Friends

We pretty much think friends are stellar. Kolton and Mayia are still significantly different in size, but I think he's catching her on the length department.
Kate and I sat outside while the babies chilled on blankets and the kids played in the kiddie pool. I was pretty much relaxing and glorious.
Kate made us all lunch (again, thanks Kate!) and the kids just played. We didn't have to intervene, or mediate, or help out or anything. We just let them be. In turn, we just got to be. It rocked.
They played with strollers for quite a while.
The next day Tristin came over and Alicia and I got to visit while the girls did a little hokie pokie.
Apparently they are on different verses.
Alicia held Kolton and made him smile.

Wild Waters

Wild waters has not been a prolific figure in our summer as it has in summers of our past. However, this can be attributed to a certain little firecracker that has been added to our family. You see, he is fair skinned, and little, and doesn't love the wind/sun/water in his face the way another darker someone in our family does. So... we didn't get a season pass this year. I explained to Xiana that we would go at least twice and when we did we would stay all day. So, true to my word, this was the first of two times we will hit Wild Waters this summer. I had high hopes for Kolton getting in the water so I dressed him in this adorable swimsuit.
It never made it into the water, but he sure looked cute!
This was a very strange experience for me to just let Xiana roam free at a pool. In seasons past I have followed her every step of the way making sure she didn't fall, drown, or just get herself in trouble. Our first season of Wild Waters she needed assistance simply walking let alone riding the slides, our second season she still needed help on the slides for the beginning of the summer, but pretty much had it down by the end. I did, however, have to save her once as she went face down in the water like a little rag doll nearly scaring me to death. I dropped my phone and ran into the water that I had told her to wait for me before entering into... she failed to listen. Anyway, I grabbed her out and she spit out water choking and crying for about 2 seconds and then ran back in. Her lack of fear was disconcerting to say the very least. This year, she is older, more cautious, a tiny bit more fearful, and completely and utterly capable of navigating the kiddie side solo. She went up and down the slides all day. Her first few runs I asked friends to catch her at the bottom and make sure she could do it alone. She could. So, while I sat covered in shade, nursing, holding, and protecting my young boy, she climbed, slid, splashed, and played.
The only time I made it into the water the whole day Kolton slept... like this...
Then, when the winds picked up and my umbrella would no longer stay up, I took to covering Kolton and pretty much letting him sleep in my arms for the duration of the day.
It wasn't a super blast for me, but it was worth it because my girl had so much independent fun. She is so grown up. I don't realize how capable she is sometimes. I tried to keep my eye on her for the day because it is still scary when you're at a water park with a non-swimmer that thinks she's a swimmer. But she did great. She had so. much. fun. We stayed for 6 hours and she still cried when it was time to go.
They also added a sandbox this year which was a ton of fun. They put shades over it and many of the kids spent the day there. One of my friends commented that she was glad she paid so much money so her kids could play in a sandbox all day. My thoughts exactly. But, I will say it was significantly less nerve wracking to have Xiana playing in the sand than swimming in the pool. There was a great turnout to this playgroup so Xiana (and I) had so many friends to visit with. That made it so fun. I love to see the friendships forged as these little girls grow and learn and assert their independence.
Also, some of the young women from our ward were there and, since they love Xiana and she them, they took her under their wings for part of the day. It really brings to mind the whole village raising a child quote.
Mostly the kids took water from the pool and poured it in the sand... and vice versa. I wonder how long it will be before Wild Waters rethinks their decision to add sand.
Xiana has such cute, sweet, and fun friends. We are grateful to be a part of this ward where we all feel so included. Plus, her little friends are just that, little, just like she is!! It's really nice to have kids her age that don't tower over her. They're all small!

More smiles!

I just can't resist these smiles. And... I'm happy to report Kolton has been sleeping from 10 to 6 for the last week. Woohoooo!!!
He still prefers the floor to anything else but has taken to snoozing in my arms a bit in the am. I admit I look forward to those moments of cuddle time. He is ever so vocal and talks all the time now. He takes his naps in his swing... we'll work on it soon. It won't be long before he'll go in his own room all the way downstairs (scary I know). He's a growing, smiling, sleeping boy!

Fourth of July!!

We had planned on spending the 4th at Cave lakes, but as the day arrived, nobody was extraordinarily enthused about the prospect. Mark had been very sick and had to go to work and there was the fridge fiasco. We thought that watching the fireworks in Sparks sounded perfectly lovely so we got up early and packed up camp and hit the road. Brian's grandparents have a farm in Eureka so we, and his parents, tried to make it in time for the parade. We pulled in just as the parade was circling back. Brian ran ahead with the girls and I stayed in the truck to feed the boy. They got there in time to gather some candy. Small town fourths are such fun. They still go all out and maintain traditions. They clock the main street and then proceed to have races... lots of races. one such race is the gunny sack race. I will admit, Brian and I weren't convinced it was a good idea to let our 3-year-old who has never jumped in a sack before attempt it for the first time on 100 degree asphalt. Brian pretty much said no and I was teetering. But... then they called for little girls between 3-4 and Xiana got so excited we just couldn't tell her no. So Brian took her to the starting line and got her in her sack and...
She hopped like she'd been doing it her whole life. She didn't skip a beat and none of the little toddlers ended with asphalt in their faces.
Her little pony tail was bobbing. She was so very proud of herself. She didn't win, but great-grandpa Andersen was proud too and gave her a dollar for competing.
It was extremely hot... with no shade. I forgot to pack a hat for the boy but Brian's Aunt Nikki was there and she came to our rescue with a hat to shield his white little head. Ekco was excited on the way there, but once we got there she wasn't interested in participating in the races... perhaps the asphalt didn't look very appealing. We ate lunch in the park where they were having a luau. We had terriaki pulled pork sandwiches and Hawaiian salad. It was pretty tasty.
This is a picture of the bathroom and the garbage I realize, but for some reason, watching Xiana stand there I couldn't resist taking a picture. She looked so vulnerable and strong at the same time. She could be the ad for an orphanage with her messy hair, crazy necklaces and dirty face. She's so tiny... but still looks so tough. I love this picture.
Then they had a nickel race where the firemen use hoses to make a circle and then they drop nickels all over and the little ones get to scramble to pick them up.
Xiana managed to capture nearly 3 bucks... which is a lot in nickels.
She used her daddy's hat to hold them.
We went through several different towns that day and finally made it home just in time for quick showers, ramen noodles, and heading out to the fireworks. I was really happy to make it because Nic and Karla and the kids were here so we met up with them and mom and dad.
Ali and Malu were there also, but they were bbqing with his family so they didn't get to see us for long. Ekco was very intent on making sure we all wore red white and blue. She did a great job picking out outfits for herself and Xiana and then overseeing the rest of ours. She truly does have an eye for fashion.
Kolton slept all day because of the 5 1/2 hour drive so he was amped by the time we got downtown.
He sat on my lap and watched the fireworks for a little while. He fell asleep eventually but it was after his bedtime.
We didn't get home until 11:30 and I'm pretty sure we all slept GREAT. It was a great end to a very exciting trip. We enjoyed ourselves, but I never realized how much work it was. This is the first time I've had to shop, pack, clean up, etc with kids and now I can't believe how often my parents braved the woods for a camp out. I am more appreciative than ever.

Camping day 3

The third day of camping was Sunday and, because we weren't going to make it to church, we decided to take the girls on a drive and have a little lesson en route. We took them back to the fields of the original drive we had taken early in the morning. Actually Brian and I went on a drive at 5 am both mornings we woke up at camp. These meadows were absolutely stunning. It's like God took a paintbrush and enhanced the world for our viewing pleasure.
We had lunch here and then took the opportunity to take some gorgeous pictures.
Poor Jeff and Jenn brought all their food (most of which Jenn had already pre-made) and their fridge didn't work in their new cooler and so they lost all of it. Fortunately, between grandma and grandpa and us, we had enough with Jenn's non perishables to make and impromptu lunch.
So we ate and then frolicked in the fields...
Just kidding, we didn't frolic at all. We didn't even go much farther than this as we were a little apprehensive about critters and snakes.
This is our tough family pose. Kolton got the memo.
Brian sent the girls a bit farther in so he could take this awesome picture which greatly resembles one taken last year while camping.
We spent much of the day driving which was a great relief as it was 101 degrees outside that day. We went around the loop and then into town... twice. We ended up eating in town that night at a Mexican restaurant.
We stopped in these trees and looked at the little creek running through... and nursed.
It's kind of nice to have two nursing mothers... it's like strength in numbers. Whenever one needed to stop, the other did also.
The rest of our group headed back to camp, but we stopped at the charcoal ovens and I'm glad we did. It was really nice there. We found out some interesting things and then went on the little nature walk that had been created by a local middle school. They mapped it out and identified historical items along the trail. I was very impressed.
These ovens were used to make charcoal. They were used from 1876-1879. It seems like an awful lot of work to have built them to only use them for three years, but I guess I can appreciate that it was a different world.
Kolton napped until the very end of the hike when he got REALLY mad. We were kind of trapped and couldn't seem to find a way to cross the little creek and he was hungry. Finally, I got him to the truck and Brian ventured a little farther with the girls.
There they are all lined up.
After dinner in town, we went back to camp where Jenn so generously provided sparklers for the kids. They LOVED them. There were only two minor accidents....
which concluded our final night at camp.

Camping day 2

Kolton was a tiny bit temperamental day two as what he loves most is to lay on the floor and have others talk to him. Unfortunately, when camping there isn't much of a floor. Tosh and Mark helped remedy the situation by creating a shaded, mock floor. (He's not a big fan of the sun either).
He was so happy to chill on the towel in the shade... and I was so happy to get to swim with the kids and not worry about my little man.
He also greatly appreciated being able to lay down on the couch in grandma and grandpa's trailer.
Brian, Grandpa, Kolton, and I got up at 5 am and went on a beautiful drive where we say hundreds of Elk. Later that afternoon I wanted to take the girls to the same place. They begrudgingly joined us with promises of lots of wild flowers. We went on a different drive and, while we didn't find wild flowers, we did find snow. And I have to say, there is something magical about walking in the snow in Nevada in July!!
I was in flip flops so it was icy!! But refreshing!
Xiana woke from a little nap just as we were getting out... we didn't hear her so she was pretty distraught by the time we got back to the truck. I went back to take another picture in order to pacify her.
This little man nursed on very bumpy roads... until it became unmanageable. Then he just snuggled for a bit.
At the top of the mountain the kids had a snowball fight with Tysen... in July!!
Kolton was too tuckered out to throw many snowballs.
Grandma came prepared with all kids of festive goodies. She brought pop rocks and flags and necklaces, and a ton of loot.
That evening the kids spearheaded races and games. There were only a few minor accidents running down this rocky road.
Grandma was very helpful enabling us to get some stuff ready for dinner.
And Xiana attempted to help Jenn and Jeff. Unfortunately Parker is bigger than she is!!!
That night we made s'mores. Xiana was so tired that she took one bite of her s'more and then asked if she could go to bed. Actually we were all pretty exhausted. All four of our campsites were quiet by 10:00.