William's 3rd Birthday Party

We had so much fun at William's 3-year-old birthday party. 

He's definitely not a baby anymore and becoming such a fun little boy. 

William told me all the kids he wanted to invite: Cassie, Clara, Calvin and Liza. 

William is obsessed with firetrucks so we went with that theme for the party. 

We had coloring sheets, fire themed foods and a few decorations. 

Ben helped the kids with a few easy games. 

Spray the fire (candles) out with the squirt guns

Pin the ladder on the firetruck.

(Check out that incredible firetruck poster Ben drew ;) )

William had 3 aunts and 2 uncles come to the party as well.  

CJ, Adam, Diana, Taryn & Annika

The weather was absolutely perfect and everyone enjoyed hanging outside for most of the party.

The kids had fun with the pinata- and the adults enjoyed laughing at the entertainment.

I made fire flame cupcakes and we all sang to the birthday boy. 

The party ended with an impromptu squirt gun fight.  

Cj definitely lost to all the kids. 

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, WILLIAM!

August 2015

As Lucy has grown up William has enjoyed her company even more.  

We had our first 2 kid Costco cart adventure.  It was nice having them both right there in front of me!
(Lucy wasn't as scared as she looks here)

Lucy had her first ride in the bike trailer, with William.  

 It has been fun having Lucy sitting up finally!

 William had his meet the teacher day at preschool. 

He wanted me to leave and go home when we got there.  

 Rarely is Lucy sad, but when she is she sometimes pulls out the pouty lip.

 William has since grown out this phase luckily but when Lucy did tummy time he sometimes thought she was a horse.  

 Missionary William

  William likes to help Lucy learn how to crawl. 

 Often before preschool starts we all go to the park around the corner from Miss Merlene's.  

 It's also been nice having some one-on-one time with sweet Lucy. 

William's First Day of Preschool

August 2015:

William has changed a lot in the last month.  He was THRILLED to be starting preschool at Miss Merlene's "Rainbow Academy".  He attends on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-3:30.  

Before starting preschool he had been a bit of a handful.  I've heard that when they start to get naughty it's because they're bored at home, so it was good timing for starting preschool and getting into a new routine.  Our neighbor, Cassie, also attends his 3-year-old class and that made for an easy friend from day one.  Miss Merlene had a back to school night to meet the teacher with the parents and kids.  William kept pushing me away and telling me to go home, so I knew that was a good sign that he was ready for the separation and ready to learn by himself.  He has been cute with Lucy before he leaves for school saying unpromted "Don't be nervous, Loose (Lucy).  I'm come back" and "I'll have lots of fun at preschool, mom".   On his first day of school we played at a nearby park to wait for drop-off.  He kept asking if it was time to go yet and was in the best mood.  After his first week of school he said his favorite part was music time.  I'm excited for what the year holds for him!

Lucy Rae is getting so much fun! William's first day of preschool was Lucy's 7 month birthday.  She's smiley and sitting up like a champ.  It has been fun watching these two play together more and for William to get smiles and laughs from her. 

Late Summer 2015

July was a busy month for us after getting back from California. We had family come to visit us in Utah and Ben's sister, Diana's wedding. 

 Ben's friends from Brazil, while serving his mission, were in town and we had them over for dinner at our house.  William was best friends with his wife even though they spoke different languages! 

 Lucy still gives a good "stink-eye"

 Will's latest obsession, this USA puzzle.  He does it about 5 times per day. 

 The Jennings came to Utah to be with their family but we got to see them a few times while they were in town.  We met at the Museum of Natural Curiosity one morning for some fun. 

 William got sick before/while we had all of the family in town for the wedding and events.  We had just taken away his binkie at night time plus throwing up in his big boy bed created quite the drama at our house at night. 

 The 4 boy Lewis cousins matching for the wedding dinner. 

 The ring ceremony

The boys looked so fancy in their suspenders and bowties for aunt D.D's wedding.   

 Lucy and cousin Kaylee are only 5 months apart!

 Lucy finally found her toes at 6 months

 For the 24th of July we stayed the night in Salt Lake and enjoyed the parade downtown. 

 The kids went swimming at the Salt Lake Country Club and later to dinner at Judy's.  

 We celebrated our 2 year anniversary of moving into our house in Utah.  Our neighbors provided a pretty great show that evening!

 

Lucy had another cousin born, Holly LaCinda Lewis, on July 23rd.  

 They are going to be great friends with their dads as brothers

 I got to catch up with some Ithaca friends.  We had the Hutchisons over one night and then met in Salt Lake with these "Big Red Babies" that were all born just weeks apart across the country.  

 We re-invented the "double stroller"

 This year I had a wonderful birthday with our little family at home.  I got donuts, lunch, my haircut and went bowling as a family on Friday. 

The next day was Saturday and Ben surprised me with a zipline excursion at Sundance.  

We had a blast and the views were incredible.  It was a great to spend some alone time with Ben and have the adventure together. 

 Ben even made a Reeses cake that was rich and delicious. 

 As for Lucy, she has been getting good at sitting up in the last week.  

She still falls over but can balance herself and grab a few toys in her lap. 

 I got to meet my newest neice that was born on my birthday.

The adorable, tiny, Lydia Sue Christensen was born at the U hospital.  Lucy's newest cousin, which makes two girl cousins born 8 days apart and just 6 months younger than Lucy! We are excited to have them nearby :) 

 This girl is still unsure about solid foods :(

  This was probably one of the last baths with the kids like this, not sitting up together.  

The kids and I enjoyed a weekend without dad (as much as we could). 

We went to the Farmer's Market, the park and soaked up the beautiful weather.