Routine....

I'm still trying to get my arms around my schedule with working as many hours as I do. Though I love my job, because having a career is a major goal in my life...it's been a challenge finding the balance I need.

The other evening Scott and I took the boys to the splash pad after I got home...and it was a BLAST!

Braxton is at such a great age and is able to do so much....

The two of them absolutely loved the water! Braxton is very adventurous, while Carter is old enough to play on his own.

I've also been doing some organizing so that I can get a better "grip" on my mornings. Between getting the two boys ready, lunches made, school stuff ready, and myself ready to go....it's a long process I must admit.

But this one piece of furniture has made the biggest change for us.....the boys put their shoes away and also pick them out and put them on every morning. The lunches are there too for them to grab once I fill them for the day.

Notice the cute board with the envelopes? Well, each one is for each day of the week. I put little pieces of paper in them that say a few options for what we can do that evening...then Carter chooses and we enjoy! I got the idea from www.craftingchicks.blogspot.com and it's been great! Carter feels like he's deciding what we do while really I'm in total control over what we do that day.

A Great Day....

We had an amazing Sunday.....

The perfect ending to a perfect day was watching the Weber State fireworks with the boys. It was late so we got them in their jammies, buckled them in, and drove to a great spot to watch the fireworks. Scott found us the greatest spot, and the boys were super excited....especially because they got to do with this...

The glow sticks were a hit....

We finished church, cleaned up Primary and had a meeting with the Bishop....the boys were so good while all of this was going on. Scott and I took them to Antelope Island as a reward. I showed Carter how to write in the sand....

The views, scenery and time spent together was awesome! The boys loved getting out at each "stop" we made.

This buffalo is so cool. It's painted with handprints.

The beach was a hit, the boys had no idea what to expect. Braxton kept touching the sand and talking about it. Watching the two of them explore together was amazing.

I have to admit, there is no other way I'd want to spend my Sundays.

Blow Your Kazoo....Braxton Turned Two!

This year's theme for Brax's birthday was "music." I wanted to make it "young" but super fun too! With the drum cake, instruments and musical parade...I have to admit, it was AMAZING!

This year I found the COOLEST balloons ever! Seriously, have you ever seen bigger ones? (One of the perks of having a mom in the party business)

I made these shirts for the boys to wear...very "cool" Carter informed me, but fit the theme perfectly!

The musical parade was a hit with the "big" kids...the little ones were just playing. Each kids used some of the instruments they decorated in the parade.

My amazing friend Jimmy stayed up until 2am making these amazing cake balls by hand for Brax's birthday. They look amazing on my cute record trays right?

Braxton and Grandpa Steve playing "real" basketball....

I melted these records into bowls so that we could fill them with treats for the party. The kids thought it was pretty cool, though some of the adults remembered the albums that I "ruined." Oh well....

I made a huge sandwich that looked like I piano...so fun! The kids had fun, there wasn't a bite left.

Overall, this was the easiest party I've done! Set up was great, take down was easy and the best part....Braxton had an amazing time! The boys were so good and made some great memories.

Braxton Morris Turns 2!

Braxton Morris....what can we say other than you make our family PERFECT!!

We love your adventure side...

We love your independent side....

Your studly side....

We absolutely adore your determination to be "big".....

the way you do things on your own....

Your daddy truly enjoys the time spent with you boys!

Your mommy cherishes having you two boys in her life....

and your big brother is so glad you're part of our family of four....

Happy 2nd Birthday little man! Your family couldn't have asked for a better son and brother!

Friend Hunter....

Oh Hunter, how we love you! Our family is so blessed to have you guys in our lives....our boys growing up together, our youngest ones getting married some day, and of course the moms having the best friendship ever!

We have a cousin Hunter, when Carter was younger he would differentiate between the two by calling this Hunter, Friend Hunter. And our friend Hunter had his 5th birthday party last weekend.

Ash is such an amazing dedicated mom who plans really fun themed birthday parties and ALWAYS make the cake! This year the theme was scales and tails (because they came and brought all of the snakes, turtles and gigantic lizards a boy could love!)

These are the cutest cupcakes I've ever seen! And homemade I might add....

Carter even got to hold a corn snake at the end of the show....

Hunter was so brave!

Thanks for such an amazing time Hunt....

Summer....how I've needed you....

We have spent more time outside on our patio than any year I can remember! It's been a work in progress and it's finally coming along nicely. We've had our share of "fire-roasted" marshmallows....here's Scott right after lighting the fire pit that had some "boy scout" water on it!

We also made a chicken coop for our chickens...with the help of my very talented dad of course.

Now our chickens have a nice home to live in...

The boys participated in their first ever Bike Parade. The Primary Presidency got to host this event...and I have to say it was such a success! Carter rode around on the scooter that we decorated while Brax took the "motorcycle" around the bowery.

Katie and I got the kids together as well and went to Air Museum. It was their first trip there, which was even more special. The boys loved every minute!

I love you Summer.....

South Ogden Days...

This time last year I was running each booth for every city days that was near our Ogden FatCats, well this year as the "boss" I was able to delegate that responsibility to my hosts and have them run the booths. So, Scott and I were able to actually take the boys to South Ogden Days and play....

and play we did.....Scott took the boys down this huge slide.

The fireworks were awesome! Little Braxton's heart was racing when they first started, once he noticed everyone having a good time, he calmed down and really enjoyed them! He keeps talking about the "boom in the sky."

Vacation Bible School...

Our sweet boys have been in fulltime daycare (and preschool for Carter) for almost 3 months now. Though the transition has been a huge change for our family (mommy included) it has truly been a blessing. St. Paul Lutheran Church and School is, in a word, amazing. I know Heaven Father played a huge part in making sure they got into this specific school.

Braxton has been learning so much on a social level, and getting some much needed help with his verbal skills. (Not that I don't work with him on my own, but he doesn't respond to mom as well)

While Carter has been loving every minute of the games, experiments and learning he gets to take part in everyday.

I just love our boys and am truly grateful they are in a fantastic facility while Scott and I work all day.

All of the time apart from eachother has also brought them closer together at home. It's nice to see...

Carter got the opportunity to participate in VBS, Vacation Bible School. I grew up every summer going to VBS and was super excited to enroll Carter for the week. He got to do some awesome craft projects, learn some great songs and enjoy!

Here's a pic of him walking from his classroom, with his class to VBS.

Priceless!

Happy Fourth of July!

This Fourth of July weekend, Scott and I both had a 4 day weekend. (I don't know the last time we both had the same days off)

We rented a boat from base and were off on a camping trip up at Strawberry.

I will say, the camping part was a "swing and a miss" but we tried. The tent didn't work, the area was cold and we were all tired and hungry. So, plan B: drive to a hotel in Heber and "camp out" there for the night.

Although the packing, unpacking and two drives up the mountain took their toll on all of us, the hotel stay was just what we needed. The beds were so comfy, the breakfast was awesome, and the bath for the boys was great! Once rested and fed, our little fam headed up to Strawberry Bay for some fun on the water.

And fun it was! Braxton even wore himself out so much he fell asleep on my lap...

We helped out some fellow boaters who broke down in the middle of the lake. Our tiny little fishing boat actually pulled this boat to the dock....Scott thought he was pretty cool...

The boys were so good on the boat. They had such a great time having a BBQ on the boat, fishing, riding around the lake, and just hanging out in the good weather.

It was a great way to spend the Fourth of July weekend for our little family. It was also really nice to hang out and relax on Monday....

So fun!

Father's Day...a bit Late...

I swear, time just flies by lately! Though our little family has been staying busy, I just haven't had the time (or will power) to update our blog.

We celebrated Father's Day last month in a unique way.

I took the boys to Michael's for their Father's Day Craft. This was free I might add. It was a cute key chain that they both got to decorate however they wanted. I let them do these all by themselves, that way Scott could always see how Carter writes at this moment, and what Braxton does with markers.

Scott and I have always been about the sentimental gifts when it comes to the boys, so this year the boys and I did a cute craft idea I found online. (I even was able to use it in Primary for sharing time...score!)

We made these cute ties.....

The boys worked so hard on these. They made one each for Daddy, Grandpa Steve and Grandpa Tom. They were having so much fun picking out specific colors for each "dad" and what was going on each one. (I even made some of my own and hung them in a banner that said "We Love Daddy."

We are so lucky to have such amazing sons. I have enjoyed doing so many things with them lately, now that they are at good ages for adventures. The boys and I are lucky to have such an amazing dad, husband and provider.