The Leaves Were Smiling

We took a hike. 

The boys were thrilled. 

Owen was excited to be "climbing a mountain" and Lewie was purely in his element. 

The air was crisp and invigorating. Sometimes I forget how breathtakingly beautiful my close surroundings are. Owen kept commenting on how great it smelled and I kept agreeing. 

Soon after we reached our waterfall destination, rain began to fall. It was a perfect soft shower of lots of water. The boys loved it! I explained to Owen that it's been a dry summer and the plants and trees were so happy to get this water. A little later he pointed off the trail and said "I think those leaves are smiling". I think he's right. I felt such literal life in the mountains that day.

Puppy Dog Tails

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails.

Lewie, that's what you are made of! 

I feel like that poem was written just for Lewis Hendrik. 

I would just add

pudgy feet and and kisses sweet 

big huge grins and scraped up shins

waddling fast, always having a blast

sleeping hard to get recharged

on the go, random stuff in tow

sweaty hair without a care

twinkly eyes and deep loud cries

squirmy and squiggly and heavy and wiggly 

happy and bright full of spirit and might

making people smile when you dance with such style

You splash and tottter in mud and water

boy through and through, is what I love about you.

Happy 4th!

We had a fun holiday!! I love that so much about it is the same every year. A delicious breakfast with the Peters, A BBQ for dinner with the Bells, and fireworks at the park. Owie was terrified of the loud noises, but hung in there like a champ, til he fell asleep in a tight ball on our blanket with his hands over his ears. Lewie had a blast deliriously wandering around late into the night!

happy days

 Such a happy part of Summer for me, is spending time outside in the evenings, especially when cousins are in town!

A happy part of Summer for Treavor is golf. On Friday he got an eagle. He chipped in from 90 yards (picture almost a football field!) His friend got the happy moment of treav collecting the ball.

The big day

Layton and Lauren are married! It was such a perfect day full of family, celebrating and one amazing couple. 

It's been fun to watch someone fall so deeply in love with my little brother. 

Lauren is full of light, spirit and sweetness and it's a blessing that she is part of our family.

A few of my favorite pictures from the fabulous day

Things that made the day memorable:

The weather was absolutely perfect.
The ceremony was sweet and profound.
Owen wet his pants outside the temple. Darn it. He was sad for a minute, but then ran around and aired out.
The evening included so many friends and family members and lots of fun.
A sitter came to get the boys from the reception so Treavor and I could be care free and dance late into the night.
The love birds drove off in a cool, classic getaway car.
Lauren was such a gorgeous bride, radiating light. 

Happy days ahead for Layton & Lauren Bell

Good thing he switched

The other day Owen was putting his shoes on. I noticed they were on the wrong feet and told him he better switch. 

His response while chuckling: 

"ya cause then I'd have to stand like this all day!"

A few of the perks

There are many perks that come with living with Grandma Kat and Grandpa Dennis. 

Here are just a few to document. 

A digger came to make a whole for a new pool! The dirt and the equipment have been heaven for the boys. 

Also 5 huge cottonwood trees had to be removed and for a few days there was a giant pile of stumps to clime on.

One morning Owen woke up to personalized superhero cupcakes and got to eat them for breakfast! 

Thank you Grandma! and aunt Telisa  for designing those awesome toppers.

Lewie loves helping Treavor and Grandpa in the yard

 And browsing catalogs with Grandma

I'm feeling very blessed, and obviously the boys couldn't be happier.