Aunt Jaween's Visit

My sister Jaleen (Weston calls her Jaween) came for a week-long visit at the beginning of October. It was so good to have her here and we got to do a lot of fun things. We watched Conference, ate good food, visited Forresthill Bridge and San Francisco, and I got a few crafts done because Jaleen brought up her sewing machine. She was also great and patient and taught me how to crochet. I'm still learning, but I corecheted two flowers and started a scarf. Weston also had fun playing on her ipod touch and being silly with her. Thanks for a great time Jaleen! We love you!

Weston and Jaleen enjoying the view from the Forresthill Bridge

Seriously? Someone left this little gem.
One night we met Charity for Gelato

Playing at the fountains afterward

Weston eating his lunch and Benson eating the stroller in San Francisco

Ice cream at Ghiradelli square, of course ;)

Riding the trolley

Looking at the view from our old apartment

Benson went down his first slide and loved it!

Family picture

7 Months

Benson turned 7 Months on October 5. This kid is just growing up way too fast. I feel like I'm missing it all. Here are some of things he was up to:

-Teething. His got his first tooth and his second started coming through
-Crawling full-time (he started this at 6 1/2 months)
-Pulls himself to standing and walks along furniture.
-Started feeding himself.
-Likes to do or play with whatever Weston is doing or playing with. He already looks up to him.
-LOVES to go outside.
-Is a little attached to me right now, but I'm enjoying it while it lasts.
-Hates to get wiped off with a napkin or washcloth after eating, but is okay with me giving him a mini bath.
-Loves bathtime and taking showers.
-Can climb stairs

Gnawing on the chair leg

After I got his pajamas on one night, I left him in the middle of the living room to go do something. He was so tired he crawled over to Casey's feet then fell asleep. It was just too cute.
On the day he turned 7 months. We had spent the day in San Francisco and it was bedtime, but he is just so cute even when he's crying. Crawling and ignoring me. It starts so young.

2 1/2

Weston is still at the age where a lot happens in six months, so I thought I should do an update. Plus, it gives me a chance to post some cute pictures of him :)


-He is talking so much now, says full sentences, and is at the age where he says the funniest things. He also amazes us with new words or phrases all the time. One of my favorites is, "You kidding me?" and then he sticks out both his hands in surprise.
-Loves bugs and is not afraid of them at all. He kills spiders with his fingers (he learned it from Casey).
-Is getting more and more athletic. If only we could channel his energy a little more.
-Is crazy and adventurous. He jumps off of everything.
-Loves to sing, dance, and listen to music. His favorite Children's Hymns are Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam and I Hope They Call Me On A Mission.
-Is really into animals and dinosaurs right now.
-Has no desire to potty train. Sigh.
-Is a great big brother, but definately does his part to toughen Benson up.

Notice the big grin on his face. Loving every minute.

Showing off his amazing balance. He would stand there for a few minutes then jump off over Casey's head.Our little drummer boy rocking out with the boys

Folsom Zoo

Every year, if you go to the Folsom Family Expo, you get free admission to the Folsom Zoo. Last time we went, we missed out on the zoo, so we went this year specifically to get our free admission. It was pretty hot so we couldn't even see a lot of the animals, but there wasn't much to see anyways. They actually had a cat and roosters in a cage. Let's just say, I'm glad we never paid.

This monkey hanging upside down was probably the most interesting thing we saw

Casey's review

Precious Moments

I just love watching these two boys playing together and becoming best friends. Weston is a great big brother and you can tell that Benson already wants to be just like him.

Weston giving Benson a ride on the blanket

Looking at the fountain at Casey's work together

Weston holding Benson's hand while he slept. I just love this picture.

Happy Campers

I wanted to go camping one last time before it got too cold, so we headed up to the Fallen Leaf Campground near South Lake Tahoe at the end of September. Our friends, the Tidwells, came with us (Thanks guys!). We got there kind of late because Casey had to go play golf for work (I know, poor him) and we got a little lost, but we made it there and the boys set to work immediately making a fire and setting up camp. We had Glazed Apricot Pork chop/Chicken foil dinners which were yummy and then stayed up late telling stores, talking, and making s'mores. The next morning we had a delicious egg breakfast then set out to explore the lake. When we got back we cleaned up and headed out. It was a beautiful spot and I definately think we'll go there again.

Casey stoking the fire. It was pretty big

All the boys throwing rocks in the lake. I guess it never gets old :)
We couldn't resist taking a picture with such a beautiful background

Someone had abandoned this little row boat by the side of the lake, so the boys took it for a ride.

It turns out, the S.S. Minnow was abandoned for a reason, so the boys had to abandon ship.

Katie and I taking a turn. It wasn't long before we had to turn around unless we wanted to go swimming with the fishes :)

The very picturesque Fallen Leaf Lake

Adventures in Baby Food

I've always wanted to make my own baby food, I just never did. Well, now I do. I just decided to do it one day and used what I had on hand. I made carrots, peas, bananas, peaches, and blueberry applesauce. Since then I have made pears, sweet potatoes, green beans, and bananas with strawberries. I have so much fun with it and it is so easy. I don't know why I didn't try it sooner. I only buy entrees now (the ones with meat) and it feels pretty good knowing I'm saving us some money :)

Up, Up, and Away

Casey would tell me about going to the Hot Air Balloon races when he was little and lived in Reno, so I always wanted to go. We had thought about going, but Casey was in the middle of busy season and we weren't sure if we could pull it off. At 9:30 at night on Sept 10, Casey made a spur of the moment hotel reservation and we started the 2 hour drive by 10:00pm. We got there around 12pm and tried to sleep as much as we could before we woke up at 4:45 so we could see the Dawn Patrol. It was a short trip, but I'm so glad Casey made sure that we went. It was amazing seeing all of the balloons up in the sky and absolutely beautiful. It was a lot of fun too and the boys had a great time and were happy even though they had to get up so early. Thankfully they slept the whole ride home. I'm excited to go again!

The Dawn Patrol. Started at 5:30am!

It was early, but it was fun seeing the sunrise. Waiting for the Mass Ascension

Blowing up the balloons

They had a special fly over with red, white, and blue balloons in memory of 9/11

It looked like it was going to take forever for all of the balloons to blow up and get going, but all of the sudden they all blew up at once. It was one of the neatest things.

Benson waking up from his nap

The four of us

Just a few fun pics of the balloons

The boys with the balloons

All of the balloons in the air

We had to park at the UNR campus and they had all these flags on the lawn in memory of 9/11

After the Hot Air Balloon Races we went back to the hotel for breakfast, watched some ESPN, and had some fun! It was a great day!

Slumber Party At Our House

At the beginning of September, Jason and Ashley went to Hawaii, so we watched their kids for a week. It definately kept me busy! I felt like I was feeding, putting someone down for nap, or changing a diaper every minute of the day, but we managed to do a lot of fun stuff. I even ventured out with all four of them by myself one day and went swimming with our friend Ally. She was great and even provided snacks for the kids. Other than that, we stayed at home a lot, but I made sure to do some fun activities to keep them entertained and they played outside a lot too. Taking care of my two boys seems like a piece of cake now :)

Weston's bedroom after the first day.

Weston and Paisley playing with homemade playdough. This was one of Paisley's favorite things to do.
Poor little Spencer after the first day. We had gone swimming that day and he was a little worn out.

Finger painting. I made the recipe my mom used to make for us as kids and it was pretty fun.

Casey hanging out with the kids in the front yard

Benson doing his thing (exploring and finding a stick). He was great the whole time and allowed me to take care of everybody else. He got his time at night after everyone went to bed.