Stitches

It makes me so sad to think that this is the second time Reed has gotten stitches on his face in his short little life. The kids were jumping on Reed's bed while I was finishing dinner (let them do anything while preparing dinner, right?). I heard screaming from the bedroom so I ran in there. I guess Reed had touched a frame above his bed, and it fell down and the corner of the frame nailed him in the face. There was blood on his face and the blanket, so I grabbed him and took him to the bathroom. I put a wet washcloth above his lip and examined the damage. It looked pretty bad (like split open and deep) and it wouldn't stop bleeding. I was pretty sure he was going to need stitches, but I got my neighbor (who is going to school to be a doctor) to give me his opinion. He agreed, so they willingly took Taryn so I could take Reed to Instacare. After Reed's initial shock, he stopped crying in the car and didn't cry the rest of the experience. He was a champ. He got nervous a couple times, but we had the sweetest nurse ever. Luckily, they were able to glue it together rather than using traditional stitches. They said it will probably scar but should fade over time since he is so young. I will just briefly mention how I almost passed out in the waiting room and they had to take me back in a wheelchair (so embarrassing!) to lay down while they gave me ice packs and juice. I swear I was going to start ripping off my clothes, it was so hot. Looking back, I wished I would have taken a picture before the stitches (in this pic), because it looked pretty nasty.

Cousin birthday party

We love being outside!

It amazes me how dirty my kids can get. But I love it.

Taryn thought Reed's timeout was a game.

Dang, that is a cute girl

New camping chairs. Life jackets were maybe an overkill.

Teaching Reed to fish

I actually think I could get into fishing just because I love to be outside so much.

Birthday cake, of course

Friend Birthday party

We had a race car themed swim party. Whatever that means.

Tons of friends came. Reed LOVES his friends!

Eating donuts (tires) off a string. I loved this game as a kid.

Donut/tire #2

Someone found the treats

Happy kids (I think she wants another treat).

A kinda sad race car cake

Bubble machine

The best part of the party--the moms hanging out. :)

Happy Birthday!

Birthday balloons. The kids woke up to over 50 balloons in the living room. We should've just stopped at that, because they loved it! We were celebrating Reed's 4th birthday and Taryn's 1 1/2. We thought we wanted to celebrate her half birthday since her birthday is so close to Christmas, but now we realize that it's just not going to work for us. It was just weird telling them both happy birthday and knowing it wasn't Taryn's real birthday. Plus, I felt like it was taking away from Reed's birthday. Just too weird.

Birthday breakfast. Not my best pancake "4" but it just shows you how easy it is to please kids.

Happy birthday kiddos

Birthday big-boy bike. He was so excited! Sadly, the bike's pedals would lock up and we had to return it. Twice. He finally got to ride his new bike for real 2 days later.

Birthday sandbox for Taryn. We inherited it from a friend that moved a few days earlier. Perfect in our shaded carport.

Birthday cake. Reed decorated it with lots and lots of sprinkles. Of course I forgot the silverware, so the kids were licking the cake while Kevin ran home to get the forks.

We were too impatient, so we just ate it with our fingers. Even the adults.

Rhett, Bridger, Taryn, Reed, and Mckay

This is what Taryn decided to do with the birthday presents. She spent 10 minutes standing/dancing on this box. The kids had a great time with cousins at their family birthday party!

Happy 4th of July

The Alpine fire was only about 2 miles from Kevin's parent's house. Luckily, it never got close enough to evacuate but it was a little crazy seeing it out their back door.

Reed had a great time playing with his Walsh cousins in Alpine. They were visiting from Minnesota. This is Reed being brave (yes, he is in a baby floater). Before this year, he wouldn't even get in the water.

Then we made our way over to my brother, Clinton's house for a BBQ. Reed played with some more cousins.

Taryn spent her time eating junk (are you surprised?).

And mastering the playground ladder. This girl is such a climber! So different from Reed.

Grandma is #1 in her book

Maybe his first sparkler, you think? :) We had every intention in staying for the big fireworks, but neighbors on both sides were doing some big ones and Reed got pretty scared. He really wanted to go and it was hours past bedtime, so we just left. Pretty lame, I know. Maybe next year.

Balloon Fest

Up bright and early

The girls

Watching them blow up the balloons

The boys

I don't know what it is, but I think hot air balloons are so magical.

Breakfast in the canyon

Breakfast in the canyon is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. I love the canyon and we live so close! It really is a shame that we don't spend more time there. I always tell Kevin when we go into the canyon that I think I could live there. Cooking our pancakes.

Eating our grub.

I could watch my kids play in the dirt all day. I love it!

Big foot?

Playing catch

Chasing butterflies. Doesn't get much better than that.

Family Fun Bike

My dad just started a business in Salt Lake City: the Family Fun Bike. He is giving rides on this crazy, 7 passenger (one driver) bike ride off of West Temple near the Conference Center. He'll even rent it out to groups. We gave it an inaugural run a week or so before his business started. It is so fun and silly. I highly recommend it. :)