Now this is LOVE....

On Sunday, we went on a nice drive from Provo Canyon through the American Fork Canyon.  It was a real treat.  It reminded me of the thing I love most about Utah... these mountains and being with my little family.

I remember some of my first times, as a freshman at BYU, driving up through this Canyon.  It still feels the same.

And look, my favorite season has already begun up on these mountains...

The kids LOVED the long drive..

He started to get hungry... so instead of eating boogers, I gave him some crackers..

I think I love this so much because it reminds me of where I grew up.  It's so nice to be up in these mountains and see nature.

Doughnuts

After FHE on Monday, we had doughnuts as a treat.  Just in case you weren't aware, MacKay loves treats- especially chocolate.  It never ceases to amaze me how much he LOVES his yummy food.  

Here he is in all his messiness.  

He screamed when we tried to take off his shirt.  He LOVES that shirt too.

First BYU Football Game

Last Saturday was Whitney & MacKay's first BYU football game.  We played Weber State and won.  It was a good time.

The weather was VERY warm... in the 90's.  Now, I realize, that's NOT THAT hot.. but when you're sitting on metal bleachers and the sun is blaring and you've got two kids crawling all over you... it can seem hotter than that.

We parked a LOOOONNNNG ways away from the stadium.  We told Whitney she had to wear her tennis shoes instead of flops because she would be walking a long time.  I was so proud of her for walking most of the way.  It was neat to be back in Cougar Town.  It brought back so many memories. One of the first pictures Bart and I ever took of ourselves together was in this very stadium.

I'm glad I brought the sunscreen and lathered ourselves up with it.  I felt so sad for the people getting fried.

Whitney LOVED the game.  Bubba liked it for the most part, but since the game started at 1pm, it was smack in the middle of his nap.  He was loosin' it for a while there, until the band played and lulled him to sleep during half time.  We stayed until the beginning of the fourth quarter... and then I called it- and we left.

We were all pretty tired from the heat/sun/walking/carrying kids for the rest of the evening.

He's a tired boy....

Here's Bubba sleeping on my lap in the heat.  

11 Years Ago

I woke up to the sound of my roommate's radio saying something about an attack on America.  Then Meggie, yelling up the stairs of the PH that something bad had happened and we needed to come watch the TV.  I only saw smoke and one tower.  I watched as the other one fell.  I felt scared.  I was grateful that I was in the small-ish town of Provo, Utah.  We had a devotional that day.  I will never forget the feelings of peace that I had while President Bateman spoke.

Last year, we were in Philly, NY and a few NJ during this time.  It was a neat place to be on the 10th anniversary.

Today on the 11th anniversary of 9-11, Whitney came into my bed- early- like she does every morning.   Bart was already in the shower and I closed my eyes, trying to go back to dream-land.  Then he came over and kissed Whitney's cheek before leaving for work.

After I rolled out of bed, I got on my clothes and Bubba was just babbling in his crib.  (Which he crawled out of for the first time last night... ugh!)  When we went into his room, he was so happy to see us.  We all ate breakfast, got dressed and I made sure Whitney brushed her teeth before preschool. When she asked me, "Why do I need to brush my teeth?"
I replied, "Because nobody wants to smell nasty breath at preschool."
I guess that answer was sufficient because she went and brushed them.

On a side note:  She found her princess shirt in the dryer this morning, and wore it to school again.  I have a feeling that might be her "go to" shirt.

We walked Whitney to school.  Bubba was in the stroller with a pink fleece blanket on him.  There are no gender-specific colors in this household.

I held Whitney's hand as we walked across the road and over to Miss Leanne's Little Thinkers Preschool.  She saw Ruthie and asked if she could run over to her.  When they saw each other, they hugged.  Then Whitney walked into Miss Leanne's house and I said, "I love you, Whitney!"

She replied, "I love you too!"

Bubba and I enjoyed our walk together.  He ate crackers and drank from a princess sippy cup.

Then when we came home, I folded laundry and watched my cute boy play with the Little People Farm and all the animals.  Then he discovered the cars and drove them all over the farm.  He is so cute to watch.  His chubby wrists and hands work all of those toys.  I could kiss those cheeks all day... and I do.  He loves toys and to figure things out.  He is my boy.  I love him so much.

When I sat on the porch with MacKay, I thought about what happened 11 years ago.  I still feel a soft, sad spot when I remember.  I also felt so much gratitude for my blessings.  Soon to be 3 children, a good hubs and a beautiful country.


One year ago on 9-11-11, at Valley Forge, PA.

NYC in the background and Whitney on the ferry to Lady Liberty.

9-9-11

Bart pushing a baby in the stroller in NYC.

9-9-11

This summer at the Paxton Family Reunion in Heber, Ut.  

July, 2012 

1st Day of Preschool 2012

Last Thursday, September 6, 2012, was Whitney's first day of Preschool.  She woke up early, got a shower and then DRESSED herself!  Lesson learned for me:  if I want my child to wear a certain outfit, we need to have that conversation at least the night before.  She was so excited to wear her princess shirt (she got it for her birthday) and her jean shorts (she loves those too), that I couldn't really stop her. I did ask, "Did you want to wear a dress to your first day of preschool?)
She said, "No!"

After she let me braid her hair (two braids) she chose her two cheerleader clips.  One for OSU and the other for BYU.  Then she put on her purple diamond ring and those giant clip-on pearl dangly earrings.  Really, the outfit isn't complete without them.

I love my girl.  I love that she loves preschool and her teacher, Miss Leanne.  I am so happy that she is anxiously awaiting each day to head off to school and she comes home and plays with Bubba.  They love to play in the basement and jump off the furniture.  I also love it it gives me 2.5 hours alone with my little boyfriend, MacKay.  We went shopping and read books and just had a good time together.

I am also starting to get REALLY SAD about maybe having Whit start Kindy-garten next year.  She's my little girlie and we have a good thing going right now.  Love my two kids... and the one on the way.

When we told the kids

We were going to have a baby... This is their reaction...

We told Whitney (MacKay is still a little oblivious at this age) that we had a present for her.  She sat down and was REALLY excited.  She had just had her birthday the week prior, and she was still hoping for a few extra items.  I informed her it wasn't glass slippers so she wouldn't be too disappointed.  :)

Whitney looking in her gift bag.  MacKay belaxing like usual.

Here she is opening the box and trying to figure out what's inside..

And there she is, looking at the ultra sound picture.  She said, "A picture?"  

When she figured out what it as a picture of (not a fish, like her first guess), she was happy.  She thought it was so funny that the baby was already inside of me!

I'm not sure where he picked up this smiley face.  Those little "moon-shaped" eyes make me smile every time.