How can 3 months go by so fast?!

I recently discovered that Riley is too tall for her 0-3 mo. sleepers. To be specific, this moment came at about 5:00 in the morning when she was done eating she had a monster blow-out. So I had to change her into a 3-6 mo. sleeper because all over her clean 0-3 mo. ones were too small!
She is growing so big and so fast, it's just blowing me away!

Eagle Cap Wilderness Hike

I just wanted to give a little sum-up of the boys' Eagle Cap adventure! Matt, Jayson, Shane and Josh hiked in the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area near Lostine, OR. It was a four day trip with a long hike in the first day, two day hikes to mountain summits, and then a long hike out. They set up their main base camp with their tents and heavy packs at Mirror Lake approximately 7 miles in from the trail head.
This is Mirror Lake with the reflection of Eagle Cap Mountain overlooking it. This was taken right at their camp site.


Jay, pondering life's mysteries...

Their goal on the first day was to summit the Matterhorn. It's the white granite peak in the background of the picture above. They did some technical scrambling/climbing up some very large boulders with the idea of working their way out there along the ridge tops. After a few hours they were up to the ridge but at a dead end of cliffs and drop offs. They had to drop down the back side to an amazing remote lake where they had lunch, took a swim, and hiked back to camp.
Day Two. They hiked to the summit of Eagle Cap Mountain. There was a well established trail to the top but it was steep switchbacks the whole way up. Once on top the view was amazing in all directions. This is Matt standing at about 9,595 feet, with a pretty big drop to his right. He took this photo specifically to show to me and enjoy the worried/nervous look on my face.

After our two days of day hikes, they loaded everything up on Saturday morning and hiked back out with their packs a few pounds lighter. They stopped for an amazing burger at the Lostine Tavern and drove five hours back to Portland to rejoin civilization.

Happy Birthday Lisa!

Happy Birthday Lisa! You are one strong and amazing mama! No one could ask for a better big sister. Hope your day is a good one!

Love Multiplies

There's a story in Jason's family about how his grandmother, when she was pregnant with Sid, was worried that she could never love this second baby the way she loved her first.  But, she came to discover that, in her words, you don't have to divide your love because "love mulitplies."  It's true.  As a new acquaintance and mother of boy-girl twins like mine recently told me, they are just "double the love."

So, here's some fun findings about the twins at 2 months of age.  Sometimes I think that as they grow the twins' only commonality will be that they were born on the same day. They are so different and I love every minute of it!

Ethan- Thin and wiry, always moving, always looking with big bright eyes--although he seems to be catching up in size to his sister now.  Sometimes I refer to him as my "Mighty Mouse."  His eyes are so large and open they remind of a field mouse's and he is very strong.  He's already flipped from belly to back a couple of times-not on purpose of course.  I often narrate what I think my babies must be saying and his quote is, "I may be small, but I'm mighty!" :)

Brooklynn- A happy, content, double-chinned, little lump of sweetness.  Unlike her brother who has a stubbornly persistent yowl, she has an almost dainty pittiful cry.  She winds up and cries once, then winds up again-- it's almost as if it just takes too much effort.  Sometimes I call her my "Sleeping Beauty."  You never met and easier baby.  She sleeps and eats and rarely fusses.  However, you should beware of her diaper changes.  She doesn't do this so much now, but in the beginning another nickname was "Salad Shooter."  It seemed that whenever those little buns hit air something would come flying out to get whomever was in the line of fire!  She got Nana, Jason, me, the couch, you name it.   He's a barfer and she's a tooter!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DREW!

A September 16th HaPpY BiRtHdAy to an awesome husband, daddy, son-in-law, brother-in-law, master stonemason, artist, scholar, executive, EMT, sports fan(atic), magician, tide pool trekker, wave runner, etc. etc. etc. You are loved by all! Hope you had a great day!

Jakey + Auntie Shannon's i-phone = Laughter!

This is what happens in less than 2 minutes,when you give your almost 4 year old nephew your phone....

Jacobisms

Jacob:  I'm wearing my buns!
Translation:  I'm naked!

Nana and the Monkey Boys

One day during my visit in Las Vegas, the boys decided to do headstands on the recliner, making their hair stand up on end!They often took time to kiss the babies.

Jacob and Braden were thrilled to help Nana and Daddy paint the family room! Jacob wore his Home Depot apron and used a small roller. Braden didn't have any paint on his brush, but he "painted" with gusto anyway! Jacob kept a continuous commentary going during the entire hour he helped paint: "How's it going over there, Nana?" ... "Boy, this paint sure is gooey!" ... "I need more paint, Dad." ... "I promise to stand still while you get more paint for me, Dad." ... "Look, Dad, I got all the goobies!" .. "I'm a great painter, huh Nana?" etc. etc.
I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my visit to Las Vegas with all of you! And I miss you so much. XOXO to all!

Twins' Baby Blessings

The twins were blessed on August 28th, 2011 in Jason's parent's ward. They looked like little angels, and didn't make a sound during each blessing.
Enjoy these pictures!

Bray Bray Talk!

So in the past month and a half, Braden's speech has been TAKING OFF!!  It's been sooo fun to hear all of this language just pour out of him all of a sudden.  He can repeat most things you say and uses new words almost every day.  For example, just last Friday he came home from a day with the MacKay's saying "dramma" and "gampa." 

A funny one though, worthy of the blog.  Yesterday Jason was changing his clothes and Bray walks in and says, "Naked - Funny!"  We've been laughing about it all week.

Monsoon Season

 After about 20 minutes of thunderbooms, POURING rain, and hail, this was our street!  Haha!  It knocked out the power for a little while too.  Talk about flash floods!  It was a pretty sweet storm and no worries, the water cleared up in about an hour or so. :)

Jacobisms from Shauna's Blog

Shauna has a gratitude blog and made a great entry about funny things the boys said, so I had to copy it and post here!

I am grateful for Jacobisms

When Lisa went in to have the babies me, Mom and Dad got the boys for the weekend. I made a personal goal to write down everything hilarious Jakey said. This was about a month ago so it was before Bray ever really started talking so I didn't really have a lot of funny things Braden did. I'll be sure to put down anything funny he does to in the future cause he's talking like CrAzY these days!!

(This studly outfit with the skinny-jeans was a Nordstrom special from Davis and Becca for his birthday.)

I climbed on top of the entertainment center to get Jacob's Ping Pong ball, when I threw it down to him he yells "woaaah!! I was lookin' for that thing in my pants!!"

Jacob Climbs up on Shannon's lap Shannon: Hi Jakey!! I've mised you!! Jacob: I Know.

We're at the hospital for the first time meeting the twins Jason: Time to let Becca have a turn Jacob: but we can still pet em!

Me: Jakey when we get to the hospital you need to be quiet Jacob: Why Me: Cause some people are sick and you don't wanna wake up any babies Jacob: I think you're... I think you're freakin' funny

Me: Here's your mac n cheese Jake Jacob: Are you kidding me?! This looks delicious!!

Jacob walks up to me and shows me an 'owie' on his finger so I kissed it Me: does it feel better? Jacob: (with one eye brow raised) no... you just kissed it

My dad was making Sunday dinner but stops, comes over to the couch and scares Jakey. Jacob: (very politely) Will you stop it please? Dad: maybe I won't Jacob: (Pointing to the kitchen) go make some food ya silly guy

Jacob: I just jumped off your bed, and landed on my feet! Me: Wow! You're like a cat. Jacob: (Rolls his eyes) No, I'm a superhero.

Mylie: blah blah, blah blah... blah (in the tune of follow the prophet) Me: That's Blaspheme Jacob: blass for YOU!!

The boys play so well together, taking turns.

On our way to the hospital to see the babies for the first time! The boys were SSOOO excited!! he kept repeating "babyyyy cue!" (baby cute) In the car I tilted the phone so that Braden could see himself and me in the camera.

Jakey playing Captain America!!
While we were waiting to go to the hospital I told jakey I would write his mom a letter if he would tell me what to say

"Dear Mommy, I have hear you, as I go, as I go, as I three, as i WAS three, as I was saying, and we are forgiven. That's what I just said. I love you, Jacod.

This picture is so adorable to me and I have no idea why!

These two boys have brought so much joy into my life and I thank my Heavenly Father every day that he atleast let 2 of my precious 4 stay in Vegas with me!! I love them so much and can ALWYAS count on a good long laugh when I'm with boy (especially Jacob!!)

Today, I am grateful for Jacobsims :)

Love you, Dad!

Happy Birthday to a wonderful Dad and a fabulous Papa! We all love you so much and hope you've had a great day!!

Happy Birthday!!!

The Oregon Coast...Like I've never seen it Before!

So Drew and I decided to spend Labor Day Weekend in Portland with my family. Usually we dedicate this weekend to an annual camping trip, but this year we decided a trip to the coast sounded a bit better! SO we picked-up Ava from school and headed west. I was amazed how beautiful the weather was the whole weekend.

On Saturday we woke up early and drove an extra hour to Indian Beach. This is my favorite beach on the Oregon Coast because it is small and private, and it has the best tide pools! When we got there, it was low tide, perfect for tide pools so we grabbed the camera and took all the kids on an ocean life adventure!

We found orange, brown and purple starfish. Ava loved it but some of the other cousins were afraid of them. We also found sea anemone and hermit crabs! It was so fun to hike around with the kids in tow - discovering new things! Ava was particularly interested in all the sea shells littering the beach at low tide. We found a few good ones.

Well, as I mentioned before, this day was unlike any other I have experience on the Oregon coast. It was HOT! We all got a little pink, and at one point, we adults decided we needed a dip in the frigid water. After our toes were numb, we enjoyed body surfing and jumping huge waves! It was awesome! I just wish I had a board!

The rest of the weekend included watching the BSU game, sushi (YUM!), shopping, geocache treasure hunts, Multnoma Falls and playing games. It was a great weekend!

Thanks to Mom and Dad for all the great food, and Ashley and Jayson for letting us crash at their house! Love you guys!