Teaching the Kids about Art

One of my goals this year has been to get Annie and Truman to like museums. So, every week I take the kids to the Bean (Animal) Museum for an hour and/or the BYU MoA for a half hour. I have decided to focus on just a few things to teach them. At the MoA, they have this awesome book exhibit that Annie loves to look at. We are also focusing on learning Carl Bloch's 'Christ at the Pool of Bethesda'. There is a new exhibit that opened this week. We are excited to go on Tuesday and pick out another painting to learn about. I am hoping that if we take it slowly and focus on learning only a few things at one, that Annie and Truman won't get overwhelmed.

Annie is also very interested in learning to paint. Since Jed is an amazing painter, I thought he should be the one to do it. It was honestly one of my favorite moments of all time, seeing them at the table, painting together. They looked so adorable. Annie was so happy. It was definitely a moment that made me realize how awesome my life is. We have it so good!

This stack of books weighs as much as 30-40 cars. It is crazy!
Annie wants to take one out of the stack so bad. 

My Big Boy

Look at my big boy -  in skinny jeans, Spiderman hoodie and red converse.

Truman's First Haircut

We waited until after Halloween to give Truman his first haircut. It fit great with his Thor costume. But we had no excuses after that. He got called a girl twice, and that was enough, the beautiful locks had to go.

Look at those blonde curls... to die for.

I cut his hair myself. I wanted to try the scissors before we went straight for the buzzer. It turned out pretty good.

He was covered in hair. It was unbelievable how much hair he had.

He held really still until about halfway through, then he got really wiggly.
Let's just say, there are definitely some spots that could be improved. 

Look at my big boy!

Proud Daddy!

Annie loves her little brother. She kept saying, "Oh look at our handsome little buddy. He is so cute."

Annie was just a little jealous about Truman's haircut and she needed one anyway. When her hair was wet, it was about 4 inches from her bum. So long! I was not feeling brave enough to try that, so we decided to hit Great Clips. 

She felt like such a big girl. She was so excited she could barely speak. I can't believe how big she is getting.

Look at my beautiful kids. I am such a proud Mom. I know there are hard days, but I would't trade my life for the world. I love these little guys so much!

Halloween and Super Heroes

Halloween is a really big deal at Jed's work. Adobe holds a huge Halloween bash. They transform both buildings into a Halloween Carnival/ non-scary Haunted House type attraction. It was so cool. I  can't believe how much money they spend on it. Trick or treating was also really fun. Truman and Annie both participated fully. They loved running up to the houses and getting the candy. 

Annie dressed as Supergirl. After I put her outfit on, she said, "Mom, can I really fly now?" I felt kind of bad telling her no. She was hopping around and we were go go go, so we didn't get great pictures of her, but she looked awesome. Truman dressed as Thor. HIs long curly locks seemed perfect. He looked great. He actually kept the helmet on which was amazing. He also kept trying to say, "BOR". He is so brilliant. I think we have enough candy to last til next Halloween. Its crazy. It was a great Halloween, but it was exhausting. The after holiday bargain shopping topped me over the edge. We found some great deals on some dress-ups, but I am glad its over.

She was bouncing around so much it was hard to keep her shoes on, let alone the boots.

Waiting in line at Adobe was cushy. They had free popcorn, ice cream and cotton candy. They also had magicians and jugglers entertaining the crowd.

Jed's co-worker and Truman's older brother "Thor Senior".

The Harry Potter section was our favorite, of course. Hagrid was awesome. 

So Very Handsome

Trick or treating was great. They were a huge hit.

Last days of an Indian Summer

Truman playing at Thanksgiving Point. The water was freezing, but he stuck it out.

My little Harry Potter...

...in Buzz Lightyear slippers.

Grandma C and Bapa took Annie and Truman to the puppet show at the Orem Library.
They loved it. They looked so adorable.  

This dude loves his slippers.

Driving with Grandpa, holding his football... Such a man!

Speaking of being a man, I came out one day and Truman was sitting next to Jed, holding an X-Box remote.
It was the cutest thing ever. They sat there for quite sometime.

We went to the Squaw Peak look-out for Family Home Evening one night. It was beautiful. We wanted to show Annie and Truman the changing leaves. Annie kept saying, "They are so beautiful". 

Annie's new dress-up.

Grammie has these "goofy teeth" that are so funny. Annie loves them.
First, she was..."economically challenged", then she was a pirate.  

Annie and Elli are taking a dance class at my house. They are so cute. I will post a video of it next week.

Living up the last days of summer, playing with the sidewalk chalk.

Truman was thirsty, he decided to drink out of the play pool like a puppy. He thought it was hilarious. 

I am so proud of this cute hair-do. Annie looked adorable.
I braided a full crown around her head. It was awesome.

Happy Birthday to our Little Cowboy

Good Morning Birthday Boy!
July 22, 2011
1 year old I can't believe it.

Annie was so excited for Truman's birthday.

He was so happy the whole day. He is the best boy ever.

His party was the next day, so of course he had to have cake both days.

He's the rottenest tootinest cowboy in the wild wild west.

Hey there little lady!

Of course Annie had to take pictures just like Truman. She wants to do everything Truman does.

On the morning of the party, Grandma C had a children's parade in her neighborhood. The kids loved it.

Of course we had a cowboy party for our little guy. 

This piñata was hilarious.

We all dressed up as cowboys!

It was a very happy day!

We played a "pin the pick-ax on the gold mine" game. It was fun.

Howdy Partner

"I wanna be a cowboy and you can be my cowgirl."
Truman and his cute cousin Josi.

Uncle Jeff teaching him how to be a real cowboy, denim diaper and all.

Dad, the master chef.

Porter is a serious stud.

Uncle Jeff carrying out the sheriff's sentence.

Truman had no problem going after the apparently corrupt sheriff.

Learnin the ropes.

This town ain't big enough for the both of us.

Truman was very thrilled with his presents.

The day wouldn't be complete with our some yummy cake. Yes, the picture was edible. There was fight among the cousins about who was going to eat his head. Sick kids!

Happy Birthday Truman!

The scoop on Truman at age 1:

I have 4 teeth, but not just the front ones.

I am really tall. I think I will pass Annie soon.


I can sit all by myself.

I can crawl, but I think I can walk. I try all the time.

I can say Mama, Dadadada, yes, and ball. But I can mimic sounds too. I have said Annie, I love you and Thank you miraculously clearly.

I love green beans and donuts. (well-rounded boy :)

I love playing with any kind of ball. If it bounces, I want to throw it. They are my favorite.

I love music and dance all the time. I love to shake my groove thing.

I love baths and making huge floods for mom to clean up. And I LOVE showers.
I love my Big sister, she's awesome. I want to play with her toys only. In fact, I take them from her and run away. I even hit her when she takes mine. But my mom puts me in time out when I do.

I love to play peek-a-boo, but I cover my ears instead of my eyes when my mom says "Where'd Truman go".
I love to be by my mom. She is the coolest. I hug her and say "Oooooo". 


People love my eyes. They say I can look into their souls.


People also love my smile and my big dimples.I love when my mom and dad snuggle me at night and sing to me.

I am a Momma's boy and a Daddy's boy. I just love my family.


I like my sleep, what can I say?

I'm a really easy-going, relaxed, happy baby.

I am learning new things everyday. I am getting so big, so fast. I am smart, cute, funny, sweet and perfect!