

So grown up!

Liam was excited for him, until he
realized he didn't get to go too!

I was barely holding it together!

We walked to school together, and dad came for the drop off as well. He happily stood in line, made friends and waved goodbye like a champ. I cried all the way home (of course!) but he raved about what a great day he had, and seems to have settled in nicely. 

Walking with his sweet friends

The school makes a huge deal of the first day!

In Mrs. Rigby's classroom

He LOVES his teacher, Mrs. Rigby, and is always coming home talking about his new friends and the adventures that elementary school seems to bring. Mrs. Rigby has already told me that she looks to Landon to befriend the other kids, especially the ones who are having a hard time making friends. That made Jeff and I so happy to hear! He's growing up too fast, that's for sure!

My Tribe

I often hear people talk about the "tribe" of people they feel they belong to. Up until recently I would have always described my tribe as just Jeff and the boys. And they are (oh how they are!). Jeff's gone on a business trip. A TEN DAY business trip. I understand that I'm wimpy when it comes to him being gone. Friends do this all the time, and I can't even describe my respect for our military and their families. 

But me? I'm a wimp. So having him gone is epic to me. And eye opening. We've never spent this long apart since being married (almost!) ten years ago. And frankly, I hope we don't again. But by the same merit I've learned a few things about my tribe: 

First off, Jeff does so much. There are days when I'm so busy counting up all the things I've done that I fail to see how much he takes care of. Quietly, with no fanfare. He hand washes the dishes that don't belong in the dishwasher (I mainly just hope they disappear), takes out the garbage, keeps the plants alive (because I can't), is an amazing sounding board for me, plays with the boys, does laundry, gets things going in the morning so I can go walking, and the list goes on and on. 

The nice thing is that with him away, I've had the opportunity to notice. And appreciate. I hope that I can do a better job of recognizing all the things he does to make our world go round.

I've also had some amazing time the little people in my tribe. As much as a part of me wanted to wish away these days and have Jeff home, I recognize that this is a unique opportunity to really have us bond. Just the three of us. Because someday, bonding with their mom might not be at the top of their priority list. We have dates planned (or done!), a movie night, we've gone on a bike ride, had friends over, and a few more things planned. 

Tonight I just held them and rocked in our favorite chair after we read together. And it occurred to me I don't just hold them enough. It's been a busy summer, and past getting Landon's reading time in, I haven't just read to them. And rocked, and snuggled. We've done more of that these few days ... because I'm not rushing off for alone time with Jeff. Which, is also my favorite. But it's been nice to spend time with just them.  

And I've tried my hardest to let go of the little thing ... say yes more, relax, don't get so uptight, and laugh more than yell in order to make these days more pleasant. This is sometimes a challenge for me, and I'm a work in progress (tomorrow might be different!), but it's something I hope I can keep up. Because why wouldn't I want to? 

And lastly ... my tribe of friends who have surrounded me and buoyed me up. They have had us over for dinner, planned fun activities, picked kids up when I couldn't be in two places at once, called and texted to see how we are and if we need anything, and invited the kids over to play so I have have a little "me" time. 

And it's occurred to me. My tribe is an exclusive group, but man, are they amazing, strong, fierce women. They are my heroes. And it feels so good to know they are there to lift me up, catch me when I fall, call me out on my crap, and make me laugh. I hope I can give back to them just a little bit of what they have so generously given to me - and not just the last few days, but the last few years. 

While I am eager to have Jeff home - to complete our home again, I am grateful for this time to figure out who my tribe really is! (Now, come home babe!)

The Little Happenings

A recent neighborhood tragedy has stopped me in my tracks, and reminded me that life is just too short, and so precious. We have to hold on to every moment we can and savor the times spent with those we love. It reminded me that I haven't blogged in ages (despite my commitment to myself to do more of it). I want to cherish the moments ... and not just the huge events, but the little things that as parents might fade into the background as our kids get older and move on to bigger things.

A few weeks ago I moved from full time work, back to part time. It might seem like a crazy move for the career driven. And a part of me has to fight against that side of me all the time - I like to work. But I just knew, in the deepest part of my heart, that I needed and wanted to be home more. And home more I am! 

It's been wonderful, and I'm trying to cram five days of adventures (mid-week) into three, which is a bit crazy sometimes, but it's been super fun. And I love them, so it's worth every moment. And Jeff has been wonderfully supportive and has also noticed a distinct difference in both the boys and myself with our new arrangement. 

On to the updates!

Landon:

• He is turning into quite the little reader! A family friend gave us all the books from her old classroom and he spends so much time reading them - I love it!
• He's such a good example to me. When he heard that our neighborhood friend was living in heaven now, he lit up and said how happy he was that someone would be living with Heavenly Father again. Such an eternal perspective!
• He loves his bike and playing with his friends - I love watching them interact. Sometimes there are issues (as there are with children), but I'm so proud when they can work it out by themselves (most of the time).
• His favorite shorts are his cammo ones ... if he could wear them every day he would! He puts together some really interesting outfit combos :)
• His favorite things to do: swim, play with friends, play the xbox, go to Boondocks, and watch Power Rangers and Spy Kids.
• He played t-ball (and Jeff coached!) and liked it ok. He was a good little hitter, but overall found it to be a little boring. The verdict is out on playing again.

  

  Cutest T-baller

  
  

  

  All kinds of fashion statements here :)

Liam:

• He decided a little over a month ago that he was done with diapers and ready to wear big kid unders! I so wasn't ready (potty trained kids are awesome ... but newly potty trained kids are a lot of work!), but he was and he has ROCKED it! 
• He was supposed to get his tonsils out (snoring/apnea issues) but I had the worst feeling about it. We just got a second opinion and we might be looking at tubes as a first option, especially since the apnea issues seem to have dissipated, but the fluid has not. I'm so grateful for the Spirit and the ability to receive inspiration for our children
• He is talking in full paragraphs now - the things that come out of his little person are just hilarious!
• His prayers are the sweetest - he blesses everyone (and everything!) he knows, including Jesus and Heavenly Father. I've never thought to pray for Them, but he does and it's the cutest.
• He's really good at bugging his brother (an expert if you will) but he's also a pro at apologizing :)
• He's obsessed with doing puzzles - he's still working on it, but he is dedicated!

The only thing cuter than itty-bitty tighty-whities
is itty-bitty boxer briefs.

Naked reading ... it's a thing now

Their favorite song is Say Geronimo by Shepard. Holy cow they could listen to it over and over again and NEVER get bored! 

I love them and the little moments and adventures that make up our lives with them. 

Landon's Five!

Oh Landon ... how are you FIVE already?! This post is later than it should be ... you've been five for just over a month now, but I couldn't let another day go by without commemorating what a cool kid you are. 

On your birthday at the Phoenix Zoo!

You are our rock star, in every way. You are funny, articulate, endearing and so sweet and kind. You have your emotional moments, and every once in a while you try on a bit of "big-kid" defiance, but you always go right back to our sweet boy. And you (finally!) gave up sucking your thumb at night!!

You make friends easily and we always have a bunch of kids at our house. Almost all of your friends are a couple of years older and it's so fun to watch you interact. But what we love the most is watching you interact with Liam. Sometimes you fight and push each other's buttons, but lately you want to help him, and be his example and the way he looks up to you is so sweet. Thank you for being such a great person for him to look up to (and please don't ever stop!). 

Here is a good example: Just the other day you didn't have to take a nap. When Liam woke up you said: Liam, I didn't even have to take a nap. His reaction: "Wooooow Lanon!" (said with a reverence that is only reserved for big brothers) Liam often refers to you as "my Lanon!"

You are always up for anything. You love your play set and have mastered your two wheel bike with no training wheels. The other day you went 3 miles with us and could have gone longer!  

You LOVE playing soccer. You've gotten really good at stealing the ball away, and it's fun to watch you improve. But what we love most is that you are the heart and soul of a team - you cheer for them, you encourage them, and no matter how long you've played and how tired you look you are always the first to volunteer to go back out on the field. This spring you're going to try T-ball for the first time and we can't wait to watch you!! 

School is one of your favorite things - you are a sponge and love to learn. You are thrilled about kindergarten because you finally get to go to the big school where your friends are, but you keep trying to convince us that you might just need to go right to first grade so you can be with your friends :)! You are reading really well, and we love seeing the pride in your eyes when you master new skills. 

And you are so valiant ... you love learning about the gospel and sharing it. You are an example to all of us. Sometimes you'll bust out what you learned from a scripture story and we didn't even know you had heard it!

And the latest? I think we have an official "first crush!" There is a very cute girl next door who you've informed me a few times you are going to marry. Until last week, she wasn't aware of the plan. The two of you were coloring when she mentioned that a family member was going to be going to Washington, DC. 

You: "That's where I'm going to go on a mission!" (this is from a ward Primary Activity from last summer) "And get married in the temple! To YOU!"
Her: "Wait, what?!"
You: "Uhhhh, nevermind"

I almost died laughing, and wanted to cry at the same time. Really, you are just growing up too fast. And as I hold you on my lap, I wish you weren't growing so fast. But at the same time it is so fun to watch you grow and change. I guess, as a mom, I wish I could just hold you forever. 

We love you, Landon. You're our best FIVE years!!