Treehouse Museum

Because of Fall Break, Luke didn't have school last week so we decided to head to the Treehouse Museum.  We always have a blast at this museum and Luke is entertained every minute we're there!  We have been there numerous times, but every time we go Luke has to first run through the entire museum in about fifteen minutes and then go back through each exhibit slowly.  This tires me since there is a no stroller rule and I am always packing Brods everywhere we go.  

Luke always loves the farm area.  He plays with the barn, animals, and tractors.  However, riding the horses this time was a bit of a disappointment this time.  They usually have a bull that you can ride all dressed up like a real cowboy.  For some reason it was gone this time and Luke couldn't understand why.  He kept asking me over and over about where the bull had gone.  Lukers finally gave up and settled for riding the horse.  

The music room is perfect for Luke because he can be loud and hit things!  Brody even loved sitting on the big drums and slapping his hands on them.  He thought this was quite funny!   

This visit Luke spent most of his time upstairs in the knight area.  He found some friends and had a blast playing with the figurines, building towers, and knocking them down.  Brody had fun sitting on the table and playing with the leftover knights and horses that none of the other kids wanted.  Brody got tired but Luke wasn't ready to go so Brody and I snuggled up and he fell asleep for a bit.  It was so relaxing snuggling my chubby baby and watch Luke have a wonderful time!  I can't wait for our visits when Luke and Brody can play together and have even more fun!

Million Dollar Challenge

Last week Mark was able to participate in an amazing event.  It was a charity bike ride called the Million Dollar Challenge.  The ride started in San Francisco and ended in San Diego.  The event raised 1.4 million for the Challenged Athletes Foundation.  Skullcandy was one of the sponsors so Mark and two of his coworkers were lucky enough to do a relay team.  

I have been after Mark to get a new bike for about a year now.  He is not just an average rider anymore and he can get great deals on bikes.  Up until this weekend he has been reluctant, but I am pretty sure the bike mechanics changed their minds.  A local bike shop disassembled Mark's bike and I had it shipped to the starting line.  There the bike mechanics reassembled the bikes and gave it a thorough tuneup.  The night before the ride we attending the welcome dinner and program.  Mark went to check on his bike and learned that all of the mechanics looked at his bike and all agreed they would not ride the bike themselves.  The wheels were unsafe and shouldn't be used.  Luckily, they loaned Mark a new set of wheels that cost more than our car and he was ready to roll...almost.  The next morning we came out to the start line and there was his bike with a nice note attached.  Not too comforting to be informed that his brakes and chain were almost dead as he headed out on a 100 mile ride.  Hopefully now he will listen to the professionals and invest in a new bike!

I had my reservations about this ride because it sounded very focused on the luxury of the ride instead of the charity.  After our few days with the event I have a very different view on the event.  I was touched so many times during this event about how precious life is and how blessed I am.  You can't help but come away telling yourself, "It could be worse."  There were numerous challenged athletes that competed in this ride that were far more stronger and enthusiastic about life than I am.  

I was also amazed at the charity I witnessed during the ride.  There were a few big names participating in the event.  One person in particular was Bill Walton.  Mark and I met him during the opening program and dinner.  I was amazed how he learned our names and took time to get to know us.  He even made sure that I was taken care of during the day, his wife was also along for the ride and had many activities planned.  He was very generous in his donations and was there every step of the way.  

Mark's first stop was in Santa Cruz.  Even though it wasn't bikini weather we still threw our suits on and headed to the beach for a minute.  The ocean and boardwalk were so refreshing! The next day was probably the most scenic, from Santa Cruz to Big Sur.  Mark was able to bike along the 17 Mile Drive.  It doesn't get much prettier than Carmel!  It was a short and busy weekend but both Mark and I were definitely touched and hope to participate in this event again!     

Breakfast With a Witch

We had so much fun last year at Breakfast With a Witch that we decided to go again!  I just love Gardner Village this time of the year.  They do an amazing job decorating and I am amazed by their creativity.  I bought I tickets way in advance this year so we could get good seat, but of course the one day in October I chose Mark decides to take me out of town.  I was so depressed when Mark told me, I actually had a hard time deciding between California and Gardner Village.  The only flight that worked left me about half an hour at the breakfast.  

The boys this year are a pirate and his parrot.  I love their costumes and I had no idea they would match the theme of the breakfast.  Since pirates was the theme they were selling lots of pirate garb before you went in.  Of course Luke spotted the swords and realized that I hadn't bought him a sword for his costume...not by accident on my part.  Since I felt bad I was leaving I bought him a pirate sword to complete his breakfast.  I am sure it was a bit more dangerous for the people sitting around him!  Brody was in awe of everything around him.  I love the picture of him with the witch.  We couldn't get his eyes off of her, he wanted to grab at everything on her costume.  Just like last year, they asked Luke if he wanted to come up on stage during the program and sing.  Just as before, he got embarrassed and said no.  He always regrets this decision once it's too late.  

I was so sad to leave the boys but they had a wonderful time with Grammy, Uncle Pat, Aunt Becca, Aunt Rach, Aunt Jessica, Baby Liam, and Grandma Talbot!  Next year we will plan better and I'll be able to stay the entire time and watch the boys enjoy it!

Six Month Pictures

I took a few pictures of my sweet baby today since he is six months old.  This little guy is hysterical and I can't get enough of him.  I kept wanting a picture of him on his tummy looking up at the camera but he hates his tummy.  I would put him on his tummy and by the time I grabbed the camera he had rolled over again.  He did pee one time all over the place.  Despite all of this I was amazed how many pics I did get of him.

I love the picture of him trying to eat his toes.  This boy loves his feet and is always trying to get them in his mouth.  My favorite part though is his little toe going in his nose!  Brody will grab anything around him and put it straight in his mouth.  Nothing is off limits with this baby.  I sewed this little owl hat for him so I was a little nervous when he was pulling on the strings and putting them in his mouth.  My sewing skills aren't amazing and I was worried the hat wouldn't make it until we were done. 

Brody is beyond a smiley baby.  Everyone can't believe how smiley and happy he always is.  I love that I was able to snap a few of him smiling.  Such a sweet baby and we love him to pieces!  

Six Months

I cannot believe my baby is six months old.  Six months is such a big milestone in my mind.  I absolutely love the stage he is at but it makes me sad how big he is at the same time.  Brody is starting to have so much personality and we can't get enough of him.  It is so hard for me to keep my kisses off of his chubby cheeks!  This little guy knows exactly what he wants and he's not afraid to let us know!

-18 pounds...61st percentile

-27.25 inches...79th percentile

-17.5 inch head circumference...71st percentile

-eats four times a day

-refuses to drink formula until he has food at each feeding

-will eat any kind of food

-holds his own bottle

-eats 2.5 ounces of food and 4 ounces of formula at each feeding

-takes three naps a day and only sleeps in his crib

-size three diapers

-rolls over...the second you put him on his tummy he rolls

-can almost sit up

-still loves his binky

-drools more than ever

-poor guy has nonstop ear infections...but is still happy 

Brigham City Temple

I knew it would be good to take Luke to the Brigham City Temple Open House, but I was very hesitant because I knew it would be a trial...and it was.  Luke was so excited to be able to finally go into a temple.  We had a big talk on the ride up about how Jesus would want us to act in the temple.  I prepared him for the bus ride, movie presentation, shoe covers, etc.  Hoping this would curve some of his excitement if he knew what to expect.

I think the bus ride was the most exciting part for Luke.  He got pretty bored during the video presentation and started talking to the ladies behind us.  Luke asked them if they had sons.  The one lady told him that she did and Luke responded, "Does he like coookies?  Because I am a cookie freak."  This little guy is very social and very random.  

Right after Luke got his little shoe covers put on he was very bugged by them.  They only lasted until the entrance of the temple and then he had them ripped them off.  He went barefoot the rest of the time.  I was super tired by the time we left the temple because there were no strollers allowed so I was packing my sweet Brody and his ginormous diaper bag all while trying to control Luke.  Brody was so mesmerized by all the pretty lights and chandeliers.  His little head was constantly tilted up towards the ceilings.  Luke's favorite part was the baptismal font.  He referred to it as the "bull hot tub."  I think Luke about did in every sweet volunteer because he climbed on just about everything he could.  There was very little of the temple that he didn't touch that day.  

We have never been to Brigham City so I decided since we were there why not see what there was.  I've heard that Peach City has great fries and shakes.  Poor Brods was exhausted and slept in his car seat while we ate.  Luke thought the little stools at the bar were amazing.  While I was bending down taking care of Brody, Luke went ahead and ordered himself a huge chocolate ice cream cone.  I was planning on sharing a shake with him but he thought he was so big that he could just order his own food.  After that we stopped by Idle Isle Candy to try their almond toffee.  Luke got a huge fish sucker...took two licks and was done.  

By the time we left I think we were all ready for a nap.  The boys both zonked on the way home.  I am sure some people thought that it was disrupting to take Luke that day, but I am so glad I did.  Both he and Brody loved seeing the inside of the temple and it's not something they will get to do in the near future.           

Preschooler...Finally

Luke has been begging to go to preschool for the last year.  We never thought this day would come, but Luke finally started preschool.  He was so excited that morning and had everything planned out.  I let him buy a new outfit for the first day and of course he chose a tractor outfit.  Miss Darcy told them to bring one thing for show and tell.  Luke chose to bring his new tractor.  He was sure he needed to pack a lot more things in his backpack like crayons, paper, markers, pens, etc.  I distracted him with packing his snack and calling it good.  

For how excited he was I thought he would jump out of the car and go running up to the door.  Luke never ceases to amaze me.  He asked me if I could walk him up to the door and told me not to leave him.  I sometimes get a little sad because Luke is so independent and doesn't seem to be one bit bothered when I leave him with a babysitter.  I loved to know that when it comes right down to it he really does need me!  

When preschool was over I didn't even need to ask how his first day went.  He told me right away that he didn't like Miss Darcy and was never going back to preschool.  Apparently, during preschool he decided he was done and decided to go explore Miss Darcy's house.  She kindly told him that he needed to stay in the classroom but lately Luke doesn't take people correcting him very well.  I talked to him about the rest of the things they did and he realized that it was actually a pretty great day and he would try again!  I can't believe my little guy is so big and in preschool.  I am so proud of my Lukers!