{7.9.18 - 7.15.18}

I had to empty his toybox into his crib for naptime. So funny! Axel loves to snuggle in his favorite blanket and he's very specific about how it's wrapped around him and then we sing "Rock-A-By-Baby" "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Goodnight Sweetheart" in that order, every time I lay him down to go to sleep. I remember when he used to head-butt me while we snuggled...it hurt but it was so cute! I might almost miss it. 

Crystal and Jeni came to visit and the girls were so excited for them to get to our house that they went out and sat on the lawn for about fifteen minutes until their car pulled up. // Axel drives his tractor and plays in the mud while the girls are in swim lessons. He looked at this picture and said "Eeww! Messy!" 

The girls have been quite the little fish this year thanks to their swim lessons! 

Axel's favorite place at the pool is the slide.  

We had so much fun with Jeni and Crystal today! The girls spent the whole day in their swimsuits! 

Eli's safe place is right here on the counter near Mom! And I'm not gonna lie, this view is pretty great! 

They love him so much! I hope he starts to enjoy them loving on him soon.  

Eli had his two month check-up this week! 

Messy face!! After we camped over the fourth we left our trailer up the canyon, so the kids and I went up one afternoon. It took Axel all of five minutes to get this dirty! // I know this is super weird, but I have a strange obsession with the back of my babies heads when they are able to hold it up better. I don't know why, I really can't explain it, but I just think their skinny little necks and poky-out ears sticking out of that round, practically bald head is adorable!! 

He's so sweet! 

The girls last day of swim lessons was a party day. They both conquered their fears and went down the slide by themselves! I was so proud of them! 

They have to take this level of swim lessons again next year because they struggled with the back floats and front floats, and basically just getting their faces wet was torture. Here is Lyla practicing her back float, though! She did so good!!

{7.2.18 - 7.8.18}

7.4.18     Eli and I really took a turn this month. Right after he turned one month he smiled at me and it was exactly what we needed for each other. He is kind of a high maintenance little guy but I think it's just because he wants to just go. He's happiest when I am holding him while I'm working around the house and kids are playing around us. If he can sense that his siblings have access to him he doesn't like me to lay him down, but if the bigger kids are all distracted (an no where in sight) he loves to lay and kick. He has already moved into mostly three month clothes, can you believe it!? I guess I shouldn't be surprised. He's almost exactly where Axel was at this age. He weights 12.5 pounds and is 24.25 inches long. We love this smiley little guy!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! 

My smiley little man sportin' his patriotic outfit Tia bought him! // He has been all smiles this month! 

We took the kids camping up the canyon and had so much fun! It was GREAT to get out of town for a bit as a family! I always love our little adventures! 

My sweet Lyla...always picking flowers, and finding rocks and bullets and any other "collectable" she can find! // Lyla tried to be a tree because so a bird would land on her! 

Gathering bullets! 

I don't know how he does it, because I'm sure it would just about kill me, but Axel loves to crawl around pushing his truck all over the place. I get sore just watching him! // I love his blue eyes and messy hair...and face! 

I still can't believe there are four of them. Aren't they great! 

Poor Alya was so squished! It was hilarious! 

If only he napped like this without being held at home! Haha! 

He does like to be held all the time. // I love it when these three get along! When they wrestle like this I worry that it's going to end badly, but they had so much fun together. Being in the mountains is the best!  

Have you ever seen baby blue pinecones!? I thought they were pretty cool! 

These girls are such great big sisters! Alya // Lyla

 I have so much love for this family of mine! 

We love our visits to Otter Creek!

{6.25.18 - 7.1.18}

This sweet boy is pretty great!  

He always needs the necessities when he goes to sleep: Baby, Cuddle Bear, Puppy, Owl and his soft blankie! 

I had girls camp this week so the big kids stayed with my mom for a week. They had so much fun. Axel is showing off his tricks on Nana's swing set // The girls got to help with the bird show at the zoo! They loved it! They couldn't stop talking about how a bird took a coin out of their hand and dropped it in the money box! 

Eli was such a champ at girls camp with me. I'm glad there were lots of hands to help me and he loved hanging out with Grandma Stephanie (my co-camp director) in her nice air-conditioned trailer! 

The big kids were SO happy to see Eli again after camp!  

When we got home, I feel like Eli slept for a whole day straight! Camp must have worn him out! 

{6.18.18 - 6.24.18}

*Almost* everyone piles onto Eli's playmat with him. He doesn't love it...his siblings scare him. 

I love Eli's little leg draped over Axel's! // Axel likes to plug his nose and snort...he thought it would be fun to let Eli try it too!  

A friend and I met at the lake for the day and had so much fun!  

Axel's little arms barely reach around his new puddle jumper! // The girls were catching little nymphs. I think they were baby dragonflies.  

That look Axel is giving his baby brother!!!! // Cuddling my boys after a day of swimming! This is the best! 

Grandma and Grandpa came down and we got to go fishing! I love these kids so much! 

And he loves the fish so much! I love his little shovel in hand and tractors in the dirt.  Axel is so content to just hang out by himself doing his own thing. I'm so glad he's good at entertaining himself! 

These little fisher-girls are so dang cute!  

Alya and her catch! 

It's never really fun to see the smoke from the fires, but it sure makes a pretty picture! 

{6.11.18 - 6.17.8}

I love that he loves to hold and hug and kiss his baby brother! 

The bottom of the pool was so slippery Axel wouldn't let go of Dad's hand! 

Alya is so helpful and Lyla's pose is the greatest! 

This sweet boy loves to be outside enjoying the fresh air - watching his siblings play! 

His shirt says it all! // We've been going to free lunch at the elementary school for the past couple of weeks. The Read-a-saurus is in the entry way and my kids love him! They have to stop and see the dinosaur when we walk in and before we leave.  

Cuddles before church! 

Alya likes to put her head anywhere near Eli and ask "is this cute!? Take a picture!" 

I hope my girls continue to enjoy taking pictures!  

My happy baby! // My beautiful Miss Lyla! She woke up early one morning so we got a little extra snuggle time in. Oh how I love her! 

 

Here is Axel's version of "This Little Piggy" with Mr. Eli!

 

I love how he says blue!