Zion

On Conference weekend we took off and headed up to Zion for some much needed fun.  

 We did the Hidden Canyon trail with Chap on Logan's back.  It was really fun and the weather was a little chilly but nice.

 Family picture under the arch.

 Thirsty boy:)

And this picture just makes me smile!

Little Cat C came too:) Always getting into mischief:)

18 Months

This handsome boy turned 18 months on April 2.  We didn't do anything very special but we did get a haircut.  

And looking back at the pictures, apparently we suffered from violent mood swings.

This little one is such a blessing in our lives.  He loves everything.  His favorite foods are tomatoes, noodles, and cheese.  If we make something that happens to have all three he is in heaven.  He likes reading books, playing outside and he thinks everything says "woof, woof".  He says mama, dada, thank you, woof woof, happy, ball, bum, and poop.  haha.  He's so silly and loves to get tickled.  I wouldn't change a thing:) We love you Chap monkey!

Funny Stuff

 Chapter fell into the laundry basket and I was so mean that I a left him there while I grabbed the camera. Haha.  Ignore my messy bedroom.

Sometimes when we are doing dangerous things outside (like cutting something or sharpening something, etc.) we put Chapter in the car.  He likes to pretend to drive and this time he even got daddy's sunglasses.

Muddy

St. Patty's Day

 Such a cutie looking sassy with a kiss on his cheek:)

This year we celebrated St. Patrick's Day by wearing our Irish shirt and making green playdough.  We also ate green jello.

Jumpin' Jacks

We got invited to go to Jumpin' Jacks with the Manis fam to celebrate Noah's birthday.  It was $4 Thursday so we'll definitely do that again.

He didn't "get it" at first but he warmed up to it.  When Logan got home and asked how it went I told him that I could see ALL of Chapter's teeth the whole time because he was smiling so big.  We went down a couple big slides but it seemed a bit treacherous to climb up them holding a toddler.  You have to wear socks (so it's slippery) and the toe holds really aren't designed for adult feet.  We only did it a few times but Chap liked the slides a lot.

Valentine's Day

This is me being a slacker and staging Valentine's pictures today, the last day of February.
We had a lot of fun though, we went to lunch with Daddy and we had a scavenger hunt and a giant heart shaped rice krispie.  Chap also looked extra adorable in his V-day Tee:)

Chap got lots of goodies.  Mommy and Daddy got him a Lightning McQueen fork, spoon, and twisty straw.  (Not that he knows who that is, he just needed cutlery, haha).  He got the Little People Valentine's set from Aunt Kristy, Aunt Katie got him heart shaped noodles, a pillowcase, and a Valentine Postage Stamp bear.  It's super cuddly and cute.  Grandma M sent him a card and a whole box of goodies.  So many goodies that we haven't eaten them all yet.  

And I just threw this one in because it's a great representation of his eye color.  Still not sure what they are but they sure aren't brown.  He has a cute green hoodie that makes them green as grass.  Is this what Hazel eyes are?  

Cousins

Chapter and I got to tend West and Legacy for a couple hours one day while their parents went to Vegas and before Anisa got out of school.  West is the closest aged cousin to Chapter and it was fun to have them over.  Legacy is a great baby tender and was so nice to Chap.

This is them playing in what we affectionately call "The Monstrosity".  Kristy gave it to him for Christmas and he is still wild about it and plays in it everyday.  

Yard Work (Skid Steer)

Apparently working for an excavation tycoon has its perks.  Logan borrowed a Skid Steer from his boss one weekend in January and ripped our yard to bits:)

Chapter and I headed up to my mom's for the day because we both knew that if Chapter knew Daddy was outside playing, he would think he needed to be to.  I didn't think I could handle keeping him out of the path of destruction, so we left.  Before we left though, Chap went for a short ride.

Logan wasn't exactly stellar at taking pictures once I left, but he ripped out our half of the abandoned ditch that lines our property.  This is huge progress in making our lot more usable space.  It's actually almost a half acre but it feels smaller than a lot of our friends' yards that are much smaller because it's oddly shaped and slope-y.  

Also, check out that sweet block wall and block in the background.  As I mentioned we have a lot of slopes.  My brother bought a house up in Elsinore to flip or rent out and it had piles of this rock in the yard.  We went up one weekend and got it with Ron in his truck.  I'm a little sentimental about it because it's from my hometown.  There are a ton of old outbuildings up there built from this (and even the local landmarks like the white rock schoolhouse and the recreation hall).  Plus it's always nice to have things that remind you of your old hometown in your new one:) 

16 Months

It's mornings like this one that make me both happy and sad; when my monkey wakes up and I swear he has grown since I tucked him into bed last night.  I'm so terrified that I'm not going to remember this.  I feel guilty for every moment I wasn't completely enjoying this and soaking him up. He's amazing.
 He's getting so big, at 16 months now he can do so many things he couldn't do just a couple months ago.  He knows where his nose and his belly are (the rest of his face is still a gamble at this point).  He answers your questions with "yeah" or "no" (he's been doing that for a month or more).  He's very independent and loves to play at the park and even climbs up and goes down the slide alone. We had some really awesome weather in January and we went to the park a lot.  We also helped daddy build a wall in our yard one weekend and Chap LOVES to be outside. He begs to go outside everyday and he points at the door or window and give the most convincing speech.  He climbs on everything.  He likes to ride in the wheelbarrow.  He loves getting tickled and being upside-down.  And he hands down gives the best hugs ever (sorry Logan).  My little man is getting so big and we love him so much!

Grand Canyon

The day after Christmas we went to the South Rim!  We really love it there and wanted to share it with our Chap.  

 Chapter loves hotel rooms.  This is only the 2nd hotel night of his life.

 This is Chapter's "Big Canyon" face.  He made it every time he looked at the canyon.  So silly.

 "LET ME OVER THAT RAILING!  I'M GOING TO CONQUER THIS THING!"

 We hiked down to the first tunnel on the Bright Angel trail.  So now Chap can say he's been "below the rim". :)

Christmas

Santa Came to visit Chapter a couple weeks ago.  Chapter didn't like it:)

 Look what Santa brought Chapter!

 Opening all of his gifts.

 Guilty cookie face:)

Demonstrating how he has undecorated the tree each day of December:)

Merry Christmas Eve

Haircut

 This is the picture that inspired a haircut.  It's amazing how he looked totally fine to me until I saw this on the back of my camera.

 All suckered up waiting to be chopped.

After: After a lot of hair.  Lots of work by mommy and daddy.  Lot's of Chapter tears.  Lot's of mommy and daddy mistakes. A little bit of regret and a whole lot of "did we really just cut off his curls?"

The trouble is the snaggle bang.  So I took him to Evans hair school and got a proper cut.  Looks much better now.  She took another inch off.  We probably took at least that much.  It's been about a month now and he probably needs another one.  I have got to figure this out!

Halloween

 I went to the Young Women's costume party.  Fun stuff:)  (I'm a BEEHIVE Leader, get it?)

 Chap went to the Primary Carnival since I was in charge of a game with my Beehives.  Chap even got his face painted! (And ate some goodies, apparently).

 The tree picture.  He's grown up so much since last year

 Family costume.  Chap was a spider and we were pest control:)  I crack myself up...

Trick or treating for the first time!  He dragged that pumpkin on the ground until I thought he'd wear a hole in it.  He figured it out though and started taking candy from the candy bowls by the end of it.  Everyone almost died from cuteness!

We went to Bobbi and Jaime's party again this year.  It was a formal murder mystery.  I even got to wear my old prom dress ( I knew I'd use it again, haha).  I was an heiress that had killed 5 husbands.  Logan was s french banker and he totally stole the show with his funny accent.  He was way more into it than I was:) I'm kind of shy about stuff like that but I had a great time.  No picture yet from Bobbi, but I do want proof that I fit into my dress:)