Joe, Lexi, Talan and Sydney: July 2011

Talan's 3rd Birthday

Talan turned 3 on July 16th. We had a little family party at this fun park we had never been to before. My sister Chelsea and I made this sweet dinosaur cake and everything turned out great except the volcano had a little bit of a hard time but kids don't care. We had cake and ice cream, opened presents and let the kids play on the playground. We missed Grandma and Grandpa Reese who were on a fun motorcycle trip in Colorado but we celebrated with them the Sunday before.

Talan showing his teeth/ opening wide.

Just blew out the candle.

I got some pictures of Sydney but not so much Talan the birthday boy because he was off playing.

Grandma with Sydney and Bailey. Sorry for the bad lighting in a lot of my pictures. No i am not a photographer and don't know how to take professional looking pictures.

Talan and Grandpa

Uncle Bart and Bailey

The kids dancing around on the platform we hiked to.

Mia, Brooklyn and Sydney.

Playing with Family!

Last Sunday we went out to Hayden, Idaho to have dinner and hangout at Joe's brother John and Carrie my fun sister in law's place. We drove out with David, Ashley and Mia and had a great time. The kids ran around and played together and Talan likes to follow older cousins Sam and Gabe around.

Sydney loves the trampoline and these pictures crack me up of her in mid jump.

Sydney fell over and Mia laid on the trampoline to copy her.

All the baby cousins jumping.

Talan and Mia loved the watermelon.

The kids with cousin Gabe in the cool tree house.

Talan and Mia going to see the awesome hideout.

Whats new with the kids?

I just thought i would share all the new things that have been going on in our house with the kids. Talan just turned 3 and sydney is about 16 months old. For the most part they get along really great and i love how close they are because they are best buddies. Sydney finally is walking and not only cruising around but started climbing up on things. Sydney's favorite things around the house include the toilet, toilet paper, bringing mom food from the pantry, getting into any drawer and cupboard that is in reach, loves the cleaning supplies under the sink, shaking her hips from side to side whenever she hears music, and pretty much making any mess she can. Yes i forgot all the things babies get into. Sydney is a very mellow happy baby most of the time so if you ever hear her cry it is usually 1 well i guess 2 things. Sometimes if she wants more food but mainly if Talan is smothering her.

Talan and sydney will be watching tv or playing and Talan will come over and lay across her lap, lay on top of her, throw a blanket over her head. Just recently he likes to find sydney and wrestle her down, and not really be rough just put all his dead weight on top of her. It has gotten to the point where sydney doesnt even want Talan to put his arms around her because usually that results in a tight squeeze. It is all playful and Sydney does really well taking it all but i have to rescue quite often throughout the day.

About 6 weeks ago Talan was potty trained and put in a toddler bed and both things went great. The first week of potty training was hard but then he did great after that. We've had a few accidents mostly while playing at the park i think he is having too much fun to stop playing and especially when he doesnt know where to go but at home he just goes all on his own whenever he needs to. The toddler bed he did really great for the first couple weeks and then lately we hear him running around between the upstairs rooms and closing doors or different toys making noise but he doesnt come downstairs and he always falls asleep eventually so i guess its alright. We love Talan and Sydney. Our kids make us laugh daily and at times they are challenging but we really have been blessed with two wonderful children.

Bundled up for a bike ride.

She does not like being bugged. And here im just trying to get a picture but she was not having it.

Spirit Lake!

My aunt and cousins came up from Utah and Kansas to the Spirit Lake cabin in Idaho for a week. We were able to visit with them sunday evening and then one day we were able to go out and play at the lake. Sadly the weather was not the sunniest most of the time while they were staying out there. It was a lot of fun to see them though and wish we all lived closer.