Swim Lessons

Luke started swim lessons about three months ago at Swim Kids.  We have loved our lessons there and can't believe how much he has learned.  About once a month they do underwater photos.  Luke thought it was pretty cool to get his picture taken underwater.  He was diving for rings during the pictures.  I love how he even got a picture of Luke smiling at the camera!

When Luke first started his lessons he would scream the entire time.  They are private lessons so I wasn't too happy that he was wasting the entire lesson by just crying.  Lately the crying has stopped and he is more excited about his lessons.  I am amazed how much he learned through all of the crying and fighting.  His poor teachers, Carly and Christian, went through a lot with him at first.  Luke would scream at them and tell them that he didn't like them.  The first thing they teach is to float on your back. This is a survival skill and they have to master that before they can move on.  Lukers did not like this one bit and would fight it every time.  Finally, he started to wear a little wet suit...or as he calls it his magic suit.  This helped him a lot!  The goggles also helped Luke feel safe because no water would splash him in the eyes.  

He now has his float down and is practicing scooping with his hands and swimming on his tummy!  Luke's goal is to jump off the diving board.  He asks every time we go when he gets to jump off.  We keep reminding him that he needs to be able to swim to the side first.  Hopefully it will come soon!   

Wheeler Farm

The past few swim lessons have been really rough for Luke.  I was getting very frustrated because it was a forty-five minute drive each way and when you cry for ten of the fifteen minutes in the lesson it makes it pretty much worthless.  One day I remember that I hadn't ever taken Luke to Wheeler Farm and it was close to Swim Kids.  Luke promised that he would be a good swimmer and not cry so we could go to Wheeler Farm.  The little fish has never swam so well.  His teacher asked if I would be willing to take him to Wheeler Farm after every swim lesson!  

It was not an ideal day to go...high 90's...but Luke earned it.  He had his cowboy boots on and he was ready.  The barn full of tractors was a huge hit with Lukers.  He ran from one tractor to the next so excited.  The tractor ride was about the hottest thing I've ever endured.  Poor Brods and I were miserable, but Luke was in heaven.  The poor pigs were crowded in the corner of their pen trying to get some shade.  That didn't stop Luke from reaching in through the gate and petting them.  I bought Luke a bag of food to feed the ducks which only lasted about a minute.  When he had thrown all of his food he resorted to just chasing those poor ducks.  Because of the heat our visit to Wheeler Farm was quick and we all needed showers when we left, but Luke still loved it.  

4 Months

My little baby is definitely not a newborn anymore.  He is getting so big and has a lot of personality now.  I could sit and play with this little guy all day.  Brody is so fun to tickle, snuggle, and love!  My favorite is when I get him out of the bathtub.  It takes me forever to get him dressed because we have so much fun trying to make Brody laugh and smile!

-Sleeps like a champ...10-12 hours a night

-Takes about four 1 hour naps a day

-Eats 6 ounces every 3-4 hours

-Obsessed with his binky

-Weighs 15.7lbs and is in the 62nd percentile

-Is 26 in long and is in the 82nd percentile

-Has an average head...66th percentile

-Just discovered his hands and feet

-Always working on getting his binky, hands, feet, anything within reach in his mouth

-Loves his brother and looks for him when he hears his voice

-Still screams when we get in the car

-Is a tv junkie and watches just about anything

-Still fights during tummy playtime

Park Silly

The day after Mark's race we knew we had to stop at Park Silly Market on our way home.  It's a fun market with vendors, games, and food.  We went last year and had such a good time.  

Luke barely missed the free face painting the day before while we were at the Olympic Park.  He couldn't stop talking about it and how he wanted to get his face painted at the market.  I thought it was so funny because he was super excited to get his face painted and then he only chose a tiny ducky.  Luke was so proud of it though and was very careful not to smear it.  After his face was done he even refused to wear his aviators.  

Little Brody felt much better today and was happy all day.  He even didn't mind his new sun hat.  Brody was happy just to sit in his stroller and look at all of the people.      

Tour de Park City

Mark decided to participate again this year in the Tour de Park City.  Last year he had a miserable experience so I was hoping this year would be better for him.  He has been training a lot more this year so I knew that would help!  Chad and Zach also participated in the race.  It's always nice to have a biking buddy on such a long ride.  The race started just outside of Park City and went all the way to Evanston, WY and back.  In total the route was 150 miles with a lot of climbing.  

Overall, Mark had a much better experience this year.  The only mechanical issues were two flat tires.  Since the food they provided isn't that great Mark packed his own PB&J's in his jersey and that really helped with nausea.  The weather wasn't ideal this year and they had to bike through a lot of wind, rain, and hail.  Mark's time was around 10 hours.  I can't even imagine sitting on a bike for that long and I am so proud of him for finishing!!!  

While the guys were biking the wives were busy keeping the kids entertained and trying to figure out when to meet them at the finish line.  We started a day the day out at the Outlets.  With that many kids we were only able to make it into a few stores.  After that, was lunch at McDonald's and naps.  We still hadn't heard from the guys so we decided to take the kids over the the Olympic Park.  Since the Olympics had started they were doing a big London Olympics Celebration.  The kids got to jump in bounce houses, squirt water guns at targets, and eat yummy English desserts.  Luke's favorite part by far was watching the ski jumpers.  We did this last year and he loved it just as much this year.  Every time a jumper  would go he would scream and yell for them and then say, "That was totally awesome!"  

Brody was such a little trooper during the day.  I was about to take him home because he had been up all night with a running nose.  Once I got Tylenol in him he was a different child!  We had a fun day together and always love summers in Park City!

First Dentist Visit

Luke went to the dentist for the first time earlier this week.  I was a little worried how he would be since he has always been a little terror at my dentist appointments.  Luckily, Luke took the entire visit very serious and did a pretty good job.  Kristin and Dr. Mableby did a great job of explaining to Luke what was going to happen.  He loved all of the different instruments and listened patiently while Kristin first explained what each instrument does.  I was amazed how he just laid in the chair and didn't fight.  Kristin and Dr. Magleby were able to do everything they needed to.  

Luke was actually most excited about his bag of goodies they gave him.  It had a toothbrush, flossers, toothpaste, and a timer in it.  He thought the timer was the best part and tried to sneak some extras home.  When I looked in his bag he had about ten extra timers, toothbrushes for everyone in the family, and enough toothpaste for a year.  I guess he was busy during my appointment.  It was a great first dentist visit and could have been much worse.  I am so proud of my little guy and can't believe how fast he is growing up.  

Ogden Rodeo

A rodeo was a must this year for Luke.  We decided to go to the Ogden rodeo over the 24th weekend.  Luke was so excited.  He was most excited about the bulls and couldn't wait to see them.  He kept asking Pops the entire rodeo where the bulls were.  I even walked him down so he could see the bulls but he wanted to see them in action.  When the bulls finally came out he asked a million questions.  Why are they so mad, why don't they want the cowboys on them, why are they chasing everyone?  Even still a week later he is watching bull rides on YouTube.  Mark and I got nervous at the end because Luke decided the Motocross was pretty cool and he wanted to try it.  Luke is dangerous enough without a motorcycle.    

Brody was a sweet little guy at the rodeo.  He slept through the first half of it and then got a little hungry.  He was happy just to sit on my lap and look around at everyone.  Don't you just love Brody's boots?!?!  They looked too cute on his chubby little legs!   

At the start of summer I had to hide all of his boots because he still wanted to wear them with his shorts, ride his bike and run around the playground, all in his boots.  One time we even had a major battle because he wanted to wear them to the temple for Uncle Pat's wedding.  His argument was that Uncle Mitch wears his church and Jesus loves boots.  When I got them out for the rodeo he was in heaven.  I don't think we'll ever get them hidden again.  Ever since the rodeo his daily outfit consists of shorts and t-shirt with boots, a belt, and a hat of some sort.  I love this little kid so much and it's just not worth the battle.  He even wants to wear them to the pool.  This kid loves his boots!  I especially love it when he wears his boots because he does a little strut in them.  It's the cutest thing ever.