We are family...

Logan and I love to go to Gunnison to visit the family. We are lucky to have both families there so it allows us to cram in as much family time as possible when we visit. We hate that we live so far away (three hours is a long drive for us country folk) and that my siblings all live outside of Utah. We are already counting down the days till we see them again.

A few pictures from our trip a couple weeks ago I forgot to post:

Jack and Grandma and Grandpa Pickett

Jack has wonderful grandmas.

We did some swimming with Gracy and Madee

Jack loves cousin Gracy.

The Pickett family that we don't see nearly enough. We miss you all!

So silly

Mmmmm!

We recently introduced Jack to rice cereal. It was a big hit. Besides the fact he kept grabbing the spoon and gagging himself, he really enjoyed it. It has also seemed to slow down his acid reflux a bit. It's nice to not always reek of sour milk.

Ah the amazing bumbo. It is his "highchair" for now.

Black and White Days

We attended Richmond's historic Black and White Days. Ah, nothing like a good hick-fest to start off your summer. I can still remember the boy dressed in a spider man pajamas and cowboy boots last year. He was more entertaining than the festival itself. The highlight of the evening was the horse pull of course. They hook up teams of horses to a sleigh and slowly add weight until they have a winner. I told Logan we should try this with our rats. My money is on kitten rat.

I love this picture of Farmer Jack.

The pull.

It's like mini me. Am I right? Spitting image. Like father, like son.

Me and the Jackster.

Reading and Writing and Arithmetic...

...All taught to the tune of a hickory stick. What a crazy song. Jack loves books. Thank heavens, because his mother has collected a boat load of children's books over the past years. I too love children's books (too bad this love doesn't transfer over to normal adult books. Harry Potter is as high as I go). His favorite book right now is Jamberry. "Strawberry ponies, strawberry lambs, dancing meadows of strawberry jam" What kid wouldn't love this book?

Seis De Mayo Feliz!

Happy Seis De Mayo! Our party was a day later than the Cinco De Mayo, but it was still just as flavorful and festive. Nothing says fiesta like a Cinco de Mayo party soundtrack, a homemade rat pinata, and fake musctaches. And to top the night off, we had homemade fried ice cream. Yum! My homemade pinata didn't last long- Madee took it out on the third swing. I ran out of time and threw that thing together. Next's years shall be grand. Can't wait for next years Seis De Mayo! I have a feeling these parties are only going to get bigger and better. Perhaps a burro is in the future...

I have feet. Amazing, isn't it!?

Run Forrest Run!

Late Friday night as I was stuffing my face with Papa Murphy's pizza and Squirt, Logan informs me we should run a 5k the next morning to support his friend Forrest who is need of a liver. Poor guy has been on the donor list for ages and was in the hospital the day of the race. Of course I couldn't say no, so bright and early the next morning we borrowed our neighbors jogging stroller and hit the pavement. Logan the champion "hung back" by me (he was also the one who pushed Jack the whole way). We had so much fun, we bought our own jogging stroller off KSL that same day.

We also took Jack for his very first swim. He basically just sat there, wide eyed and entranced. The second time we took him he loosened up a bit and started kicking and playing.

In the small, brief window of sunshine and summer we had, we took advantage and headed to Green Canyon with the Tippets. We enjoyed delicious hot dogs and cobbler. Mmmmm!

At first, Jack wasn't happy to get out of bed and run either.

My #. I felt professional. Especially when they had drink stations along the way and you could grab a cup as they help it out for you, drink it, and throw it on the ground. I wasn't thirsty but did it just because it was fun.

Logan.

Our group that ran for Forrest.

The usual result at the end of an activity- sleep. Also, after the third comment of "what a cute little girl" I decided Jack will never wear this gender neutral shirt again.

Camping with the Tippets!

I love it when he sucks on his bottom lip.

The Peruvians.

Swimming!

When you see a basket, how can you not put a baby in it?

Thanks to Mysha and her wonderful mothering tips, Jack sleeps like a champ at naptime when he is swaddled (and thanks to Staci for the blanket- it works perfect). Three to four hours at a time! He's so cute when he sleeps.

That one pesky little arm always finds its way out.

Jack has finally found his dorky little laugh. By the way, I didn't have the blue duck edit on purpose. He just happened to be there. Ha Ha.

A bunny who lays eggs?

This is a little late, but Easter weekend was fabulous. We went to G town to spend time with the family. Staci and the boys were down from Colorado which made our visit all the better. Mom pulled a Grandma Mathews by having a bunny theme for the weekend. Seriously, the house was spewing with bunnies - the boys loved it. We also dragged the kids out of bed early Saturday morning for the Easter egg hunt at the park. It was freezing cold and lets face it-not fun. Adam was terrified of the Easter bunny and wouldn't stop flopping on the ground in fear and Logan took an unhappy Jack home early. Regardless, Will did get a good loot of candy and I got some great pictures of Adam. Later that day we went down to Loa to visit Grandma and Grandpa Chappell. It was the first time they had seen Jack. Then we went to a place called Sun Glow to eat delicious Bruce Burgers and build a fire.

Later that week was Baby Animal Days at the American West Heritage Center- a favorite in the Christenson home. Jack basically slept the whole time, but by pushing a stroller around, Logan and I didn't look like losers running around petting bunnies and ducks like we used to. And if two hours of pure baby animals wasn't enough, we went to the Willow Park Zoo the next week.

The boys- Wills, Adam, and Jack

What's going on here? Isn't this picture straight out of the 50s?

Adam staring at his soon to be enemy.

Poor kid. I can't blame him- that rabbit is just waiting to chew a child up. Terrifying.

William and his proud bucket of candy.

I love this picture.

Grandpa Chappell, Jack and Logan.

Four generations.

Jack didn't love the cold wind at Sun Glow.

Papa Bruce :)

This man makes a mean Hamburger. Bruce Burgers- Delicious!

Oh Lafe...

Me, Grandma Mathews, Mom, and Jack. Four generations.

Jack at Baby Animals. He's just thrilled to be there.

Cochino.

They had baby bears this year! My gads they were spectacular. Just like baby humans, but covered in fur. Pure Genius.

The cutest baby bear of all. We decided to take this one home.

Baby turtles. Like the size of a quarter...and I hear they can also be used as currency in some countries.

The beautiful Wellsville Mountains behind us.

The Willow Park Zoo

Ducks!

Bobcat

There was this cool wall- I couldn't help but take some family pics by it.

Jack is getting so big. 17 weeks old now. He is learning to grab and suck on everything and has finally learned to laugh.

Tummy Time!