One Year

Jacob is a year old! He is not as headstrong and aggressive as Michael, but instead has a quiet determination and perserverence that drives him. For example, even though he doesn't make lots of noise at dinner, he usually makes just as big of a mess as Michael ever did. Jacob is fairly small for his age, but I adore how sweet and cuddly he is and how he loves to give kisses and snuggle. He has such a sweetness of manner and finds joy in everything. I think one of the funniest things about him is that literally every time we go in the van somewhere, he pulls off his socks and throws them over the side of his carseat. Every time. It's just part of our routine of getting out of the car to look for his socks and put them back on.Jacob has such a big heart- he loves his brother and sister so much! Michael and Jacob wrestle already and I am amazed at how gentle Michael is and how much Jacob loves it! Nicole is his little mommy, picking him up and taking him out of the bathroom or trying to read him stories. He is such a bright light in our lives!Jacob is such a wonderful little boy and I love him so much! I wrote this poem as it just kind of came from my heart as I thought of him when he fell asleep last night.

Delicate lashes

Innocent deep blue eyes

Smile with untold joys

Soft and sweet

Precious baby of mine

Hold on to this gentle kindness

Share the happiness of living

See the beauty of your divinity

Oh tender child in my arms

Two Weeks in Arizona

We loaded up and took the five hour flight to AZ and stayed for two weeks! My brothers had spring break for the first week and my sister (with her 4 kids) stayed the second week as well. Jim only stayed a few days, but it was a wonderful vacation for the kids to play nonstop!

Right off the bat, Uncle "Calev" (as Michael would say) was a big hit!Having a snack party with grandma and the cousins! The little dish set was perfect for snacks and the girls loved it!After a 3 mile run with Benjamin and Caleb, we joined up with the little kids that had trekked with Grandma, Grandpa and Marian on a long hike. I found them at the top of a hill playing games waiting for the suburban to pick them up. Michael had only fallen a few times and Mom mentioned it was interesting that Michael doesn't know how to walk. It's true- he only runs.Nicole and Kaitlin were best friends the whole time! Kiersten too, but the other girls really did everything together and even begged to have the same hairstyles each day!They were holding hands and being so cute, it was just the kind of friendship Marian and I dreamed of when we came on this trip.

Dad did a morningside at the Mesa temple visitors center for the graduating seniors in the stake and Marian and I were able to attend and bear our testimonies. We really enjoyed the time with Dad. (Not to mention the fun Marian and I had shopping the rest of the day at AZ Mills Mall).

We went to the Bass Pro Shop for their Tues. night freebies- popcorn, crafts, fish feeding, etc. Forgive the hilarious picture with strange expressions.

Our favorite was the elevator that you could take to go under and above the water level of the fish tank. I think we ended up going about a dozen times.

The weather was amazing. We had several days in the 80s, so we all got wet! Michael is trying to pull the hose far enough to spray everyone.

Caleb was the main water control man and played water games with the kids for a long time. The kids were laughing, screaming, running, and eventually SOAKED.

Michael wanted to get Caleb back!

Nicole drying off on the trampoline.

My kids love ice cream cones!

The ice cream cones were so good we didn't have any mess to pick up- none of the kids wanted to spill any of that yummy ice cream.

Jacob had a wonderful time exploring and eventually even got used to the grass! He also took his first steps!

He had his birthday the day before we left and we celebrated with cupcakes-which he thoroughly enjoyed! He is 17lbs (3rd%), 29 in long (25th%), and his head is 17.25in (3rd%). He's a tiny guy and still the cuddliest kid ever. SUCH a sweetheart!

All of the cousins climbing up to get Caleb!

Craft time was always interesting- debates over which coloring book each kid wanted and which coloring tools were best.

Off to Sheepherder's park!

Once we got in sight of the park, we let the kids run- they went like homing pigeons straight to the swings!

Nicole was so proud that she could go all of the way from one side to the other!

Playing with Kollin and Kaitlin!

Laughing at Uncle Caleb while drying off from another water adventure.

One of my dreams in AZ was to go to Tia Rosas (NC just can't compete). I used to work here and it has some of the best Mexican food I've had. I also love the decor.

Our party was so big (and hungry) we went through 8 or so baskets of chips before our order came.

The tables have colorful tiles and the ceiling has metal fish with lights in them.

Michael wanted his food about 20 minutes before it arrived.

Playing in the sunshine!

Marian and Dallin! Baby Devin was sleeping almost the whole time- so nice! Michael with his delicious quesadilla!Jacob was very patient and ate chips for a looooong time! He even enjoyed salsa on the chips! Dallin and Michael relaxing in a rare moment of peace and stillness. These two year old boys have SO much energy! Despite their differences (or 'similarities' as Dad would say) they really seem to like each other and we look forward to them being great buddies!

Nicole couldn't wait to see an orange TREE! and juice her own orange. I had so much fun helping the kids make and drink their own orange juice.

We also celebrated Jacob's bday in AZ. The kids loved making different colors of frosting with Grandma's help and frosting their cupcakes. Nicole had three!

Wearing Caleb's shirt while waiting for laundry to dry. Trying on Caleb's shoes while he was at it.

Jacob was very interested in baby Devin, who was just about his size :-)

We took a trip to the Phoenix Zoo on a perfect cool and sunny day.

Up in the giraffe lookout! I was glad everything was safely fenced in!

Watching the prairie dogs play!

The kids loved this frog statue.

Michael was thrilled and terrified at the same time to be on a carousel ride. Marian said he gripped the pole so hard and had this set line to his mouth of concentration. So cute!

Nicole was in her element and loved the sea dragon and was waving and blowing kisses.

We fed the ducks, turtles, and even some huge fish that came up.

A Fisher Price playground was our last stop and the kids played for a long time!

Snacks!

Michael and Nicole loved this huge animals that were just like the playset we have at home.

Michael attempting to climb in with the cows.

Michael after mommy had safely lowered him down to pet the cow.

This was a patient horse! All of the kids were holding out their hands as if they had food so the horse would lick each hand. So instead of a meal, the horse had more of a salt lick experience.

The horse licking Dallin's head!

Michael riding the barrel horse.

Jacob loved exploring the open spaces inside and out!

Carter and Brody came over one morning and played with us! Michael is wearing a pirate hat and red ruby high heels.

Nicole and Kaitlin coloring together (the ultimate in friendship!!) They both cried and cried when we left. Marian and I are so grateful to Mom and Dad for hosting seven kids ages 5 and under for two weeks! We will really be missing Marian as she and her family go to England for the next three years. When Nicole finally arrived in NC and gave Jim a hug she was crying and Jim asked her "Did you miss me?" to which she replied between tears, "I miss Arizona!" I agreed! We are still trying to adjust back to normal life as well as the three hour time zone change (I woke up at 8:40 for our 9am church). We really missed Jim, though, and we love being together again.