Fresh air

We are a family who prides themselves on getting out and getting active. Our kids love to be outside running and playing whenever possible and so of course when we had a nice spat of weather after all the terrible freezing cold we hopped on our bikes and headed outside.

The kids have been begging for bikes for quite some time now and we have held off, but me being addicted to good deals decided it was time. I found a little trike for 15 dollars for Kyle and Lilly was handed down a bike from a friend, so that settled that. Now all we needed was some good sunny weather and the first glimpse of it we were out riding.

The kids rode for close to an hour maybe even a little longer, which we all know it kid time is a LONG time. They didn't want to come in but the sun was setting and so reluctantly we headed in. It was so great to get out of the house and get active though and enjoy some fresh air.

 Some friends joined us! Kyle became a bus and picked up his friends.

Kyle trying to catch a ride on Lilly's training wheels (FYI this does not work!)

Sisters

In January my sister was able to come out and visit us for the weekend. Though her time here was short we really enjoyed having her here and the kids were really sad to see her go. The best part of her visit was getting to meet Raelin for the first time. She is such a sweet happy baby girl and the kids loved having their baby cousin around to hold and feed and play with. The only thing they complained about was how much she slept. They couldn't get enough of her, and I have to admit neither could I. I am sad that we live so far apart but thankful for modern day technologies that keep us connected.

Waterproof

After 4 weeks Lilly was able to get a cast that allowed her knee to bend and was waterproof. This was huge for us since it was summer and all of our friends were already enjoying trips to the pool and splash parks. As a celebration we went with some of our friends to our favorite splash park and enjoyed some sunshine.

It took her some time to get used to bending her knee again. We think she might have been a little afraid to since the last time she was able to move it, it caused her a great deal of pain. It took even longer for her to walk without a limp once she got her cast off. Luckily though she was able to get it completely off right before her birthday, which we were all very excited for.

 Lilly getting her first cast on. She didn't make a peep and just held on to her daddy the entire time.

 Lilly's second cast. They start by putting on a sock to protect the leg from irritation then put on the harder layer. Lilly was quite chatty this time around and she was very upbeat. Laughing the whole time.

 Enjoying some cool water on a warm day. Cast and all. 

She was amazing through this entire time. She didn't let her broken leg get her down. We are so proud of her and got to see her grow as a little person.

Fugitive

Our family decided that the weather was to nice to miss out on a family outing so being the history and museum buffs we are, we packed ourselves up and drove up to Wyoming for the Butch Cassidy festival. For those who may not be familiar with who he is he was a very well known bank and train robber.

We went to the prison where he served 18 months. I always find it interesting to walk the halls of places such as this filled with history. My minds starts spinning, getting lost in what it must have been like back in those days. It also turned out to be educational for the kids too. They got to learn about how candlesticks and brooms are made. They also had a bunch of different tractors, balloon animals in the "general store" and a small petting zoo area

I can't complain when everybody has a good time and learns something.

I'm back!

I am a little behind on blogging lately. Since August my plate has gotten very full and it has taken some time to find a balance in it all. I was working some side jobs that had strange and inconsistent hours, teaching Lilly's co-op, a new calling at church teaching the 4 year olds, and then the everyday responsibilities that somehow have seemed quite a bit more challenging lately. But as the new year approaches, I am feeling like I want to recommit to blogging for our family who lives away from us and for our kids someday in the future to be able to look back and read all about all of our adventures. So cheers to the upcoming new year and here's to consistent updates about our family and what we've been up to. I might even throw in some project and cooking/baking as I have been trying to try expand myself in those areas.

Broken

We always try to protect our kids from the dangers of the world to avoid seeing them get a scratch or bump or better yet a broken bone, but sometimes the weirdest things can happen and you just can't prevent it. Such it the case with Lilly's broken bone. A tantrum is what caused it and as silly as it sounds, it can happen. The doctor will back up. Her leg got caught in a sheet and dislocated (think of  an L shape) and the twist fractured her little leg.

 After 2 doctors and an x-ray tech looked at her x-ray they found the fracture right below the knee. A temp splint was put on until we could get into the Orthopedic surgeon could be seen on Monday or Tuesday. I was a pretty emotional momma. My sister thought it was weird that I was crying but when I looked at my baby who was now broken, it broke my heart.

There was some chatter of maybe needing surgery because of the location but she ended up being able to avoid that. Just a full leg cast that went up to her mid thigh for 4 weeks and a shorter cast for 2 more. The first week and a half she wasn't able to walk at all. The cast was pretty heavy and she was a little nervous. Thanks to our amazing friends and family who helped her get through that rough time. Being couch ridden for so long as a tot is tough.

After a week and a half she started to crawl and after 2 she was walking and by 3 she was running like she didn't even have one on. She is a tough little cookie and we are so proud of how well she handled starting her summer with a broken leg. 

 

She wasn't very happy and didn't make a peep. She just sat quietly.

 

 Her couch spread. Lots of things to keep her busy.

 Getting her shorter cast on. She was a little excited and very chatty. She asked a ton of questions and was laughing the whole time.

Pink of course so it will match all of her outfits.

Construction Zone

At the end of May Kyle turned 2! I can hardly believe that he's only 2!!! He keep up with his sister and all of her friends so well sometimes I forget, he's only 2! 2 amazing fun filled years with this cute little guy. He keeps us guessing and keeps us laughing. He is always asking questions and not your typical why questions but more of how, and how come. He has been 100% potty trained since March and it has been great. He initiated it and he must have been completely  ready because he jumped into it with no hesitation and 6 months later he is still doing great. We have an accident here or there but not to many and usually when he is having so much fun he forgets to stop and go.

He is so much like his dad, stubborn, but so loving. Thoughtful and smart. He's outgoing, energetic, a goof ball, and a problem solver. If there is something he wants but can't reach he'll rig something up to get it, he only ask for help when he really needs it. His vocabulary is increasing with each passing day and his words are becoming clearer and clearer. He can sing his ABC's and count to 10. And he loves to play with his little people bus and his little people barn. He also loves anything with wheels, trucks, cars, bikes, and construction vehicles.
This year for his birthday I thought it would be fun to do a construction themed birthday party and invite all of those that are close to us to celebrate with us. I spent several weeks gathering and coming up with ideas and i have to say I had a lot of fun putting it all together. Even though the weather forecast was crummy (which is unusual for here) we had a great time and thanks to my awesome friend who saved the day with letting us use her house as our rain back up location, it was a very special day for our favorite little guy.