Birthday weekend

Friday night Costco dinner, as suspected. Except they couldn't get us in for tires, so we'll try again this week. Boo. 

 

I met Jake there in the truck, and I want you to all see how perfectly I parked. Obviously pretty proud of myself. ;) 

 

It was Jake's turn to plan our date and he wanted to go off roading, so we drove to one of the many dirt roads in Eagle Mountain and all probably have shaken baby syndrome. The road had some crazy washboard going on, but it was fun! The kiddos were with us and Ryan had a blast running around. There were tons of those little white butterflies and he kept chasing one, then mid run switching to another one, and then switching again and again. It was pretty adorable. 

 

He's just a little dot clear out in the field!

 

Hunter hung out in the shade.

 

Maeve got to try riding in the back of the truck for the first time. She only lasted 2 mins before she started to look freaked out, so she joined us back in the cab.

 

After Ryan's nap Jake packed him up and took him out to shop for my birthday. I got to stay home and snuggle this sweet baby. Super dad! 

 

 

 

He sent me this picture. Notice the lack of shoes, haha. 

 

Since my birthday falls on Sunday, we went to my choice of Zupas that night instead. Followed by a nursing break in the truck, of course. 

 

 

And finally, when the kids were in bed, we spent our wild and crazy Saturday night eating ice cream while working on goals and tweaking our budget. 

 

 

Sunday (my actual birthday) has consisted of flowers, new earrings, a yummy breakfast, and long naps. So good! In just a bit we'll head to my parents for a Sunday dinner of chicken and veggie kabobs and donuts. Not sad about that, that's for sure! It's been a perfect and full birthday weekend.

 

Sweet summertime

We can't stay away from the shaved ice shack down the street! It's within walking distance, cheap, and delicious. Triple win. 

 

Hunter just gets dragged along everywhere. He doesn't seem too upset about it. :) 

 

My mom is off work for the summer, so we met at the mall to try to find me a pink or cream nursing friendly dress for Hannah's wedding. No luck! It was still fun though and as always Ryan loooved seeing grandma. 

 

 

 

 

We brought the stroller, but Ryan ended up walking and I ended up wearing Hunter while pushing an empty stroller.

 

We took full advantage of the awesome little room outside of the Macy's bathroom. Changed both babies, nursed the little one, and let Ryan run around. 

 

 

Ryan fell asleep in the car on the way home at nap time (every parent's nightmare) and of course wouldn't transfer to the crib, so we improvised and snuggled on the couch. 

 

 

 

He obviously wasn't amused by the Snapchat filters, but I think they're fun! 

When dad gets home we're kicking off my birthday weekend by heading to Costco to get new tires put on the car, which probably means $1.50 hot dogs for dinner...but hey, I'm not complaining! Happy Friday, friends. 🎉

Friends

On Tuesday evening we had some friends over to roast s'mores out back. They have a little girl that's just a little older than Ryan and it was so cute to see them interact! Very few of our friends from high school are married/have kids/live close, so we're really trying to reach out to people and make some friends out here. We had tons of fun and finally put our fire pit to good use! 

Buuuuuut I only took one picture...and it has no people in it. An hour before they were supposed to come over a freak summer storm swooped through. It was SUPER dark and windy and huge raindrops were coming down. Then just as quick as it came it was sunny again, plus it smelled so good outside! 

 

Also consider that picture the "after" of our huge landscaping project. It's finally done! Patio is in, fence is up. It's heaven having a yard for Ryan to play in! 

Hannah's bridal shower

My mom and I put together this fun bridal shower for Hannah this past weekend. I've felt pretty run down lately so this was the perfect break and creative outlet. Seriously I want to plan 10 more, I was giddy the morning of! 

 

 

 

Hannah had a couple friends, her in laws, a couple ladies from the ward and some of our family come. I left Ryan home with Jake and took Hunter, who was snuggled and loved by all the ladies! 

 

 

 

 

Hannah and I went to take a picture together and I assumed my "hand on chest" position like I do with Jake, which meant I totally grabbed her boob hahaha. Whoops! I love that my mom caught our reaction on camera. So funny! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The big day is in less than a month and we're all counting down the minutes!

Father's Day weekend

We had such a good Father's Day weekend. On Saturday I hosted Hannah's bridal shower with my mom (I'll do a separate post on that) and that night Jake and I got to sneak away for a date. We grabbed a quick dinner and planned to drive up the canyon for some fresh air, but alas the baby was not happy about being in the car seat that long so we didn't make it very far. At least we got to go on a pretty drive! 

Sunday was all about Jake. We had a big breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and eggs. He got to open his presents from me and the kiddos (letter donuts that spelled dad from the Provo bakery, a new pocket knife, and a tie), and take a nap! We didn't make it to church so we tried to still keep it a calm relaxing day. That evening we visited grandpa and grandma Nielsen and then grandpa Apple and Jake's dad Bob. Then we made our way over to my parents house for a yummy dinner of burgers and corn. Ryan approved! 

 

 

 

Jake's favorite part of Father's Day was these pictures I showed him the night before. I had meant to print them, but ran out of time. 

 

 

 

So typical of Ryan to not even crack a tiny smile for pictures the one time I need him to smile! 

Jake is such a phenomenal dad. Seriously, he's our glue. He is incredibly patient and so willing to take both babies any time I need a break. He's always on the ground playing and making Ryan laugh. We are so lucky! 

Thanksgiving Point

Right around the time Thanksgiving Point was doing their tulip festival, we bought a family season pass. The family I used to nanny for had passes and I thought it was so much fun! It's been well worth the investment. 

Our favorite right now is the farm, but I don't have any pictures cause I'm always too busy chasing Ryan and keeping his fingers from being nibbled by cows and chickens haha. Today he got SO excited when he saw the tractor pulling the wagon full of people. Like arm flapping crazy person squeeling excited. It was so cute, I wish I could have recorded it.

Here's a picture from a couple months ago when it was just me and Ry guy sharing an ice cream cone at the gardens, life was much simpler when Hunter was just a bump in my belly. ;) 

 

 

Speaking of the bump...it was huge! I don't think I realized how gigantic I was. This was the night I went into labor.

 

 

Today's entertainment also included crib gymnastics, vacuuming, a sink bath, and a toddler who discovered how to take his diaper off. Sweet Hunter balances out Ryan's crazy!

 

 

 

 

 

When dad got home we went down the street for snow cones before dinner. We can get away with that in the summer. :)

 

 

Now Jake and I are unwinding with season 4 of fixer upper before we do it all again tomorrow!