The Big 2-7

Doug's birthday is coming up and I am trying to decide what to get him. He always has a laundry list of outlandish things he wants, but I wanted to surprise him. Does anyone have any good gift ideas I could get for Doug? Especially ones that aren't hundreds of dollars (kinda like the ones he wants :)

That Kid!

Alright, my kid is "that kid". You all know who I am talking about. Everybody knows a "that kid" and I am the mother of one! I am having the hardest time right now trying to figure out how exactly you discipline a 17 month old. I mean seriously, he isn't old enough for time out, and I refuse to do spanking or anything like that. I just really don't think it's effective. Here is what's going on. Linkin can not get enough of pulling hair. He doesn't do it so much to little boys as he does to little girls. He will chase down a little girl to pull her dang hair. He does it to little boys when it's convenient. The other day at the mall he grabbed a girl by the hair and threw her down on the ground. He usually doesn't have malicious intent, he is usually just trying to play. Sometimes he does do it though because he is upset.
He also loves to climb up on top of our couches. He has taken several evil kanevil dives right off of the 4 1/2 foot drop and landed on his head. You would think it would phase the little man, but no! He climbs right back up to do it again. I have tried everything, but he just laughs at me when I try to parent him. What do I do????? Help me out mommies!!!!

Father's Day

I know I am a day late on this one so I totally apologise Dougie! I found this picture that Linkin made in nursery yesterday and it seriously made me want to cry! I know that is totally stupid and I am not going to post everything he makes in nursery I swear, but this was really sweet! I haven't ever traced his hands before or made hand prints with him so it just caught me off guard with my emotions.

The picture is right though. Doug is the most amazing dad ever. He works so hard for me and for Linkin. He has only been a dad for 17 months, but he has done it in style! We love you so much babe! Happy Fathers Day handsome man!

First time in nursery

On Sunday Linkin had his first day in nursery BY HIMSELF! He isn't quite old enough yet, but the nursery people said we could leave and let him stay in there since he was behaving. (well kind of behaving!) Linkin decided to establish his dominance in nursery he needed to take on the two biggest kids in nursery. He went up to the one kid who is known for hitting, and tried to play with him by smacking him on the head and pulling his hair. The boy retaliated by punching his hands into the carpet. Linkin went up to the other kid who bites a lot and gave him a huge hug followed by a slap in the face. The kid didn't do anything back he just looked at Linkin like, "dude you're little I could totally take you." No bruises, broken bones, or blood, I guess I should consider it a success.

Anyway, here is the art project they made in nursery. I thought it was so cute to see Linkin come home with something he colored and made in church. He's getting so stinking big!

He made one last time too, but we didn't get it home. It was a cute little picture he colored.

I'm a maniac, maniac...

The other day we were over at my mom's house and had quite the fun little experience. My mom loves to take Link outside to show him her flowers in her garden. She has done this since he was a little baby, so I didn't think anything of it when she took him outside to see that her Gerber Daisies were still blooming. (She's quite proud of them :) Doug and I heard Linkin's high pitched squeals of delight coming from the backyard, so we had to go investigate. My mom decided to water her flowers with Linkin's help. When Doug and I walked outside we saw Linkin soaking wet and my mom holding the hose and having him run through it as fast as he could. My mom looked up at us like a kid with her hand in the cookie jar and pointed at Linkin saying, "He started it!" I was cracking up laughing! Linkin would back up as far as he could and take a running start and screech when he reached the hose. One thing led to another, and Linkin ended up getting his bath from the hose that night.....

It really is PARADISE!

Our fun little group of moms got together today at the splash pad on Paradise Lane for a fun little play day. This is my favorite park to go to. It is so nice you can't even tell it's summer outside. It is shaded by these nice big trees and it's hidden back from the road a little bit. There is a park right next to the splash pad too. What more could you ask for?! Here are some fun videos from the day. I must preface this by saying my baby is sooo big I can't even believe it! He isn't my baby anymore!

The kid cracks me up! He kept doing these fly by drinks all day. It was disgusting cuz I don't know where that water comes from, but I was cracking up at how he was doing it.

I swear he was safe! When Doug saw this video he freaked, but this wasn't the first time he has gone down this slide. He's a pro! :) (don't tell Doug, but he's gone down way bigger ones!)

Playing With The Girls...

Linkin's favorite summer activity is of course, playing at the splash pad with his adorable cousins Monterey and Alexandra. It was so busy this day it was hard to get good pics, but here are a few...

Three little kiddos sittin on a bench. (sounds like the 5 little monkey song :)

These two are so cute to watch play together. I swear they think they're brother and sister!

I loooooove this picture of the girls! How cute are they all posed and adorable! Love it!

Congrats Caity! We Love You!

On Saturday night, Doug's cousin Caity got baptised! It was so amazing. Caity has wanted to get baptised for the longest time, but her parents wouldn't let her. This girl is so amazing that she didn't even let it bother her. She went to church, seminary, activities, and even planned to go on the Trek without even being a member! I was a member, and I totally didn't want to on the Trek! (it was way cool though Katie you'll love it! :) She is such an awesome example to me and my family. She is such a strong person and she will even be stronger now that she has been baptised and confirmed a member of the church! We are so proud of her and her decision. We love you Caity!

The other cool thing about the experience was that Doug was the one who got to baptise her. Doug is a convert, so he didn't have the opportunity to go on a mission, so she was his first baptism. He had some baptisms for the dead before, but this was his first time to baptise a family member. It was so cool to get to watch Doug do this. I seriously brought me to tears. I couldn't help but think back to Doug's baptismal day 5 years ago and how powerful a day that was. I remember watching him get baptised by his grandpa and seriously seeing the physical change it made in him. He eyes had never sparkled so brightly as they did when he stepped out of that water! They have stay bright ever since! :) I could literally see the light of Christ in him. It was such a testimony builder for me to watch him go through the process and watch Caity as well. It was truly phenomenal to think back at all of the ways Doug has grown as a priesthood leader since the day of his baptism to Caity's baptism. I couldn't help but be touched and shed a few tears. It also made me think about the day that he will be able to baptise Linkin. I can't think about that yet though, it will really make me cry to think of my baby as 8 years old!!!! I love you Doug and am so grateful for the priesthood that you hold and bless our family with. Thank you!

Me and Caity after the baptism!

Tony and Malynda front and center showing their support! Aren't they cute!!!!

They didn't know I was taking this picture, hence the funny looks on everyones faces, but here is my mommy, daddy, and sister Britany. Of course Linkin too (who by the way got a ridiculously loud case of gas during the opening talks. come on link can't ya just be reverent for a second?)

Grandma and Grandpa Carter, Doug, Katie, and Caity's grandma from Utah