Summer Recap!

Dan and I wanted to make sure we made Cameron feel extra special and very important before the arrival of baby- so we made sure to do lots of fun adventures this summer around town.

We have a zoo membership- best thing ever we could do for our family- Cameron loves it, and it is educational!!

I felt like this bear when we went this day! It was hot and I was so pregnant!!! 

We also love playing in the water- so we have spent loads of time at the splash pad, pool, and in our back yard getting wet and cooling off!!!
We had a trip to get some staples one of the times we went to the rec center pool- Cameron is in the thick of being a 3 year old- and listening is one of our greatest challenges! He and I had a trip to the pool one evening while Dan went home teaching. Cameron was jumping off the side of the pool and I was catching him- and he got a little too brave and jumped too soon and was too far from the edge, so as he came down in the water, he hit his head on the side of the pool. Every mom's worst nightmare! I am grateful for my training and keeping calm in those situations. I kept cameron from seeing any blood and we got him fixed right up at the doctor. He was so brave! And thankfully, not scared to go back to the pool!!

In June, we went and rode the Heber Valley Railroad - they did a special event with Dinosaurs! Cameron was pretty excited about riding the dinosaur train!

We did tons of work on the house- I can't believe I haven't taken any pictures, but we put new carpet in, and repainted! It feels much brighter and it was a good change to make! Cameron loves orange, so we let him have some orange in his room and he loves it! He touches his orange stripe and says- "I love my orange wall Mom!" Nearly every night!

One family night, we got dinner and went to the park to fly kites! That was a big hit! Cameron loved it! I think we will take more advantage of the wind in the spring next year!

We played dress up plenty- in fact I am shopping the day after halloween this year- this kid is way into dress up right now!! He even has a giraffe costume- because giraffes are totally his favorite. And he is pretty much the most adorable giraffe ever.

Isn't this face choice?! Always taking pictures mom and dad.

Cameron's first snow cone experience- that was a hit and we got a punch card!!

One of my particularly bad bed rest days, my good friend Kristin and and her kiddos came and picked us up to play at their house and make cookies! That was a lot of fun- Gavin and Cameron are cute friends.

Cameron says some funny things- and sometimes they are so good, we have to indulge him. One day, he exclaimed to me- "MOM!! I NEED to go to the mountains! I HAVE to go there Mom!" We decided to drive through the canyon one evening and as we were driving up, Cameron says- "Can we go fly at the top?" We had a good giggle, and I don't know where it came from, but we definitely got out and played around for a bit!

We have made sure to give Cam some quality time, and we practiced taking care of babies!!

Nothing too far or fancy, but we have had a fun summer waiting for baby Will to come!!

Our Visit with Noah!

May started off with a fun kick! David had to come out for a week of work, and he brought Noah with him!!
I was and am honestly amazed at how sweet and good this kid was! I mean- I know he is a good boy, he has good parents, but he took a special liking to Cameron right from the go, and let him follow and be his little buddy. He played with him, teased, giggled, comforted, and was very patient for any 9 year old boy- far more so than I would ever expect. I am so grateful for his good parents- and for his sweet personality.
Since this was a vacation for Noah, we splurged with treats, belated presents from his birthday, ice cream for dinner, sleep overs, and fun outings throughout the week! It was so fun getting to know him better. Its hard to have family live way across the country!

Monday afternoon when Dan got home from working, we drove over to Grandmas to see Noah. We went to the park for a short bit, and went and got one of our favorite treats- starbucks frappuccinos. Noah was a good sport and built blocks and towers with Cameron, even after he continually knocked Noah's creations all over!

Tuesday, Grandpa, Grandma, the 2 boys and I went down to Thanksgiving Point to the Museum of Natural Curiosity. Noah was really reserved and apprehensive about having to go to a museum- Then as soon as he saw this was no ordinary museum, but a place to climb, explore, pretend, build, and just play, he was all over it!

Cameron is a super cautious person, and tends to be frightened easily- especially of heights or places he has to climb. There were a couple times I hauled my pregnant butt after these boys to try and persuade Cameron to be brave and climb and have fun. Mostly he wouldn't have it, and when he would, I would make him let me take a picture. Mean Mom. There is terror on his face in a couple of these!!!

See the terror?! HAHAHA. Yep. Mean Mom!

Noah was braving 85 mph winds!!

 Water play is fun no matter your age, here these boys were trying to direct water flow!!

 Noah was very focused on building a house that would withstand a major earthquake at the earthquake stations. These entertained Cam and Noah for a good 30-40 minutes!

Here is where another shot of bravery and persuasion came in handy- Cameron wanted to climb up high with Noah pretty badly, but was so scared to do it. He screamed and protested most of the time he was conquering his fear, but with shouts from Noah, Grandpa, and myself about how big and brave he was, he made it to the middle!!!

 Wednesday afternoon, Dan went over and he, Noah, and Grandpa went fishing at one of the local fisheries. They had plans to go up to Rockport, but the wind was pretty bad that day, so they decided against it. They were skunked even at the park, so it wasn't long before they showed up and we played a little Mario Kart on the Wii for a while. I asked and Noah had decided it would be fun to have a sleepover with us, so we decided to splurge- and take this kiddo to the best ice cream in Salt Lake City- Leatherbys! We don't often go out for ice cream at all, even to leatherbys because of Cameron's milk protein allergy, and Dan seems to get sick from dairy also- so it was a fun and exceptional treat for everyone. Cameron ate french fries and sorbet, Dan had chicken fingers, Noah got bubble gum ice cream and cheese fries, and I had a soup and bread bowl with some cheese fries also. I think it's safe to say that the two boys couldn't have been more thrilled than to be having ice cream for dinner!

Isn't this the cutest?! Holding hands! 

Cameron woke up in the night, thankfully he didn't wake Noah- but he asked me, "Mom, where's Noah?" I said, "oh he's asleep on the couch!" Cam replied, "Oh. I LOVE Noah, Mom!! I play with him!!!" I thought that was so sweet!
We had a busy Thursday- Dan and Noah hung out in the morning watching movies together and chatting while Cameron was at school and I was at an OB appointment. When I got home, we ate some lunch, and headed for the zoo! Cameron and Noah both took a nap on the way, and we met Grandma and Grandpa up there!!

The baby lions aren't on public display yet, but you can sneak a peek at them from the train ride!!!

 Ugh. I don't have time to look at my mom and say cheese. (throws hands in air) Cheese!! 

HAHAHAHAHA!! Cameron was feeding this Gorilla the wood chips from the ground.... 

 Wait for it... Wait for it.....

 Soaked by the elephant!!! 

We got to be up close for Rhino enrichment and treat time!! 

 We had a really great time with Noah!!