The Wedding Dinner

My brother Patrick and his fiance Becca finally got married.  Luke has been counting down the days for this event since they got engaged.  Lukers is in love with Becca and her long blond hair so the thought of her in a wedding dress was a dream.  My mom did a fabulous job on the wedding dinner.  Her theme was "Meant to Bee" so she did everything around bees!  Before the dinner started I was frantically trying to help my mom set everything up.  While I was doing that poor Brody was mad hungry and Luke was running wild.  I was so glad when my brothers showed and were able to take care of the boys.  

We had our traditional survival kit for each of our siblings.  I gave Becca a bottle of sunless tanning lotion since Pat is obsessed with getting a tan and Becca is all over the sunblock.  She'll need the lotion just to keep up with Pat's tan!  Mark gave Becca a first aid kit because Pat loves to live life on the wild side and she'll probably need to patch a few scrapes and bruises with him!  The boys did pretty good during the dinner.  Luke was a little wild until I got him hooked on the iPad.  We did a million Handy Manny puzzles on the iPad, but he was sitting and quiet so it was worth it!     

Father's Day

Mark isn't big on being the center of attention so he doesn't really care for things like his birthday and Father's Day; but we want him to know how great we think he is.  Luke loves it when Mark gets home from work at night.  He'll run and hide and giggle nonstop until Mark comes to find him.  Mark is great about taking Luke on bike rides and driving him over to Pop's barn so he can see the tractors.  

This year after we had our Father's Day dinner we took Luke over to Pop's barn so he could drive the excavator.  I thought Luke would have a big smile on his face, but I think he was in total shock.  He had such a serious look on his face and was concentrating extra hard!  When I asked him how it was he said that he dug a pretty big hole and moved lots of dirt.  

We love our daddy and appreciate all that he does for us.  When you ask Luke where Mark is during the day he'll tell you, "My daddy's at Skullcandy getting the money for me!"  Mark is a hard worker and cares a lot about our family.  We love you!!!    

Talbot Family Reunion

Last weekend we had the Talbot Family Reunion in Ephraim.  I had such a fun time seeing all of my family and Luke had a blast playing with his cousin Abby.  To be totally honest, it took a lot to get Mark to go.  He was even offering to take the entire family to Lagoon for the day if it meant he didn't have to spend his day driving to a family reunion.  In the end Mark was a really good sport and had a fun time...I think!

Getting there was quite an adventure.  Mark and Luke both got hungry so we stopped to eat.  Then, Luke needed two potty breaks...one on the side of the road.  Sweet Brody has been a pooing machine and needed a diaper change three times.  So the little two hour drive took us about four.

My cousin David and his wife Suzie came up from Arizona with their two cute kids.  I was so glad Luke would have a friend to play with.  Luke and Abby hit it right off...I am sure the blond hair helped!    They had a fun time playing on the playground, running around on the grass, and coloring together.  My creative Aunt Leslie put together a quiz game about Great Grandpa and Grandma Talbot.  She had cute prizes and all.  When the game was over Abby and Luke proceeded to color on all of the leftover quizzes.  

Each family was asked to make a poster so I designed one for our family in Photoshop.  It turned out super cute...but when we got there we realized that we put way to much effort into ours.  Most of the other families had just written down their contact info on poster-boards.  We'll know better next time!   

Spread the Love

My brother is getting married to cute Becca this week!  Last week I did a family shower for her at my house.  Her wedding is going to be shabby chic so I decided to do her shower around mason jars...spread the love!  Whenever I have a party or shower at my house I do a good job of taking pictures of everything before, but once people arrive I completely forget about the camera.  It was fun to be with our family and see cute the things that Becca received.  

It is an understatement to say that Luke is in love with Becca.  He has been more excited about this shower than anyone.  Every time I would prepare something for it he was right there with me.  The morning of the shower he came walking out of the bedroom, eyes half open, and said, "Mommy, call Becca and say what the heck Becca, why aren't you at the party?"  I explained that it wasn't quite time for the party.  Mark told Luke they could go to Five Guys and bowling at Boondocks...Luke's dream day...during the shower.  He was not happy about leaving the shower.  Right before the shower Luke looked around and said, "Wow Mommy, everything is fabulous.  Becca is going to be so happy!"  I just love that little guy!!!   

Let the Swimming Begin

If there is one thing we love to do in the summer it's to go swimming.  We go a few times a week and even still Luke throws a fit every time we have to leave.  This year I realized it was going to be a bit more challenging with a new baby.  Luckily, Uncle Pat has Monday's off so we love meeting him at the pool on his days off!  Luke loves swimming with Uncle Pat at the pool.  He jumps in, asks Pat to throw him and goes down the big yellow slide.  Brody isn't a huge fan of the water.  Whenever I try to put his little legs in he starts to cry.  I am sure he will learn to love it at some point!  We have a lot of swimming days ahead of us this summer! 

Brody's Blessing Pictures

Doing Brody's blessing pictures weren't easy...but then again none of this little guy's pictures have been easy.  He couldn't understand why I would be smiling at him and not picking him up.  If there is one thing Brody likes it's being held and cuddled.  Finally, I had Luke come in to help me.  That's when I was finally able to get one of Brody smiling and relaxed.  He was talking and smiling at Luke!

Blessing Day

I absolutely love having my babies blessed.  It is a strange feeling...you almost feel like their official and part of your lives forever.  It is so fun to be surrounded by all your family to celebrate the birth of such a sweet spirit.  I always feel so loved when all of the men in my family circle around for such a tiny little baby.  

I was very worried about Brody's blessing because he has basically cried for the past two months.  On Friday he was scheduled for his first round of vaccinations and this didn't make me feel any better.  Luke cried for two days straight when he received his shots so I expected the same from Brody.  However, we received a tender mercy.  The shots had the opposite effect on Brody and he slept for two days.  He was a dream during his blessing.  Brody slept during his entire blessing and opened his little eyes right as his daddy finished.  When Mark was done he held Brody close to his chest and Brody just snuggled in!  I was also worried about Luke because he wanted to join the circle for his cousin's blessing so we had a big talk before church.  Mark asked Luke who got to go up with Brody and Luke replied, "Daddy's, Uncle's, Grandpa's, and Bishop's."    

His little outfit is the same Feltman Brothers brand that my brothers and I wore and now my children wear.  They are handmade outfits and beyond precious.  Brody wore his Uncle Tom's shoes just like Luke did.  He looked delicious!

After his blessing we had everyone over for a breakfast.  Note to self...make more cinnamon rolls next time.  Luke thought this was the best part and played his Uncle Mitch for two hours straight.  After everyone had left Luke reminded us that he hadn't had his picture taken yet with his brother.  He wanted Brody to sit by him like a big boy.  I am amazed at how strong Brody is and how much he already loves Luke.  He hears his voice and starts looking around for his face!

It was a perfect day and I am so blessed!