Play Time!

Zach had a break between spring and summer classes/clinic and we took the opportunity to head to Utah for a week.

We went to Stephanie's half marathon. They had a big slide and bounce toy for the kids there. Sarah and Joe both liked the slide, once they finally got down. Initially, Joe just sat at the top watching all the other kids go down. A little girl helped Sarah up the stairs (there were a lot of kids, it was a little crazy) and once they went down, Joe finally had the guts to follow. It was funny to me that it took him so long because just a couple days before he went down a huge, steep slide by himself, unprompted.

I think Lily didn't know what to think of Joe's hug.

I think Dallas liked the brushing just as much as Joe liked doing it.

Joe got stuck getting off the doghouse and I had to take a picture before I helped him down.

Will loved being outside on the deck. He wanted to be out with Dallas (the dog) as often as we would let him. I missed a perfect photo opportunity when he laid down on Dallas' pillow with him one morning. So sweet.

Girls Afternoon Out

Since the our husbands went golfing one afternoon together, Ashley and I decided we needed to have a sister outing too. We decided on Gloria's Little Italy.

I've always really liked it in the past. Our waitress was really nice, but completely spacey. I'm pretty sure she forgot we were there for a while. Steph and I ordered a sandwich to split that had pancetta on it. To our surprise instead of biting into a sandwich with a crunch, we encountered uncooked pancetta. I guess it is cured, but it's basically bacon. Imagine for a moment, thick, fatty slices of bacon ruining an otherwise scrumptious sandwich. Yeah, gross. When we asked the waitress about it she didn't know if that was typically and had to ask. When she returned she said that was how it was normally served, and left it at that. Later she came back and offered to replace the sandwich, we gladly accepted.

You can't go to Gloria's and skip on dessert. And if you are a Provo resident you should check it out Saturday nights after 7pm all their desserts are half price!

Chrissy and Steph. My dad used to call these two Vanilla and Chocolate when they were younger.

Ash. One of the cutest pregnant ladies ever (betcha couldn't even tell she's expecting).

After lunch we visited this cute boutique across from the Provo Library. It had some really cute stuff, and a bunch of darling purses. We picked out a hat for my Gram for a Mothers Day/60th wedding anniversary gift.

I had so much fun hanging out with my mom and sisters. They are the best! I am so blessed to have them in my life.

Downtown Omaha

While Will was here we took a little trip to downtown Omaha. There is a little park with two slides, a pond with ducks and some metal artwork.

Can you tell I love when Joe holds hands with his uncles?

I was feeling a little nervous Joe was going to fall in, but I had nothing to worry about.

Isn't he so handsome?

He has become quite the goofball.

He is pretty funny and apparently he knows it.

As demonstrated by his prayer he said before bed with Zach listening.

"Heavly Faher...

thankufer foo..

umm...

[a bunch of words we mostly don't understand]

umm thankufur...

joejoe funny...

Amen."

He sure does make us laugh.

Uncle Will Comes to Visit

We were so lucky to have my brother come see us for a few days. Joe hasn't seen him since Christmas, but warmed up to him really quickly.

Thanks Uncle Will for coming to see us! We had so much fun!

Staycation - Picnics, Popsicles, and Pals

Joe had so much fun playing with his cousins and aunts and uncles while we were in Utah. He was re-introduced to ice cream, which he just calls "eem," and was asking for popsicles every morning when he first woke up (although we never gave them to him until later in the day, no worries.) My parents have a side by side fridge/freezer, so he did try to help himself on several occasions.

Part of the "staycation" included dining out for most meals. We went to a mexican restaurant, Pastorero. It was tasty. If you want some yummy, authentic tacos, you should check it out. After we ate there Zach decided to treat Joe to a paleta. Joe loved it. As evidenced by the drippings all over his shirt, legs, hands, and face.

Technically, the front yard picnic wasn't a part of the staycation. But, it was a lot of fun. We hung out with some of my family on what was the day before when we thought we were leaving, but then we couldn't resist staying just one more day.

Isn't she the cutest little munchkin?

Grandma Jean and Grandpa Ivan

I don't think Joe would ever get sick of being on Grandpa's shoulders.

And I'm pretty sure my dad loves is just as much and the grandkids.

Bonding with the Tidwell cousins. Sarah is just five months older than Joe, and Lily is just one week older than Will. So fun!

Staycation - Provo Canyon

Our Saturday morning activity was a bike ride up Provo canyon. We used to go often on Friday or Saturday mornings growing up. I haven't been biking in years. It was so much fun. Joe loved it too, up until the last five minutes before reaching our destination.

Grandpa, pulling the kiddos.

Joe and Sarah, looking so cute.

I have so many pictures of Joe picking his nose.

Joe and his Tidwell uncles (minus Will). He loves them so much. James came with us to the zoo too, and chased Joe around for me. I think James liked it just as much as Joe did.

Competition

Whenever Zach's family gets together there is bound to be competition among the brothers. It doesn't really matter what the activity is, it could be basketball or a game of cards. What do they do if the activity of the day is lacking in competition? Make up their own game of course! With whatever is available. Giant marshmallows? Perfect for chucking at each other.

Zach takes the competition seriously :P

Jerry getting ready to throw... err wait, he is just observing, eating a marshmallow.

Running from the pelting marshmallows

And now, hurling the marshmallows as far as possible.

S'mores with aforementioned marshmallows.

Josh, taking his turn

Cute couple

Chocolate and a hotdog, yum.

Sarah

Congrats!

Congrats to these two lovebirds who made it official last night. These are just a few of the pics Zach's brother Justin took this pictures, aren't they awesome?







What an exciting time of life! We are thrilled for them and are excited to have Sean as part of the fam. Aubs is the youngest and the only girl of the family, so you know her four big brothers are watching out for her and they've all had the chance to meet him.

Speaking of weddings, I have to confess something because I think it might make me feel a little bit better, but it probably won't. I was de-junking the other day and found around 20 completed thank you cards from our wedding. Whoops! I asked Zach if we should mail them. He said "no". He said no one would remember, or care. I disagreed, I bet people do care, I know I do, but I threw them away anyway. They would have been 2 1/2 years late. So, how late would you mail a thank you card?