Just another one of those days...

You know it's been a rough day when the sister you visit teach (ie, strengthen, uplift, ease burdens) says as you're leaving, "Let me know if you need anything today."

Photoshoot

One year old and as cute as ever....

Primary Program

Today was Hyrum's first time being in the annual Primary Program. Since our ward has over 200 primary kids, he didn't have a speaking part, but he had a special singing part. All the Sunbeams got to go up on the stand and sing "I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." He was so proud and happy to be up on the stand, he practically yelled the whole song. During his special part as well as all the other songs he sang with rest of the primary, we could hear his voice above all the others. I know it's really not that big of a deal, but we were two proud parents today!

Oh, and on a side note, during the program a big black spider made it's way across the wall, over nine rows, to where we were sitting. Dave stood up in the middle of the meeting and with a tiny tissue I gave him, slammed the spider against the wall. He's now known amongst fellow ward members as the "spider slayer."

After church I captured this video of Hyrum (and William) singing/yelling his debut.

We later found out it was a jumping spider. Isn't she a beauty?

Cochiti Lake

Cochiti Lake, a canoe, family, friends and food...can life get any better? We don't think so!

On labor day we spent time at Cochiti Lake with Don, Teresa, Addie, Violet, Eric, Sarah, Will and Lilly. We got up at the crack of dawn so we could rent a canoe and make it to the lake in time to get a covered picnic table. We arrived at 9:00 and got the 2nd to last table (whew, that was close). The shade was well worth the early wake up! We had a great time rowing the canoe around the lake, playing friendly games of bocci ball, eating yummy food, splashing in the water, digging in the sand and having wholesome adult conversations. The kids had a lot of unrestricted fun (when else do they get to splash water as much as the want and dig in wet sand to their heart's content?). Hyrum and William especially enjoyed being out on the canoe. (Here's a little side story. The night before Hyrum woke up after being asleep for only one hour and asked why it was taking so long for morning to come. He said he really wanted to go on the canoe. Then, on Monday morning when he woke up at 6:00, he was already jumping up a down while chanting, "I can't wait to go on the canoe.") Hyrum and William both got a chance to cast a few lines out with daddy's fishing pole. They didn't catch anything, but still loved trying. Thomas wasn't very happy in the boat since his life jacket was so restrictive. He cried for awhile until he finally fell asleep. After that I'm sure he thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

I absolutely love little adventures like this. They help me to refocus on what's really important- my family. Seeing such excitement in my boy's faces and watching them find pure joy in discovering and learning new things helps me appreciate more their loud voices, busy bodies and energetic personalities. It gives me a "re-charge," so to speak, that helps me handle rest of the week with a more positive, happy and energetic outlook.

Thomas' First Haircut

Dave gave Thomas his first haircut tonight. It was hard to see all of his beautiful, blonde curls fall to the ground. I wondered if we should have waited longer to cut them all off; however, now that it's all said and done, I love Tommy's new toddler hair-do. He is growing up way too fast!

Future Missionary

Hyrum certainly keeps us laughing. Here's what he was up to Sunday night.

He seriously spent forever in the bathroom tyring to comb his hair just right (he takes after his dad in this department). This was the end product....

I love my Hyrum!

The Tree of Life

On Moday night during family home evening we were talking about the Tree of Life. After trying to help the boys understand that the tree represented returning to heaven to live with Heavenly Father, Hyrum said, "I can't wait to get to the tree..." We thought he finally understood the spiritual meaning and was going to say something profound, when he said this instead, "because that fruit looks really yummy! Is it pears or something?" Dave and I both got a good laugh out of that one. I guess he'a a true boy, always thinking of food!