(L) Jamie, Ike and baby checking out some huge Organ Pipe Cacti- Notice- Ike wore his rainboots so he could stop any potential puddle- gotta give him that opportunity whenever it comes around- which is exactly twice a year:)
(R) A "jumping Cholla" jumped right onto Ike's hat- no one was injured, but it was a close call! Ike got a little too close and they sense movement and drop their ends at the slightest movement-LUCKILY- right on Ikie's hat and not his head! Needless to say, he became more careful after that!
Cool butterfly pic Ben captured on some desert plant- any botanist wanna help me with that one?
Ike and Daddy in front of some more crazy Cacti fields- don't wanna go stomping through those too badly... 
In other news, as you can see, Ike has perfected his FAVORITE sleeping position. He likes to be "Cold," as he puts it which means he wants his pillows cold, etc. So, we often find him with limbs hanging out of the bed in an effort to keep them their COLDEST:) Funny little boy. He will not accept a pillowcase that is anything but cotton and would never sleep with a fleece blanket- too warm.
Ben and I both received callings last week as well. We feel like our ward will be a great place for us to learn and grow. It is huge! We have over 200 sisters in Relief Society (not all there every Sunday, of course), but that gives you an idea. Ben is an 11 year old Scout leader (he moved up a year from Laramie)! He is excited to be working in boy scouts and to help them through this "critical" scouting time (apparently 11 years old is a fundamental foundational year to help them earn some stuff they need to achieve their biggie goals like Eagle Scout (I can hear Ben cringing in his sleep as I, of all people, try to explain the scouting program- not my forte) Sorry.
I was, coincidentally, called as the 11 year old primary teacher (again, cringing from lack of terminology). They have two classes of 11 year olds and both are only boys- there are no girls this age! So, I teach a group of about 6 kiddos. Should be fun. They are a fun bunch of boys. I am a little stressed about not having any primary experience, other than mine growing up. Let me tell you, growing up in a small branch with maybe 10 kids tops, is a lot different than having Junior/Sr. Primary both packed full of kiddos! It will take some getting used to, but like I said, I am happy to have the experience;) I trust that this is where the Lord needs us to be!
Ike loves going to church and to nursery especially. He is in the older nursery class (only a few months left untils Sunbeams) and in his class, there are no toys or playtime besides books and puzzles. I think this is great! Their lessons are longer and they are learning more songs too. Cute times. He has a great teacher and there are a few more boys than girls, so he's in HEAVEN! I think he's going through major withdrawls from all his girl cousins and friends that are girls back in Wyoming! He hasn't seen a GIRL TOY in a month!
This is a funny pic we took the other night. I decided to put Zach in Ikie's bed while Ike was still in the bath. I teased him and told him Zachy was going to sleep with him that night. Anyway, he went along with it and was SO EXCITED for a bunkmate! They laid together for quite awhile smiling and Ike was singing to him while we made faces at them and chatted. Ike BEGGED to let him stay- "I won't squish him!" "He won't fall out!" Empty little promises:) Someday he'll be begging for his own room, but not today! Also, as you can see, Ike has finally graduated to a toddler bed! He could climb out of his crib, but never did, so we left it a crib until the big move. He LOVES being in a big boy bed and is still so good about staying in it, though he sometimes decides just to sleep on the floor (coldness factor). He also loves coming in when he wakes up to "surprise" me every morning. Luckily, he is going to bed around 9 now and waking at 7:30 or 8. What a great kiddo!
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