We Caught the June Bug

June, it's such a fun month of the year! M's work is calmer and the weather is finally summery! We had a great June, and enjoyed all the moments we could. 

To kick off the month, we did a little family temple trip. We met up with the Merrill's and Bryce's at the temple and enjoyed the grounds for a few moments before M, Katey, and I did initiatories. Jason and Jack took all the kids from the temple to a super cool park nearby where they had a blast. When we got to the park to pick up Jay, he was up on the second or third level with Betty Jane and Tia climbing and following them through the park. I love watching big cousins be big cousins to Jay. My big cousins had a huge impact for good on my life. I loved playing with them and always looked up to them. I am grateful Jay will be able to grow up near his cousins - and have big cousins on both sides nearby. 

Tia, Jay, Betty Jane

Jay looking down

Jay climbing through the tunnel down to Betty.

We had an awesome trip to the cabin with the Bryce's. We went up on Friday morning, and they arrived about an hour or two after us. The kids were anxious to get down to the lake, and loved every second of paddle boating, kayaking, and canoeing. Betty Jane, Allen, and Roxy all got very proficient at docking their boats on the island and getting off and on to explore. Jack was the only brave soul who jumped into the lake, and Allen got his foot soaked one time while docking at shore. We introduced the kids to laser tag, archery, and badminton. After Betty played laser tag a few times she said, "I don't like laser tag, I LOVE laser tag." We had so much fun running around playing, running the batteries down on several guns. We all played a little billiards in the basement and learned a couple new games. Sunday we attended church in Frisco, and enjoyed relaxing in the cabin for most of Father's Day. It was a unique way to spend the holiday, and we loved it. We all stayed until Monday afternoon, and came home. Jay was so tired by the end of the trip he fell asleep at the table. He spent a couple mornings sleeping in our bed. He would wake up in the middle of the night and wander around until he found us. It was easier to keep him with us than to take him back to his room.

The anticipation of getting to the cabin! 

Jay navigated the mountain terrain like a pro!

Betty Jane learning to shoot

Jay learning how to piggy back ride, he's still very wiggly.

M, Jay, and Roxy

Lindsay trying out the bow and arrow

Go Allen!

On the lake!

Allen was so cute with Jay, letting him play with all the cards.

All the feels at the cabin, we loved our trip!

Jay and Dadda

The crew!

Sleepy, tired Jay.

I also ran another mud run this year with the ladies in the ward, this one called the Muddy Dash. It was local to Denver, which allowed us to not have to get a hotel this time around. We all went to dinner on Friday night which was a treat, then ran Saturday morning. I tried to keep pace with the fastest girls, and was grateful for Breeanne who stuck with me even though we were slightly slower the whole race. We ran the whole time, and the obstacles were fun. There was more variety in this race, but I'm almost positive the race wasn't a full 5k. We made really good time, less than 30 minutes, and felt accomplished in the end. The wait for the rinse of stations was way too long, so we loaded up and went to a local pizza shop, Wholly Stromboli for lunch. We all used their bathrooms to freshen up a bit and we ate outside. M and Jay got to hang out around home while I was off racing. 

M surprised me with these beautiful flowers before my race to wish me good luck!

Friday night dinner!

My personal huge, gourmet, GF pizza

Lunch with the crew

The week after the race I had my first ultrasound. I love seeing the baby, hearing the heartbeat, and pondering on the miracle of babies! I'm so excited for this little one to join our family, and was grateful to know everything was good and healthy. This first trimester has been a little hard emotionally with what happened in first trimester with Jay. I have to remember Heavenly Father will protect our family and this little one, just like He protected us when I was expecting Jay. I'm still jumpy in the car, even more so while pregnant, and I am working on trusting in my prayers and other drivers so it doesn't get too overwhelming. 

We also had a big adventure day with friends, we went to the Plains Conservation Center down in Aurora. It was on a Thursday, so we carpooled with Jenny Graham and her kiddos. Jay enjoyed the tour of the plains, the sensory tables, and touching everything he could. Before we headed back, we went to a little river area nearby. Jay had fun splashing in the water and napped on the way home. We enjoyed the adventure and appreciated getting out of the house!

Sensory table with friends.

Gentle with the buffalo

Me and my buddy, Jay

Jay at the river play area

In other random fun events for the month, M won an Nintendo Switch at a work party! M also started to go into the office two days a week, so Jay and I are getting creative with our Tuesday and Thursday activities when we're homebound. Our true highlight of every Tuesday/Thursday is when Dadda comes home. Jay goes wild, so giggly and happy and runs everywhere. It's one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

M & J

Sometimes Jay likes to snitch a little breakfast with Dadda before he goes into the office

We go to the park multiple times a week, usually early in the morning before it gets too hot. Jay's been loving taking his buckets out at every park, and scoop anything he can into his bucket. Here he is collecting pinecones. 

Jay loves the swings, and is beginning to learn how to do the big kid swings too. 

My beautiful peonies blossomed!

He just learned this is a super fun way to go down slides, we haven't tried it at the park yet.

The skills of this kid - how do you do such a thing while buckled?!

Finally asleep on the bed, it still only happens about 30 percent of the time.

As soon as M starts washing, Jay will run and grab his stool and start helping.

Jay loves to help Dadda with dishes or anything!

Sometimes you just need a family pic.

Learning to climb all sorts of new things.

Ready to take on the world.

We hit up the splash pad with the cousins before heading to Idaho!

It was a little bit of a cold day, so Jay mainly stayed near the benches.

Garden update, got some starts from Lowe's and hoping they hold on. The squash, carrots, and green peppers all survived from seed!