24th of July

Our 24th of July was pretty calm, but fun family time. We took the boys to breakfast, shopping and then to a movie - UP - the theaters were dead which was weird for a holiday. I heard that the moive is really cute, Wes and I spent the time in the halls :) We came home and had a BBQ and fireworks. Our neighbor had an amazing display so we had a hard time kepping the kids in our yard. Weston took the sparklers this time, he had no fear. Happy 24th...

Our grand finale

Preston with Bry in the background waving his sparkler and a fountain going off behind him

Weston and his sparkler

Bryson will be a engineer of some sort, he loves watching things move.

Children's Parade

Our Stake got the opportunity to be in this years 24th of July children's parade. Our theme was 'Building Eternal Families" so the boys were wearing hard hats and I made our wagon into a tool bucket, however Weston would not leave the tools in the pockets so it just looks like a covered wagon. I walked with the boys, thought it would be best with Preston, I took Wes with me as well which in the end was not the right idea. Grandma and Grandpa Steck came to watch the parade and see the boys, thanks Papa and Gama. But it was fun to walk with them and have this opportunity.

After the parade they had a festival at the City County Building/Washington Square. The boys could have stayed there all afternoon, in the shade it was 95 so I pulled the mommy too hot card and left after about an hour. The boys got in a bunch of slides though and had a great time. We went to see UP after the festival, that was a great movie the boys really liked it.

I love it when the get along and love each other... it was a great (hot) day!

Bryson's Beach Party!!!

For Bryson's birthday party this year he decided on a Beach party theme - you wouldn't think that would be hard to find stuff for in July... apparently July is September and we should be winterizing our yards. So I had a hard time finding items to entertain the kids, all the party stores were Luau focused or very adult, but we made due.

I filled almost the entire 200 water balloons, the kids played on the slip-n-slide, the sprinklers and threw the balloons (which were going to be used for games and prizes but that got shot out, they were having fun and that is all that mattered) they had pizza and then I was able to find a beach ball pinata which was the hit of the afternoon. I still cannot believe that Bry is 7...

Bry and Hayden on the Slip-n-slide

Bryson and Preston before everyone arrived

Me filling water balloons, it was like a moth to a flame

Pizza time!!

Sweet Jessie ended up being the only girl - she said "I don't mind" (In a voice like Flower from Bambi) she is so cute...

The whole gang, Alex B, Preston, Bryson, Alex M, Jessie, Eric (Missing from this picture, Hayden and Cayden)

Bry taking his best shot

I love this action!

CANDY!!!

MORE CANDY!!

Present time ended up being a hord of 7 year olds on Bry, I didn't get very many good pictures. But he got some cool things and was really happy in the end. AHHHH, party is over.

Temple Open House

We took the family to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House today for Bryson's birthday. Darren and I had already gone through, but every time we pass the Temple the boys (Preston especially) asked when he could go into the Temple.
As you can see from the pictures we went first thing in the morning, which was nice at the Temple was not crowded and that helped with Preston and his focus.
The boys really liked seeing it and finally being inside the Temple with Mom and Dad. It was really nice to be inside as a family knowing that the next time we are there will be when Bryson is 12 and can participate in baptism's for the dead. Right now it is all confusing for them, but for Mom it was great to be there as a family.

The boys at the south side

Our family - oh the sun...

The boys!

Bryson Carter turns 7!!!!!

My first baby turned 7 today... how is that possible? It seems like we just brought him home and we are still adjusting to parenthood. Bryson is a joy to have in our life and I couldn't have asked for a better son. I am going to bore you all with a little timeline, this is more for me and my journal so bear with me :)

Bryson coming home from the hospital, he looks like someone beat the crap out of him. Poor little guy got some bruising on my bones in delivery, had a huge ole cone head. But he was still beautiful and we were so excited to be parents of our sweet son.

Bryons at his 4 week pictures, as you can see delivery tramma is gone and he looks like a baby. He was so crankie for these pictures that he would suck on his binkie and then we would take it out and get a picture so his lips in all of these are still sucking... funny memories.

Turning 1... we had a race car themed party, Bryson loved matchbox cars. His cake had so much blue food coloring in it that his tummy was blue for 2 days. But he made his 1 year old mess just as he should have.

Bryson 2 years old at the Sand Dunes

Bryson 3 years old at Bryce Canyon

Bryson 4 years old at the Hot Air Balloon Festival

Bryson 5 years old at the Zoo on his Birthday

Bryson 6 years old last fall

Bryson is now 7, I could go on and give a time line of all his pictures. He has grown up so much!

Balloon fairy arrive right on time to decorate Bryson's room for his Birthday while he was sleeping.

She left balloons, streamers and Happy Birhtday signs all over the room

More balloons

Bryson blowing out the candles with Preston

His new Bike! and it is RED... Preston was even more excited cus this ment he got Bryson's old bike.

Here are 10 things that I love about Bry... Happy 7th Birthday buddy!
1. He is very sensitve
2. He wants to help with anything that he can!
3. Loves to watch and study Wheels move.
4. Loves his brothers and loves being a big brother
5. Whats to be a chef when he grows up, so he likes to help me cook.
6. Already knows the meaning of Compassionate.
7. Loves to go FAST!
8. Is very smart and loves school
9. He likes to read, which I am not certain where he got that from
10. Is a happy, laughing handsome boy.

Forth of July

Forth of July was a family day for us! My parents and siblings were in Lake Powell, and it was way too hot for me to even think about Powell in July... no way baby! So we spent the day with the boys which way nice and relaxing. Got a few things done and then had a great BBQ with our awesome friends and neighbors. The boys went swimming in their pool and then we did our home fireworks... Darren and I hate the crowds, there is a part of me that feels guilty we didn't take them anywhere but they liked the ones we had. It was a great night!

Bryson with his cheesey grin

The boys enjoying the fireworks

Weston really liked them and had a bunch to say about them, none of which we understood of course but it was still cute to listen to.

Bryson and the sparklers

Preston and the sparklers, he is still a bit hesitant but still liked to play with them. For as outgoing as he is, there are times that I see caution and that gives me great comfort.

Weston's First Hair Cut

Weither I was happy about it or not, Weston needed a hair cut! So I got up the nerve and cut of his long soft hair today. It is always a bitter sweet day for me, happy that he is growing up and healthy, but sad that he is growing up! I will say that I love being able to cut my boys hair, especially that first hair cut.

At first he was a bit unsure about the whole thing...
Then he got ok with it, I guess he has seen it so many times that he didn't worry. He sat there quite and still (well as still as a 17 month old can be) and allowed me to cut his hair. He is such a sweet boy.

This is a common expression, if you look through my baby pictures I have the exact same one!

Our finished product, no more pony tails..

Enjoying a nice popcycle after his Hair cut, he looks so innocent here!