Singing in the rain, Singing in the sun, singing, singing

A picture of Isaac post carrot cake episode:) He awoke early from his nap and snuck into the kitchen where he proceeded to eat his fill of carrot cake without me knowing. When he was done he was sure to tell me all about it!! So cute!

This week has been really wild around here... So wild, in fact, that my stress-induced zits are arising!! ahhh! If that doesn't make you want to de-stress, I don't know what will! Anyway, I know it'll all work out for the best. I find it so difficult to own what is mine, and not everyone elses'! After we take a step back, though, we realize how truly lucky we are and how much we love where we are in life. It's all worth it and we really are very happy here.

This weekend we were able to do just that. Ben did some community service with our stake this weekend planting over 160 awesome trees on 130. They look great! While he was out doing good, he happened to take all our sets of keys with him (on accident, I'm pretty sure!) So, in the meantime, I promised Ikie we were going for a walk in the "trolla" as he calls the stroller. In his mind, this is the epitome of everything wonderful, so to say the least, he was disappointed when all the keys were gone and the jeep was locked! So, thinking on my feet, like every good mommy, I decided we would just take the bike trailer, until I realized I left it at my parents' last week. So, again, thinking on my feet, I determined the only mode of transporation we had left was the framed baby backpack. I loaded Ikie up and away we went (finally)!

Just wait, it gets better... So, my sister had called to see if I was garage saling (as we both need some things). I couldn't let her down, so off we went. The first stop ended up being way farther north than I thought, so we essentially walked to the end of town on the north (about a mile from our house) and then didn't find anything (of course!) So, we turned around and I decided I was going to hit this one neighborhood sale and then go to my parents' to get the bike trailer (the very southern edge of town). It only took 2 hours! Luckily, Isaac loved every minute of it and I got a great workout! By the time we got to their house, I think we walked over 5 miles with all the garage sale detours. Crazy, I know! The best part is that Isaac really loved it, the worst part, I didn't find one single thing at a sale. 5 blocks doesn't seem too far until you've already walked 4 miles with a baby on your back! Oh, and then we biked back home (another 3 miles)! Whew, I'm exhausted just retelling it!

So, that was our Saturday morning. We spent the rest of the day running errands and getting things done around here, which was so so nice! I love days like this!! Then today was equally as lovely. I subbed for a Sunbeam class of 10 kiddos- a little crazy, but it was really great. Then we hung out around here and took a little time to splash in the puddles outside our house after a rainstorm passed through. A perfect end to a great weekend!

2 months!!

How in the world did two months go by without a post... I guess life really is as busy as I claim! We have seen a few ups and downs this past little bit, but mostly ups and lots of laughs from the downs! We spent the summer traveling all over visiting friends and family and hosting several family and friends here too! What a treat! In Wyoming it is really true that we have to take advantage of our precious summer months because they don't last long! We took many opportunities to go hiking in the mountains... These are pictures of a gold mine we found above Centennial, WY about 20 minutes from our house. It's pretty difficult to get up there, so we're glad my dad found it and told us about it! Ben's parents made the great trek over Wyoming to come visit us a couple of weeks ago. We had a great time at the first football game of the season with Hannah, Mary and Peter (or Petey as Ike insists on calling him). We also enjoyed some delicious meals together and even a deep conversation/fireside on the last days. Joni and Clay just happened to be back in town for that too, as was my friend, Jamie. It was a really neat experience.

Mary and Ikey watching the rain fall on our patio. Too cute to miss!

Last weekend we finally crossed another of our "must dos" of the list! We drove to Canon City, CO with my friend Jamie and rode the train down the Royal Gorge. It was awesome and Isaac was beyond words! He loves transporation and trains are the ultimate in his mind right now... It was great.

This was the night before our garage sale... Ike thought it was funny to sit in the mirror and make faces with "make offer" stickers on our noses!

I also have to tell you a few new things Isaac is doing... He is all of a sudden speaking in phrases. About 20 times a day he says "Where'd daddy go?" My favorite for the moment was this morning when he came in on his tigger rocking horse toy saying "I'm-a goin to da library!" It was way cute!