Nate's Baptism

We were able to meet up with a lot of family to celebrate Nate's birthday and him being baptized. It was so much fun to have everyone in Drew and Becky's big house. Every family had their own room and the kids had a lot of fun playing three days straight!

Cooper, Drew, Will, Becky, Nate, Callie

 It was so fun to watch Crew as he watched Nate be baptized. He went to Aurora's but was about Sawyer's age at the time. You could just see his brain working when you looked into his eyes!

The only way to keep Sawyer somewhat quiet: stickers!

"Okay Sawyer, here's the plan!"

How Abe feels about me taking his pictures

Thank you for your cooperation!

 Congrats Nate!

Creativity

Abe and I were discussing our plans one morning while Crew was quietly playing. I looked over and saw Crew's creation. He had created is own bridge with a play hoe and shovel. His rake was suspended off the ground. He thought it was pretty neat.

Crew has a sore across the bottom of his nose. He got it in nursery from a flying helicopter. It is taking quite awhile to heal!

New Jacket

Crew got a new jacket and must have been feeling pretty cool! (It's a pretty big deal around here when one gets a new piece of clothing since much of the boys wardrobe is borrowed.) Crew put his jacket and boots on and then started telling me what Abe does when he comes in during the day." Dad walks over like this, he crosses his feet like this, and he has his hand in his pocket like this (not pictured), and he leans on the wall like this, and then he says, 'What are you doing? I got a guy coming for hay.'"

Crew was totally serious and I was trying, with much difficulty, to keep a straight face. Crew adores his Dad and already aspires to be just like him!

Other funny things out of Crew's mouth: 

He was watching Abe on his four wheeler. "Wow! Dad was going crazy fast!"

Crew bonked his head really hard and through his tears he cried, "I broke my hair!!"

Sand Moutain

We got together a group of friends and went to Sand Mountain. It was so much fun, only a few other people there, and the weather was gorgeous!

Sawyer was attached to the four wheeler. He loved riding around and was constantly climbing on one when we were stopped.

Crew has a new favorite friend! Owen is 7 and such a fun boy!! He is full of energy and lots of great information to share. I love his excitement every time he has something to tell me!

He is so kind to Crew and even brought him a new monster truck to play with in the sand. Crew on the other hand still struggles to share his favorite toys when he sees Owen playing with them. But he is getting better.

Shauna and Brian. Audra was on the blanket next to them. Richard and Abe were off riding.

After the guys rode around we all got a ride to the top where we took a few pictures and then ran down. Crew normally runs straight down but this time he decided to crawl backwards, wiggle, flip in circles, scoot on his bum, and run. It took awhile longer coming down and he had much more sand in his clothing!! Sawyer caught a ride down on my back.

Abe (holding Sawyer), Audra, Shauna, Brian, Crew, (over on the right ridge) Richard, Owen

Abe, Sawyer, Lindsey, Audra, Shauna, Brian, Owen

 After we got to the bottom the sun set and we did our best to eat dinner. Abe was in charge of getting everything ready since he planned the trip and I was in Reno most of the day getting some summer clothes for the boys. We had hot dogs, chips, and s'mores. Abe didn't bring napkins or plates. It was a little messy.

It was a lot of fun and Crew keeps on asking to get together with Owen and go to Sand Mountain again. Unfortunately the whole family has been sick and we haven't been able to have fun with friends.

Good memories!

Update: Smashed Finger

Sawyer's fingernail finally fell off. A new nail has already grown half way up his nail bed. I am wondering if it will ever look the same.

He also lost his big toenail. He had smashed it only a few days after he had his finger smashed in the door. Sawyer dropped a heavy container of linoleum glue on his first two toes and killed the bottom half of the toenail. It came off a couple days after his finger nail and he has a new nail already half way as well.

Birthday: Crew Is Three

Sunday morning we woke up and sang "Happy Birthday" to Crew. While we made breakfast we sang "Happy Birthday." We forgot to do a candle in his breakfast so I put a candle in a strawberry to blow out.  Basically we sang happy birthday a million times because it's one of his favorite songs! 

In his hand he was showing me the iphone and how he was watching church videos after breakfast.

He saw the candle coming

Sawyer was in the action and loved watching Crew blow out his candle.

 We had stake conference. It was nice to go to church a little earlier and get out a little sooner. We came home and heated up an exciting birthday lunch of leftover pizza and salad. (leftovers from an impromptu hangout and dinner with some friends the night before)

Crew helped set the table. He gave himself three cups.

He specifically requested a party hat like the one Sawyer had. He always surprises me with what he remembers.

 This next seven pictures speak very loudly of Crew's personality and how he reacts when he is given attention by others. (Even though it was his Grandma Carmen and Grandpa Ernie joining in with the song)

Another "Happy Birthday" with a candle in his pizza.

 After lunch Crew wanted to open presents and then have cupcakes.

joining in to sing before opening presents

"Oh my goodness," in a breathy whisper. 

outfit from Carmen and Erine

From Abe and I he got a little figurines of a squirrel, elephant, frog, and a book on frogs.

 Onto cupcakes

 I look at Crew and I am nearly brought to tears when I think back to the day he was born and how quickly he has grown to a three year old boy. The emotions are many; excited, proud, sad, and amazed; just to name a few.
Crew has a deep love for those in his family. He makes sure to watch out for Sawyer if another kid is around. Crew will promptly return toys back to Sawyer if they are taken by someone else, and is really good at trading toys with Sawyer that are of equal "value."
Crew has a tender heart. If he knows someone is hurt he is quick to show affection and want to help fix it. I recently watched as Sawyer struggled with frustration trying to get his helmet on. Crew watched on and then suddenly got up from what he was doing and put on Sawyer's helmet for him and said, "There you go Sawyer. Now you are safe!"
If it has an engine Crew likes it! He most likely knows the name of it, and if not, then at least the sound it makes.
We go outside often. Crew loves to dig in the dirt, explore, kick the dirt as he runs, dig up and bury things, jump, ride his bike, go on walks, four wheeler rides, pick flowers, go on adventures, and the list could go on.
He can say all of his ABC's and can visually pick out some letters. He likes to spell his name, can tell you the color of his eyes and hair, where he lives, how old he is, where certain family members live, can sing many songs, can count to 20 and after twenty he can count with help when the number changes (30, 40, etc). He knows several shapes and most colors.
Being polite and using please, thank you, no thank you, and excuse me are second nature to him. Sometimes he catches me off guard by being so polite.
I hope he keeps his excitement he has with The Book of Mormon (he tends to say "Morgon") and scriptures. He says some very heart felt and well thought out prayers. It melts my heart when he asks for things such as: "Dad to be safe while he works," " bless Mom for making dinner," "help me to make happy choices."
Crew is very obedient but has currently developed his own way to follow out a command. Sometimes it's acceptable but other times it's his way of bending what is required and making it fit what he wants. He has become much more independent and insists on doing everything himself. If we start doing something for him he will stop what we are doing, retrace his steps, and start it over again.
I am so glad Crew is in our family. I feel so blessed that he is my first and Sawyer has him as his big brother. Crew has brought me more joy than I can describe. My heart burst with joy and love and I watch him grow and mature. At times I catch glimpses of what he may be like as a man and hope that I can lead him on the right path to be a strong, righteous, and live his life centered around God and his family.