Monkey-ing Around

Today Johnny insisted on bringing Monkey and George with him to the park. They had a grand old time together.

Don't Judge Me

Okay okay so I know it's only September, but I have been telling Brad all week how excited I am for Christmas. Even just thinking about the food, decorations, the music, the fun is just making me wish it were November so it'd at least be acceptable to set up the tree and hang the stockings. My sister laughed when I called her earlier, about all the homemade ornaments I want us to make together. Now if it were only less than 90 degrees here, maybe we could get things going.

I've been scouring the Internet looking for ideas for ornaments to make with the kids or that are just kid-friendly. With two little ones that both have an interest in sparkly things that are easily breakable, I'm thinking the felt, paper, and gingerbread ornaments would probably be better.

I love the ideas here, here and here. Oh Martha, how you never let me down. Honestly I have bookmarked about 50 more, but am trying to not go overboard.

Some Days. . .

...are rougher than others.

Lesson learned: take your naps when you can get 'em.

One Beautiful Baby Girl

This beautiful baby girl is now 1 and I cannot even believe it! The celebration started a day early on Saturday with Brad's parents stopping by. Brad's brother Ryan and his family came over also, and we had some delicious birthday pie. Bela loved seeing her Grammy and Pa Perkins and really seemed to enjoy all the attention she was receiving.

We also got her some birthday balloons that she and Johnny could not have been more happy about

excited for her first birthday phone call of the day

Johnny enjoying some "Bela 'Happy Birthday' treat". He was very excited about anything having to do with Bela, her birthday, and frosting.

A little unsure of this whole birthday business. Johnny helped her blow out her candle.

Still nervous with everyone watching her. . .

...or maybe she just didn't like the chocolate cake, because she went to town on this cupcake

Our sweet beautiful Isabela.

Thanks to everyone who came to help celebrate her special day!

We went to the doctor Monday afternoon for her check-up. She is in the 98% for height, and 70% for weight, at 31.5 inches and 22 lbs. Johnny was right next to her ready with a hug after she got her 3 shots. The doctor said she's doing great and has reached all her developmental milestones and was probably mostly happy she's off the bottle and doesn't use a pacifier. We just love that she's our little sweetheart. Happy birthday beautiful Bela!

The Fair

We went to the Utah State Fair on Wednesday and had a blast! Johnny loved all the animals, especially the bunny rabbits. We saw most of the typical fair things including vendors, a hypnotist, sheep, cattle, chickens and other crazy looking fowl, and some not typical things, like sea lions. I will be honest, I have never seen sea lions at a fair before, but Johnny loved it. He was pretty much devastated when we left the fair after the show, because he didn't believe it was over and kept crying to go back.

These sea lions were very entertaining, Johnny loved when they danced. One of them even did the moon walk!

Johnny waiting for his pony ride

He did great and didn't even really need Brad to help him (I love that Johnny is wearing his "That's how I roll!" shirt and that Brad proudly wore his stud {muffin} shirt in public finally)

He loved his pony ride and we loved spending the evening together as a family.

This Week

We went for a walk in the park. Johnny told me he wanted to ride in the stroller. Sister also wanted a ride, so I sat her on top and told Johnny to hold onto her. They thought it was hysterical and had a great time.

Johnny also took a little rest in the grass

along with his friends.

Mmmm. . . Muffins

This morning we made muffins for breakfast. Johnny helped. He loves to help in the kitchen and surprisingly usually does a great job without too much of a mess. Once the muffins were done, I gave each of the kids one, and put the muffin tin on the counter as far back as I could. Silly me, thinking that would stop Johnny. Unbeknownst to me, he'd gotten a chair and helped himself to the rest of the muffins, randomly placing them all over the house.

Once I realized this, I started looking for the muffins and putting them up high away from Johnny's reach. That is why Sister was crying in the picture, she was afraid I was going to take away the muffin Johnny had stolen for her. I let them keep their contraband (he'd taken an extra for himself too) and they were very happy.


In other exciting news, Bela is going to be 1 in less than two weeks. She enjoys playing with blocks, peek-a-boo, reading books, and going for walks. I can't believe how this last year has gone by slow and fast all at the same time. Johnny currently loves chocolate milk, Toy Story, the color orange, and triangles. I really wish they weren't growing up so fast, but I love being able to play with them all day long.

Yucky

I had big plans for Labor Day. It's such a nice holiday because classes have only been in session for a week, so Brad usually doesn't have too much going on, he gets the day off from work, the weather is nice. . . but it did not turn out so well for us this year. The kids got sick. Both of them, at the same time. Super yuck. They woke up from their naps on Sunday, and then both started throwing up. I won't share the play-by-play, but let's just say bedding was changed multiple times, the washer and dryer were running non-stop, we'd already brought out the shampooer, many many baths were needed, and well, you get the picture and it wasn't pretty.

After the craziness died down some what, and after Brad and I also got a little taste of it ourselves unfortunately, we were all ready for bed Tuesday night when Johnny came into our room crying to go night-night with us. We were both so tired so we just let him in the bed. Maybe I should have remembered what a bed-hog he is, but it was nice to see how happy he was in the morning.

Somehow during the course of the night his pajama pants came off, and he ended up completely perpendicular to the bed, but hey, at least he's got a smile on his face while he's stretching and waking up. I just love this kid.

Touchdown!

Brad went to the BYU vs. UW game on Saturday with his brother and his family. They stopped by the house before the game and Johnny had a blast playing with his cousins Jayden and Jeremy. Especially when they let him and Bela try on their crazy blue wigs. Johnny loved it, sister was a little scared.

Unfortunately in this picture you can't see that Johnny is wearing his new football shirt that matches his daddy. We need to get a shirt for Sister, because Brad knows it's bad luck to not wear blue on game day. Either way, BYU won, so Brad came home happy.

Cute Cute Cute

Just some fun cute pictures of the kids from this past weekend:

these two love snuggling together in Johnny's chair. Sister is wearing Johnny's pajamas and Johnny is wearing his favorite fire truck shirt.

Johnny was so sweet to share his toast with Sister. First he made sure to rub it jam-side down on her face, to make sure she liked it.

Isabela LOVES Johnny's monkey, and is always trying to snatch it up. Johnny was out of the room, and sister took her chance to grab monkey and cuddle up on the chair with him.

They're Magically Delicious

Last night Johnny and Bela helped themselves to a bedtime snack. Well, more like Johnny helped pour some Lucky charms all over the ottoman. They were very pleased about their special treat, Johnny ate up the marshmallows pretty quickly.

they even let Elmo have a few bites

Johnny wanted to share the last marshmallow with his sister

and even helped feed it to her

don't worry they brushed their teeth

Right before it was time to go to sleep, Johnny wanted to be wearing just what Elmo was - nothing. After putting a diaper and pajamas on Elmo, he finally decided it was okay to be dressed too.