Lazy Days

The boys and I spent a week and a half in St. George while Justin was away on business for two weeks in a row. I love staying at my parents home because I finally stop thinking about all the things around the house I should be doing. I even read a novel for the first time in a while. It was wonderful, too, because Ezra started sleeping through the night (10 hours in a row). He's not totally consistent yet, but I'm enjoying the uninterrupted sleep. Here are some of the picture highlights from our trip.

The original reason for the trip was to go to Ethan's (my nephew) baptism. What a handsome boy he is! Nolan just loves playing with him. And Bryson and Blake are so good to keep Nolan busy, too. Thank goodness for big boy cousins! This picture of my family cracks me up: who knew I was the tallest, biggest one in the family?!

Just some fun shots: Nolan in Grandpa John's old Halloween costume, eating out at Marv's, and looking at the birds at TwentyFive Main. We love eating out while we're down south.

I took Ezra swimming for the first time. He really loved the water. We also spent some time in the backyard planting a garden with Grandma and playing with our new Elmo squirt toy. Yesterday I pointed to the picture of Nolan's saggy swim trunks and I asked him, "What's that a picture of?" He answered, "That's my cute, little bum." Yes, Nolan, it is!

In between his business trips, Justin flew into St. George to spend the weekend with us. We love it when Dad gets to fly into this airport because we can get very close to the plane as it flies in. Nolan and Dad were very happy to be reunited!

While there, we visited temple square many times. I did a session with Keeley and Bryan, and another with Justin. We walked the temple grounds with Grandma and Grandpa, and another night with Dad. Beautiful flowers and gorgeous weather make a perfect combination. Nolan just loves climbing those tall stairs and seeing where Mom and Dad got married.

I'm so lucky I'm able to head to St. George whenever Justin is away for long periods. I don't know how I'll handle it when Nolan starts school. My mom and dad are a big help (and very patient) when we visit.

Ez's first trim

Ezra was starting to look a little shaggy so I pulled out my handy dandy trimmer - essential for any mother of boys! He was a champ. He sat so still and even seemed to enjoy the buzzing sound. I love his new look but it makes me a little sad that he's starting to look so much older. Here are the before (3 days earlier), during, and after photos.

Easter in Logan

The Easter bunny found the boys at Grandma K's house in Logan this year. It was a fun weekend with lots of candy. Highlights included attending the blessing of Katie and Dave Ripplinger's new baby, Riley, enjoying General Conference, and a great dinner at Karen and Wayne's house. Karen is Grandma K's twin sister and Nolan is always asking where Karen and Wayne are. I'm pretty sure he thinks they are another set of grandparents. Thank goodness we went to visit because Grandma is way more fun than just mom and dad! Is it bad that my favorite part was the Priesthood session? I enjoyed a delicious salad with Justin's mom and grandmother while watching The Proposal (first time seeing it - finally!). And that night, great-grandma Moulton taught Ezra how to wave bye-bye. So cute!

Grandma K's band equipment is set up in the basement and Nolan loved singing and hearing his voice in the microphone. He kept calling it the "microwave."

While in Logan, we drove by the temple. Nolan said, "I want to get married in there."

Justin then asked, "Who are you going to marry?"

Nolan answered, "I will marry a pretty girl and she will have a pretty dress."

Justin asked, "But what girl do you want to marry?" (We thought he might say Ella, one of his only girl friends he sees regularly)
Nolan answered, "I will marry Grandma K!"

He knows a good woman when he meets one.

Ezra enjoyed his first cookie (which had to be taken away when large chunks started breaking off) and Nolan loved playing in the snow. He would go down the hill and yell, "We're going down the drain!"

First Snowman of the Season

In April! It seems that we had more snow on April 1st than in January and February combined. It's about time! (But now we'd like some sunshine.)

The Many Faces of Nolan

... and these don't include the screaming tantrum faces.

Paint

This is what happens when little boys go with their mom to a Young Women activity. I felt okay about it because I sent him in the gym halfway through the evening to play volleyball with the young men. It all balances out, right?

When Nolan got home, Justin saw the nails and tried to explain that painted nails were only for girls, and he is a boy. Nolan looked up at him with his hands outstretched and rebutted, "But Dad--I have colors!"