Thoughts of the Day

1. Alaska has been so wonderful to us- the sun is shining, it is warm outside both day and night, and it is so nice to be here surrounded by family. We have done lots- hiking, croquet, tennis, playground, and spending time with family.There is still so much that we want to do and the summer is halfway gone! We better get on it! The zoo, an indoor water park, rafting, camping.....yay!

2. There is a festival coming up soon called Bear Paw and we a going to run a 5k. We have been training for the past month (I know- kinda pathetic that we have to train for a 5k...) and I still don't feel ready! One thing that I like about training is that I feel better about my body... now all I need is a purrrty tan. That always makes me feel WONDERFUL!!!

3. Boy oh boy do I want to go on a cruise! I really want to go on one before we start dental school, but I have so many mixed feelings about it. We have done a really good job saving money for when we are super poor during dental school, so in some ways I feel like we kind of deserve spurging just once, but then again I know we will need that money later on. Also, I have mixed feelings about bringing James or not. I don't want to be selfish but I don't know how enjoyable it would to bring him with us. Decisions decisions!

4. I sure do love SYTYCD! I wish I could dance like that, but I am sure it is hard work!

5. I really really miss outdoor pools! Kinda wierd, but with this warm weather here in Alaska, all I want to do is lay by the pool or play around in the water with the sun shining on you! Alaska only has indoor pools and the water is just too cold to enjoy it!

6. I am looking forward to visiting my family in Texas in August! I miss the hot weather too! I am excited to see my brothers and parents, and I am also excited to meet my niece that I haven't met yet! Having a little boy makes trips to see family so much more exciting because they don't get to see him as often as I would like- watch out Sea World, Fiesta Texas and Schlitterbahn- we will be there in August! Wahoo!

Is today Day 4?

Is today day 4? I will soon find out if it is or not when I go home after a long day of work!

What is day 4 you ask? Or day 3, 2, or 1 for that matter?

Well, it all started Friday- I came home from my internship and Matt tells me: "James has.....DIARRHEA!" Of course I don't believe him- I insist that it is probably just a little bit more liquid-y than normal.

 Then he explains that James has gone through 5 outfits so far today.

I still don't believe him.

And then I hear something coming from James' direction... and then I see something coming down James' leg... and then I know that James really does have diarrhea!

The missionaries came over later that night and after dinner was over I went to get James out of his seat and it looked like I spilt baby green bean food all over his lap... but I didn't. Needless to say he immediately had another bath.

And then during church he had another explosion- completely destroyed his pants and his button down shirt. Luckily I brought an extra church outfit.

So now, I am getting ready to go home and the question I have is.... is today day 4?  I will soon find out!

Learning to Walk

Our friend Fallon had a walker for her little girl and James loved playing with it when we visited, so I thought that we would get one for him- he loves it! He can only use it on carpet because it is too slick to use on tile or wood, but he is slowly getting the hang of it! Everyday he is getting closer and closer to walking!

James' very first time using his walker! It was hard to get him to this point because he was so distracted by the toys that are on it!

He would push it as far as he could with his arms and then would let his legs catch up to it- he was definitely still getting the hang of it!

We let him sit on it and play with the toys- he loved that! Now we just have to teach him to move his feet in order to push it!

Matt was helping James towards the end because James kept falling down. He was probably getting tired and couldn't keep his balance after about 15 minutes of pushing it. We are so happy we got it! It was the best 18 dollars we have spent on a toy so far!

The Cool Kid

Mommy's little helper

James loves to 'help' me do the dishes after dinner. What he really loves is water- he can play in the water forever if we let him, and even more he loves trying to drink it. Here are pictures of it:

James' new talent

Aunt Kristin taught James a new talent and now the entire family can get James to do it. It really doesn't have a name, but we will call it a 'shudder'. James will tense his arms, put his hand in a fist, lift his shoulders, tighten his jaw, and shake his head rapidly back and forth. It is so funny to see- here are some pictures that try to capture it!

This is James at the beginning of the shudder.

There he is with his jaws clinched and his shoulders up

The classic shudder pose

How funny!

Homemade pretzels!

We were at the mall a few days ago and went past an Auntie Anne's and from then on I have been wanting a pretzel... so I made them! Here are the pictures!

Happy Birthday Grandma Mauger!

Happy Birthday Grandma Mauger! Here are some photos that recap the day:

James sitting on Grandma's lap getting ready to open presents!

James playing with the wrapping paper from the first present- he loves it!

He was having a hay day when all of the wrapping paper was in a pile- he just kept giggling and giggling as we would throw it up in the air!

Family Night- Croquet!

For one family night we decided to play croquet and here are some pictures from it!

James wearing Uncle Stu's hat :)

He loves the grass!

Trying to play croquet... James is still learning :)

Our little family :)

Playing Outside

This past week it has been sunny and beautiful, so we decided to play outside! Here are some pictures from it! :)

James and Amber playing :)

James loves to stick his tongue out just like his grandpa!

He also likes to scrunch his nose like his mom!

Mom and James hanging out :)

James absolutely loved sitting on this tricycle even though his feet couldn't touch the pedals!