Multanomah Falls...

Back in April we went with Joel on a work trip to Richland, WA. While there I got to see my friend Shelly and her family. Her baby Tatum, I should have taken a picture, is so adorable. He's this chunk that's always smiling. On the drive back we stopped at Multanomah Falls. We drove back on the Oregon side, on I-84, which is one of the most beautiful drives I've been on. You've got the Columbia River on one side and on the other lush green trees down jagged cliffs...anyway, I think it's pretty. The Falls were amazing.





My boys are getting so big! Carter is more than half as tall as me...I swear my kids are going to be taller than me by the 1st grade...how embarrassing. They are so much fun. I especially can't believe how big my Mason is...it seems like just the other day he was this chunky little baby and now he doesn't even look like a baby...he looks like a little boy. Carter is somewhat protective of him...though sometimes he's the cause of tears...he holds Mason's hand now because he doesn't want Mason to "get lost". It's sweet.

My little sugar cookies!

I hate to cook and I don't really like to bake, but Carter loves to make sugar cookies...so for Family Home Evening one day we made sugar cookies. Carter and Mason were such good helpers. Mason helps out by eating the measuring cups and taking up space on the counter. Carter cuts out the shapes for me and picks the color of frosting and then I eat most the cookies...needless to say we don't make these very often. Carter is not a big sugar-eater, which is great, but when he wants to make sugar cookies and then not help eat them...you know what happens. He seriously takes one bite of one and says he's done. Mason on the other hand will eat them, but he's not a big kid yet and so doesn't eat as many as I would like him to and Joel is not a huge sugar-eater either. It's definitely more work to make the cookies with the kids, but they sure are cute about it...so maybe next year we'll make them again.

Me...Alone...All by myself!

Joel is the greatest husband in the world! He let me go and have a weekend all to myself. A few weeks ago in April I flew to Utah...just me. I stayed with Doug and Jackie and it was so much fun! I wish I could post some pictures of my awesome weekend, but I was having too much fun and did not take one picture. Sorry. I needed to get away, not from Joel(I wish he could have come), but from life(mainly my kids, though I love them). It was seriously so good for me. Since I have come back I feel happier and ready to take them on. Life hasn't changed and it is still hard to take care of everything, but I feel better. I got to be in Utah when Ben and Whitney were there and so that was fun. We watched them finish the Salt Lake marathon. I got to see some friends and family that I hadn't seen in awhile. I also went and stayed with Joel's parents' for a night and that was fun too. It was so funny though, when I got to the airport I kept thinking that I was forgetting something...I mean all I had to carry on was a purse. It was so nice not to have to chase any kids around or carry a bunch of extra stuff. People would ask me if I missed my kids and I really didn't...I mean I did, but I was glad to not be with them for a time. I am so appreciative to Doug and Jackie for letting me stay with them and for them giving up their whole weekend for me. They are so fun and I really had a great time with them. Carter was so sweet when I came back. He had missed me...though I think a little too much because for the next few days he wouldn't leave my side. He wanted me to be with him all the time...in the same room with him or holding him. Mason could have cared less. He didn't want me when I came back. He only wanted Joel or my mom, which made me kind of sad, but don't worry he soon loved me again. I'm so thankful to my family who helped me be able to take a short break...Joel and my parents' for taking care of the kids and Doug and Jackie for taking care of me. I can't wait until my next "me alone" weekend.