Jessi Feeds Hunter

Sorry it is long, but I was enjoying the moment. Be patient.

Beach Non-Camping 2010

When our ward was camping at the cold beach this year, we were home warm in our own beds nice and clean after a bath, not a crummy shower. Can you tell I am happy with my decision to not camp this year?
Although we didn't camp this year and we did miss seeing everyone and hanging out, we were able to participate in some of the activities.
Monday night we drove down and met at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. We had a great time with everyone. Tanner was excited that he was a little taller this year and able to ride almost all the rides that he wanted to. He went on the log ride with me and loved it. I was a little worried but he did great. Jessi went last year with MJ and didn't want to go again this year. Tanner and Jessi were also able to ride the roller coaster this year with me. I think it was Tanner's favorite ride. Jessi was tall enough to ride the bumper cars again but Tanner was not. Other than that we rode basically the same rides as last year and I didn't bring my camera this year, sorry.
We also went down to the beach Wednesday and Thursday to join in the fun. It was a little cooler this year, but still a blast. We drove down with another family that wasn't camping, so we had 6 car seats in out new beast. It can be done! Also Tia came and hung with is for a few hours on Thursday and took the kids in the water for me. Thanks Tia!
Next year we will actually camp again.

DAY 1

It wouldn't be a Beach Trip without being buried in the sand.


Hunter enjoyed being able to sit up and enjoy the view.

DAY 2

Babes on a blanket. Hunter's friend Camille.


The kids playing on a log, and Tanner and Nate having a scuffle (big Tanner pulled them off of eachother).


Tia with the kids in the water.


Tia and Jessi

Last Night

Last night Tanner was throwing a tantrum and I couldn't calm him down so he got a cold shower, still partially dressed. It worked! He at least stopped trying to fight with me (fist fight). Then he wanted his clothes back on, so this is how he went to bed last night.
Diego shirt-check
Towel on him instead of his blanket-check
Blanket next to him-check
Binky and Oso-check
Buzz Car-check
Snake from the Boardwalk-check
Sleeping soundly-PRICELESS

Fun with siblings

Jessi and Tanner had been playing nicely every once in a while and I wanted to remember it. So I snapped some pictures of them.
The other night after dinner they wanted to watch a movie. They decided on the same one and instead of watching it on the "big TV" they chose to share a little DVD player and snuggle together on the couch. I was able to feed Hunter and clean up the kitchen before they went to bed. MJ was out serving someone at the time. It was a great break.


Also we got the pool out for the first time at our house this season. I know, it is June and we haven't even been in the pool. This year has been really "cold" for this time of year. Anyway, they got out these water squirters that Aunt Kathryn gave them and had a blast. They were also wearing "protective eye wear" with helped to make it more fun.

Hunter 8 Months

Hunter is 8 months today. We have had an interesting month of sickness with him. Luckily he hasn't been bad, just a constant sickness it seems. I guess that is what to expect from being the third. I hope he gets it out of his system this year, and does better next year when Jessi is in school.
He is still working on building up his solid food intake. I need to be better at offering. It is just so much easier for me to just give him a bottle most of the time I forget.
He is also doing really well sitting up now. I will put him on the floor in the kitchen with just a pillow behind him now while we are in there eating dinner, or doing other things. I think he likes this new freedom.
He still isn't moving much. I guess that is a blessing. Jessi and Tanner were very mobile and into a lot more by 8 months. Hunter just rolls, but doesn't really roll to get things still. I'm sure he will get there in time.
Hunter is in love with fans right now. If you turn one on, he is mesmerized. He especially loved our room. The fan is always on, and it can be seen in our mirrored headboard and also in the mirror from the bathroom vanity. Three mirrors in one room = Heaven!
He has also discovered his tongue. He will stick it out almost all day long, and it is almost always to the side. MJ loves this because that is what he does when he is concentrating. He also does a really good clicking sound. He usually does it constantly while he is sitting up playing with something. It is pretty cute and loves to here someone do it back to him.
Hunter is still a very happy, mellow fellow. But he is starting to be more vocal, so I think that may be coming to an end too. Only time will tell.






Now that Hunter can sit we are able to put him in the tub easier. Jessi and Tanner like to stick letters to him. Jessi was labeling him this night.


Great Grandma Connie and Hunter.

Swim Lessons 2010

This year we were lucky to have some really great youth in our ward teach swim lessons. We took 6 days over a 2 week period.
Jessi was able to swim across the pool by herself, including taking a breath. We are very proud of her!
Tanner got in the pool the first day and then screamed the entire time saying he wanted out. Then next day, same thing. The 3rd day, I didn't make him get in. The 4Th day, he sat on the step. The 5Th day he got to the second step and looked under water with goggles on. The last day was similar to the 2ND day, even with me getting in with him. We will try again next year and hope for better results. It is frustrating for me because he has no problem blowing bubbles in the bath and even pretending to back float with his ears under the water in the tub. Oh well, eventually.
Hunter sat in his stroller, content for the most part to watch.

Tanner's first day. Got in and had fun for a few minutes then refused to do anything.


Tanner's last day after her was in for a few minutes.


Jessi's first day. Showing off.


Still first day.


Another first day collage.


Jessi's last day of swim. Lots of improvement in diving for a ring.


More last day. She could swim across the pool by herself!


Learning how to dive, but not quite getting the concept.


More swimming my herself.

Gale Reunion 2010

While in Kennewick with all my siblings, we decided to have our 2ND Annual reunion. We kept it low key and spent time together at my parents home. There were 18 of us in the same house for 5 days!
The cousins played, played and then played some more. Jessi and Tanner had a blast. Also everyone enjoyed Hunter's smiles and ability to love everyone and go to anyone. We miss being so close to everyone.
After the kids were in bed the adults tried really hard to stay awake and get some game time in. We stayed up way to late a few nights but it was well worth it.
The kids 12 and under also made stepping stones for my parents. And the boys helped my dad put in a gigantic flag pole and the kids were able to put hand prints in the cement.
The last night that we were there, we were able go to the local "gym" and climb a rock wall and swim.
I didn't take as many pictures as I should have. I'm hoping one of the other sisters did and you can take a look at their pictures too. The links are on the side for Corrine, Kathryn, and Dorothy.
Here are the pictures that I did take.


While we were waiting to climb the rock wall, the boys (Caleb and Tanner) and Jessi had some fun on the mats. Sorry they are blurry. They didn't want to stop for a picture.


Uncle Nathan helping Jessi on a pre-climb on the free-climb wall.


Jessi climbing up the wall.


Jessi reaching the top, getting scared and then climbing back down rather than repelling.


Our family swimming. Hunter's first time in the pool.


Mike's family swimming. Sorry for some of the pictures. David was the photographer on most of these. That is why he is none of the pictures.


Kathryn's family.


Corrine's family and Joe and Grandpa.


Group pictures.


Playing with Uncles.

David's Graduation

The first weekend in June, we traveled to Kennewick. We drove over night and the kids did really well. Hunter did the worst, but only fussed for a few minutes before falling asleep. The special occasion that caused us to drive 14 hours one way was my little brother, David's, graduation from High School. We are very proud of his accomplishment and that he is finally done and on to something bigger and better that he cares more about:)
We had a BBQ Friday afternoon and were able to see a few family members that haven't met Hunter yet. It was good to see everyone and catch up a little bit.


Just playing with Daddy at the BBQ.


These are you grandparents and my dad's sister, Gloria.


All the grand kids that were awake. (We didn't have Ethan). Notice Tanner not cooperating, as usual.


Here we are at graduation, waiting for David to walk.


David walking in. He is on the back row, third one in. He was late to practice, but it worked for us, because we weren't early to graduation.


Here he is right before he walks on stage and after he received his holder.


The traditional throwing of the hats. Finished!!!


Sibling shot and shot with our family and the grad.

Happy Hollow May 2010

The last week in May I took the kids to the new, improved, remodeled Happy Hollow Park and Zoo. There were a lot of changes, but I don't know that I liked all of them. Anyway, we had a great time and they all cooperated with me while we were there. Here are the (many) pictures:

The kids wanted to ride the rides first. This was an oldie that we loved. I have a picture if Jessi with Tanner on this ride back in my archives somewhere. I was impressed that neither Jessi or Tanner complained that they didn't get a car with a bell. They were just content to be on the ride. The lines were pretty long in their minds.


Here is another one that was an here before. Tanner didn't used to like this one because it went to fast. I think they both liked it this time.


Hunter was content to wait in the stroller most of the time. I didn't think he was quite big enough this time to ride the above ride. Maybe next time.


Here is a new ride that they both loved. Jessi is almost too big for it I think. I think I'll keep trying though until her feet drag:)



We had to wait a long time for the Danny the Dragon ride (probably 20-30 minutes). I couldn't bring the stroller in the line so I let Hunter sit down on the ground propped up with my legs while Jessi and Tanner shared a snack. The kids ate to fast though. They did pretty good until the time before it was our turn. Then Tanner wanted to be help and I was already holding Hunter so my arms were sore the next day from holding the combined 40 pounds of weight. I need to strengthen my left arm! The picture of Hunter is while I am holding him and he is reaching for the camera.


When it was finally our turn, I asked Tanner where he wanted to sit and he proceeded to walk around to the drivers place. It made me smile. The picture is of Tanner and Jessi holding Hunter on Danny. I didn't trust them to hold him so the shot isn't that great. Then I tried to get all of us, but Tanner wasn't having it and I didn't get myself. Oh, well, you get the idea.


After waiting so long for the Danny ride, we decided to try our luck at this huge play structure. It is big enough for adults to play too. Unfortunately I was by myself and it was hard to keep track of the kids. I told them to stay together and for the most part they did.


Can you find Tanner? He is in an orange shirt and turquoise hat. Good luck.


I thought this was pretty funny.
Top left: Tanner starts to climb a minute or two after Jessi. She was just to the top of the picture.
Top right: Tanner catches up to Jessi. She is in the light purple shirt at the back of the netting.
Middle left: Tanner passes Jessi
Middle right: Leaving her in the dust, but calling encouragement back to her.
Bottom left: Almost at the end. Jessi hasn't moved.
Bottom right: Tanner gets to the top and waits for Jessi, the whole time saying things like, "Come on Jessi, you can do it"


After playing for a while and me getting tired of "finding" the kids. We went to the zoo. This was the first animal we saw. Usually it is asleep at the back of the pen, so it was nice to see it. I can't remember what it is called.


The Jaguar. Jessi's favorite. It was asleep but at least somewhere were we could see it this time.


Here were the first monkeys that we saw. They were right up at the window. We must have times the zoo right.


Here is another monkey that we saw. He was so tiny. If I remember right there were about 6 in this cage.


Next we saw some birds. They were really loud. We think they were hungry or hot because when the zoo keeper came they sprayed them with water.


We also were able to see the turtle. He is usually in his house and hard to see. He is so big!


Then we saw the meerkats! They were digging for bugs, just being fed. So we were able to see all of them.


After that we saw the lemurs. My camera wasn't cooperating. It kept focusing on the fence.


Another one that we usually don't see because it is really shy is this little deer. He was sitting right next to the fence.


We skipped the Merry-go-round at the beginning because the wait was too long. Luckily the kid maning the ride let us all on. Hunter was too small and Tanner needed someone to ride with him. So the man said that if I rode sitting right in front of Tanner it would be okay.


We went to another part of the zoo that had been moved. The feeding area is a little different. I like the improvements here. Jessi enjoyed feeding the goats, horses and other animals. Tanner only would pet the goats and fed a little baby goat one pellet.


We found the kangaroo had been moved too.


And last but not least. (I was ready to be done) Were these funny monkeys. They were pretty entertaining and we will have to watch them at the beginning next time.

It was a great day and the kids loved it and are asking to go back again already. Maybe when MJ can come too.