The 4th

Growing up the fourth of July was always a really exciting holiday.  I spent every summer in Utah with my Uncle Brucie, Aunt Patty and their three girls.  Every fourth Aunt Patty would buy us matching outfits and we would head out to the main street in town for the "big" parade.  Okay, so maybe it wasn't that big considering the town itself is so small they don't have a single stop light.  That being said we still had to get there early enough to find the perfect viewing spot in the midst of the crowds.  There were even a few years that we participated in the parade, either with a patriotic decorated bike or riding behind a cousin on a horse.  I remember the shaved ice and the carnival that always followed with the silly homemade games of throwing darts or fishing behind a bed sheet.  Of course the best part came at night when everyone gathered around the Reservoir for a spectacular fireworks  display over the water. 

Its been over ten years since I last enjoyed the fourth of July in the small town of Blanding, Utah.  While I've missed it terribly this year with Josh around it seemed to affect me the most.  So I decided we were definitely going to a parade to start his new 4th tradition.  We headed out with his Aunt Jen and cousin Owen to The Woodlands.  We stayed for around two hours and while there was no shaved ice or carnival games there were plenty of decorated bikes and cars putting by displaying their red, white, and blue.  Josh really loved watching all the people and I enjoyed eating all the candy people gave him that he is obviously too young to eat!  They even handed him money to put in his first savings account.  When I noticed it was the new Dollar Coin, I promptly gave it back. (The new coins do not say "In God We Trust", so I'm protesting).  That night Josh did not stay awake for the fireworks but Kevin and I had a great view from our bathroom window as we soaked in the tub.  While all the pows and booms scared Maggie into the closet corner for the night they never once woke our precious boy.  

Look at those cheeks!

Funny Man

Josh has a new favorite face and corresponding sound. I tried to get it on video but you know they very rarely preform on cue. This is a little taste of my funny mans new talent.

Rock Band

I went out of town on a womens retreat this weekend (it was wonderful) and so Kevin and Josh had guy time.  He recorded this jamming session for me to see.  You can verify that what I wrote about Josh and his cousin Owen in the last post is the complete truth!

Seems Like Forever

I know it's been a while since my last post and it's not like I've been so busy I haven't had time, it's actually quite the opposite.  It seems like we are on the go a lot, we're just not going any place post worthy.  However Josh did turn 8 months old Wednesday and that amazes me.  Wow time flies.  He is really turning into a little boy.  He desperately needs a haircut (we are waiting to see Grandmo for that one).  He is crawling all over the place (I know, I know, I've promised video...) and pulling up on everything in sight.  He loves to climb the stairs and he is very fast at it.  He has two teeth, both on the bottom.  His favorite toys are his big ball, Tonka tow truck, and Maggie.  He is very into feeding himself and makes it to his mouth about 90% of the time.  He is definitely going through a "Mama" stage and cries whenever I'm out of sight.  It's pretty amazing how quickly he can turn those tears on and off!  He is sleeping through the night like a pro.  (Yeah for both baby and mom on that one).  He has quite a few friends from church that meet for play group twice a month, but his best buddy is his cousin Owen.  They are so cute together.  Owen walks around the house and Josh does everything possible to keep up with him.  They are really good at sitting next to each other "reading" books, or standing at the back window side by side watching the dogs.  Owen has learned how to find our house from his house (two doors down) and makes his way over at least once a day.  He knocks on the front door and enters with a loud "Josh, Josh?".  It's adorable!  Right now Josh's favorite word is Dada.  He says it all day long about everything.  I don't think he actually has meaning attached to it, but is still makes his pop proud!

My Boys

Round One...

...goes to the coffee table.  I have a feeling there will be many rounds in this battle and unfortunately I don't see Josh winning any of them!  The picture doesn't do the bruise much justice but it's definitely a shiner!  (Looking at him it's on the top right side of his forehead)

It shook him up at first but as you can see it didn't take long to feel better!

Can You See Why We Love This Boy?