Alex is Nine Months

Alexander is now nine months.  It is crazy how big he is getting. He is 22.9 pounds and is 29.2inches tall.  He has discovered he loves his sippy cup.  He hates lemonade, though he loves ice water and apple juice.  (Though he doesn't get apple juice very often.)  We have to keep all the doors and the baby gates closed.  If he see something open he goes as fast as he can crawl, which is pretty fast.  He loves anything we give him to eat.  His favorite is strawberries and raspberries.  He loves to make a fish face and suck on his lower lip.  He adores his sisters.  He follows them around the house.  While his Daddy is getting ready for work he will follow him.  He sits out side the shower and bang on the glass to get his attention.  He is such a happy boy who loves to flirt with anyone.  While we were in Vegas we got so many comments on how cute, sweet, well behaved little boy.  He is always happy when he is aloud to explore or people watch.  He is loves to give high fives and is learning to give kisses. 

    Since we were in Las Vegas this past weekend, we decided to take his nine month pictures at the Temple.  This is a special to us as this is where Matt received his endowments.  (This is a special promise we make in the temple to the Lord that we will keep our promises to follow his commandments. Nothing super weird.  Something special and sacred to us) 

                                                   He loved the texture of the stones

             He loves to chew on his fingers so Mommy thinks he has something in his mouth. 
                                                              He loves to fake us out. 

                                                     Daddy and Alex at the Temple

                                                               And he is off to explore

                                                         He loves making the fish face

Camping and Timpanogos

Friday afternoon we decided to have a mini camping session in our back yard to see how the girls would handle camping.  (While we were settling up Livi jumped full clothed into the kiddie pool and was pretty mad when she was told she couldn't come in till she was dry.)  They were super excited to sleep in there over night with Daddy.  Me and Alex stayed in the house since I dont think he is ready for camping yet.  About 9pm when it started getting dark we took the girls out to the tent with their blankets, toys and pillows.  I told them all a couple bedtime stories.  One my brother told me during our backyard camp outs.  (Grape Ape)  About ten o'clock Emme started screaming.  Matt had told her to go to sleep and stop being loud since Livi was already asleep.  I told her she had a choice the tent or her bed.  She decided the tent.  About four am it became to cold so Matt brought them back in.  Livi was upset she wanted the tent.  We will try again next month when it is warmer.  

A new place to play

Waiting for story

The next day the kids had a day at their grandparents as we had a date day.  We drove up to Timpanogos to hike up and see the cave.   It was a beautiful day with a nice breeze as we started.  I couldn't believe how many people brought their little kids on this.  Several times we saw kids crying and saying they didn't want to go.  The hike is 1.5 miles up a steep mountain.  The trail is paved but one side is the mountain and the other side is a drop to utter doom.  Not exactly what I would call a kid friendly hike.  We were both sweating and there were moments where I couldn't breath from the thin air.  (I admit I am not in the greatest shape.  Slowly working myself back into it.  Five years of being pregnant, or recovering form a pregnancy or loss of one to work off)  But with Matt's sweet encouragement I made it up to the top and got to see the beauty of the caves.  Once we went in the caves it was a interesting experience.  There are several spots in the cave where you have twist, turn and bend to get through.  Your not aloud to touch anything but the railing which made it interesting to get around in.  It was hard for me at times and I am 5'3.  My dear husband is 6'5 barefoot.   After we were done he told me he would never go on in the caves again because how hard it was.  As we were heading down we saw a girl about Emme's age.  She was looked so tired.  Her mom asked how far they were from the top.  As we answered this poor little girl burst into tears "I don't want to hike anymore".  I hate when parents push their kids beyond what they can do.   

   After we finished we headed to our favorite Mexican place Guadalahonky's.  Then headed to see Maleficant.  It was a good movie, though it was a little dark for little kids.  The previews scared the girls so maybe when they are older they can see it.    

Before the hike

Under one of the tunnels

He had to duck down to get through

Mr. Chipmunk

Made it to the top in one piece.  I think this is the highest I have ever hiked.  

Inside the cave

Cool looking isn't it

Another tight tunnel

The wonders of mother nature

Inside the cave

They call it the heart of Timpanogos

Another narrow 

You can see the whole valley 

The whole hike made me miss Alaska even more.  

Livi's Birthday!!!

Every year we try to do something fun as a family to celebrate our kids' birthday.  This year Livi's birthday and party so the day before we had our special outing.  Livi decided she wanted to go to the zoo.  Friday we got up early and headed to the zoo.  The girls were thrilled at seeing the new lion exhibit.  Sadly the train and the rest wasn't open yet.  The kids had fun seeing each of the animals.  They got to see the bears wrestle and a snow leopard eat a bunny.  (well we saw the start of it then left.  They understand animals eat animals but they don't need see it)  

Giraffes

My fingers are yummy

Watching the Lions

Birthday Girl

The girls wanted to picture with the Lion fountain

Emme on the elephant

Watching the elephants

I love crackers

Playing on the lighthouse slide

I am too cute

Our three 

watching the bears wrestle

Tiger having lunch

Sleepy boys

Normally we don't buy anything from the gift shop.  But since it was her birthday they each got a stuffed animal.  

The morning of Livi's birthday it was raining.  Since we had planned a bbq it was a bit of a disappointment.  

Waiting for her birthday presents

She got starter skates, pads and some outdoor toys

She is ready for action but it is raining

Birthday blueberry pancakes her favorite

 Thankfully the rain stopped and the sun came out a couple hours ahead of when the party was suppose to start. We had a Tangled party as this is Livi's favorite movie.  

Princess Livi

Happy Birthday to Livi

The invite on Grandma's fridge

Grandpa playing with Alex

Cookies, Cake, Cupcakes, oh my!

Livi's cake complete with fondant roses

Flynn Rider Posters

Matt and Emme goofing off

Alex checking out Aspen

Princess Livi showing off her hair

Grandpa Wayne cooking some burgers and hot dogs

Aspen and her friend playing with Emme and Livi

Alex munching on a strawberry.  

Livi opening presents.  She got pjs from her Grandparents in Washington.
A bike, clothes, and a doll from Grandparents here in Utah
Legos, books, and clothes from the other family who came.  

Livi on her new bike

Alex with Matt's cousin Troy.  He thought he was so funny.  

Livi blowing out her candles.  

When we got home we had a duck in our yard so we fed her.  

Taking her new bike out