When we weren't traveling...

With Bryce's first week of classes coming to a close, I am realizing just how quickly summer has flown by and that I have some random events I would like to document.

Besides lots and lots of traveling this summer, we also made a move. Upgrading from a 500 odd square foot downstairs apartment to a 1200 square foot townhome.

But back right before the move, and same weekend as our birthdays, Brycen was invited to a neighbor's Star Wars Birthday Party. It was complete with darling robes, name tags, and light-sabers (made out of the swimming noodles--very creative--I thought).

Even though it was for a boy that was turning 5, they were kind enough to invite Brycen and he was in heaven with all the older kids.

As for the move, my dad was able to come out and help us and for that, we are very grateful. It allowed two of us to always be either packing/unpacking, leaving the third to entertain Brycen. And with the help of other neighbors and friends (thank you!!), the "moving" itself was really quite a quick process.

As for the unpacking and reorganizing...to this day, it's still in progress.

Brycen LOVED having Grandpa around and even more, "helping" Grandpa....a very cute, but potentially annoying/slow process.

I owe much of the kitchen progress to my dad for he spent hours and hours organizing and setting it up before he left, not only allowing me to cook but also giving us motivation to continue to unpack since we were exhausted and in great need of a boost as to where to even start.

Cleaning the old apartment/officially saying "goodbye" day was actually more emotional that I had planned on it being.

After all, we spent almost 2 years in this apartment.

It's where Brycen learned to sit, roll, crawl, and walk.

The look on Brycen's face, perfectly, says it all.

And even though I won't miss the little amount of space we had (or lack of a full size oven and dishwasher), I will miss...

our dear neighbors/friends that lived conveniently across the parking lot that we ate alot of dinners with, went on walks, flew kites, and had many game nights together.

And waiting here countless evenings/nights in hope to see Daddy come riding down the path on his bike, coming home from campus. At the sight of which, Brycen would squeal and run into Daddy's arms.

As for our new place, we haven't really taken too many pictures since we are still in the process of getting it all in order but this is a picture Brycen took of me on our front porch recently.

And you walk inside:

to a nice open family room.
Brycen is always so eager to help.

...and that's all the house pictures I have. More picture to come? Hopefully?

As for other summer pictures:

Watermelon is a family favorite and usually enjoyed weekly.

As well as fresh corn we buy from the Farmer's Market.

"Delicious corn". Brycen only uses the word, delicious, in reference to corn. Everything else is just plain "yummy".

And after dinner, we love to enjoy perfect, beautiful nights sitting on our front steps...

(another picture taken by Brycen)

eating our favorite dessert.

As well as trips to Wal-mart (now just a 2 minute drive), picture by Brycen:

"Cheese!!"

Brycen-size things are always cuter.

And weekly stops at our favorite grocery store: Aldi. Brycen always grabs a "newspaper" on our way out and studies the best deals for next week.

Brycen was quiet one day and I found him doing this:

as well as this:

Potty training is officially in session! Brycen picked them out himself.

And Brycen LOVES making sure he and his dog (who is shockingly very good at keeping them dry--Brycen noticed) are wearing them.

They're clean and it was totally his idea....I don't think I would've ever thought to do it. Bryce mentioned not too long ago that an "underwear on the head" picture is a must and I don't think I fully believed him until now.... Brycen has never been so eager to have his picture taken.

I read somewhere that the "window of opportunity" for potty training is between 27 and 34 months old and so August has been "the" month for awhile. He turned 27 months, it would be the end of our traveling, etc. And...it has proven to be perfect timing and really, rather simple. I have been amazed and feel rather lucky and blessed.

The whole outfit.

Moments I live for...

Brycen: "Mommy!"

Me: "Yes, sweetheart?"

Brycen: "Mommy!"

Me: "What is it?"

Brycen: "Mommy!"

Me: "Brycen!"

Brycen:"Mommy!"

Me: (putting down the kitchen utensils using to make dinner to walk into the next room....slightly annoyed...) "WHAT??!!"

Short pause as our eyes meet. Brycen then opens his arms really big and says, "hug, please?" followed by the cutest, most innocent-looking smile.

I never knew I could become de-annoyitized so quickly as my heart melted and I replied, "Of course" and embraced my little man....who, is in every way like his father.

Love-able pests that at times, drive me crazy but... never fail to make me smile.

And...

The rest. Family kept us busy and we loved it.

One evening, we were invited to a farm for a BBQ.

Brycen was in a posing mood and had to have his hand on Mommy's shoulder.

He LOVED seeing the horses. They even let him ride it (completely made his day, he had asked me every morning for 6 weeks if he could ride a "nay") --if Aunt Katie will ever send me that picture, I'll post it as well :)

Very beautiful garden they have on the farm. Nathan and Great Grandpa and Grandma were also able to tag along.

Brycen much enjoyed having a cart his size while shopping for our St. George trip.

Sprinkler with Grandma.

Uncle Isaiah passed his moped driving test and could officially drive to work.

Fun Southwest airplane we saw at our layover in Las Vegas.

And like always, Daddy sure missed us and it's good to be home :)

Food Bonding

Weddings= lots of family and (usually) food. Bryce's father was in town and took us and two of Brycen's Great-Grandmas out to dinner.

Brycen is always behind the camera at some point. This picture turned out to be perfect since I was officially 29 weeks that day.

The dinner crew.

Brycen and his cute pose....he has to be in the *perfect* mood but he can be adorable when he wants to be :)

Waiting for dinner.

We also were able to go to a family reunion that weekend which was so awesome since we were able to see family we usually aren't able to see.

The kids loved Nathan and Brycen was kind enough to make sure he was fed.

Outdoor theatre, watching "Cars" with all the cousins.

Going out to eat with Uncle Dallin while everyone else was gone for the evening. They even gave Brycen a "courtesy-size" dipped cherry cone which was perfect for him.

Lots of memories of sitting outside on the porch with Uncle Dallin.

Brycen loves playing out on the porch.

One morning during our visit, Brycen woke up before Mommy (almost always the case, Mommy is always capable of sleeping longer) and like he does alot, he closed the bedroom door saying "night night Mommy" and then finds either Daddy (when we are home) or Grandma (which is usually the case in Utah). However, one particular morning, apparently no one else was either up or home. Grandma came home from her walk to find Brycen playing with his toys by himself on the porch, eating a can of Pringles--the only thing within his reach--for breakfast.

Very resourceful and he is becoming quite independent (two good things) but Mommy slightly freaked out when she found out he was outside by himself. Grandma said, though, that she tried to get him to run out to come see her and he refused to leave the porch until she came and got him--not sure if it was a coincidence or he knew not to leave the porch alone but either way, it helped Mommy feel slightly better... but hopefully, won't happen again :)