Technology

Last week Kjell borrowed my camera to take pictures of employees that had broken records at work. When I downloaded them I found that he had mistakenly taken videos instead of pictures, which of course amused me greatly. My friend Angie inspired me to post this charming video. And maybe it will motivate Kjell to check the blog more often...

May I also please note that my mother-in-law and I found the armoire in the video at a garage sale for $5?!

As a disclaimer, Kjell is really quite technically savvy....

"Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails...

...that's what little boys are made of."

It's a boy! Congrats to the half of you who guessed correctly in the poll.

All looked well in the ultrasound today...now if only we could come up with a name....

Playgroup

Tuesday mornings are so much fun thanks to our ward (church) playgroup. Today we drove up South Fork Canyon for a picnic and the weather was just beautiful. Here are some pics:

Photo 1 - Neighborhood kids sitting on a log up South Fork Canyon

Photo 2 - All of the kids sat safely on the banks of the freezing cold water except...

Photo 3 - Marcus! He played for over an hour in nothing but some boots and one of Holden's diapers (he immediately got all of his clothes wet of course)

Photo 4 - The moms (photo taken by a 4-yr-old) but we're missing a few regulars.

I should also note that Holden went swimming before I even finished unloading the car. He was soaked and scared but fortunately Jessica was there to pull him out immediately and provide us with a spare oufit!

Sweet Darling

Marcus has learned many new skills in the past weeks, like putting on his underwear and pants all by himself. He can also undo his seat belt and get out of the car, clean up all his toys, and say lengthy prayers at night. His daddy has been teaching him how to shoot rubber bands, his new favorite activity (thanks Kjell). I get a kick out of the fact that his undies are inside out and backward most of the time, but he absolutely refuses help. He wore his pants backward to church today, very proudly I might add. He's also learning to write his letters, we've done L and O so far, and Kjell makes Swedish pancakes with him every Sunday morning. He's especially good with a mixer and improving on his egg-cracking skills.

His cute little personality comes out daily. Sometimes when we can't find something he'll say a bee took it and flew it away. Or he'll put his foot in time-out when he accidentally trips. He's all about "turns" and fairness and seems to love pre-school. Trains are still number 1 in Marcus' book. "I want to build a so great big huge long huge track" is often heard at our house. One day he told me that Marcus is mommy's "sweet darling" and Holdy is mommy's "doll boy" and he beams with pride when I call him this self-appointed pet name. Apparently, we've been a little too liberal at letting him go pee-pee in the bushes when we're playing outside in our yard, since last week he did so on the slide at the park before I could stop him. Although he certainly tries us at times, we surely love this little boy.

Doll Boy

Sweet Holden. My baby is growing up! He's an indepedent little man who loves to shut anything that is open, go outside, follow Marcus, and wrestle! He and Marcus wrestle more and more often and I've given up trying to stop them, especially since Holden initiates it half the time. Remarkably, they don't tend to hurt each other although hard-wood floors don't help. Now that Marcus is in school, we get more time together but I have to say that he can be very self-entertaining at times, which really helps me to get things done. I love Holden's infectious laughter and sweet disposition.

Photos 1,2,3 - Every since his first haircut, Holden went from being a red-head to a blond. Time will tell what color he chooses next, since he had dark brown hair until he was 6 months old!

Photo 4 - Holden's first attempt with a spoon. He did OK at first and then started to drink his yogurt.

Farm Country

Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point is always a fun day trip with the kids. Horse rides, hay rides, and feeding and petting the animals - what more could a 3-year-old ask for?

Photo 1 - Marcus feeding a baby goat

Photo 2 - Marcus and his friend Campbelle Schill in "jail"

Photo 3 - Marcus was "chomping at the bit" for his turn to ride a horse.

Marcus & Jane

What a treat to have our good friend Barbara White come visit us for a few days in August. She came with Jane (2) and Macy (3 weeks old!) for a brief stay. We went to garage sales (of course), on a walk to Bridal Veil Falls, and Barb was able to go to her cousin's wedding. Mostly, we got to catch up and spend time with the kiddos. SOOO good to see Barb (I'm just sad I didn't get a photo of us). Also, Barb and I have been trading maternity clothes for our pregnancies and she returned mine and brought hers and let's just say I am getting the better deal:)

Photo 1 - Marcus and Jane throwing rocks into the Provo River.