Busy. Busy. Busy.

We have been having so much fun lately just relaxing and having fun! I have had to be creative to try and think of activities to do that are indoors since it is ridiculously hot outside. I used to love the summers growing up and swimming all the time, but now with a kid it's not quite as fun. (I can't wait for it to cool off!)

We have kept busy by..


painting,









playing with playdough,



walked around the mall and looked at the fish,


played in boxes,






played in the rain,


got ice cream cones at McDonalds and played,


went to the Doctors,


went to the Children's Museum,

and we went to "Prowl & Play at the Zoo," which is a zoo event at night and was a lot of fun! The only thing that stunk was we had a huge dust storm right before so a majority of the animals were not out, but still way fun!

We have been having a blast! I love being a mom! It is so much fun, especially since I have such a great son who is PERFECT!! Everyone keeps telling me to count my blessings and good luck on the next, hopefully they will all be just as good!

Adam took this picture around Christmas time and I thought that Brody looked so old and big! I think I was wrong.. this picture was taken a few days ago. Isn't he huge?!

Utah

Adam and I love going to Utah. It is so much fun to just get away and spend some time with the family. Not to mention get out of the hot Arizona heat for a little bit.
Adam has been working a ton. Nothing new about that. But when my sister was in town a few weeks ago he was saying he needed a vacation, asap. So I said that we should go to Utah! (No surprise there! Since that is my favorite spot since so much family is there.)
So we did!

Adam is part of a group at work called, NextGen. Each year they do a softball tournament in Flagstaff. So we planned our trip for that weekend. It was nice that we did not have to do the ten hour car ride straight the way up.

We had so much fun with his team. Everyone was so nice and loved Brody!

The team. 'NextGen Ninjas'


Brody loved the huge baseball.


At the team celebration dinner. (Probably the first family picture that I like.)

Brody was the team mascot, a ninja!

While we were in Utah we did lots of fun things! Brody loved not being the only kid and having his cousins around. We drove with Heather everywhere we went. We put Brody's car seat in between Hunter and Cameron's, and he loved it! Between getting entertained by both the boys, her van is full of different toys and snacks. The boys got so that they would just put their arms in the air and we would put a snack in it. Sometimes we would even look back and they would be holding hands. It was so sweet!
We did some of my favorite activities up there. We went to Thanksgiving Point and saw all the animals. Brody went on his first horseback ride and of course we went for ice cream after!
We went to BYU on the Fourth of July, because my Aunt and Uncle rented tandem bikes. We have been riding bikes there for as long as I can remember. It was nice that it was on the 4th so that we didn't have to worry about the students. It is such a beautiful campus that I love taking Adam there and showing it off.
One evening we went up to the new City Creek mall by Temple Square. It is so nice! :) I think what I loved the most though is that it is so close to the Temple so we went over to Temple Square after.
The Zoo was another fun activity that we did as a family. I am always taking Brody to the zoo with just Kristen. So it was nice to be able to share it was Adam and have him see Brody's cute reactions to the animals.

The only thing that was bad about the trip was that I got diagnosed with Bells Palsy. I woke up our second day there and noticed while I was putting my makeup on that I could not close my mouth. Then noticed that when I smiled.. it looked weird. I went right out and showed Heather (since Adam was out golfing) and right away she knew that I had Bells Palsy. She told me to call the nurse line for my insurance and I did. At this point, I wasn't really freaking out.. I just thought I had an allergic reaction or something. Then when I called and told them my symptoms the nurse told me to go to the ER because she though I had a stroke. Then I freaked out! I went in and told Heather and then decided to call my other insurance just in case, since I hate the hospital and didn't want to go. Well, same thing.. they told me to go to urgent care. So Heather and I trekked over to the urgent care with three little boys. (Thank you Heather!! You rock!) I checked in, went back to the doctor and yet again he thought I had a stroke. But after a few tests he realized I didn't and diagnosed me with Bells Palsy. Yay me!.. Well at least it wasn't a stroke! So the rest of the vacation I wore an eye patch and sunglasses. I told all the kids I was a pirate and they would just laugh. Morgan and Molly even showed me what my smile looked like. (Which are included in the pictures below. Sadly, it's pretty dead on to what I look like.)

But the trip was amazing, I already want to go back. I love Utah! I love my family! Thanks for such a great time!!

Feeding the Turtle

Every night after dinner Brody and Adam go out back and feed the turtle. Whenever I get done cleaning up Brody after dinner he will go over to Adam and say "turtle" and point outside, until Adam gets the food so that they can go out back and feed the turtle. It is so fun to watch them do this every night. Brody loves to do this with his daddy. If I by chance point to the outside or even say turtle he will look around for Adam and want to go out to see the turtle.





In fact I had no clue that Brody even knew how to say "turtle" until they came inside one day after feeding it and Adam showed me that Brody could say it. It is so cute to hear him say it because he says it in two distinctive syllables and in a weird french accent. It is hilarious! :)



I love that Adam and Brody have their little thing that they always do together!

Memories

Adam came home from work the other night and was telling me about an article he read about a one year old who was only given two weeks to live. He was saying how it was such a sad article and couldn't imagine going through such an ordeal. At the end of the article the parents urged all of their friends to make memories with their children. That they need to make the most of each moment and have fun.

We were sitting at dinner as he was telling me about this and eating Mexican food. I was having a hard time trying to get Brody to eat the beans and gave up. Then Adam looked at me with his mischievous smile and gave Brody the FULL bowl of beans, and simply said "make memories."
We do random stuff like this with Brody every once in awhile but for some reason this time had a little more meaning. It was so cute to watch Brody with the bowl of beans. At first he was somewhat hesitant and then attacked.








I know this is a small step in making memories but it was fun for me to see Adam excited about making memories and not have me nagging all the time! :)

Also, this weekend we had my little sister Kristen stay with us because my parents were up in Sedona with some friends. She is leaving to go to college soon and so one of the things she wanted to do was go and get milk shakes and fries at Johnny Rockets, which we did and I forgot how delicious they are. Kristen loves to eat Mac & Cheese, like it is a staple in her diet, and she also loves brownies. So for dinner one night that is exactly what we made!


Kristen and Brody at Johnny Rockets


Brody loved the boxes!



It was such a fun few days that she was here. She is such an amazing sister and Aunt. We will totally miss her when she goes away for school, but excited for her!

Phoenix Children's Museum

Today we went to the Phoenix Children's Museum with my sister, Kristen, my Aunt Shauna and her two sons Joshua and Zach! It was so much fun! :) The place was a little more crowded than usual, but still super entertaining. Brody had a great time with the two boys but I think enjoyed the toddler section since it was a little more calm and his style.

Happy Father's Day!

I love Father's Day! Basically I love any reason to celebrate anything, but Father's Day is always special because of the wonderful Father that I had, and now the wonderful Father that Adam is to Brody. I am so blessed to have so many great examples of Fathers in my life.

First obviously, my own Father. He is such an amazing person and so kind to everyone. He will go above and beyond for anyone. He treats my mother with such respect and love that they still seem to be excited by seeing each other each day. He is someone that I know that I can always turn to and go to if I need anything. And he is such a great Grandfather to Brody. We are so lucky to live so close to him and be able to see him frequently and see the relationship that he has with Brody. Brody loves to follow him around and if we are at his house when he isn't there he will walk around the house looking for him, saying "Grandpa.. Grandpa" over and over. (Technically he only whispers Grandpa.. not sure why.) But he is amazing and I feel so lucky to have such a great daddy!








Next, is my Grandpa Olson. He is the kindest and genuinely nice man that you will ever meet. Ever since my Grandma has been unable to take care of herself, he does EVERYTHING for her! He will follow her around the house, clean the house and even cook! Some of which he has had to learn since my Grandma needed the help. It is so sweet to watch them together and the love that he has for her, even after all these years. It is so cool to be able to live so close and have a real relationship with him, and that he knows who Brody is and that they can play together!






Another great figure is my Grandpa Ray. Although I don't get to see him as often as I would like he is a great example to me of love and dedication especially towards my grandma! :)

Last, Adam, my awesome husband. Adam is an incredible father. Brody will continually say his name throughout the day and stand by the garage door in hopes that Adam will be coming home from work. Then, when Adam walks in the door Brody will light up and run to Adam. It is always so sweet to see. For Brody's birthday he got some golf clubs from Micaela and Eric, and Brody and Adam have become pros. They will go into the front room and play forever. Adam has taught him how to hit and Brody is getting super good at it now. Adam is just such a fabulous father and I am so grateful that Brody has him as a role model and example in his life. I love you, Adam! <3








Happy Father's Day!! :)

Heather's Visit

I love when my sister, Heather and her family come to visit! Especially now that Brody is older and mobile, it makes it fun to watch the three little boys interact! We are so lucky to have such a wonderful family, because Brody will be able to be close to all of his cousins, since all of my siblings are so close. I know that I loved to hang out with my cousins and doing crazy things with them, so I am excited for Brody to be able to experience that!

Heather and her family came in town for my little sister Kristen's High School Graduation. (Isn't it crazy she is old enough to graduate?!?! I am freaking out and totally going to miss her next year. Although excited for the opportunity she is about to have!) While they were here visiting, we went to the park, swimming (almost daily), to the zoo, the airport for Breakfast, ate Elmer's, went to Kristen's graduation and celebrated Adam's birthday. It was so much fun to have them here!


Playing at the park.

















Everyone walking to the park.



The boys begging for food from Heather.

At the airport!


Right before Kristen left for her graduation. I may not look like my sisters but at least I look like my brothers. ha ha.

The sisters. I always try to convince myself I look like them, then I see pictures like this and realize I don't.

We went to Tempe Town lake and rode kayaks and barbequed. My mother pulled Cameron and Brody around for awhile, they loved it.


Celebrating Adam's birthday.

Twice.


Swimming in my backyard. But most of our swimming as actually at my parents.


I think cousins need to come more often! They are so much fun! :)