Over three weeks? Seriously?

 Where does the time go??  I swear it was just yesterday that I blogged about my reunion & Black Panther dying and Father's Day week....Of course I never got to the actual Father's day, so I'm really far behind & now it's almost the middle of JULY!  Can you believe we are halfway through 2011??  I can't.  It's been a great year so far, here's a bit about the ending of June.

June 19th {Sunday}:
-Today was Father's Day and I am so incredibly grateful for the Father's in my life.  My dad has taught me to give everything I am to others and to always stand for what I believe.  He is the hardest worker I know and strong in every sense of the word.  He is a big tease, but affectionate as well.  He adores my boys and is an involved and fun grandpa.  My Father in law is kindhearted, gentle, and intelligent.  He listens well and loves sharing stories.  He has the cutest laugh & loves hugs & kisses.  Zac is the best father for my children I could have asked for.  He is patient when I am not {which is often}, he laughs & plays, and he teaches them to be like Jesus.  He loves me & shows that often to my kids.  We are also blessed to have many great men in the form of brothers, grandfathers, uncles, cousins, nephews, and friends for whom we are so grateful.  Each one fills a special role and is loved more than they realize.
For our dads we gave them each The Grandpa book from the kids, a talk about personal revelation on CD, and a candy bar.  The card is my favorite though.  It said,

Let's eat Grandpa.  

Let's eat, Grandpa.

Correct punctuation can save a person's life.

I got a gift today as well because my early morning meeting was canceled & I got to spend the morning with my three guys.  We had breakfast, a wonderful Sunday morning, and headed out.  I taught sharing time which went well and we had a yummy lunch at my parents house.  It was fun visiting, eating, and laughing.  After that we went to Zac's folks where his siblings were hanging out too.  Chelsey & I happened to dress almost identically without knowing it!  We stayed there the rest of the day and just had fun being together.  Grayson and Beckham love being with their cousins & they both had a blast.  Zac went to a Priesthood meeting that night for the stake so the boys and I stayed at Cleaver's and just chilled till the guys got back.  A very fun & blessed day.

{4 peeps 12 times: June}

One week of Father's day: Day # Eight: Movie tickets for Date night

20th {Monday}:
-I had lots of work to catch up on today.  I sent the boys out to play in the back yard because I can pull up the blinds and see them out there.  They were playing so well together and I was checking on them every couple minutes, and the back door was open so I could hear every word Gray was saying.  They were doing great.  Then it was quiet for about two minutes.  I went outside & found them like this.  Covered from head to toe in mud.  Grayson was smearing it on Beckham all over & they were just smiling and happy as can be.  I had to laugh & take pictures, but cleaning up wasn't as fun.  I put Beckham in the sink & washed him down and hosed Grayson off before throwing them both in the tub.  Boys are DIRTY!  Wow-I see LOTS of clothing changes in our summer.  I just love that they have so much fun outside and like being together more each day.

When Zac got home from work, we packed the boys & some picnicy snacks and headed to the lake.  The boys rocked out the whole way there and we were cracking up.  Got to the park where our friends Brad, Austie & their kids were staying, but they were out on the water in their boat, so we just explored with the boys & ate our snacks.  They adore being outside.  Just as we were getting ready to leave B&A showed up and we were so glad we didn't miss them!  Their kids are adorable, they shared s'mores with the boys, and it was fun to visit and see their cute family.  We drove home to more music & dancing trying desperately to keep Beckham awake.  Got home & changed into jammies and the boys were out in about a minute.  Great day.

21st {Tuesday}:
-Grayson was ecstatic to get invited for a playdate with Max today.  He loves Max and has a great time with him.  When I picked him up, he didn't want to leave & afterward could not stop talking about his toys, his swing set & how they played firemen a lot outside.  It was so sweet of Courtney to have him & he was giddy all day because of it.  We also got to visit Zac's Aunt Marlene and Uncle Roy at Cleaver's for a bit which was fun.  They haven't seen Gray since he was about 6 months & it was fun for them to meet Beckham.  Grayson talked their ears off and Beckham was a dancing ham.  Love it. 

24th {Friday}:
-Cousin Elizabeth and two of her kiddos, Rylee & Avy came to visit.  It was fun to just chill and chat with her.  The kids played well too.  After they left, Grayson set up his tent in the living room and watched a movie from inside while Beckham napped.  It was so adorable.  That evening the boys watched a movie with Daddy in 3D, "Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs."  If you haven't seen it, I recommend buying it.  It's that cute.  Great moral too.  Amber, Todd, and girls came over to chill for a while which was a fun surprise, too.  We had just put the boys in their room so it was like Christmas morning to be able to get up & see their friends again.

25th {Saturday}:
-This morning I had a TSFL training in Meridian.  T&T were watching the boys and then Zac took over after he was done working on the farm.  I got home early afternoon and we all got a little afternoon nap which was heavenly.  That evening we had Tony & Brenda and their daughter Carly over for a BBQ.  My parents were gracious enough to let us use their grill/patio/backyard, etc., and it was a great night.  We always enjoy the Ball's company and it was fun having them meet my family.

26th {Sunday}:
 -I had an early morning meeting, taught sharing time, and was busy with other primary stuff.  Gray struggled with wanting to go to Nursery and I didn't have time or energy to fight him, so he came to Primary too.  Definitely going to be interesting when he's in there for good and so am I.  We'll see. (:  Sometimes we all have off days.  We spent the whole afternoon chilling at Cleaver's and it was a great day.  Naps, good food, lots of visiting outside in the sun, and the boys and I took a long walk up the canal road.  I ended up carrying Beckham a lot which Wendy noticed from back at the house, so she drove the pickup over and grabbed him so Grayson and I could finish our walk.  It was fun to watch them enjoy being outside and at one point I threw my arms above my head in the air and shouted, "What a beautiful world Heavenly Father gave us!"  The boys laughed and threw their arms up and danced around repeating what I'd said {Bex just laughed & screamed}.  I'm so glad I took the opportunity and just did it.  After we left there,  my folks invited us over to try Grandpa Alan's new homemade ice cream maker.  It's a soft serve machine complete with toppings & the works.  Everyone loved it and we visited some more before getting home and getting our littles to bed.

27th {Monday}:
-Today Beckham had his 16 month appointment with Dr. Matt.  Grayson stayed home with Zac while he worked.  Beckham was awesome and growing great.  He weighed 22.13 pounds and is 30.25 inches short. (:  Pretty much anyone who meets Beckham comments first on either how happy he is, how tough he is, or how bow legged he is.  So I asked about the bow legs.  Matt checked him out super thoroughly and said he's just fine.  We checked the huge mole on his back that he's had from birth and it's okay, too.  He's only saying Dad, Mom, uh oh, and Wow, but Matt wasn't worried there either, so I'm glad.  I'm not either, but it's nice to hear the doctor confirm that your kid is just fine.  He did good for his shot although he shot Rebecca dirty looks for a few minutes.  She had him laughing and wanting her by the end though.  He is seriously one of the easiest going kids ever.  He LOVES people, isn't shy, does his own thing, is cuddly & independent, has the most big & melting smile, and is easily entertained as long as their is a cable/cord/broom/fishing pole/golf club/stick of any kind, around.  He doesn't love traditional toys, LOVES music and dancing, hates his bath, and really keeps us laughing.  He eats well & will try anything, so fun to feed.  He is great about being reverent for prayers & shouts when we say Amen.  He does touchdown, happy feet, dances on command, and knows a couple animal sounds.  He is definitely our baby and just a super fun one to have around.  We love you Beckham!

 A very exciting thing that happened today was receiving an email from THE Becky Higgins!  I was ecstatic, but running on the treadmill when it came.  I promptly & clumsily texted Amber about it and then forgot!  Later that night while cooking dinner and visiting with Zac-the boys roaming and playing around us-I screeched and remembered.  He was totally psyched for me, going above and beyond what I needed as a reaction, which I so appreciate.  He said, "Becky Higgins??  Becky Higgins?!  I mean, Babe, if you'd come home and said, Heidi Swapp had emailed you, I'd be like, 'oh, wow.'  But BECKY HIGGINS?!  That is huge!"  Thank you Zac for over-dramatizing my good stuff, for acting as or more excited as me & for me, and for actually listening all those times I've told you about the stuff I love.  You are the best.  Anyway, B.H. chose me for one of the giveaway entries in her big contest!  Totally exciting!  We had a casual FHE, got the boys to bed early, and had fun talking & scheming for the week.

28th {Tuesday}:
-A guy came over this morning to see if we could get faster internet and I was moving something out of the way in our closet & tore my big toenail off.  I didn't even glance at it as it didn't hurt too badly but an hour or so later, when it started throbbing like crazy, I realized what I'd done.  Ouch!  I covered it with a bandaid because I didn't want to deal with it and took some ibuprofen.  Met my business goal today-2 days earlier than last month-and was excited about that.  I visited Becca for a few minutes to check on her today too.

The boys and I took a trip across the road to visit Sharon and her 30+ brand new baby goats!  She also had 7 teenagers visiting her for a few weeks {grandkids} and they were awesome with the boys and showed them all around to the babies.  So sweet.  We ended up bringing three of the girls back with us to have popsicles & break up the hot afternoon.

29th {Wednesday}:
-Totally forgot my visiting teacher's were coming today, but so glad I was home because it's alays fun to see them and Grayson loves having Max play for a bit.  Around 1:00, Aunt Doll came to get Grayson because she was taking him on a date.  Her friend McKall {the other McCall, as Grayson calls her} was taking her 3 year old brother, Chance, too.  Grayson was pretty excited.  They went to the movie Cars 2 and she let him have popcorn & pick out his own treats.  She said that he and Chance talked the entire movie!  Haha, totally my kid.  He loved it and I'm thankful Doll was willing to do that.

While that fun was happening, Bex got to play at Grami's while I ran errands and got groceries.  T&T took the boys so I could get some work in which was so helpful.  Zac and I got them to bed around 9, and then stayed up super late working on Cricket numbers & spreadsheets, talking & cuddling, laughing & getting delirious and then ending the night at about 1:30 after watching 2 episodes of Hoarder's.  We knew we'd pay for it the next day, but it was a seriously fun night with my favorite guy.


30th {Thursday}:
-Taylor & Talon took the boys again today {our summer routine/babysitting schedule has been way crazy}, and I got tons of work done and a NAP after our long night.  It was totally worth paying someone to have my kids for an hour of uninterrupted sleep. (:  And, the boys found an amazing surprise when they got to Taylor's.  Black Panther-their cat who died in my last post-was ALIVE.  Seriously.  I think we underestimate the prayers of children or something & it was my first time witnessing a cat having another life, but there was no denying it.  He was limping on his hurt leg, mewing like he always does, and definitely, with no doubt, Black Panther.  As soon as he saw Grayson, he rubbed right up to him & loved him.  Gray was a bit unsure, but very excited.  He told me Black Panther isn't buried in a hole anymore.  True, true.  Miracles happen, peeps!

T&T brought the boys home and Uncle Talon pulled out his hair-cutting skillz.  Let me just say how grateful I am that my siblings have married people who can cut hair!  Now we have Kelsey & Talon as options.  We put a barstool outside & Grayson went first with the promise that he'd have free reign of the hose {his latest favorite pastime} when he was done.  He did so well!  No crying! He asked me to hold his hand and he just shut his eyes & laughed most the time.  I wish I could get him to leave his face alone because he ends up rubbing hair into his eyes-no wonder he hated it for so long!  I was proud of him and happy that for once he acted well enough to not have to be fully buzzed.  Talon buzzed the back & sides & then was able to use scissors for the top-woohoo!  Beckham was hilarious.  He totally wanted to move around, climb off, look up, etc.  Finally I had the lightbulb idea of giving him an otter pop which saved the day.  He did good after that & also got the buzz/scissor treatment.  Totally looked like Grayson at his age.  They both grew up about a year with their hair short which I'm never crazy about, but I LOVE their hair short and loved the no crying stuff.  Thanks Uncle Talon!

A couple randoms from this time period {pics & journaling}:
-I've been noticing Grayson being kinder to Beckham a lot lately.  I am so happy for this.  He was such a bully to him for a while and they seem to be closer to playmates now which is so nice for me & them.  He still has his moments where he pushes/hits/shoves/takes toys, etc., but for the most part, he's been kind & loving, talking sweetly, and communicating with him like a friend.

-Beckham is being the WORST night-time sleeper ever.  Okay, I shouldn't say worst.  But pretty bad.  Naps are awesome.  He takes one 3-4 hour nap a day and sometimes another 2 hour one.  But nights are another story.  He is 16 months, so he should definitely be sleeping through the night consistently.  He goes to sleep great when he's put in his crib around 7:15-7:45ish-usually takes about 5-10 minutes-and doesn't fuss at all. Sleeps great till about 1:30AM and then we hear him.  Some nights he just finds his binky and goes back to sleep till 3 or so.  Then he cries again and I give him his binky.  He keeps crying.  I give him a bottle with about 3 ounces of milk in it.  He takes one to two sips & falls back asleep, leaving a full bottle in the bed.  Sleeps until anywhere from 6:45-8:00 and then is up for the day.  So it's not as bad as I make it out to be, but even if he's just fussing till he finds his binky, I'm awake, right?  Then I realize I have to go to the bathroom because I drink so dang much water throughout the day, so I'm really up.  It's a vicious cycle! (:  Good thing he's so dang cute because as soon as morning comes he's bright eyed & happy to see us and we are just as happy to see him....And that nice long nap comes at a perfect time, too!