First Grader!

Luke started first grade on Monday the 28th! He has been so excited for school to start. We switched him to a new school this year. It is brand new and pretty much across the street from us. His teacher is Mrs. Boyd, who we've heard great things about, so that is a relief.

Luke has 3 kids in his class this year that were in Kindergarten with him. He was excited about that. Hopefully this will be a great school year for him!

Luke's Visit From the Tooth Fairy!!

Luke FINALLY lost his first tooth yesterday! The tooth fairy left $1 under his pillow last night! Luke was pretty excited, but, for some reason, thought for sure he would get a 5 dollar bill instead. Crazy kid.

In Their Own Words...

Ty was in the middle of saying a prayer before our lunch the other day. He stops and in the cutest voice says to me..

"Do you want me to bwess (bless) you so you don't have to do wadiason (radiation) anymore?"

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I took Luke with me to the grocery store so that we could have some one on one time. After we got back home, I asked him if he could help me carry some of the bags inside. He said...

"Uhhh...it's ok. Grown ups can do it by themselves......even if they have cancer."

I just stared at him, not quite sure HOW I should respond. After staring him down for about 30 seconds, he finally caved and said "OK.".

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.