Comments or Suggestions

When I find a good book to read, and I really get into it, it's hard for me to put it down. Like, I'll stay up until 4 in the morning if I have to.

The Twilight series was great, but I'm getting a little tired of seeing the plethora of vampire books and stories that are beginning to take over. Besides, you can't top Edward. Sorry.
I've read some of Out of Jerusalem and  Standing in Holy Places but unfortunately wasn't able to finish either series.
And, as much as I hate to say it, I think I like The Hunger Games series even more than the Twilight series. Two words.

Peeta. Mellark.
om nom nom

My only problem is that I'm out of books to read at the moment. These books have all been suggested to me and I need more! So I'm asking a BIG favor from anyone and everyone who reads this blog to help me out. Give me your suggestions, favorite books, books you've heard about....whatever the case may be!

My only rules are:
No Vampires. (unless it's reeeallly, really good.)
No corny romance novels.

Let's hear it!

A Little Something

This little man has me wrapped around his finger. I have no idea where we were without him. Sometimes I look at him and think how I want a hundred more just like him.
Like early this morning when Straton and I cuddled him in between us in bed and he would grab Mommy's face, then Daddy's, then Mommy's, over and over again talking up a storm.

It might have been my favorite moment I've shared with the two of them yet.

________________________________________________________________________________

On another note,
sometimes he wiggles and moves so much when I'm holding him, I feel like if I set him down to roam freely, he would look something like this:



Of course he's no where near crawling yet, but he sure can scoot himself from one end of the crib to the other. Or be facing one way and 2 minutes later he's in a completely different direction and place. Or be on his playmat having a grand ol' time one minute, to laying a whole foot away from the entire mat itself. I really have to watch him closely now. I can't imagine what it will be like when he can move by himself.

St. George = Satan's Dungeon

I was so excited to go to St. George this weekend because I had never been, and warm weather, swimming and shopping sounded like a hoot. Until I stepped out of the car.

Lauren: Holy cow it's hot outside!
Straton: It's 112 degrees!

2 Minutes Later

Lauren: Oh. MyGosh. Take me hoooome! I'm DYING!!!
Straton: I love it. I had to wear a suit all day in this kind of weather for two years. -I'm a big stud, I don't even sweat, get over it you big baby....yadda yadda yadda.-
Lauren: (wiping sweat from my head as I'm panting from an asthma attack) Find me A/C or I will destroy you!!!

I'm such a peach when I get in the heat. I blame it on a certain gene I get from a certain someone. -coughmomcough.-

All in all it was a good trip. When I was in an air conditioned place. Straton and some of his (male) family members went on a big overnight hike through the Zion Narrows while all the wives played and shopped. I kind of slacked on the picture taking, but I did get a few off Straton's phone.

P.S. I don't plan on going back to St. George unless it's winter.

{After a hard day of shopping and swimming}

{Playing outside with the dog, Hobie}

These Moments

Last night as I kissed Oak goodnight as he was sleeping in his crib, I could smell that sweet newborn smell that I remember smelling so strongly those days in the hospital. I don't think there is a better smell than that. It made me want to look through all the pictures we had taken of his first days and hold my baby close. It's these moments that make my love for him grow so much stronger. The unexpected moments like cuddling up close to me after a late night feeding. Or a big smile when he hears me say good morning, before his eyes are even open.  Or seeing your name around their tiny little leg.

And when I experience moments with both Oaklen and his Daddy, it makes that moment so much sweeter. Like laying in bed together, listening to our baby boy talk and coo. Smiling and laughing together. Or watching him pat his back until he's sound asleep.

"It was the tiniest thing 

I ever decided to put my whole life into."

 Terri Guillemets

Fourth of July

We watched the fireworks last night from our cozy little spot in a small, kind of unknown park. Just our little family. And I loved every minute of it. Even though Oaklen was completely zonked out from a full day of traveling in the car, he loved it too. =)

{Oaklen's first fireworks}

Road Trip

Oaklen had his first road trip to Klamath Falls, Oregon. We went to see my family which was much needed. I'm still trying to persuade them into moving to Utah. Fingers crossed.

Oaklen got to do things like,

Meet cousin Sawyer:

Be with Sawyer on his blessing day:

And eat rice cereal for the first time:

And Daddy did a lot of this:

We miss you all already. Hurry up and move to Utah!