Little Joe...

got his first tooth on November 4th...voting day!

One more step towards independence...

Well, the little guy is sitting up now. He's just growing up way too quickly. He's such a cute little guy. He's been working so hard at sitting up and wants so badly to be able to move. He can roll over from his tummy to his back but not from his back to his tummy yet, although he tries.
He's just such a happy baby! We're so glad he's part of our family.
"Ahhh, I'm such a cutie! Who can resist helping me?"
And, of course, the proud big sister. She helps him so much, especially with giving him his bottle or binki because she can't stand the crying!

Every little girl must take dance...

Today was MacKayla's first day of dance. She takes tap and ballet. She had an absolute blast! Although, she followed the other girls more than she followed the teacher, you can imagine how crazy that was . When we were leaving she said she was thirsty and hungry. What a workout!MacKayla asked if we could go again tomorrow and was so sad when I told her we weren't going again until next week. I'm glad she's liking it.
It's pretty comical seeing ten 3 and 4 year olds "dancing"...

Back to School - blah!

Well, Joe started back to school today. He has 2 more semesters as a 2nd year DPT student and then one year left. He really enjoyed his internship at Bountiful Physical Therapy this summer. MacKayla is constantly telling us that when "daddy's done with school we're going to get a 4-wheeler and a house". We've taught her well.

MacKayla is starting her first dance class next week. She's doing tap and ballet. I'll take some pics and post it on the blog. She won't go to pre-school until next year but is learning her letters and numbers really well.

Little Joe has a while before he'll be going to school but he has rolled over and can almost sit up on his own. Yea Joe!!Marc came home from his mission on August 13th. It has been so exciting having him back home!

New Family Photo!!

We had my dad take some family pictures of us. They turned out really good. We haven't had a family picture taken since MacKayla was 9 months old. We'd better start being more regular with our picture taking. MacKayla is 3 1/2 and Little Joe is 4 1/2 months. They're growing up way too fast!!!

Yellowstone 2008

We went to Yellowstone last week with my whole family (except Michelle and Derek because they were on the dreadful Pioneer Trek - we sure missed them). We saw wildlife, waterfalls and did lots of hiking. Here are a few highlights...

This is our little family at the waterfall on "Uncle Tom's Trail" - it's a very steep metal staircase hike. It's over 300 stairs, dropping 500 feet. It's pretty easy going down and takes just a few minutes but going back up took me probably a good 30-45 minutes - waaaay longer than the rest of my family.
This is the overlook at Tower Falls. Gorgeous view! The hike to the lower part of the falls was washed out and we weren't able to go down. We saw this big guy off the side of the road. Marie and Kevin were the only other ones that stopped to take pic's with us. I guess my dad didn't care since he can see one every day in his house.
This is everyone swimming at the 45th parallel. It's basically a hotspring that runs into the cold river just off the road going to Gardiner Montana. All those in the pic are Sara, Mike & Oliver, Matt, Grace, Spencer, Anna, Joe and MacKayla and some stranger. The kids had a blast!

This is my adorable family (Joe, MacKayla and Little Joe). This pic was taken at Tower Falls.

Everywhere we went Grace and MacKayla got shoulder rides. Too big for baby backpacks and too little to hike...but they're in training. Matt and Joe sure got their work out ... and Dad and Kevin and Mike.

This is my mom and Dad (Mark & Penny) with the three youngest grandkids (Oliver, Thomas and Joe). You can see that Thomas who is the youngest is probably as big as Oliver who is 18 months. Little Joe is a week older than Thomas but Joe's 14 pounds and Thomas is pushing 20 pounds!!! My mom helped with the babies sooooo much!
MacKayla and Grace kept calling each other "Best Friends" the whole trip...they always ended up fighting over something and then making up.

We were going to swim at the Fire Hole but it was closed because of swift currents so we went up further and went swimming in the Madison River. This is Kevin floating and Mike hanging out. When I say we...I never actually swam the whole trip, just most everyone else.

This is one of my favorites! This is me and my big girl Kayla. She and I are best buds and pinky buds! This is at the overlook to Old Faithful. It was a spectacular view...if only we could see Old Faithful erupt...they say it's not so faithful anymore.

It was an awesome trip!

Tell me your "Twilight" saga theory

If you haven't finished reading the "Twilight" books then don't read ahead because there will be spoilers. Here's my two cents and I'd like to hear what you think too so please post your comments.

Bella wouldn't choose Jacob because if she did she'd be an idiot since he hasn't imprinted on her and would leave her once he imprinted on someone else. I am a complete Edward enthusiast.

My theory is a complicated one. In Eclipse Stephenie Meyer refers to the "newborns" as pawns. On the front cover of her 4th book "Breaking Dawn" she has a Queen (possibly Bella) and a pawn. Could it be the case that Bella and Edward actually consumate their relationship after they're married but before Bella is turned into a vampire and she gets pregnant? Could their baby be that "pawn" and somehow changes the way vampires live? What if Bella had a baby girl and Jacob imprinted on her...afterall Stephenie Meyer made it a point to have another werewolf imprint on a 2 year old and that it isn't supposedly weird.

Somehow the Volturi are going to be involved in all of this and I can't quite figure out how. My theory may not be even close but it's fun to think about what's going to happen next. I'll be ready and waiting for her book.

July 4th, 2008

Our 4th of July was a busy one. We went to the Centerville parade in the morning, where the kids tried to get as much candy as possible. Then we had lunch at the Layton duck park, which was so crowded. Needless to say, MacKayla was so unbelieveably tired. Later that night, we went to the Lagoon fireworks - the latest MacKayla has ever stayed up. She was very nervous and excited! She had such a great time.

Bzzzzzzz!

Little Joe had his first haircut ... well buzzed cut. He hated it and cried the whole time! Some spots were over an inch long - others didn't even need cutting. Although, he looks cute no matter what!!

A Tiny Giggle!

This was the night of June 17th, right after Little Joe's bath. Whatever we were doing made him giggle for the first time (except when he's been asleep - which doesn't really count). He laughs at least once a day now and whom ever hears it is the lucky one.

Twilight Count Down

The count-down for Stephenie Meyer's 4th book of the Twilight Saga is on it's way. Only 40 more days!! If you haven't read her books, you still have plenty of time before the 4th book is out on August 2nd. Afterall, I read the first three books in a week and a half.

We're Up and Going!!

I've been told by many that our little family needs to start blogging. So, here we are! We'll see how well we can keep it updated and keep you informed of our ever changing lives. MacKayla is 3 1/2 now and little Joe just made 3 months! Joe's plugging along at school and only has 3 weeks left at his first internship with Bountiful Physical Therapy. Mindy tries to keep things together at home but cooking and cleaning is an endless job. It's a good thing being a mom is so rewarding!