Roberts Family Reunion

The weekend we moved the Washburns had a ton of family come to town from California and Colorado for a family reunion and Grandma Robert's 90th birthday celebration. It was held in Riverton and I have never even met half of the people that were there, so it was nice to be able to finally put faces to names after eight years of being in the family.

Those who planned and put the reunion together (Rachel) did a fantastic job. We had a lot fun despite being outside in the heat all day. The boys were so excited to get to play with their cousins all day in the water and bounce houses. We took some family photos and grandma took us inside the church for a little family history time. I didn't get to hear it all because I had fussy, tired children, but it's always fun the hear about family history. We had cake and sang to grandma. She was extremely grateful that almost everyone came out to celebrate with her, and that she could see all of her (almost) 59 great grandchildren. Baby girl will be number 59 for her, and she loved being able to see her legacy. That night we congregated to Loren's house for dinner and fireworks. What a wonderful family!

 The boys enjoying their cupcakes

Moving Day!

We finally moved!!! I can't even say what a relief it is the leave that house behind. As positive as I tried to stay about the house, it just became too much of a burden to upkeep, and we were constantly worrying about what was going to break next. We got a great deal on it, and I think the new owner will be happy with it. Hopefully they're able to do more work to it and make it look nice. 

Moving was such a pain while being pregnant, but thankfully I have an awesome, hard working husband, and a neighborhood full of good people who came over to help load the truck and help me clean the house. We will miss all our neighbors and friends whom we have come to love over the past five years, but it was just time to move on and start fresh. Again, it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders since we moved into our new house. It's a great feeling. Goodbye Midvale, hello Syracuse!

Lego Convention

A few weeks ago we took the boys to a Lego convention in Provo. We thought they would have a good time, and it would most likely be the last family outing for a while until after baby sister arrives. It was pretty cool, there were Lego constructions of everything imaginable from Star Wars, the wild west, planes, boats, and trains, Lord of the Rings, etc... of course Zander's favorite was the Star Wars and Lucas loved the trains that actually moved around. They had a Lego pit where you could sit and make your own Lego creations, so the boys spent some time in there before going to see the rest of the displays. All Zander wanted was a storm trooper Lego man, so we made him into a storm trooper himself. We got their faces painted. Lucas liked the shark. All in all it was a fun little outing; I'm glad the boys enjoyed themselves. We did end up buying a storm trooper guy for Zander and some lizard guy for Lucas. I love the last picture of Zander just longing for a storm trooper figure.

Lucas Turns Two!

I made a chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream cake for Lucas that took me two days to make, but man was it worth it! All that day both kids couldn't wait for daddy to come home so we could sing happy birthday to Lucas and eat his cake. Every chance they got they were asking when they could eat the cake and "Oh, I think I hear daddy upstairs!" Zander had fun helping Lucas unwrap his presents, and Lucas loved his storm trooper sunglasses and his train set he got. Happy Birthday Lucas!

Pettingill Reunion in Elba Park

It was SO good to see all my cousins and brothers and sister at this reunion! I'm really glad Becky ultimately decided to make the drive by herself only being one month post partum. Catching up with cousins and their spouses was a lot of fun, and of course, watching all the kids play together. The food and company were great, as well as having Grandpa Pettingill come listen to what all his children and grandchildren have been up to  the past little while.

The first day Zander was all about the fire. He played in it all day long. Lucas was a bit cranky that day, and that may even be an understatement. He loved playing on the swing and throwing rocks. the second day the kids played in the creek which they loved, but it was really cold. Brad took the kids on a train ride and a fishing trip, and Zander got to sleep in a tent with his cousins. Lucas and I were in the trailer with grandma and grandpa. I didn't sleep a wink since all Lucas did was wake up and bounce around on the bed all night. I think next year's reunion will be a little more fun for me when I'm not pregnant and I can let the kids go a little bit more. I am so thankful for mom, Becky, and my sisters in law for helping me care for the boys and keep an eye on them.

And getting to see baby Ezra was a treat. All Lucas wanted to do was hold him forever. Both boys love babies, so I'm anxious to see how it all goes when baby sister arrives in six weeks.

Becky and I took the kids to Daisy's for a little treat before they left to go home. These kids are just the cutest!

Proud Wife Moment

Stephen was recently honored with two prestigious awards at a ceremony held at the down town Salt Lake City courthouse. I was only able to make it to the last half of the ceremony, but I am so glad I got to go to support him and cheer him on. He has always put his best foot forward in his work. He loves what he does, and likes the people he works with. The first award he got was the IRS in Excellence award or the "Chief's" award. This is the highest honor you can receive in the IRS. The crystal statue is the U.S. Attorney's award. Both awards were for a case worked on last year. I couldn't be more proud of him!

There was all sorts of law enforcement present at this ceremony being honored for their hard work. It was really neat to hear about some of the cases they worked and the stuff they did to keep people safe. I am incredibly grateful for all our law enforcement; they are true heroes.

Mother's Day

I'm a bit late in recording this, but this was taken on Mother's Day last month. Words cannot express how much I love these three little people. Even though we haven't met our daughter yet, I still love her and know her as she rolls around in my tummy. Being a mother is the absolute best job in the world despite all the frustrations that come with it. And of course, I could not do it without my better half, Stephen. He is equally as great of a father to our children.

Zander has become quite the comedian, and has started to play pretend more and more by himself. He likes to have people to play with and be around though. He loves Star Wars, and all the super heroes, and being chased around the house. He loves to help in the kitchen when dad and I are cooking or baking. He is really starting to grow up and mature as Lucas is old enough to play and pal around with. He looks after his brother really well.

Lucas just turned two years old, and looks and acts like it. He is hard headed and stubborn when there is something that he wants or wants to do. He also loves to help out in the kitchen with dad and I, and has to taste everything. He has quite the sweet tooth and is always asking for snacks, candy, or treats. He loves to watch Trolls, and Finding Nemo and Dory. He loves to be tucked in several times at bedtime and makes us kiss his turtle on the head, tail, all four flippers, and the front and back of his shell and give him a hug before he is satisfied enough to fall asleep. He is my snuggler and I love it.