Bear Lake - 1

I had to label this Bear Lake trip number 1 because there will probably be 76 more visits before the summer ends. I would live at the cabin all summer if I could. But there is no internet. Me + no internet = death.

Our nieces and nephew have been visiting from Illinois for the last few weeks and we spent last weekend with them at the cabin. There is no better way to babysit, I'll tell you what. They can run outside, play in the water, play in the sand, make messes and play games all day. Which sounds about the same as my daily schedule at the lake, come to think of it.

 

bye bye, bink

Dear Binky,

We told you upon arrival that you needed to be out of the house when Oaklen turned 1. But those days came and went. You were good to us, Bink. Don't think otherwise. You saved mom and dad lots of stress and gave us lots of sleep. You were the world's greatest mute button for those times we needed a quiet baby asap. But you've worn out your welcome. In fact, these last couple of weeks you've been attached to Oaklen's face and caused more drama than we ever needed. So your getting the boot.

See you in a couple years,

mom & dad

<< weekend

As much as I love relaxing by the pool and being a lazy little fart for the last week and a half, I have to say it's good to be home. I have projects that have been screaming my name for weeks and a house that is buried under laundry and dirty dishes. So this week is pretty much dedicated to cleaning, organizing and working on a better daily routine. But while I have 3.4 seconds before Oaklen figures out I'm not reading him the (26th) book of the day, I'll show you a glimpse of what our weekend looked like.

1. mama & Oak at the Logan temple

2. Logan temple

3. Oak and random kitty at the temple. I literally had to drag him away from this cat as he was screaming and reaching for more hugs.

4. teaching Oak how to roll down the hill
5. my white chocolate with strawberry and graham crackers caramel apple from Summerfest

6. Straton Jack Sparrow making a visit at a pirate themed family party.

7. pirate ship
8. Oak sword fighting like a champ

the little things

Oaklen has two favorite things. 

Animals and water. 

You can always see a smile on that boy's face if you give him one or the other.

When I went in the backyard to water our (wild) garden and trees, he insisted on holding the hose. The water was freezing cold but he didn't mind getting wet. He kept hosing his face down every time he wanted a drink. Instead of freaking out he would be right back at it. 

Crazy kid.

laundry day

A while ago we were in the market for a nice new camera. 

We looked around for a little bit, then decided it wasn't the right time to invest in something like that. 

So we put it off. 

Of course, I started to crave that nice new camera I'd been daydreaming about. So after a few more weeks, a little more research and a few Youtube videos later, we caved. Or should I say, Straton caved. And next thing I knew we hit the road to pick it up AND take a quick detour to IKEA.

Best husband. Ever.

 Now I can't put it down. I'm trying to learn everything I can about this new member of our family.

As I was taking the sheets off our bed to throw them in the wash today, I thought of this image that's been floating around Pinterest for a little while now.

I immediately stripped Oaklen down to his diaper, grabbed my camera and did my own version. 

I had to bribe him the whole time with goldfish, that little stinker. 

He just wanted to roll around in the sheets and jump off the bed.

Copycat or not, they turned out dang cute.

gee-tar

If there is one thing I could push Oaklen into it would be music. I was never a big singer or instrument player when I was young, but I wish so badly I was. I think music does so much for kids. I love seeing children playing and learning music. Whether it's knowing how to play five instruments or loving to listen to different kinds of music, I hope Oak is involved somehow.

first year - in photos

I'm pretty surprised I kept up with this monthly picture collage. It was so fun to look forward to every month. The changes he would make in just a short month period always shocked me. 

It's fun to look back on these pictures and see the little boy he was growing into. 

Unfortunately, the pictures have come to an end. 

I would still be putting him in a white onesie, on the same chair, until he was 12 if he let me. 

I think that would be a little awkward, though. 

12 months is good enough.

(March 1, 2010 - March 1st, 2011)