Why, Oh Why?

Landon has a nasty little habit of eating everything he comes in contact with. At Paul and Jenn's he pulled a flower and then proceeded to eat the attached dirt clod and some sticks and other interesting items he found in their yard. Yesterday he ate someone's pet. Thank goodness it was just a little roly poly. (But it did result in one seriously heart broken 3 year old neighbor who has yet to forgive him.) I swear I watch him and even try to intervene by plugging his nose until he finally opens his mouth and I can do a finger sweep. Sometimes he repays my kindness by biting me really hard. Yeah, it will be nice when he grows out of the eating everything in sight stage.

Happy Birthday "D"

Eric celebrated his 31st birthday today. Allie has taken to calling him "D". Apparently Dad is just too long. Happy Birthday old man! We love you!

Eric used a knife to put out the candles. I'm not too sure why. I am certain that he shouldn't have done that in front of two very impressionable children.

Allie Still Believes in Santa Claus

Because (and this is a direct quote): "The only other person it could be is you and Dad. And you're just not that generous and giving."

I think I am beginning to see just how low her opinion of me is. Bah humbug!

Summer Field Trip Week 2--BYU Duck Pond

Disclaimer: I know that I tend to post a lot and that when I do post, I often include a lot of pictures. I thought that I might mention why. This blog is intended to serve multiple purposes, one of the most important being a place where we can keep a record of events and activities. So with that in mind, here it goes...

Last week for our first Summer field trip, we were supposed to go and feed the ducks at the BYU Duck Pond. It rained really hard that day and we were in our winter gear to keep warm inside the house so we decided an outdoor activity was not a good idea. We opted instead to visit some local pet stores and try the Duck Pond this week. Thankfully the weather seems to finally be turning around! We had a fun time at the Duck Pond with the Hakes and the Monte & Shannon Swain family.

LANDON HAD AN OBSESSION WITH THIS YOUNG LITTLE DUCK. HE CHASED IT ALL OVER.

ALLIE FOUND A TURTLE.

AND THEN WE FOUND A BUNCH OF TURTLES.

LANDON LOVED TAKING ISAAC & JOSEPH'S HATS. THEY WERE KIND ENOUGH TO SHARE!



AUNT SHAN WATCHED LANDON SO I COULD WATCH ALLIE & LARKIN'S DANCE MOVES.


ISAAC LOVES TO HOLD LANDON. LANDON LOVES BEING HELD LESS AND LESS ALL THE TIME.

Catching Up

Summer is here and we have been busy!

LANDON has spent his time exploring the great outdoors (boy can he get dirty quickly!), learning how to ride his first big wheel bike, sitting by the back door pouting until someone gets tired of the crying and takes him outside to play, emptying out kitchen drawers and cabinets, and being too cute for words.

ALLIE has spent her time practicing soccer, looking for bugs, riding her bike, solving mysteries, playing with friends, reading books, injuring her finger, visiting the Peds office for said injury (nothing that turned out to be major, thank goodness), chasing Landon, performing at the Provo Children's Festival, and practicing piano.

STACIE has spent her time cleaning, taking care of children, cooking, working on endless Primary projects, tending neighbor children, talking on the phone with friends and family, shuttling Allie to and from her many social engagements...wait a minute. Isn't this supposed to be summer vacation? I guess you don't get those as a Mom. Oh, I guess one exciting thing did happen to me. Eric and I were playing whiffle ball baseball and Eric nailed me in the face. Lucky for me, Paul witnessed the event and all he could say is "why didn't you duck?". Thanks for the moral support, bro.

ERIC has spent his time working, going to school (this is supposedly the last summer EVER!), riding horses, doing scouts, being a young women's camp leader (strange, but true), trying to convince Stacie that a natural gas vehicle is a practical purchase, refining his plan to become a millionaire, and maintaining the yard.

AS A FAMILY we have enjoyed playing at the park, lounging around in the cool basement, snuggling up in winter clothing when the temperatures nose dive, denying that a "regular" bedtime exists, watching movies, and being together more than ever.

FINALLY, HERE ARE A BUNCH OF PICTURES. I FIGURED THAT THIS POST WASN'T LONG ENOUGH YET.

Landon's so excited about Allie's concert he can barely contain himself.

Allie loves to sing!

Eric was impressed by Allie's concentration. She is a pretty good little whiffle ball player.

Landon just wants to eat the bat.

And the FHE treats Allie picked out.





Preparing for a bike ride.

Lovin' the "big boy" bike!


Landon's got to keep an eye out for his big sister sneaking up behind him!

I still can't believe that Kristy and I agreed to let our babies be put on the horses. Landon thought the horses were pretty cool...from a distance. He would chase them until they got too close and then he wasn't sure what to think of them.

"Nobody's Perfect"

I do a lot of blogging about how often Allie insults my intelligence, unintentionally or otherwise. Today I am posting to thank her for her well-timed "That's okay, nobody's perfect". Did you know that you are not supposed to grind flaxseed in a wheat grinder? I didn't. Now I do. Thankfully it appears that my expensive wheat grinder will live to grind another day.

Why I Love Summer

1. I slept in until 8 am today. It gets better...the kids slept until I woke them up at 9:30!
2. Even though I still make a schedule, it doesn't really matter if I stick to it.
   
3. Time with cousins. We had our first Grandma day this week and I think there are plans in the works for the Toone cousins to start getting together more frequently this summer. Yay!
4. The best big sister in the world is home all day to entertain her enamored younger brother.
   
5. The promise of garden fresh produce.
6. Warm summer nights spent outside lounging in the cool grass (I think that we'll experience this eventually).
7. Meals outside on the patio.
   
8. Children who get bathed in the morning and at night because they are filthy from a day of fun outside.
9. Camping, 4-wheeling, hiking, biking, swimming, and exploring the great outdoors.
10. It always comes to an end--and by the time it does, I am ready for it.