Sam and Meg's wedding!

My camera(s) are both struggling so all I've had for months is my iPhone camera. I've been shamelessly begging, borrowing, and stealing photos from my family members because of this. I will hopefully be able to continue gathering more pics to add in!

Sam and Meg got married in July on a really hot day! It was so fun to be gathered together at the Jordan River Temple for their ceremony. It was a long day of babysitter juggling, but so worth it to be able to participate and not have to deal with tired, bored, hot kiddos. The only part of the wedding that the little kids came to was the temple to be in photos afterward. 

Kate, Jude, George, Barb (thanks to Kate for the pic)

The grandkids with the happy couple (thanks to Chelsea for the pic!)

The luncheon was at Joseph Smith Memorial Building. It was cool and beautiful and we had such a nice time! The food was delicious, the speeches were touching and funny, and the musical numbers were great. We gave an inspirational Disney quote/advice portion and then Kate, Sue, John and Anne played When You Wish Upon a Star. 

Sisters at the luncheon

We took George to the reception then sent him home with my dad to be put to bed by Catherine. He looked so handsome in his little green bow tie. He fell asleep on the way there so I had to snap a pic. 

The happy groom

The reception was at a gorgeous old house that had the most charming details, like these hand painted signs on the Groom and Bride's dressing rooms.

Aunt Anne and Geo

Great details- vintage books and beautiful floral arrangements on every table

My handsome fellas

The crazy sibs

Cutting the cake

The ambience was so romantic! And I loved what they wore. Meg wore her great-grandmother's wedding gown. So special!

Independence Day 2012

I feel like we are still navigating our holiday traditions. This year I paid special attention to what was working and what wasn't for our little family. We skipped our ward breakfast and went up to Brighton for the annual breakfast with John's family (their tradition of 50 years!) It's no longer put on by the Brighton LDS branch and it's much smaller and not quite the same (still fun, just different). 

Our kids were sick and not up to much so we didn't stay long. (Look at Charlie's poor face, so sad.)

Then we went to the Wright's party with some of my, another fun tradition. They always have water slide bounce houses and food from Red Iguana. 

So fun to have Catherine in town!

We put the kids to bed and watched fireworks from our front porch. One day we'll incorporate fireworks into our routine, but the kids are young, the whole state was too dry, and they were sick. I didn't feel bad skipping it at all.

George 9 months

I love everything about this photo, especially those teefers

Just before you turned 9 months, crawling clicked for you. You have loved having the freedom of mobility! Charlie's had a hard time with you being able to get in his way. You've gotten smacked a few times. We taught Charlie to say, "George is bugging me!" and then we'll come intervene before he gets frustrated enough to hit you. It's worked really well.

Your top teeth are starting to come in! You have two big bulges on your top gums but you haven't been too bothered by them yet. You've experimented a little bit with biting me while nursing, but my surprised yelps of pain have been enough of a discouragement that you haven't continued to do it. Plus, you know I won't keep nursing you and you love to eat! That's another incentive for you. :)

It's been very, very hot (100+ degrees) and our swamp cooler is having a hard time keeping up. We are grateful for our ceiling and oscillating fans and our trees that keep our house pretty shaded most of the day. But from about 3-6 pm we are usually trying to find somewhere cooler to hang out!

getting good with those little fingers

First popsicle!

You like to play in Charlie's room with all the trains

Just lounging in the cart...

 You're a lot more wiggly at your monthly photo shoots...

We went swimming for your first time in Mama's friend Andrea's pool and you didn't really like it that much. It was a little cold and a new experience, so you cried a lot. Luckily, Andrea and Liz were there to lend extra hands because Charlie definitely needed to have someone with him all the time.

You met your cousins Elizabeth and Mark for the first time. You think baby Mark is very interesting.

We went to a ward activity in Provo Canyon and you were struggling in the car. I gave you a fruit leather which kept you occupied and happy. This was the aftermath. Bishop Terry Miller helped me clean you off in the drinking fountain. (He was relieved it wasn't poop...)

 You LOVE to eat!

Baby cousin BFFs

Checking out bubbles for the first time (wearing a vintage Deseret Industries find).

Playing Daddy's bass

You get yourself into the most interesting places...

 You love Sam and Lily and they love you so, so much

Rapidly growing out of the exersaucer