Silly boy

Why did we even buy him toys? These are his favorite things:

The mirrors on all our closet doors. He has discovered a fun friend lives in them. Every morning when he gets up that's the first things he wants to do; play with his new-found, super-smiley friend.

He is fascinated by his binky clip. He especially likes to shake my multivitamins. Really, who needs silly baby rattles?

Soy nuts in a huge plastic container and the doorstop to our bedroom.

My water bottles. He loves to shake them up and down (empty) so the lid hits the side and makes an oh-so-fun noise.

Happy Birthday Brent!

I know you don't do birthdays (bah humbug!) but too bad. I'm glad you were born and today no matter how much you protest we're going to celebrate it - with or without you! Here are some of the things I love most about you:

• I couldn't ask for a better husband.
• You're an amazing dad.
• You have a beautiful testimony.
• You bought an adorable house for our family.
• You work hard so that I can be home with Reed.
• You go without things that you want (saltwater tank, bike, boat...) so that our family is comfortable.
• You scraped, puttied and painted our house and refinished the floors in our bedroom right when we moved in and did everything you could to make our house a home.
• You finish the projects you start!
• You mow the lawn.
• You worked and continue to work hard to plant a garden so we can have healthy yummy food.
• You bought me the mixer I have been wanting so I can make bread easily and have fun making other things too even though there were probably 100 things you'd rather have spent the money on.
• You are supportive of my goals and other endeavors.
• You'll play boardgames with me - and enjoy it!
• You cook us yummy things and pretend to like everything I cook.
• You make me omlets on the weekends just because I like them (even though you don't).

I could go on and on, but I just want you to know I appreciate you and am so glad that you were born. I love you.

Happy Birthday!

Colorado

Brent, Reed and I drove out to Colorado at the end of June to visit my aunt, uncle and two cousins. Brent flew back home the day after we got there :o( but I was able to stay and visit. My mom and another aunt and uncle also flew out and it was a fun little family reunion. When we all lived in San Jose, I took for granted the frequent family get-togethers and close proximity that we were able to enjoy. I really miss it here in Utah. It was nice to get a little dose of family time and let them get to know Reed.

We saw the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform at Red Rocks, visited the Molly Brown House and enjoyed the beautiful scenery that is practically in my aunt and uncle's backyard (see above pic).

Reed wouldn't leave their dog alone - poor Shelby.

He had his first pickle, teething biscuit and first real babysitter (while I went to Red Rocks).

Overall, a very nice time. Thanks, Susan and Paul!

An added bonus was that my uncle, who was also visiting is a very talented photographer. He did our wedding pictures and during the short time Brent was there he was nice enough to take the time to shoot some pictures of our family and a little session with just Reed. I'm so grateful to have what I know will be sweet, treasured pictures of our family. I can't wait to get a glimpse of them!