Playhouse Construction Day 3

Josh had a good friend from the ward come over today to work on framing some of the playhouse. They got a lot finished. WHAT!?? Are those hands looking better?

Oh, the Aching Back(s)!

Wyatt has reached the stage where he has decided that walking is the only way to go. Crawling is for the wimps (apparently, we're skipping crawling altogether). Wyatt's crawl, which Josh refuses to call a "crawl," looks sort of like an inchworm. He'll get on his hands and knees and thrust himself forward as far as possible, ending up again flat on his belly, pull himself up on his hands and knees and repeat... We've tried imitating him, and it is really difficult. No wonder he's ready to scrap it.

So, now Wyatt's obsession is getting us to walk him around. He's very sneaky about it - he'll hold his body stiff and straight when we try to sit him down, or he'll pull himself to standing near us, grab both our hands and clench onto them until we either walk him around or pry him off (causing a tantrum). All our kids have been through this stage around 9 months or so, and I dread it. But- this time we have an additional set of hands to help save our aching backs.
Thanks Carter! We'll all make it through this together. Maybe we can count it as payback for the hours we spent walking him around 8 years ago. :)

Playhouse Construction Day 2

On Day 2, my totally awesome husband put up the joists and laid the decking.



Josh looking tired after working 8+ hours in the hot sun.

Playhouse Construction Day 1

The time has arrived, with Josh being off work for a few weeks, to construct a monstrous playhouse in the backyard. Actually, we didn't intend for the playhouse to end up dwarfing every other structure in the neighborhood. Apparently 12' x 5' is really, really, insanely, and embarrassingly big -- especially when it is raised 6 feet above ground. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it now that the posts are cemented in. (Our sincerest apologies go out to our backyard neighbors)

Josh, with only the slightest complaint agreed to build the thing. He's such a great Dad. I know he'll thank me in the future for making him do it providing him with the fantastic idea.

Anyway, you'd be so impressed with what he can do. For fun, we're going to be documenting the stages of construction on our blog. Josh also thought it would be important to document the stages of deformation to his hands, so I'll show that too. Remember, he'll thank me someday for this...

DAY ONE:I don't have any pictures of his hands before DAY 1, but try to imagine what an English Professor's hands look like -- slightly calloused from grading lots of papers, answering emails, and flipping pages of novels.

Taylor and the Curious Case of Fur Fear

Taylor started swimming lessons this last week. Before the lessons started, he was very worried about what his teacher would be like. He wanted a girl teacher. He told us he was worried about having a boy swimming teacher because he didn't want to rub up against his fur (chest hair). We had to laugh when he ended up with a boy teacher. Luckily the guy isn't THAT hairy.

So - if Taylor is afraid of fur, why did this furry creature not scare him? He was the first in line to hold it!


Just when we think we've figured the kid out, he surprises us with some amazing act of bravery.

Mallory and the Schizophrenic Song

Mallory just LOVES to sing. She constantly sings princess songs (surprise), and she also makes up her own songs. I was lucky to catch this one about her stuffed horse on video. We get a kick out of the schizophrenic parts.



On a totally unrelated side-note: Mallory invented some new words:

• "Drinky." It means thirsty. "Mom, can I have a drink? I'm really really drinky!"
• "Nappy." It means tired. "But I'm not nappy!"

Taco Bus

We know what you're thinking. We almost thought it was a joke when we drove up, but it is real, and has some of the most unbelievably good Mexican Food you'll ever eat!


This bus showed up about a month ago in Rexburg. Josh claims that if it ever drives away it will take a piece of his heart with it. The next time you're in Rexburg, you have to put the Taco Bus on your to-do list!

Again, we're not joking. The food is amazing.