Big Boy Bed

About six months ago we took the front off of Easton's crib to make it into a toddler bed to help him transition out of his crib.  Then in prepartion for our new little man, we opted to get Easton his big boy twin bed.  He wasn't sure what he thought about it at first, but now really likes it.  It is fun to see him grow and be excited about becoming a big boy and leaving the baby/toddler stage behind.  The kiddos are into posing these days so of course they had to be in a couple of the pictures.

Mommy-Daughter Date

As excited as I am about a new little one, I also know how big of a change occurs when a newborn enters the home.  Because of this, Eme and I decided to have a mommy-daughter date together before our little guy arrives.  We went to see Mr Popper's Peguins.  It was cute and Eme really enjoyed it!   She was in seventh heaven with her popcorn, drink, and treat.  I love to see what a little girl she is becoming.  She will be a great helper to me and the boys when our little guy is finally here!  It is fun to see how her personality is developing and I feel so blessed to be her mom!

Splash Park Revisited

 The temperature has been brutal here the last couple of weeks, so the kiddos and I have been on track to do activities that help us keep cool.  Luckily, the city splash park is right across the street from us and is fun for the kiddos to cool off in (Eme does, Easton isn't sure about water hitting him in the face yet).  Also, East got his summer haircut - a buzz.  His hair was growing so fast and with his double callic, it was making it hard to get his hair to stay down in the back.  He reminds me of my brother Josh with this haircut.  Summer is fun, but hot right now.  I am trying to do all I can with the kiddos before Taggart comes and our schedule changes up.

Father's Day

We had a great Father's Day weekend.  We were able to spend some time on Saturday together and were able to get some new shirts for Dane with his giftcard to Jos Banks from my mom and dad.  Then we went to Raising Kane's Chicken for dinner.  It was pretty good and it was nice to not worry about dinner!  Sunday we celebrated with Dane and sincehe didn't have meetings, we ate a yummy breakfast of huge cinammon rolls and cheese eggs together (a rare occasion on Sundays).  The kiddos gave him a Berenstain Bears book about Father's Day and he has some fun money from me to spend on some new athletic shoes.  We ate a yummy dinner of steaks, potatoes, garlic mushrooms, yummy bread, fruit, and blackberry cobbler for dessert.  It was a nice day and I am so grateful and blessed to have such a wonderful husband who is my best friend and the best father in the world! I am in awe when I see him with our children-they love and adore him just like I do!  I am also very thankful for an amazingly awesome dad who I love and adore also.  I am grateful for a wonderful father-in-law who set a standard of how to be a wonferful father and husband thus influencing his son to follow that same example.   

Blackberry Picking

The kiddos and I went blackberry picking a little too late in the season and missed out on the wealth of blackberries we got last year.  The kiddos and I went about 12 noon (way too hot) and then we cooled off with our favorite strawberry and peach swirled ice cream.  It was a melty mess, but the kiddos loved it!  There is nothing quite fresh produce.  We also got some yummy strawberries.

Maverik Jones

We were able to meet our new nephew/cousin last night.  Maverik Jones is a sweet, handsome, little guy.  We are excited to have a new addition to the Jones clan.  Eme was so entranced with him that she cried because she couldn't stay with him longer.  Congrats Josh and Kallie!

Young Womens Camp - Lower Mountain Fork River

On Thursday evening, I had the pleasure to go up to young women's camp at Beavers Bend State Park in SE Oklahoma.  It's a great spot, as our young women have a fantastic time and our stake and ward leaders do a tremendous job.  Thursday evening they invite all the bishops up to be a part of the testimony meeting held that night.  We had about 21 young women from our ward there and it was very special to be a part of.  We have wonderful young women in our ward and was a great evening.

I stayed Thursday night so I could help drive the young women home on Friday and it just so happens that the Lower Mountain Fork River runs right through Beavers Bend State Park.  This is a destination spot for fly fisherman in North Texas and Oklahoma for browns an rainbows.   Knowing that I would have a couple of hours Friday morning, I loaded up the fly rod and waders, got up early Friday morning and hit the water at the north end of the river.  It was a beautiful morning and the river was ideal.  After about an hour, I hooked into a 11-12 inch rainbow and shortly after that, about a 15-16 incher - fun stuff!

                                                 

Library Fun

We've been to the library twice this summer already to check out books and to see a clown perform some tricks and also to see a magician do some tricks.  It is fun to see the reaction on the kiddos to this type of experience.  It is also fun because our local library offers these shows for free-score!  I am trying to do as much in June with the kiddos because July will be crazy for them with our new addition!  We have also been swimming a couple times at different pools with other families from the ward.

Eme and Swimming

Eme started swim lessons with a family friend this week.  It is only for 5 days, but she asks daily when is her swimming lesson.  It has been good for her to improve her confidence in swimming and the pool.  She put her head in the water on the 4th day and received a mermaid to swim with for doing so by her teacher.  It is fun to watch her learn and grow through trying new things!

Splash Park Fun

The playgroup from our ward has organized an activity everyday (m-f) for the kiddos to do for 1-2 hours each day.  The first one we did was the splash park and city park.  Eme took a little encouraging, but was soon having fun with her friends from the ward running and playing in the water.  Easton wasn't as interested and really only wanted to do one thing "sing (swing) Mama".  We went over to the swings and slides after we were finished with the splash park.  It was fun to have something for the kiddos to do while it has started to heat up and it didn't hurt to have them have some water and sun for a better nights sleep!