Fourth Of July - The Parade

We started our fourth of July celebrations with the parade in downtown Provo.  Preston was very patriotic.

It was a HOT day, so we made sure to put lots of sunscreen on.

My parent's hanging out with Preston waiting for it to start.  This was before the people turned on their sprinklers so we wouldn't sit in front of their house.  As Michelle would say on Full House "How Rude!"

We ran into my Aunt Laura and some of her kids there.  Here is my cousin Ryan holding Carter for the first time.  He wasn't sure what to do, but doesn't he look like a natural!

Here's Ryan again with his beautiful wife Jen.  We went to their wedding last December.  No, that baby is not theirs.  It's Carter again. :)

The group watching the parade.  I think it's funny that my dad and Uncle Dwayne (brothers) are both looking at the parade instead of the camera.  They ALWAYS act the same, it's hilarious.

Preston's favorite float of the day.  I have no idea why, he just kept talking about the giant pig.  I'm pretty sure he's obsessed with pigs, weird child...

I just loved this old car, but I think I loved the old man in the hat even more. :)

Go BYU!  Our old stomping ground.

There was a band that came all the way from Tonga!  I hope it wasn't just for the parade.

I loved their dresses, I wish I had one!

I wish bands in the U.S. could be this casual, but I'm guessing the look just wouldn't work out.  The guy inthe middle with the white hat and shades is my favorite.

I was kind of suprised to see that the missionaries even had a float.  You could tell they were having a LOT of fun!

This is something I don't quite understand.  They actually have a school for this.  Right behind this girl there was a truck full of little girls practicing gymnastics on a fake horse.  To each his own I guess... It was cool to watch.

Finally Lehi High School band came, it's what we went for.  My youngest brother Bryant is in the band.

He's in 9th grade this year, and growing up too fast.  He's taller every time I see him!  He's the star on the trombone. :)

My cousin Aaron was also in the parade with his band.  We didn't actually get to hear him play because we were at the end of the parade and they stopped before they got to us, but I know he's good!  Can you believe he's only 16?  Look at that beard!

To finish of the day out came the firetruck with our forefathers on it.  This just made my day!

It was so fun to be in Utah for a holiday.  It was fun to see all the floats, but especially to see Bryant in the band.  Preston absolutely LOVED the whole thing,  I don't think he moved the entire time!  I wish I could keep him that entertained all the time. :)

Twin Cousins

The first day we were in Utah my brother Tyler and his wife Mara came over with their adorable little boy Ashton.  He was born just 9 days after Carter.  My mom bought them these matching outfits.  So I took pictures of the two of them together, the one time they were both asleep at the same time.  That was lucky... and didn't last long. :)

Don't you just love the "bear bums"?

Here's little Ashton

and Carter.

We didn't think they would be able to meet until Thanksgiving when they're both 5 months old, so it was really fun to see them together while they're still so little.

Impromptu Trip

Our good friends Mark and Amy were going on a family vacation to Utah and at the last minute they decided they had room to take me and the boys with them.  I found out on a Thursday and we left the next morning at 3:30 a.m.  I didn't have much time to pack or think about our trip, but I was sure glad I got to go!  It was sooo nice of them to offer to take me with them so we could see my family!  The 13-14 hour drive was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.  We had a 4 1/2 year-old, a 3 year-old, a 2 year-old, a 1-year old, and a newborn with us.  Does that sound crazy?  All of the kids were well behaved (most of the time) and we didn't have to stop too often for Carter to eat.  Overall I thought the drive was a lot of fun.  I almost prefer it to driving because you get to see the scenery along the way.

Here's Mark, our designated driver.

And Amy, the entertainment for the kids.  She would sit and read them books and run the DVD player for them.  That was nice to have. :)

Tessa with her morning hair.

Sweet Sawyer posing for the camera.

Preston actually smiled for once.  I think he must have still been have asleep at this point.

Rigdon was much happier on the way home. (when this picture was taken)  The poor baby had a fever on the way there and cried a lot of the way, I felt so bad for him.  I'm glad he felt better on the way home.

I think this face Carter made in his carseat was hilarious.  He's not too sure about being in there so long... Actually he had just woken up ready to be fed, he really slept almost the entire time!

On the way there we stopped in Boise to eat lunch and let the kids play at a playground.  On the way home we stopped to visit one of Mark's relatives who made us breakfast.  They also had this fun trampoline in their back yard.  Preston loved it!

Tessa got her energy out by climbing the tree in the back yard.  It was nice to be able to stop and rest for a little while.

Like I said, it was a really good trip, I am so grateful that we were able to go.  I even had fun on the days where we drove all day long, but I sure was tired by the end of it... If you notice I got a picture of everyone in the car except myself.  Whoops.  Oh well, you can imagine how bad it would have been. ;)

Carter's First Bath

He may look kind of scared in this picture, but I promise he really wasn't.

He wasn't bored either.

But maybe slightly confused.

I promise he had a good time in the tub with is big brother. :)

Carter didn't have his first real bath until he was close to 3 weeks old because his umbilical cord didn't fall off for a long time and then it stayed goopy for a while... like you wanted to know that.  Anyway, I had Gabe take a picture of me with Carter on the day of his first bath, of course I'm wearing my pajamas and didn't do my hair just like the picture I have of me with Preston after his first bath.  It's classic. ;)

Our First Outings

Last week we ventured out to a park with an animal farm with my friend Holly and her little boy Sam.  I decided it would be a good idea not to bring my camera when I needed to handle both boys on my own, but Holly got some cute pictures and posted them on her blog.  Here's a picture of Carter and Sam sleeping next to each other, they're going to be best friends.

The other day for playgroup we went to a  local park with a trail for walking.  Although we didn't end up walking at all, I was still able to use my double stroller to and from the playground.

We were the first ones to get there suprisingly to I decided to take some pictures of Preston, which he of course didn't like, he tries to avoid the camera at all costs.

I got a few good ones though.

He loved the part of the playground that is supposed to be a train.

This might sound dumb, but in this picture he totally reminds me of a fireman going down a pole.

He really was having fun at the playground, he just chooses not to smile when the camera's out.

On this day he woke up with his hair sticking straight up like that in the back.  All I had to do was add a little gel and help the front stick up a little.

Carter snoozed happily in the stroller most of the time.  It was a cold day, so I was glad.

It's been so good to be able to get out.  Preston loves having something to do!

Friends and Babies

It's crazy to think that we've lived here for more than three years now.  Some of our friends visited us right after we had Preston and again after we had Carter.  It was fun to compare photos and see how different things were two years ago. 

Here's when Amy and Tessa came to visit me at the hospital after Preston was born.

Here they are visiting in the hospital after Carter was born.  Look how much bigger Tessa is!

Here are our friends Justin and Kati with their little girl Alyssa.  At the time Kati was pregnant with their son Dallin.

After Carter was born they came to visit us at our house.  Here are Kati and Justin with Carter.

Look how small Alyssa was when she held Preston in the hospital.

She looks so grown up holding Carter just two years later.

Our friends Trent and Kim and their boys Levi and Ethan also came to visit both boys after they were born. 

Their boys were as excited to see Carter as they were to see Preston.  They love babies!  It's good because now they have a little baby sister of their own too.

It's so weird to think how much time has gone by since we've lived here.  I'm glad that we've been able to have so many good friends along the way!

Around the House

Here's Preston pointing out Carter's mouth right before I took his newborn pictures.  The goal was to get a cute one of them together, but this was the only one I got with Preston in it.  He kept saying, "All Done picture!" which unfortunately happens a lot.

After I was done taking Carter's pictures Bentley thought it was his turn.  Gabe found him laying on Carter's blanket which he is usually not allowed to do.

Gabe decided to grow a goatee while he was home from work the week after Carter was born, I did not approve of this, but I did say I'd take a picture if he'd shave it off. ;)

Preston loves sharing his toys with his brother.  Even while he's sleeping in weird positions.

Every night Preston asks if Carter can sleep in his bed.  We always let him lay there with him for a few minutes.

Sweet boy having some tummy time.

Preston wanted to wear his hat, and was insistant that Carter wear his too.  Carter wasn't too happy about that.

Preston and Carter both love their bouncy chairs!  Preston always loves to hold Carter's hand too.  They sat like this for at least 20 minutes.  I'm glad they like each other... so far.