UT/ID

We've been in Utah and Idaho the past month, something we look forward to all year long. Although there are a lot of pictures, there is still a shocking lack of representation. I'm a bit sad about that, so if you have any pictures to share--of girl's day, the Rimington reunion, anything with Mom and Tammy in it, etc...send them my way.  

That said, this post has plenty of pictures. So get comfortable.

Here is Owen carbo-loading the night before the plane flight. 

By the way, he did great. 

He even earned a set of wings. 

Which he put in his mouth. 

So I took them away.

And it made him cry.
Making everyone on the plane give us the stink-eye.

Owen turned 9 months. I know some remarkable things happened, it's just hard to remember a month later. The 10-month milestone he's just hit really has us hopping though. I'll post it tomorrow. Or the next day. I cannot fully commit to being productive 2 days in a row.

Ethan turned 10. We celebrated in increments throughout the trip. Cake and ice cream were in Idaho with tons of family around, which was the real treat. More on Ethan coming soon. He's quite a kid and deserves a post of his own.

Abby really delivered as the excited cousin. 

Owen was doted on by cousins too.

I mean really, there isn't anything cuter than these boys with Owen is there?

Although let's not forget Cinnamon. Her patience with all the "love an attention" deserves a cuteness honorable mention. I couldn't get a better picture since this was her preferred distance from Owen, unless she was busy licking up his spilled breakfast, tickling his thunder thighs with her tongue.

We floated the river. Here we are at the beginning--before we got stuck on sand bars and before we floated 3 hours to a quartet of, "Are we there yet?" 

Super cute of Addie with Grandma and Grandpa.

Beautiful. 

And yes, I was there. Rarely documented in pictures, but always there.

We had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa's. We always do. Thank you for all the fun! 

But before we leave Idaho, I must throw in this picture of Randal and his parents. It truly looks like Randal has a beautiful, long, flowing, curly...mullet. Shame on the photographer.

Next, we braved the blazing heat and goat-head weeds (which, by the way, is the worst weed on the planet) to shoot off rockets with Grandpa Rimington.

Uncle Mike and Addie loading the first to go.

Ethan at the launch pad.

And the big finale X 10. 

Bekah was so sweet. She was afraid Owen's legs were getting too much sun so she used her top to cover them. Cute, little momma!

Thanks, Grandpa! We had a great day.

Adelaide tried roller skating for the first time.

My first time too--in ages. What a pair!

We look forward to seeing the Haights every year too.

And we were lucky enough to see our friends from New York who are now living in Taiwan. Small world. 

Grandma and Tammy are trying some alternative measures for treating allergies. For 24 hours they were not to even touch a raw vegetable. 

So we made it impossible for them to enter their rooms. Te-he-he-he. 

And then there was Bear Lake. Aka, the best place on earth.

Thanks to everyone for making our visit such a wonderful one! We loved spending time with you. Hopefully the memories will tide us over another year. Love you all!

Sewing

Adelaide has been wanting to sew some more. I wish I could say I was a great mom and have been giving her plenty of opportunities, but then I'd be lying. Monday I did finally come through. She sewed this all by herself:

And she looked so darling in her creation.

With the machine out I knew I needed to knock something off my looooooong to-do list if I still wanted to feel good about myself that day ;).

I had this fabric Ethan "tricked" me in to buying on one of my rare, energetic days. Sewing him pajamas is no longer cost effective given I have to buy more fabric. I must have been feeling really peppy because I justified it by thinking I could get a pair out of the scraps for Owen.

That fabric has been sitting there taunting me from it's Hobby Lobby sack for weeks now. So I decided to silence it and get it off my list. Besides it may be the only time these two can wear matching anything. 

Ethan hadn't wanted trucks or puppies on his jammies. I didn't blame him. But the flames and planets seem so funny to us for little Owen. And adorable. I love seeing them together. 

7/8 Sandwich

Owen turned 7 months.
Then 8.
And a lot happened sandwiched in between.

Such as a lot of tolerance shown for big brother's and big sister's idea of "playtime."

And Adelaide's cute first-grade program.

Here she is proudly posing with her paper plate octopus.

Owen decided to start pitching in with the chores. He is sure we all want wet hoodie ties on laundry folding day. He is happily doing his part.

We moved into our house. This picture is not complete. Grass, shutters and the 4th porch column are what I see missing. But it's getting there. Now the grass is in and greening up. I'll post a more complete picture when it is really looking it's best. We're happy to be settling in and unpacking for good this time.

Owen and I took a little trip to Utah. We were lucky enough to be there at the same time as Keith's big marathon run. We excitedly waited for him in the rain.

And here he is--26.2 miles in just under 6 hours. So so proud of him!

I couldn't believe he was still standing afterward. Let alone smiling.

Addie graduated from Daisy Scouts to Brownies. Yes, she sweet-talked me into another year of girl scouts. So I apologize in advance for hitting you up for cookies next year. 

Scouts are responsible for placing flags on all the graves at the national cemetery for Memorial Day.

It was a great experience. Thousands of soldiers' graves dating back to the Civil War, and hundreds of scouts honoring their sacrifice. I'm glad we could be a part of it.

Except for lugging Fat Owen around. Sometime mid-seventh month he suddenly became too much.

Adelaide earned the highest score in her class for reading.

Ethan as well. And a special award for art achievement. It was a very successful school year for them both.

Ethan and Randal ran a 5k together. (Owen too, if you're interpretation of "running a 5k" is a rather loose one.) Ethan was in it for the dream of the cash reward. They practiced and improved their time each day leading up to the race. 

We are so proud of Ethan's efforts even if he was initially motivated by the money. He and I have have run together since. He is really trying to do his best as he continues to run. 

And after all that, this little guy turned 8 months. 

Owen has 6 teeth which he looooves. I suspect I will be missing some skin on my neck in the very near future. The question is which attempt will be the one to finally do it? It's making me very anxious actually. 

He does pretty well feeding himself. The most surprising thing he has liked eating of late is eggplant. Hates blueberries though. 

Owen just figured out how to roll around the room. This really is an achievement for him given that he high-centers himself on is belly. It takes some extra effort to get anywhere from there. So we're proud of him for going the extra mile as well.

Chorus

Ethan has been in the 4th and 5th grade chorus. They finished up their year with a Spring concert. I'm very proud of Ethan for doing his best and sticking with after-school practices all year long. And I'm very proud of me for picking him up after school every time.

The chorus also sang the national anthem at the local minor league baseball game over the weekend. I have a picture, but realize it may have too much information in it for a public blog. 

So instead here is a post cotton candy picture of Addie at the game. She looks delicious and darling in her new glasses.