scallywags, land lovers, and a 4 year old.

this showed up on some door steps

with this is in it


because this boy was turning 4!


so these people came over.

and mom made this

(with some help thanks katie!)

and mom and dad made this.

you have no idea how many cake mixes were sacrificed for this cake to come about.

and then he did this.

and we ate some of this.

and he opened these.

thanks to everyone who made this party so much fun! Cole loved having you all here and he loves all of his thoughtful gifts. thanks also to those who donated their help and ovens for just-in-case-back-up-cakes when the pirate ship broke in half at midnight, and we weren't sure if the shipwreck would work or be a disaster. ah, the things you do for a 4 year old you love.

I can't believe he is 4. he is such a good kid and I am so lucky to be his mommy.

like white on rice...

last night was a late night for justin at work so by the time he got home the kids were "in bed" and mama was d.o.n.e.

shortly after justin walked in the door, cole came down for what must have been the 5th time. which is pretty unusual, he goes to bed like a champ normally (unless it's craft night and he knows there is a party happening without him). I am sure his sruggle last night was merely the fact that he wanted his daddy. so as I turned to tell him it was time to go to bed, justin was all over it (...like white on rice!).

he told cole it was time for bed, but that daddy wanted to come upstairs to tuck him in again. a few seconds later I heard giggling and two story tellers going at it. each taking turns adding to their story about dinasaurs and such. it was tender and made me

sit, smile, and listen.

justin is so cute with them. he acts like a kid with them when it's just what they need.

so we have our share of forts, tall tales, and fighting over blocks to build towers.

and I love it.

"strip"ing warriors

this is what happens when you combine gospel teachings with 3 year old (very soon to be 4yr old) speech:

"who is this?" cole asks pointing to his new gospel action figure.

"a stripling warrior" I respond

"a striping warrior!" he replies ever so excited.

I about died laughing... internally of course.

someday he too will know how hilarious it was, but for now he is just having fun being a little boy, chillin' with dad, or playing with his "strip"ing warriors.

hiking and swimming and sliding, oh my.

we are loving all the eye candy that is ever present at our home sweet home.

two weeks ago justin had a thursday off work so we headed out on a hike.


red cliffs is not far at all and it was beautiful. the kids did great on the hike and we were all so excited to play once we reached our destination.


the pools were perfect for playing.


cole loved running though them...


while,


ali loved the mud.

they both found plenty to smile about.

cole especially loved sliding down from pool to pool.

while ali loved...the mud.

she had the smoothest skin after her self inflicted spa-like treatment.

I mean look at cole's face, could he look happier? I think not.

and that makes mommy happy.

and daddy? oh he was in heaven. swimming...under a waterfall...surrounded by all this...with his kids...and his wife actually being outdoorsie...perfection to him.

we can't believe how lucky we are to have all this at our fingertips...

and these cute kiddos in our arms.

we all loved our mini adventure.

and we are sure to be back soon.