A Not Long Enough Weekend....

Harpers Ferry


On Friday before the 4th Kev actually had the day off!!! So we decided to hit the road, and ended up in West Virginia!!! In Harpers Ferry. The whole town is built on a "mountainside" (I miss the real mountains :) It is really pretty and the weather was great so we really enjoyed being there! It has been a while since we got out and explored!




Surprising, I got my family to pose for a few pictures!





The town is full of original buildings and of course re enactors. A bridge you can walk across over the shenandoah and have an up close and personal look at the river rafters. (we are planning on doing that one weekend.)









The trains were pretty loud and Joey was a little scared of them. She really doesn't like loud noises, trains, motorcycles..good thing daddy was there to "keep her safe" as she always tells us to do.



She may be afraid of trains but not of jumping off seven foot cliffs! She kept asking if she could go higher. We couldn't refuse her, look at her form!



And of course Jacksy enjoyed the day in style! The boy is so smiley and so fun! He just hung out, slept and smiled! Sounds like my kind of day!

Celebrate Good Times! Come On!!

Leesburg Parade!
Nothing like a good old fashioned parade to get you in the spirit of the 4th!

We all enjoyed it! We were right in the sun so Jackson got to watch the people not the parade!



Crabfest 2009!
Than we headed over to Takemoto's for dinner!!! And I mean dinner!

Being a native Utahn I had never cracked crab before! It was so gross! But so fun!! There were so many crabs and Lobster!!! It was crazy! We had a blast. Joey kept saying "and I like crab too!" even though she didn't try it! But I thought it was delicious!...well not so great coming back up! But you don't need to hear about that!


Fireworks!
We finished the night with Ashburns fireworks show! I love fireworks!

And so did the kids! we were a little worried they would be scared, but nope they all really liked them! Even Jacks!


Thanks Rebbecca and Curtis! We love celebrating major and not major holidays with you!!
Happy 4th of July!! and Happy Birthday to you America!

Ms. Jowin Thueson
Second Bedroom
Little Bed
Ashubrn Virginia


Joey,
We have been having such a fun summer! Thanks for all your help with your baby brother and being so much fun to go to the pool with. And for being so good about taking naps!

It is my favorite time of day, after you have had a nice long nap and I hear your little shuffle of your feet and your loud raspy voice, it never fails to make me laugh! Even though you usually wake up yelling at me because I forgot to do something, I still think you are funny!

We finally found a bed that you would sleep in, one that is just your size! We still fight about what blanket to put on it, but it is coming a long! You still have your binky, but you say you are just borrowing Jacksons! I am glad he is sharing with you, you are so much sweeter with it!

Joey I love! I love that you always want me to warm up winnie because her legs are just a tiny, little bit not warm! You are such a joy to me and you never cease to amaze me every day! Keep growing up big and strong and sweet and smart!
I love you!

Love,
Mom

Dear Jackson

I really don't know what I did to deserve you! You are so sweet and easy going! I love the way you smile when you hear my voice. And go crazy when you hear your sissy coming!I love your smile and cute dimples! I love to hear you laugh and watch how fast and hard you can kick you legs!
This month you turned three months old! I can't believe how fast time has gone by. With three months has come 5 pounds and 5 inches! You have finally found your voice which means you now laugh and coo but you can also let out a cry when you mean it!
The last few nights you have been waking up at two in the morning! I don't know why all the sudden you decided to do this but would you please stop? please?
Yesterday was a big day for you! You rolled over three times in a row! While I was trying to take these pictures in fact! And you got a good grip on Joeys hair for the first time! I thought she was going to scream at you but she didn't. She sweetly asked you not to do it again and then went and got a head band to keep the hair out of you face! She really loves you kiddo and I think you two will be great friends! I hope anyway! There is no one in the world like a big sister and I hope you learn to know that and appreciate it!
You are my boy Jackson and I love you so much! I never quite got the bond with a mother and son but now I know it! I am so glad we have you in our family, thank you for the sweet spirit you bring and all the laughs and all the hugs! You will always be my little guy!
All my love,
mom

Too Much Love?

Yep turns out that sometime it is just a little to much love! I tell you what though Jackson is one heck of a sport! Even though she pushes her head on his and is constantly stroking him, he still loves her. He gets excited when he hears her and starts looking around to find her! He even gives her great big smiles! (which I have yet to get a picture of.) He is one happy easy going baby! And we all love him a lot!

Roughin It!

Kev and I really wanted to go camping for Memorial Day weekend! But camping here in VA isn't the same as camping in UT. So after much talk we decided not to for go the 3 hour car ride and the crowded campsite and go in our friends backyard! We decided to call it a trial run for when we really do go!





It was really fun! Joey and Sydney had a blast! The whole tent thing was so exciting for them! And of course Jackson and Brooklyn just hung out in their bouncy seats watching it all go down!





As it started to get dark Joey was so tired but it took a while for her to wind down enough to fall asleep. Of course it also could have been the sugar rush from the smores we had, hot out of the oven!



Of course we really missed the camp fire and instead the girls played with one the apps on Kevs iphone!



And yes by morning we were all squished on the air mattress! But all in all I would call it a successful trial run!


Saturday the pool opened! I thought Jo might have some reservations about the freezing cold water, but I was wrong! She jumped right in and had a blast!



Jackson of course the little trooper! I mean come on how cute is he! He slept the whole time!



Sydney came too which made it that much more fun for Jo and for me, so I had an excuse to stay out of the cold water with her!



But I am happy to report we have been back several times and I have gotten in and swam with Joey everytime.. I must really love her because I really don't like cold water!
Thanks Bunkers we had an awesome time!!

Photo Op

The last few weeks have been really rainy here in VA. So with a visit from grammy our umbrella count went up by two! Joey was a little obsessed with them. Oddly enough it hasn't rained since! :) But they turned out cute to take some pictures with!







By the time Kev got home from work Joey was done with the camera. But I was determined to have a few family pictures. These are the few! (and my blog header, which I love!)

Our Day..

Need I say more?

Good Friends and Good Weather!

This morning we headed out to Frying pan park to have a look at the animals!



It had a little something for everyone! Animals for Jo, ice cream for me and sunshine for Jackson!





It was really fun because Joey was in a great mood! She loved loved loved the sheep!



She made special friends with this guy who ate the flowers right out of her hand!



And of course what would a day on the farm be with out a political rally with Bill Clinton as a special guest! Yep he was there! Now of course I didn't get to see him, he was an hour late and I had motherly duties to attend to, but Brian and April saw the old man himself.. and that is what they said he looked like, old!
All in all I'd say it was a fun day on the farm!

To Kev

Four years ago today at this exact time you and I were saying our "I dos" or "yes's" I guess. We would have been saying it a half hour earlier but some one left her recommend in Seattle so we had to wait and get that resolved! So while what I can only imagine was total pandemonium going on downstairs, We were hanging out in the celestial room, just waiting to be sealed for time and all eternity! It was such a great day! It rained of course and they asked you to take off your bracelets before we went in. We filled up on cheeseburgers before the dinner, thank you Scott! And when I stood up and thanked everyone for coming I completely forgot to tell you how much I loved you! Needless to say so much has happened sine than, we have seen a little more of the world and a lot more of each other! We have had two amazing additions to our family and finally found a place to call home! I love you more today than I did four years ago! Thanks for making our lives amazing together!

What a blessing!

We blessed Jackson in church on Sunday. And when I say we I mean Kev gave him the actually blessing.. but it was a team effort! :)


My mom made his adorable outfit!


Heavenly Father made it pour rain!



And we had so many visitors come!

My mom and dad. Eryn and Coley from Seattle. Scott from New York. And a surprise appearance from Craig and Marj! Not to mention all the friends who came over after for lunch. Honestly our apartment was bursting at the seams! But it was great to feel every ones love and support and love for our little guy! He really is such a blessing and we are so thankful for him!