Hot and Sunny

I have no idea why I even bother checking the weather every day.  It's always pretty depressing when you see the same, sad weather over and over again.  Well over 100 degrees.  Hot.  Sunny.  Little to no wind.  Last week we actually had a tiny bit of rain and it was cause for a huge celebration.  But then, of course, the clouds cleared and it was hot and sunny once again.

Since complaining about Phoenix in July gets old pretty fast, I've really been trying to make the most of it.  It might be harder to find a variety of things to do at this time of year, but I'm unbelievably glad that Matthew loves water.  There are plenty of water activities to do, and we are loving all the water memories that we're making.  

Our favorites:  The splash pad, our apartment's pool, and the kiddie pool I recently bought.  Excellent purchase.

I am also planning on introducing Matthew to the joys of water balloons sooner rather than later.

Matthew does great in his baby float, but he loves swimming "on his own" the best.

This splash pad is not really meant for babies.  The fountains are super powerful and meant for older kids.  However, Matthew thinks they're great - even when they hit him in the face and knock him over.

I know I know - our porch is in serious need of a good sweeping.  It's on our to-do list for this weekend. :-)

Happy Summer!  Would it be too juvenile of me to make a paper chain counting down the days until Fall? 

Our Version of "Camping"

For our family vacation this summer, we went to Aspen Grove, UT for the Hales Family Reunion.  Because it was in the mountains and we were going to spend a lot of time outside, I expected it to feel like we were 'roughing it.'  :-)  Well, we stayed in a lodge with a bed, had a crib for Matthew, and had a private bathroom, so it was definitely much more comfortable than I feared.  It was actually much better than comfortable - it was NICE, and we had blast.

On our way up, we stopped in Vegas to give Matthew a break from the car (which he is still NOT a fan of) and spent a couple days relaxing and visiting friends and family.  We visited the Bellagio garden yet again (a favorite of ours) and enjoyed the weather.  Haha, I still laugh about how I enjoyed the weather of Vegas in the summer.  It's amazing how a summer in Phoenix, where it is a bazillion degrees outside, will change what "nice" weather means to you.

Matthew couldn't look at the camera.  Too many other cool things to look at.

When we got to Aspen Grove, I was in heaven.  The weather and scenery were gorgeous.  I miss the mountains, and the color green.  :-)  

Check out how pretty it is here!  These were taken on a hike, which Matthew loved until he fell asleep for 5 minutes and woke up cranky.  (He's asleep in the second picture.  Every time I tried to put his body more upright, he just fell over again).  :-)

We spent most of our time catching up with family, enjoying nature, swimming, playing games, and loving that meals were cooked and cleaned up for us.

Oh, and Matthew loved being surrounded by a million people to play with.  Especially grandparents that spoil him and cousins that are just about his age.

 Couch-eating contest

We were sad to go.  On our way home we stopped in Vegas again for the night and met up with my parents at my grandparents' house.  As you can see in the above pictures, Matthew was in desperate need of a haircut, so we decided to do it then.  I also wanted my mom's help because I've never cut a baby's hair.

We started out with me holding Matthew while my mom cut his hair.  Then the boys had to take over because Matthew started bawling and we girls are softies.

 Isn't this picture sad?  :-)  :-(

Anyway, the haircut turned out pretty darn cute.  We had to eventually stop before totally finishing because he was screaming and we felt bad but we touched it up a few days later.  This next picture was taken BEFORE we touched it up, so you can see some long strands of hair.... but still, pretty cute huh?  Love that face, even when he looks bored/annoyed.  ;-)

Now that we've settled back in at home, we're working lots with Matthew on his walking.  He's making progress fast!  He already walks a TON on his own, but always very slowly... and he falls a lot, haha.  Still, he'll be running all over the place in no time. 

A Day In Our Life

I was talking to Michael the other day about how much fun my days are.  Sure, they can be pretty crazy since I spend a big chunk of it chasing around an almost-toddler, but even on the busiest and most stressful days, I really can't help but love what I do.  Does that mean that I'm a constant ray of sunshine, with perfect patience for my family and life and with a permanent smile on my face?  Haha, yeah right.  I certainly have my moments.  However, I wouldn't trade the life I have for anything.

I wanted to document what a typical day is like in our life, mostly for my own sake.  Ten years down the road, I'm sure my life will be crazy in different ways, and while I'm sure I'll love my life then too, I want to remember what life is like now. 

Michael leaves the house around 4:40-ish to be at work by 5.  I usually wake up to Matthew calling out for me around 6 or 6:15.  We have breakfast and chill in the living room (reading, roaming, playing, texting Michael a picture of Matthew's awesome bedhead) for 15 minutes or so while we both wake up a little more.  Then, if we need to go grocery shopping, we do it at this time.  It wasn't always this way, but I try to get a lot of our errands done early in the morning since Phoenix is so, so very hot mid-day.

Matthew has loved shopping ever since he could sit up in the cart.  There's so much to see and he loves "talking" to everyone that walks by.

Then we come home and Matthew gets to chill in his Exersaucer or high chair (with Goldfish) and watch Baby Einstein while I exercise on the treadmill.  When I'm done I pull him out and we read a few books.  By now, he's usually ready for his morning nap.  While he sleeps, I shower, get ready for the day, and check emails. 

Once he's up, I try to do something super fun.  At this time of year, that usually involves water.  Heaven knows I'm sick of apartment living, but it sure is nice to have a pool so close.  We'll often go there, or if I'm feeling more adventurous, I'll take Matthew to a splash pad.  He LOVES splash pads.

This is at my favorite splash pad.  The fountains are small, which is great for babies. Yes, he can now stand without needing to hold something to help pull him up.  If only he'd take a step on his own!  Haha.

And here's an adorably goofy picture of Matthew having a blast in the pool:

Then we come home, eat lunch, and I get some housework done while he follows me around.... often making a mess of the area I just cleaned up.  :-)

Then we play/practice walking/whatever else Matthew feels like doing until Michael gets home around 2.  Matthew LOVES when Michael comes home.  

Matthew goes down for his afternoon nap shortly after Michael gets home and me and Michael relax/hang out/get stuff done.  Once Matthew gets up, it's usually getting close to dinner time.  Have I ever mentioned how much Matthew loves food?  :)

Me and Michael sometimes have our own errands in the evening (church ball/RS/whatever) but my favorite evenings are the ones where we all get to hang out at home or go do something cheap (or free) and fun.  We still do Fro Yo Fridays.... and I'm not kidding when I say that Matthew is almost ready for his OWN cup of frozen yogurt.

Anyway, we put Matthew to bed around 8 and hang out until Michael goes to bed.... which usually isn't very far off considering how early he wakes up.

And there it is.... our typical day.  One day I know I'm going to look back and miss the simplicity of these days.  Good thing I'm enjoying them while I can!

National Donut Day

Not that anyone should need an excuse to eat donuts, but today being National Donut Day sure doesn't hurt.  It took me all of two seconds after finding out about this "holiday" before texting Michael and asking if we could celebrate it.  His response?  "Of course we can!  Family donut night!"  Love him.  He then informed me that Dunkin was "nasty" and we needed to go somewhere with better donuts.  Haha.  I've never had a problem with good 'ol Dunkin, but apparently Michael does..... (he's a bit of a food snob though).  ;-)

I love donuts.  They remind me of Family Home Evening's when I was a little girl, sleepy (but great!) seminary mornings, and late night trips to Krispy Kreme in Nashville.

We very much enjoyed our donut night (or afternoon, since we're pigs and couldn't wait)  .... I think the littlest Byram enjoyed them most of all.  ;-)  Happy National Donut Day!

Aloha

Remember how I said that my mom totally knows how to throw a party?  Well, let me quickly tell you about the 3-day party I went to last weekend.  

The Girls' Weekend 2012 theme this year was Luau.  And when I say that my mom decorated for the occasion, that's a huge understatement.  The dining room (shown below) just barely scratches the surface of the decorations:

Coconut drinks, the beach, junk food galore, hula lessons, and great company = a weekend in tropical paradise.

Oh, and three of us have little boys under the age of 2, and we got to bring them!  (The only time they'll be allowed to come to Girls' Weekend, I'm sure).  ;-)  They loved each other and all the attention they got from their aunts and Grandma and Papa.  

Matthew is definitely a fan of the beach.  He LOVED the sand, but the I think the cold water freaked him out a little.  ;-)  That's okay, he'll love it soon enough!

Oh, and of course the Revlon Run was as awesome as ever.  

Already excited for next year!