First outdoor swimming fun

Today we got to go out to the pool for some fun in the sun.  The outdoor pools opened up this past weekend so we took opportunity on a sunny day today to be able to go out to the pool and have some fun playing in the water.  the kids sure love to be outside and be able to play in the water.  

Mckayla is loving to be able to play with her goggles and see under the water and swim around.  She is always able to find a friend to play with.  She found a friend that she had a splash fight with, went down the slide with, played tag, and swam around with.  She went down the slides a many of times and had a blast.

Talmage took a minute to get alright with the water, he got in outside and splashed around a bit, but was skitish due to the windy weather.  He loved to watch the big bucket dump - "watch bucket dad".  He would not get close to it, but he sure loved to watch it.  Once we got to the indoor pool however he got in swam, splashed, headbutted with daddy, dove under the water, and had a blast splashing his sister.  He has truly become a water lover just like his older sister.

Kaitlyn however was asleep most of the time, so she did not get in.  Her time will come with a family that loves the water.

Many more water fun to come I would suppose, it is just the start of summer!

My Awesome Man

This picture is a little old from our trip to DisneyWorld in January, but it is FREAKIN AWESOME!! I love my lil' man, he ROCKS!!! It so much fun to be parents to these 3 wonderful children.

Happy Memorial Day

Our poor sleepyheads.  What sweet little kids we have.

They had a long day today.  We went to see Horton Hears a Who today.  Talm's so cute.  He sat on Jer's lap the whole time and just soaked in the movie while they shared snacks together.  So sweet.  Then we headed over to Grandma's for a barbeque and to give Grandma time to get reaquainted with her grandkids ;-).  I also got to spend a few hours with my mom planning out Kaitlyn's blessing dress.  Stay tuned, it should be great!  

Reflecting on Memorial Day, it's so neat to be a parent.  It's so neat to be able to explain to our daughter what this day is about and have her be interested in it.  We're so grateful to have the freedoms that we do.  I am so grateful for those service men and women who give their time, families and lives up sometimes to protect us.  Happy Memorial Day! 

Dress Up Time!

What goes better with a white Sunday shirt and vest than a skirt and tiara? :-)

Everybody needs a little girl time sometimes, right?  Mckayla loves everything girl including playing dress up and Talm's happy to play right along.  Who are we to stop the femininity around here?  Yes, he is getting a pedicure as well!

Talmage examining Mckayla's toenail painting skills (she really does a great job).  That should go over well tomorrow at the pool ;-)

Thomas the Tank Engine

Thomas Fun

Today we got to journey up to the Heber Creeper, or otherwise known as the Heber Valley Railroad and take a ride on Thomas the tank engine.  There was a lot of fun to do there including; meeting sir Thopam Hatt, playing with train tables (we bought one for Talm a few months back, but he still loves to play with them anytime there is one available), storytime, temporary tattoos, a hay maze, cotton candy, and of course a ride on the infamous train himself - Thomas the Tank Engine!!!  

Talm & Kayla truly enjoyed this great ride and all of the activities.  As soon as we pulled up in the van (a complete surprise for both of them) Talm's eyes lit up and he was all excited to see "Thomas Enjin"  Oh how he loves Thomas.  He would not give us any time to get stuff out of the van - he was so anxious to go over and see him.  When we were on the train ride Mckayla paid more attention to the houses and sprinklers than anything else, she kept asking dad if he saw the sprinklers and took a picture of them.  She did however enjoy to see the lambies.  Talmage loved to look out the window and just watch to see that we were still moving.  There was once that he was standing in his seat and lost his balance a little and he said "whoa, Thomas fast".  They truly are adorable.  

After all of the Thomas festivities we made the traditional Heber stop over to the infamous Dairy Keen and had hamburgers.  Talmage & Mckayla were more enthused in watching the toy Thomas train circle around the store.  If you haven't been there before they have the Heber Creeper on a track near the ceiling that circles the store and goes through some tunnels all around the dining room.  For Thomas week they replace the Heber Creeper Engine with a Thomas Engine and the kids sure loved to see that.

It was a great experience to go up to see Thomas and see how excited Talmage was with it all. (Mckayla says her favorite part was the Cotton Candy "because I love cotton candy"

Welcome Baby Kaitlyn

Well, the first three and half weeks of Kaitlyn's life has gone by and it has been fun to add her to our home.  She eats, sleeps, smiles, and you know what else.  The two older children just love having her around.  If she cries or moans Talmage will say "baby k?" he loves to hold her and give her kisses.  Mckayla is like a true big sister.  She helps mommy out so much.  If we need her to get anything for the baby it is not a problem, she has turned herself right into a nurturing sister.  It has been completely different with Kaitlyn then with Talmage.  She has great older siblings that love to care for her.

It is a great joy every day that I get to come home to them.  I get greeted with them hurrying and hiding as I walk in the door so that they can pop out and yell "SURPRISE" when daddy comes home, then they come running to give me great big hugs.  I love being a daddy.  It is such a joy to watch them grow and play.

Leslie is now getting back into training and trying to talk me into letting her do the Salem Spring Tri here in a couple of weeks.  She is pegged to do at least two Olympic distance Triathlons this summer and at least the Hobble Creek Half Marathon in Sept. and St. George Marathon in Oct.  It takes a lot of work for her to care for the children and train at the same time.  I am greatly impressed by her dedication.