Jake's Famous Looks

July 4th at the Cabin

We spent 4th of July at the cabin in Snowflake, AZ. It was warm there, but at least a good 10 degrees cooler than the Phoenix area. Evenings were soooo nice because it actually cools off there once the sun goes down!

We didn't get to do the usual campfire and roasting marshmallows because of the restrictions out here, so that was a bummer. But everyone seemed to have a good time regardless.

Between the boys taking turns throwing up, and Jake's bad diarrhea, Curt and I were wondering if we should just load up the kids and head home early. We decided to stick it out and we're glad we did. I LOVE being so secluded, with no distractions...no deadlines...no appointments...no job where Curt is gone all day...
We have what we need right there...the most important thing. Our family.

Curt and I took lots of walks with the boys, making new trails, and discovering new things on the property. There were a lot of rabbits around and Jake and Ty had fun chasing them!

We had fun playing games with Grandpa and Grandma, and the boys also loved painting rocks with Grandma's help. Jake just couldn't keep his paintbrush (with paint on it!) out of his mouth! Rides on the 4wheeler are always a hit with the kids. Luke was sooo excited because Daddy let him steer and push the gas!

We didn't end up seeing any fireworks, but no one was too torn up about it. Maybe next year we will do some little ones of our own. On the drive home, Curt wanted to go through Showlow, which added an extra 45 minutes or so, but it was a nice drive. We love the scenery outside of Showlow. It's beautiful!

Ty Turns FOUR!!

Ty turned 4 on July 2nd!! I made him a horse cake shaped as the number 4. Ty loves animals, but horses especially.

We had a small little party for him with some of Ty's favorite people! Grandma H, Grandpa H, Alayna, Cole, Kannon, Chuy, Emily, Abbi, baby Katie, Bev and Arianna, Monda, Greg, and Jules (Monda's good friend). Ty had so much fun playing with his friends, but as we were getting ready to take two of the boys home, Ty threw up! At least he felt fine during his party and was able to enjoy his big day!

Ty is such a fun kid and loves to make everyone around him laugh! He loves to ham it up and has the craziest imagination of anyone I know! Ty has been such a blessing in our family and came at such an important time. I was about 8 weeks pregnant with him when my mom died. Before Mom died, she had been putting our name on the temple prayer list because she knew we were desperately trying for another baby. I think she also knew that I needed that distraction, as she knew she wasn't going to live much longer.

Ty's delivery was FAST and unexpected, but we were so excited to see our tiny little 5 lb 8oz baby with tons of dark hair! Ty was only an hour or two old when Curt and Grandpa Holbrook had to give him his first blessing, and thank goodness Ty was/is a fighter! It's been so fun to watch him grow and turn into the little boy that he was meant to be.

WE LOVE YOU, TY-TY!!

Ty's Mail

We got a good laugh from the thank you card Ty recently got in the mail! I wonder if they consider him a Gold Member??

Luke was a little sad that he didn't get anything in the mail, too, but I am grateful for that!! Otherwise we would have 2 accident prone kids, instead of 1! Hopefully Jake takes after Luke :)

Staple Removal

The boys and I went to the Dr's office this morning to get Ty's staple taken out. Ty is such a brave kid! He asked me if it would hurt and I told him that it might just a little. We left it at that.

He sat very still for the Dr. when she took it out. He honestly didn't even flinch. As soon as it was out he said, "That didn't hurt!". It was really cute! His head bled for a few minutes after, but he was a trooper, as usual!

A little while after, we went across the street to Monda's house for a swim. When we were getting dried off and ready to head back home...Ty somehow hit one of the patio chairs and got a cut by his eye! It was bleeding, of course, and I was thinking "OH CRAP!! NOT AGAIN!!". Thankfully, it is a tiny cut and WON'T require stitches OR staples. Hallelujah!!

**A note to myself**

Be more careful with what you say around your children. Example: getting into the car the other day Ty says "It's fweakin (freakin') hot in here!"....AND....while looking for a specific toy Ty says "I don't fweakin know where it's at!".

Wonderful.

What a Day

Here was our Tuesday in a nutshell...

I took Ty to see the dentist that morning (his 2 teeth have turned gray from the incident on Memorial Day...read previous posts for more info) to get his teeth x-ray'd. Luke played the video games that they have there quietly, while Jake screamed and fought me as the dentist and I were trying to have a conversation. Good times. Turns out, his teeth do have damage to the roots, but we're going to just watch them for now because they aren't causing him any pain or discomfort. Shheww!

While Jake was taking his afternoon nap, the 2 older boys and I were playing on the floor in the family room. I kept thinking I heard a little meow coming from outside. Our cat was in the house, and I knew that didn't sound like Cooper's meow. Anyway, I went out to our side yard and found a little kitten laying down in the shade. I tried to get it, but it ran away into our front yard. After about 30 minutes, I finally was able to catch the poor little thing. I felt so bad for it because it was around 112 degrees outside!
In the meantime, Jake woke up from his nap. While I was trying to get the kitten settled and to keep it from running wild in my house, THIS happened to Ty! Jake pulled one of Curt's guitars off the wall, Luke tried to catch it, but the guitar ended up hitting poor Ty in the head.

Resulting in yet another trip to Urgent Care. We left there with one staple in his head to close the laceration. Ty was brave as usual, but he did cry when the dr. put in the staple...only to have to remove it and put in a new one! He didn't get the first one in the right spot. I felt so sad for Ty, but he did an awesome job. He was making the dr. and all of the nurses laugh of course! He is such a ham and LOVES to make people laugh! They gave him a big grape popsicle before we were sent on our way.

When we first walked into the Urgent Care, they asked for our last name. The guy then asked if Ty has been there before. "Unfortunately...Yes, he has." As a matter of fact, it was only like 3 weeks ago. I'm afraid if one more thing happens to this kid...CPS will come looking for me!

Crazy Jake

Jake is one crazy little boy and keeps us hoppin'! He is the most determined and stubborn baby I have come across. He can also be so sweet and loving, too, and I love it when he lays his head down on me and squints his eyes as he says "momma" in his sweet voice.

What Jake loves right now...
*climbing on the table (ALL. DAY. LONG.)
*pushing the chairs around so he can reach things on the counter, fridge, and also the light switches
*fruit snacks (preferably the WHOLE pack in his mouth at once)
*copying whatever his big brothers do. He has no fear.
*smack his brothers on the head with either his hand or whatever toy is in his hand at the time.
*make funny faces
*animals
*juice
*his soft blankets
*reaching into the kitchen drawers and pulling out whatever he can get his hands on

Some words Jake says...
*Momma
*Da (Dad)
*juice
*more (usually referring to food and/or drink)
*meow
*dog
*brush
*ni-night
*kiss
*nice

Boys Will Be...Boys??

It's summertime and we have to get creative around here...trying to come up with fun ideas to keep the kids occupied (and to keep Mommy sane!)

The other day, I caught the boys playing THIS......

They usually play "mom and dad". But this day I guess they both wanted to pretend to be moms. Their babies' names were Hillary and Fannie. I was cracking up!