Hike

Yesterday evening we decided to go on a hike up Bell Canyon, we went hiking there on the 4th of July and the kids loved. It was such a perfect day yesterday, and we wanted to do something fun to celebrate the adoption being final, my mom came with us too. We strapped Ella into a hiking backpack that our neighbors let us use, she wasn't overly thrilled with it at first but once we started hiking she thought it was pretty cool....as long as Daddy didn't stop, then she would throw a fit. Jax had so much fun running up the trail, he kept telling me that it was making his muscles even bigger because it was good exercise. He had more energy than all three adults put together. When we got to the reservoir we decided to keep going a little further and we found a little trail that went around by the river, we even saw a deer. This time the battery in our camera was actually charged so I got a few pictures. When we got back from the hike Jaxson said that he couldn't wait to go on another family hike so that he could get some more exercise and see more deer.

It's official!

As of yesterday Jaxson is officially a Martin! We went to court yesterday to finalize the adoption, Nick and I had been eagerly anticipating the day. Nick has been Jaxson's dad since before we were married, he has always loved him like he was his own and Jax has always called him Daddy, but now it's official and we couldn't be more excited! It's a huge weight lifted off my shoulders to know that Jaxson is legally Nick's son. Nick had a grin from ear to ear all day yesterday. We wanted to suprise Nick's parents with the adoption, so we had a cookie bouquet sent to them yesterday telling them Congratulation's Jaxson was now offically a Martin! Not only has Nick always loved Jax as his own, but his parents have too. They have spoiled him and treated him like part of the family since Nick and I were dating and I am so grateful to them for that! Jax absolutely adores his Papa George and Grandma Bonnie, he looks forward to each and every time they come to visit. He also thinks the world of his Daddy and they love to go and do "guy" things together. Obviously Jaxson doesn't know what happened yesterday, he is too little to understand it. But I hope that when the time comes for us to tell him he will understand that we all love him more than anything in this world and that he has the best Daddy in the world too!

4th of July

For the 4th this year we did the traditional parade by my mom's house. Jaxson and uncle Colby rode in the hot rod and Uncle Derek and Gabe rode on Derek's dirt bike. As always, the parade was a lot of fun! After the parade we went on a hike up Bell Canyon, the boys thought it was a blast and it was a beautiful hike. When we got back to my mom's house the kids played in their blow up pool and ran around spraying everyone with squirt guns, they would laugh hysterically every time they snuck up on one of us and sprayed us. After we had some yummy dinner and dessert we went back outside to take turns riding in the hot rod and on the prowler. This was the first time I had ever ridden in the hot rod, Colby took me on a ride and it was a blast! Although I think I swallowed several bugs on our journey. When it was dark we went to my mom's neighbors and lit fireworks...A lot of fireworks! The second we put the kids in the car that night, they were sound asleep. They had such a big fun day! Unfortunately the battery in my camera died halfway through the parade so I didn't get to take very many pictures that day, not very good planning on my part which isn't surprising.

Father's Day

For Father's Day the kids and I let Daddy sleep in, while we wrapped Daddy's present and got his card ready. When he woke up Jax couldn't wait for him to open his present, which was a new blower, then we made him some breakfast. After that Jax and Daddy went outside to try out his new present, I don't know who thought it was cooler, Jax or Nick! Then we all got ready and went for a drive up the canyon, we went to snowbird and walked around for a little while, the whole time we were up there Jax kept saying "Dis is my favorite thing!" After we got home we made some dinner and then went on a walk. Happy Father's Day Nicky! We love you!

Swimming lessons

Jaxson and Gabe started swimming lessons today. They are at my dad's pool with a couple of other friends. When Jax woke up this morning he asked me what fun thing we were going to do today, I told him that he had swimming lessons this afternoon. He said "Mom, does dat mean dat I will be able to swim without a lifejacket?" I told it's so he can learn to swim without one and so that he can be safe in the pool. Then he said "Mom, how long will it take until it's time to go?" I told him it wasn't for several hours, he said "Mom, what do I have to count to till it's time to go? I can't wait any more Mom!" After him asking me every few minutes if it was time to go, he was so excited when it was FINALLY time to put on his swimsuit and leave to go to Papa Kirk's. Jax and Gabe loved their first lesson and they both did really well! Jax can't wait to go back next week.

Congrats Colby!!

Yesterday we had a party for Colby to celebrate him getting his Eagle Scout! He actually got it a while back but, we finally had a party for him yesterday. I am so proud of my baby brother...who actually isn't a baby anymore considering the fact that he just graduated from high school!! But he will always be my baby brother to me. He is such a good kid and we all love him so much! We had the party at a park yesterday, with it pouring rain while we were eating. Good thing we were all under a pavilion! My mom even had a cake made with an eagle on it, it actually looked more like a turkey...but it was still really cool. All the kids (both big and little) had fun running around the park playing. Nicky even tried skateboarding, which inevitably ended with him falling off the skateboard and bruising his knee and elbow and maybe even his ego a little bit. But he looked good doing it...at least I think so! It was fun to be able to see all of the family and to be able to celebrate Colby's accomplishment! We love you Colb!

New pictures

Last week my best friend Janelle was nice enough to take pictures of the kids. I know I may be a bit prejudice...but they are absolutely precious! I knew they would be good because the pictures she took of all 4 of us were so good, but these are adorable!