Potty-Training Twins

Day 1:

(Texted this)
Brooklynn has had some successes today. :). However, Ethan has had the same number of chances to go on the potty but basically held it until he exploded just now.  Not sure if he just needs to get over some fear or if he's just not ready. Ugh.  Either way they're both very well hydrated and my kitchen floor is getting a lot of attention.  I need a nap.

Day 2:
(Texted this too! haha!)

Ethan: "Good job! You're a good peeper Brook!"

Brooklynn, jumping up and down: "I peep-ted!  I peep-ted!"

Of course this was just after I changed him out of poopy underwear. Ethan has yet to put anything INTO the potty.  At least he's a good sport:).

(Jason texted me back)

Haha I'm glad you're able to see the humor in it.  I think you're a good sport too.:) 
(Did I say how much I love that man!)

We sat on the potty for a half hour today-(hoping Ethan would put something in there, but to no avail.) Braden joined the crowd too! haha! --watching "Letter Factory."

Day 3:

SCORE

Ethan: 3 -#1

Brooklynn: 1 -#2

Toilet: 0

Feeling discouraged. Maybe we'll be potty-trained by Christmas. . . 

Jacob's 7th Birthday!

For MONTHS Jacob has been talking about his swimming party.  So we gathered the fam at Grandma's house, threw together a bbq, complete with homemade strawberry pie--Jake's choice:), and had some fun!

Jacob's friend Jack Wisan has the same birthday as Jacob.  His family has always been so sweet to us, and this year invited Jake to come to the Adventuredome for Jack's birthday.  Unfortunately however, Jake turned out to not be such a fan of amusement rides.  This picture pretty much sums it up--notice the white knuckles.  Oh well.  They made up for it with lots of ice cream and he was smiling afterwards as he reported to me that he loved the carousel (I think that the only ride they got him to go on after he got a little too freaked out over this one.)

They're 3!?!

How did this happen?? My babies are THREE!  Here's a few fun pictures and stats:

ETHAN:

Fav Color: Black

Fav Accessories: Batman cape, Socks

Fav Food:  Noodles- esp mac n cheese

Fav Toy(s):  Lighning McQueen car, Dark Horsey(unless he can snatch Braden's kitty), collecting things-- I often put him down for his nap with a little pack full of stuff that he simply will not let out of his sight that day

Fav Place to Go:  Grandma's house, Museum, Library

Fav Playmate(s):  Even though we get together with families that have little boys Ethan's age, he often seems to prefer playing with Brooklynn or following his brothers around-- esp. Braden.  Ethan is a little more on the shy side, so can often be found happily doing his own thing.  

BROOKLYNN:

Fav Color: In the past I would have said pink, but lately it's been changing to purple

Fav Accessories:  Princess skirt, Fireman hat, Princess rings and bracelets, Crown, Hair Clips

Fav Food:  Mac n cheese, likes most things-- is my best veggie eater- loves carrots

Fav Toy(s):  Loves to put her bears, dolls, etc. down to sleep with blankets-- I find them everywhere.  Loves to build "castles" by piling layers of blankets laid flat on top of each other, usually hiding a toy (or the TV remote!) underneath

Fav Playmate(s): besides Ethan, it's probably her cousins Bella and Harper, and her friend Riley Richards.  When we go out with friends, I often meet up with women who have boys the same ages as Jacob and Braden, which sometimes means Brook is the only girl in the crowd.  Especially on those occasions, she loves to snuggle up with "Miss Alyssa" or "Miss Tamara" and just soak up the attention. It's pretty adorable.

Summer Days. . . July

It's been a crazy busy month, but to be honest, that's they way I like it!  Thought ya'll might enjoy a few pictures (since I got a new phone, I've kinda been a paparazzi mom, but hey--these days are precious!)

Met up with some friends at the Bass Pro Shop.  Besides the huge aquariums and taxidermy, which are always a hit, they had some great things for kids to "beat the heat" this summer.  We practiced our "archery" with nerf arrow of course, got to cast a fishing pole, and they even had a real bibi-gun range set up!  The kids had a blast!

Book club at the Children's Museum--having a lunch break here.  Look at all these cute little boys! 

Clark County Library hosted a "Reading is Magic" show and Jacob got called up to be an assistant!  He was pretty nervous and I'm not sure whether he really enjoyed doing "The Macarena."  Everyone had fun though and were awed by some cool tricks.  At the end the kids got to meet the magician and pet his rabbit.:)

We love to snuggle and read-- esp after we go to the library.

One of the few "cool" days in the 90s instead of triple digits. We love playing with our cousins and friends.  Suzy slept most of the time and was a happy bug the rest. I brought a spray bottle to keep her cool. 

Yep, we're starting solid foods!  She still spits a lot of it out, but we're getting the hang of it.  Love the buggy-eyed, funny faces.

This boy loves to make his sister laugh.:)  He was flying his plane over her head and she was watching and giggling.  

Pioneer Day at the Old Mormon Fort

I've lived in downtown Vegas for a little over three years now, and just this year discovered a gem in my backyard!  I remembered it was "Pioneer Day" this past Thursday--July 24, and decided I'd give The Old Mormon Fort a call to see if they were doing anything to celebrate.  It was great!  And the cost--$1.  The fort has a large historical area and a small visitor's center with displays, artifacts, and stories of the first settlers of the Las Vegas valley and how it grew from a tiny frontier fort, to the metropolis it is today.  It's so hot here in July, the festivities were somewhat cramped indoors.  But, they had bonnet and bandana making, coloring, story-telling, and rootbeer floats!  We will definitely be back-- one of the workers told us that in the fall they do a big Halloween/ Harvest event outside with fresh apple cider from the local Gilcrease Orchards, a pumpkin patch, and all kinds of good ol' fashioned family fun.  Excited!

Remi's girls so pretty in their bonnets!

Brook was so cute-- holding so still so the lady could finish sewing her bonnet together!

We love to color!

Ridin' the cow with our friend Addison Bell.  

The kids were enraptured listening to the story-teller talk about her pioneer ancestry and the hardships of walking across the plains, pulling handcarts, and living off so little.  Makes me grateful for the bounteous times we live in now--wow were those people strong!  

Rubber Face

This is what happens when Jacob gets ahold of my phone. Haha! 

TREK! July 31 and August 1

THURSDAY, JULY 31

It's a beautiful morning!  Time to pack up camp for the last time and load the bus.  We're headed for Utah!

We're on our way to Temple Square in SLC.

Our ward had a little fun on the bus as we traveled ... our traditional "Fashion Show."  Here are a few of the best!

Our Emcee, Jason Wilhelmsen.

Everyone who wanted to participate had to come up with a costume and a brief bio of his/her new persona, and then walk the aisle to model their new look.  At least 20 kids took part.  It was hilarious!

"Ginger Unicorn" aka Cady Wilhelmsen.  She put a water bottle on top of her head and wrapped her hair around it!

"Mrs. Hulk" aka Aubrey Wilhelmsen.  "I am REALLY out of my comfort zone!"  She stuffed her shirt sleeves with bags.

"Rachelly Gorgeous" aka Rachel Wood.  She is ALWAYS smiling!

And the best:   "Emperor Suhm Tingh Wong"  aka Chance Royce.  There are no words.

Everyone finally settled down for the remainder of the bus ride to SLC.

After checking into the hotel, getting showered and dressed in CLEAN clothes, and eating at a restaurant, each Trek Family visited Temple Square for the evening.  Here's some photos of our family's visit to Temple Square.

Posing like the statue!

Melissa Freeman

Kristy Patterson, our "Ma"

Rachel Wood

Chance Royce

Emily Hatch

Alex Wood, our "Pa"

Robert Parent

"Pinkie Promise" to marry in the Temple!  Awwww!

Sweethearts!

 FRIDAY, AUGUST 1

Dressed in Sunday clothes, we're back on the bus to travel to the Draper Temple to do baptisms for the dead.

To keep the kids entertained, Steve had a spool of string that he portioned out, and everyone was playing Cat's Cradle and making Jacob's Ladder.  Fun times!

Our Ward was assigned to the Draper Temple.  Our Stake President, President Christensen, maintained that we were "going on a temple trip via Wyoming."  This temple is beautiful.

Caldwell 11th Ward Youth

One last time on the bus, heading home.

All in all, if we were asked to do it again, we WOULD!  In a heartbeat!  This was one of the most wonderful trips we have ever done.  We had the best trek family - each one did their part - and then some - and kept a positive attitude the entire week.  This is an experience we will never forget.