May

We were so excited for the end of April because it meant the end of the semester. But with May, a new semester started. Garrett was gone all day the first two weeks for his field methods class and was gone the rest of the month on his field camp. I was gone all day doing my practicum. It was really hard to say goodbye to Bekah and leave her with a sitter, but knowing it was temporary really helped. 

On Mother's day Garrett made breakfast for me then took me outside to see the awesome canopy he got for me! That evening we made a time capsule with the Watkins and went up a canyon to bury it.

Hopefully we can remember where it was in 40 years when we're supposed to dig it up!

The 20th till the 22nd Garrett, Bekah, and I took off for a family vacation while Garrett had some time off from field camp. Bekah was thrilled! We spent all day getting packed and ready to go and the poor girl had finally decided we probably weren't really going camping and hiking like we had promised, when we loaded up in the car and announced that we were going! Unfortunately, it was a really long drive, especially for a two-year old. She finally fell asleep right as we were nearing our camping spot so we left her in the car while we set up the tent by light of our headlights. When we had the beds ready we got her from the car and tried to keep her asleep as we moved her to the tent. When she opened her eyes to see the tent she started shrieking and squirming. We thought she was just disoriented and afraid, but when we shined the light on her, we realized she was just so excited she literally couldn't contain it! It was hilarious!! The next morning she woke up just as thrilled that we were camping and immediately set about exploring our little camp site and asking when we were going hiking.

Well we made it hiking soon enough and as soon as she spotted the rocks, she was all over them! Her dad couldn't have been more proud about the enthusiasm for all this outdoor time she kept showing. 

Slot canyons are the best kind to take a two-year-old hiking in. 

One set path + no way for her to get lost = lots of freedom and a very happy family!

Seriously, her excitement didn't die away for most of our trip!

And we actually drove through a slot canyon. Be amazed. 

Day two, Bekah pretended to drive the car while we packed up camp. 

Her face says, "Look how daring I am!" The thrill of hiking had not worn off yet.

My view

 My view if I looked down. (It's not too easy to hike when you can't even see your feet!)

 The view of all those lucky enough to see me.

The thrill finally wore off and of course it was mommy who she insisted on carrying her. Through a slot canyon. 7-months-pregnant. 

In the backyard for our Memorial Day BBQ. She chose her outfit. 

Apparently it's time to prepare for Halloween!

Garrett loved field camp and found a dead animal to tie onto his bookbag. What a man!

The last day of May, Bekah and I headed out to Vernal to spend time with family, because Garrett's field camp was there that weekend. It was so great to see him for a couple more days. We had fun playing with my sisters and their kids and Grandmas during the day, and then Garrett was there in the evenings. It wasn't enough time, and soon enough we were headed back to Logan. Back to school.

April

I have a two year old! She's adorable! On Thursday the 11th we celebrated her birthday early since we were going to Salt Lake for Baer's blessing that weekend. She woke up from her nap to find balloons and streamers and wrapped presents. She was so excited! We had sung happy birthday songs all week so she was excited to finally be having the party. Chelsey and Cody came over for presents, cake, and ice cream. Bekah got tons of dinosaurs, books, and nail polish. She was in heaven!

Kissing a dinosaur. Notice the freshly painted nails. 

Dr. Seuss books are so fun!

It's so exciting to have fire on top of a cake!

So many presents!

You know when a two-year-old is silent for too long and you get nervous?

Well here's what mine did, then she begged for a picture to be taken!

"I look so pretty, mom!"

She just loves going on hikes with daddy!

March/Spring Break

On Friday the 9th we packed the car super tight (all of our stuff, Watkins stuff, and hiking stuff for Garrett and Cody) and headed off into the night. We arrived at Camille's house around 9 and talked for about 40 minutes then headed to bed. We all woke up at 5:30 so we could make it to Las Vegas in time for Dynelle's delicious luncheon. Bekah was great in the car and we made it without any issues. We were ready to party!!

Unfortunately, the weather in Vegas was less amazing than everyone had anticipated, so we stayed inside out of the wind for lunch. But we headed out after lunch and had a great time playing outside. Dynelle prepared a birthday dinner for Kirsten which we enjoyed at the park. I was able to relax and talk with the adults since Bekah's cousins took charge of her the minute they could. How nice to have 11, 8, and 6-year-olds around!

Sunday morning we all made it to church by 8 am (with the time change) and baby Timothy was blessed. It was a beautiful blessing and so good to be in church with all of our family. Afterward we went to another park and had an amazing breakfast. Dynelle really pulled out all the stops for this event! She is one amazing party-thrower! That afternoon all the restless men went for a hike while the women put kids down for naps and rested. So good to just put up your feet with sisters- and mother-in-law! After dinner Garrett, Riley, Kirk and Cody headed out to hike the Grand Canyon. Gotta get their Bro time in!

Monday morning Sherrie and Lon left and were supposed to be followed by the Coopers, but they lost their keys!! They spent a couple of hours looking for them and when Chelsey finally found them Justin was so grateful that he took charge of his 4 kids, Dynelle's 3, and my 1 while Camille, Chelsey, Dynelle and I did a little shopping and lunch. What a guy! We girls had a good time giggling and being silly. When we got back the Coopers loaded up and left. That left Dynelle and her kids, Chelsey, and Bekah and I. We relaxed a bit, put the house in order, put the kids to bed, and watched a good chick show! 

Tuesday we had another relaxing day. When the men got home at about 7:30 Bekah was so excited to see Garrett but as soon as she was done saying hi to him she ran to Cody! That girl loves him so much! After all the kids were in bed we got a slide-show presentation from the cameras on the boys' hike. 

Wednesday the Howcrofts took us to the Mirage to see the Dolphins and Siegfried and Roy's secret garden of tigers. Bekah loved the dolphins and growled lots at the tigers. After lunch we sent the kids with the men and got some more girl time in! We made it back in time to prepare dinner then headed out to a movie while the men put the kids to bed. Sister time is the best!

Thursday we woke up bright and early and headed to California!! Bekah was great in the car again and was very interested in the ocean. She loved running out to meet the waves and then trying to run faster than it so she didn't get too wet. 

She carried around two handfuls of sand most of the day. Then she'd hand it to me, say, "You're welcome!" and go get more. 

We told her she didn't need a swim suit so she just stripped down.

Family picture on spring break of 2013....

Family picture spring break of 2012. 

Baby Timothy

Such a cutie pie!

I love these two!!

After spring break Bekah had a stomach bug and just laid on the couch for 5 days. It was really sad but she looked so sweet.

Bekah June

I just found this post that I think never got published last year. Sorry if it's a repeat.

She's so gentle and sweet with her toys.

Chelsey wouldn't hold still

Ready to go out in the snow! (don't worry, we put clothes on Bekah before going out)

She was throwing a fit so I took this picture to show her what she looked like. It didn't end the fit...

Bekah was somewhat intimidated by Garrett's monkey costume, but she was so intrigued by it that she put up with it pretty well.

Halloween night we had a scientist, a nerd, a mountain biker, a pumpkin and a scientist who turned himself into a monkey. Needless to say, it was a wild party!

Bekah is so much fun! Every day Garrett and I just laugh and laugh. We can't get enough of her. She talks so much and says the funniest things. Tonight I was putting her to bed and she suddenly started yelling, "Utah State Aggies!" She then clapped and cheered and did it all again and again! She loves the song "Once there was a Snowman" so much and does the actions and sings with us. She's also very good at singing "Twinkle Twinkle" and joins in the songs during Sacrament Meeting. It snowed yesterday so we got all bundled up to go outside and as we were heading out the door, talking about snow the whole time, she suddenly ran back to the living room to grab her stuffed snowman so he could enjoy the snow, too! Her favorite stuffed animal is her bear but she has times that she thinks a different one would be more appropriate (like a snowman in the snow). She understands happy, sad, silly, and scary and labels everyone and everything accordingly. When we're eating a snack i have to give a bite to a different toy with each mouthful she takes. I've had the privilege of feeding her bear, elephant, airplane, ball, sippy-cup, school bus, and many others. Each bite that an inanimate object takes results in her nodding her head and saying, "Mmmmmm." Apparently they love my cooking.