Grandpa Randall's Funeral

We flew to Utah the last weekend of June because my dad's father passed away. I was so sad to that Grandpa had died. I wish I could have been in Utah for his 90th birthday party. He had just had it the weekend before Father's Day, and then the morning after Father's Day, June 22nd, he passed away in his sleep.

I know that he is in a good place now. I am grateful for my knowledge of eternal families and life after death. I know that Grandpa is with my grandmother now and he is no longer suffering. I am grateful for the man that he is, that he raised up a righteous posterity, that he served the Lord, that he raised my AMAZING father and helped him become the man that he is. It was heart breaking to watch my dad during the funeral services. I cried for my dad and I cried for me and I cried for all who love him. I know that he will be exalted in heaven and that we will all be together again. Thank you Grandpa for your testimony, your example, your love, your humor, your tickles, and for our family. I/We love you.
The Utah Patriot Guard rode to the funeral on their bikes and stood in a line with flags for hours at the church and at the cemetary. It was neat to see them their in honor of my Grandpa. My dad and uncle rode their Harleys with them. My dad's bike is painted to match my Grandpa's B-17 Bomber airplane that he flew in World War 2. (I stole all these pictures from my cousin's blog, that's why they are small, because I forgot my camera, which I am still very sad about since I can't get anyone to email me their pictures.)


While in Utah we stayed at my mom's parents house. (Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for taking us all in. It was so great to see you.) It was nice to see my parents and siblings and nieces, and hang out.

Parker loved to sit in the little wagon and scoot around.

Tyne & Kyle with Bensen and Alaina.

My cousin Jessica and her husband and baby were there one night too on their way back to Rexburg, ID. Her daughter, Alaina was born the same day as Bensen. They were so different. Tyne is practicing for twins. Ha ha!

My brother Austin and is oldest daughter, Bella. She is one right now and is SO adorable. I just love one year olds.

Our attempt at a picture...

Staucie and Parker jumping. The weather was so nice. Not hot and sticky like Houston :)

We attempted to fly home on Sunday at noon but our plane had mechanical problems and we ended up in a hotel in Salt Lake for the night that the airline paid for. They shuttled us to the hotel and gave us meal vouchers.

Eating on the hotel floor in our room.

Bensen after his bath.

I was short on diapers so we attempted to walk to a store. We walked miles to an Albertsons with the kids, it was NOT fun. We did have our double stroller but Daniel carried Staucie. She fell asleep in his arms.

Eating yogurt for breakfast.

Parker doing his famous squat in the hotel vanity area.

Bensen's hotel bed.

We were worried about how the kids would sleep. They shared a bed. We put pillows around them so they wouldn't fall off and tried to position them so Staucie wouldn't kick Parker. She is a WILD sleeper and he hardly moves. Daniel and I laid on the other bed in the dark while we waited for them to fall asleep, then got ready for bed and watched TV until we went to bed. The kids slept very well. I don't think I slept at all. Then the next morning we took the shuttle back to the airport and tried again. We made it home on Monday at 6:00pm. Daniel missed another day of work which was a bummer. The kids were good travelers though and it was nice to be able to go. I wish we could have stayed longer.

The King of Pop

I have listened to his music since I can remember. made up many dance routines. as a kid, I loved the song "Man in the Mirror." still do, but my all time favorite is "Bad." can still picture my parents' record album cover for Thriller. spent many hours on the boat blasting his songs. always have a few on my playlist. his music never gets old, is always good for dancing. one of his songs is on my wedding video, "The Way You Make Me Feel." no one can dance like him or has music like him. RIP Michael Jackson.

http://www.eternalmoonwalk.com/

Bensen

On July 3rd Bensen reached 6 months. Half way to a year. Today I took Bensen and Parker to the doctor for their well-checks and both are doing well. Bensen weighed 15 lbs 4 oz (15%) and was 26 inches long (35%). He is a rolly-polly little baby. He gets all around the front room by rolling. He can get to whatever toy he wants that way. Sometimes he rolls onto toys and cries in pain. He is a happy baby who smiles and sticks is arms and legs straight down and wiggles his feet and hands when he gets excited. He thinks Staucie and Parker are funny and he loves when they talk to or play with him. He is very ticklish and grabs everything. Today he ripped the bandaid off his leg from his shots and tried to eat it. We love him and enjoy him very much.

There comes a point when the blanket no longer serves its purpose.

He is starting to eat baby food but can't get that tongue out of the way.
The other day he got wrapped up in all the tangled necklaces.

Is it okay to let your baby eat plastic golf clubs?

Mmm. Yummy.

Bensen Bryce, I adore you.

Parker is Two

Parker turned 2 on July 6th.
We celebrated with Aunt Brittany and Uncle Matt (and Matt's sister, Bre).
Oh, I can't believe how fast it has gone by. My baby is no longer a baby. He has grown so fast that I can't believe he used to weigh 6 pounds. Parker is so much fun and makes us laugh. Not many get to see Parker's real personality, but this picture captures him well. We have loved having him in our eternal family. We love you Parker!

Blue suckers make blue mouths.

Bensen loved his party hat... ha ha.

Parker tried several times to blow out the candle and then Staucie just blew it out. She was SOOOO excited for his birthday!

While Parker would stop to play with his new toy, Staucie would rip into the next present. She was so excited to "rip, rip, rip the presents." Parker didn't mind at all though.


He got lots of cars, trucks, and things with wheels.

He likes to watch the wheels roll.

He got a baseball cap that is so cute on him. He likes to wear hats.

Bensen likes to play with the trucks too. He likes to roll around and play with whatever he can get his hands on.

More blue lips from blue suckers.

He looks so grown up in his hat.

Happy Birthday Parker!

We love you!

Happy 4th of July

Today we started our holiday by making and decorating sugar cookies. Staucie and I made the dough this morning while Daniel and Parker mowed the lawn. It was very messy but fun. I think Parker took a bite out of all of the cookies.

For dinner we had Brittany, Matt, and Noah come over for a BBQ. Then we went in the backyard to play. Noah likes being outside, it keeps him from crying so we all went out.

We did some running.
And then ran with Sparklers. Parker burnt his hand so he was done fast with it.
Me and my boys.
Parker is eating a popsicle to soothe his burnt hand.

Bensen got a hold of my otter pop and wouldn't give it back. If I tried to take a bite he would cry until I gave it back. He had a good grip on it and licked away, he was really funny. Brittany and I were laughing at him. I tried to offer Noah one, but his mommy said no :)

When the popsicle was gone, we got Bensen a bottle.

The kids had fun squirting us.

"I'm gonna get you, mommy."

Our partiers.

Then when the kids were in bed, Daniel and I went out to watch our next door neighbor put on his "famous" firework show that we had been hearing about since we moved in.

Some of the party animals.

Danny, our neighbor, put on a great show. Apparently he drives to Missouri to buy the fireworks. It was really loud and the kids slept through it all.

This is about half of the empty firework containers/boxes.

The pyro neighbors and Daniel. Daniel is the only sober one :)

Happy Independence Day!