Discovery Gardens

Last week we went to the Discovery Gardens at Thanksgiving Point with Karli, Payton, and Brooklyn. We had a fun time. They have a giant statue thing of Noah's Ark with water squirting that the kids can play in, they have a bears cave, a light house, and fountains shooting out of the ground. The kids thought is was great!
It has been fun to watch Payton's and Brock's friendship evolve. They used to get along great - but lately since Brock is walking and "looks" to be like a big kid, Payton really wants to "play" with him. But Brock still falls over really easy and doesn't understand what Payton is doing. Once Brock is old enough and can actually keep up with Payton it will be great! We are so glad to have the Bell's in our lives!
This is Karli's beautiful girl, Brooklyn. She is the best baby, she is so chill and just goes with the flow. She slept on a blanket for most of the time.

Veterans Pool

So I think this has been the funnest thing Brock and I have done yet. He LOVED the Veterans pool in Provo. The play structure you see in the background has water shooting out all over the place and it is all really shallow so he can play. Plus there is a "big pool" which he loves to swim in - he is such a fish, he kicks his legs and moves his arms, he tries pushing me away because he wants to swim on his own. He puts his face in the water and blows bubbles! He loves to swim! And the best thing about this place is it is only $3! I plan on going often - the whole Cryptothingy from last summer has me nervous... lets hope we all stay healthy!


We went with my friend Sabrina and her daughter Addie, she just loved to sit under the sprayers and get sprayed. Brock does not like to get sprayed!

Sabrina and AddieSo they both look quite confused!

Hair Extensions

So this post is not coming in the format I was planning on - but here it is.

For those of you who don't know I got hair extensions 2 weeks ago (22 inches - that is about to my pant line). I was planning on taking pictures and posting them the day I got the extensions - but it did not work out that way. They have been such a pain - I must have got a bad batch of hair (because my neighbor got extensions the same day and hers are BEAUTIFUL!), so I never even took a picture of me with long hair because I never felt like they looked good. I am taking them out this weekend and we are going to try again in the winter (when I am not pregnant and irritated).

Anyways...
I have never had long hair - it has always been to about my chin, so I have learned some things since having long hair that I would like to share with the world.

1 - When did washing my hair become an event? I never understood why people with long hair did not wash their hair everyday, or why the would say, "arg, I have to wash my hair tonight", but it really is an EVENT, that must be planned in advance.

2 - along with #1 - it effects your daily plans - I did not take Brock swimming one day because I had just washed my hair that morning and did not want to have to do it again.

3 - After your shower you can ring about a gallon of water out of your hair - I would recommend doing that IN the shower, this did not occur to me the first shower I took.

4 - You have to buy a hair brush and actually brush your hair - this is also an event that must be planned. "arg, I have to go brush my hair." And you have to start at the bottom and work your way up! That is not how people brush their hair on TV!

5 - Every time you sit - you have to move your hair

6 - Every time you put a shirt, bra, underclothing, etc on you have to pull your hair out - ANNOYING!

7 - You find hair EVERYWHERE! I never had hair in my drain or bathroom floor - now it is not only there - but on the couch, bed, in the car - everywhere!

8 - When you put clothes on after a shower your clothes get wet from touching your hair!

9 - You feel a little bit like an "elitist" to people with short hair. "That's right I have long beautiful hair - ha!" (although mine wasn't very beautiful)

10 - It is so hot - especially at night - which is a whole other story - so uncomfortable.

Now I know many of you are thinking, "didn't she know that." But most of you reading this have had some sort of long hair in the past - I NEVER HAD - it truly is a whole other culture. I am sad to take them out, but am excited to be done (mostly because of the heat) and am excited to get them again in the fall when they are prettier and I can enjoy them!

Fun in the Sun

Last week was hot - so we tried to get out everyday to cool off. On Tuesday we went to Wheeler Farm in Salt Lake. It was a lot of fun. They have this little river that is only like 2 inches deep - mom's brought their kids in water clothes and shoes and just let them splash around in the river - they also had boats and balls. I will definitely do that next time!



Brock still loved throwing his ball and rocks into the river. Anytime he sees water he must throw a rock into it. Next time I will go earlier in the morning - we went mid-day and it was too hot for most of the animals - so they were just in their "houses" - the workers said they are all out in the morning/evening/or a cooler day. Brock did not care, he loved his picnic lunch and the river. There were some ducks, roosters, and geese walking around - Brock almost got snapped at from a goose who wanted his cracker - it was pretty funny.


On Thursday we went up to Sundance Ski resort. This is like my favorite place. It is 10 or 15 degrees cooler, beautiful, close, and fun. The water was a little fast - but he could still put his feet in the shallow places and throw rocks - so he was happy (as noted above).

Some of my most favorite moments with Brock is sitting on a blanket sharing a picnic lunch. He holds the sandwich and he shares with me. It is so cute. He takes a bite, then he gives me a bite, and so forth. We just sit there for about 20 minutes sharing the lunch and "talking" - the other day we were doing this and I thought to myself - "you are my best friend" - I don't know if that is sad or not :) But I just have so much fun with him, how could he not be!

This photo also documents Brock's last time with his FAVORITE ball. He took it everywhere. It rolled into the river a few minutes after this picture - I tried to chase after it - but I could not get it. (If any of you are on the Provo river trail and come across it - grab it for me :) Brock was sad - he just kept pointing to the river and saying "ball".

Below are two pictures of Brock. One is at Sundance last week - the other is at Sundance last summer. So crazy how fast they grow up!

Random

My Brother Michael graduated from Brighton High School. Here he is with Audrey and Brock.

Jason got a new computer. I think Brock was more excited than Jason, he just loved the box and all the "packaging" inside.

We had my family reunion last week. (above) Jason climbing a tree - he is so strong! (below) Brock with my cousin Lizzy. They love to play with him - and I love it too!

Father's Day

Today, on Father's Day, I would like to say what a great father Jason is. When Jason and I got married we pretty much knew everything about each other, marriage was not an adjustment for us, nor were there many surprises. The only thing that I can honestly say that I did not know about Jason was what a good father he would be. I don't think he even really knew how great he would be - even up until moments before Brock was born.


But the second Brock was born, Jason took one look at him and took COMPLETE ownership. He was like, "This is my son, and I will take care of him." and he has. Anyone who was at the hospital that day noticed how he cared for Brock, he wasn't letting anyone hold him, he just walked around and showed him, he NEVER wanted to put him down. It doesn't take long for anyone who is with us to see that Jason knows, understands, and is in love with Brock. He truly understands him on a deeper level than anyone else does (including me). They instantly had a bond. Brock is HIS son, and he acts like it. Jason's main priority is making sure that he is getting the best care and is comfortable (well, main priority after he makes sure I am ok :).

On the day of Brock's birth I took a nap and woke up to Jason reading Brock the scriptures (Old Testament, Jason's favorite), I did not let them know I was awake, I just sat there and listened to Jason teach Brock from the scriptures, he has done it everyday since. It has been wonderful to watch.


Jason is constantly "taking care" of things around the house for Brock. He always refills his sippy cup and milk cup after he drinks it, same with his snack cup. He refills the wipes and diaper trays every time they are getting low, he packs and unpacks the diaper bag every time we go somewhere (even if Jason isn't coming), he turns down Brock's covers every night before he goes to bed so it will be easy for me to just set him in there. I have never had to do any of these things, I just always know they will be done.


I remember someone in Young Women's telling us to marry someone that we know could raise our kids the way we wanted if we happen to die. At the time I did not think that was practical, no man could really raise kids like a woman could. I put that advice on the back burner, but now I realize I followed that advice. I trust Jason 100% to raise our children without me. He would do a fabulous job, and I would not even think twice about their well being.

I am so grateful for all that he does for us, and just wanted to publicly say how wonderful he is and how much we love and appreciate him. Thank you Jason, Happy Father's Day!

"Momma and Brock's Summer of Fun!"

K - So I stole the title from a Friends episode featuring "Janice and Chandler's Day of Fun!" But it is the new theme for our summer. Last week we went to Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point with the Bells.

Brock loves animals (except for big dogs that bark). The animals here are really friendly - they let you pet them and they lick your hands. He thought that was so funny, every time they tried to lick him he would just laugh. He had the most fun watching Payton though - Payton Bell (Karli's little boy) is just around the clock entertainment for Brock - He thinks everything Payton does is funny.

Other trips last week included: (but I broke my camera - so no pics)

• Hanging out on the beach at Deer Creek
• Going to the Library - including the Friday night movie (not very kid friendly)
• Duck Pond (Like 3 times - he loves chasing the ducks - and since little kids are constantly there the ducks will let you get VERY close)
• Provo River Trail
• Several Park trips

Hopefully I get a new camera soon and can continue to document.