In-N-Out Picnic

This is Daddy and the boys hanging out in the eating area at the In-N-Out picnic. When we were leaving, we saw the big truck and trailer parked outside, so we wanted to get a picture of the boys in front of it (well, I did, anyway!). When we got to the picnic, we went straight to the eating area. It was about 12:30, lunchtime, so we got in line for burgers and then Corey waited while me and the boys found a seat. Caleb and Westley played a candy-pickup game while we were waiting, except they were late in starting, so they only got one piece of candy apiece. The other kids all had brown sacks, but we didn't get them because I didn't notice the game going on until right before the guy said, "go!", so we jumped in and they each grabbed one piece. After we ate (after they finally made me my "double-single" with ketchup and mustard instead, no onions--it took three attempts to get it right!), Corey participated in the associate relays. His store came in second. We watched bits and pieces while we were waiting for him to be done. The rest of the relays, I went to the wave pool with the boys to cool off (It was like 107 degrees outside!).

After Daddy was finally done with the relays, we all went over to the park and went down some of the slides--Daddy with Caleb, me with Westley, and then we switched. We took them over the kiddie part of the park, where the slides are smaller and the water is shallow. They LOVED those slides and went down them over and over. Westley was able to go down those slides completely by himself (thanks to all his swimming lessons!). We went back for the raffle and some ice cream, didn't win anything, and then went back into the wave pool for a little longer. It was a lot of fun and we can't wait for next year. We will probably leave little Eliza behind next year and bring Travis. It was a LOT more fun with two older kids than with such young babies that you can't do anything. By next summer, Westley will probably really be swimming (he's just about there--he can go off the diving board at Grandma and Grandpa's house and swim to the side by himself-no floats or anything), and Caleb will be swimming better, so it will be easier. But it was a lot of fun! And the weather was perfect for a day at the water park!

Swimming with the Bowens

On Saturday, May 31, Corey had the day off from work (a rarity--a Saturday off!), so we had our friends, the Bowens, over to swim and barbecue. Lindsey was a roommate of mine at BYU, and they live in Mesa. Their boys, Jeremy and Tyler are very close in age to Westley and Caleb (they even take swimming lessons together). They have a daughter Megan who is only a couple months younger than Travis. Anyway, we had them over in the afternoon. After swimming and practicing their skills, we had the barbecue. Westley has started going off the diving board with only the pool noodle and Tyler went off the board also. I can't remember if Jeremy went off the board at all, but Caleb wouldn't attempt it. Westley was sure getting brave, and he gets even braver every time we go out there. Actually, it's a bit unnerving because he's really not skilled enough to swim without an adult right there with him, but he thinks he is. So it's kind of a dangerous time for him, and I have to watch him really close. But he's doing better and better all the time! After swimming, while Corey was cooking up at the grill, the kids ran around the patio, playing, riding bikes, and climbing on the "tower". Corey cooked up some delicious hamburgers for the adults and hot dogs for the kids. Barbecue always tastes so good after swimming! It was a relaxing, fun time. We even had popsicles for dessert, but I only managed to get a good picture of Travis for that. Eliza slept in her swing most of the time that we were swimming. She woke up for the barbecue, but was content to sit in her Bumbo for most of it. It was a great day. Hopefully we can do it again later this summer when they come back from visiting family.

Daddy Worker Guys

Here are Westley, Caleb, and Travis being "Daddy Worker Guys". We went to the Arizona Mills Mall to look for shorts for me and stopped in to have lunch at Johnny Rockets. They gave the boys the same kind of hats. On our way home, we stopped at In-N-Out for shakes and the boys asked for hats again. When we got home, they changed into their In-N-Out shirts, red shorts, and put the hats on and the rest of the afternoon, they were "Daddy Worker Guys" (what Westley calls In-N-Out associates), making food (the plastic food Westley got for his birthday) and running a restaurant. They are so cute!

A Travis Temper Tantrum

When Travis doesn't get his way, he throws himself on the floor face down and cries, it is the funniest thing! Here he is, having a fit...

Eliza Eats Solids

Recently, Eliza has started eating solids. I've only ever given her rice cereal mixed with formula and then, a couple days ago, oatmeal mixed with formula. She seems to like it a lot! In about 1-1/2 weeks, I will start giving her fruit. I've always just used storebought baby food in the past--you know the Gerber 1's and 2's and then added table food, but this time around, I'm considering getting a food processor of some sort and making the baby food. I can't wait to add some flavor to these cereal meals and see how she likes that. Travis wanted a taste of Eliza's food, and wouldn't stop crying until we popped a bite in his mouth, and then he wouldn't stop gagging. It was so funny! Isn't Eliza so cute?

Cute Eliza in the Bumbo

There was a Bumbo at Andy and Lori's house in Utah when we went for Adam and Eve's wedding. Eliza LOVED it, so when I got back, I looked all over for a cheap or free Bumbo I could use. I found some on Craig's list, but then I remembered that my nephew Wyatt used one, so I called Jenny and got the one they used for Wyatt, which happened to be the one that Traci used for Thomas, so I'm using it now and will give it back to Traci when she has another baby. Anyway, Eliza LOVES it, and we use it all the time. Here are some cute pictures of Eliza.

Swimming, Always Swimming

We've been swimming twice now in the backyard pool here in Mesa. These are pictures from the second time. Even Eliza went in this time. Caleb really liked the new car float and so did Travis. Westley practiced holding his breath and diving for toys most of the time. And I even included a picture of Caleb in his new goggles. Travis is completely fearless and LOVES the water, which is why I'm eager to get him into some sort of lessons, before he becomes like Caleb and cries when he goes in the water. I'm glad it's finally starting to warm up again, so we can do this more often.

Corey with Caleb in the car float

Jenna and Eliza

Travis playing on the side of the pool

Corey and Travis

Westley swimming

Caleb and his "magic goggles"