first time swimmer

Over our family reunion was the first time that Corban has been in anything bigger than a tub and he loved it! When Joe and I tagged teamed getting him out and dried, he put up a bit of a struggle and didn't want to get out. His diaper was so swollen by the time we got him out. Now that we've seen how much water those things can hold, we really need to keep his diapers on longer!

kicking it in North Logan

Joe and I were in charge of his family reunion this year. We wanted to spend the entire 3 days over at Bear Lake, but it just didn't happen. Instead, we stayed in my parents and grandma's houses and did activities around here.

Each night we spotlighted a family. The burner on our Mac decided to quit on us the day of the reunion, so all 25 of us had to huddle around and watch the clips on a 5x7 screen. Really sad. Anyhoo .. when it was your turn to be highlighted, you had to wear a hat.

Our theme was "Myths and Legends." We went out to Martin Harris' gravesite and visited Pepperidge Farm's outlet store. We got Glen Israelson to come out and tell us the story of Old Ephraim. He has so many fun visual aides and was so cute with the kids. We had a blast! We had a family photo taken with almost everyone there; we missed the Peterson's and Steve and Anna. We had a miniature golf tournament in which Joe won with a 41 (that's 8 under par)!

We played Bingo that night where people won fabulous dollar store prizes like giant bubbles, Disney princess mat, Hungry Hungry Hippos, and Nerf football.

We then went to Bear Lake and spent the day there. We went on our annual fun run/walk for healthy hearts at the Limber Pine Trail. Joe and I walked along with Avi and Lexi. Those two are so cute and had the funnest things to say like, "The lake was so cold that it was burning cold!" Northern Utah has been pretty wet and cold for the past month, so the lake was pretty darn cold. Scott and Bri brought their wet suits so they were nice and toasty. Staying with our Myths and Legends theme, Joe and I bought a blow-up, water monster to act the part of the legendary Bear Lake Monster.

The kids said they weren't scared, but later admitted that they were a little. The monster looks ferocious doesn't it?

We went to church the next morning. After sacrament meeting, everyone packed up and left. We sure enjoyed everyone coming and helping out with games and food. I love having family around, but am a little happy that our year to be responsible is over. Last night was the first time in four days that I slept deeply and as long as Corban.

sands through the hourglass

My parents are putting in a pergola. Me and Corban went down to watch my dad put in the stones and we ended up playing in the sand. I scooped the sand over his toes and he would giggle. I have video, but it's sideways. Someone tell me how to flip it and I'll post it.

new leaf

I've turned over a new leaf and am very proud of myself. Staying home and being a mom is great, but I was going a little stir-crazy there for a while and becoming a little OCD. I can now say I don't care if all the light switches are pointing the same way AND I don't have to use the same colored of spoon to feed Corban! Life is a little less stressful and a whole lot more fun!

first haircut

Before ...

After ...

Corban wanted to see the buzzing noise around his head. He kept looking behind him and turning his head. Curious little guy. His hair was stick-straight so I don't feel sad at all about cutting it. There are a few longer hairs that I missed. I tried cutting said longer hairs with scissors. Let's just say I did it once and stopped.

puff the magic dragon

beck update

I guess since I post updates on Corban I'll post an update for me and Joe. 

Joe is working at Smith's Marketplace Pharmacy as a pharmacy technician. He works with a lot of great people who make work days not seem so long. He is also volunteering at a lab at Utah State University. He and a graduate student are finding new uses for St. John's Wort. He starts summer school on Monday, Calculus. He just got called as the Elder's Quorum secretary in our new ward. 

I stay home with Corban and take care of the house. I recently wrote and illustrated a children's book. I need to think of an ending and finish placing some final pictures and then I'll be done. Joe and I are in charge of his family reunion this year. We've been making a movie, highlighting each family member with some of their favorite things. I'm also making a presentation for the reunion on myths and legends (our theme for the reunion). I need to find someone with a "movie announcer" type voice and write a script, but I think it'll be great! 

My parents still haven't sold their old house. Their contract with their realtor ends this month and I think they're going to get rid of them and try their hand at selling. This means that Joe and I will be living in North Logan for a little while longer. Now if we can only stick to our budget and save up money for pharmacy school. 

corban update

Corban will be 9 months old in four days! He has five teeth with one on the way. I'm so glad he's not a snaggle tooth; he had me worried there for a while. 

He is a proficient crawler and gets into EVERYTHING! He loves electrical cords. In fact, I found him this morning behind the couch gnawing one. He is starting to pull himself up onto chairs, couches, end tables and his crib. He's knocked his head a few times and has had a few bloody accidents. 

He loves cars and noisy trucks. 

When that storm came through Logan, he sat in front of the door and watched the wind move the trees. He probably could have watched the wind all night long if I hadn't put him to bed.

Joe has been taking Corban and playing with him on the stairs. Joe will help Corban climb up and down. So when papa isn't home, where does mama find Corban? Over by the stairs looking down them. He hasn't fallen down them yet and I don't want to be the one in charge when it does happen.