Blodgett Canyon Hike

Last Thursday we did a family hike up Blodgett Canyon. This is a pretty special place for us! Not only because it is close to home but it is a hike we do at least once a year and have gone during pretty big milestones. We have a special rock we take a family photo on each time we go so we have a photo when I was pregnant with Liam, when Liam was a toddler, and now with both Liam and Mason.

Summer 2011 - 6 months pregnant

Spring 2013 - Liam 1 1/2 yrs old

Now - Liam 3 1/2 yrs old, Mason 1 yrs old

A few more photos from our hike Thursday.

Easter 2015

Easter is one of my favorite holidays from the coloring of the eggs to a big Easter egg hunt to just spending time with family. As a kid it was something I always looked forward to and I still look forward to it. And now that I have kids of my own and can share these traditions with them it makes it even more fun.

This year we did something new, we went to Grandma Terry's work Easter egg hunt. There was a lot of people there and it was a little chaotic but the kids had fun. Though I was completely wrong about Liam thinking he'd be fine on his own. I had Mason and was going to help him find eggs and kept telling Liam, "just run out there when they say go and grab as many as you can". That backfired big time, when they said go and everyone swarmed in Liam freaked out and froze. Luckily Grandpa Dave wasn't to far away and jumped in to help him out. But both Liam and Mason had a lot of fun and got some goodies!

Checking out the fire truck before the egg hunt

Before the chaos!

This is what organized chaos looks like!

Checking out their goodies!

Next up was coloring Easter eggs and getting ready for the Easter Bunny's arrival. Our neighbors, Dave and Stephanie, came over to watch some March Madness games. They had no idea they'd be helping us color eggs too! I think Liam colored one or two and then we colored the rest.

Silly boy!

On Easter, we went down to the ranch and had a great time with Grandma Terry and Grandpa Dave, Uncle Keith, Aunt Cari, and cousins Ridge and Sage. Jenneca, Jesse, and Justin also joined in on the fun. The kids were getting antsy by the time everyone arrived so we put a movie in to keep the kiddos distracted long enough to let the Easter Bunny do his magic outside aka let a few of the adults sneak outside so we could hide the baskets and eggs. This is the part I absolutely love because when we were kids this is what our parents did to us and they were the ones who'd sneak outside. Now they stay in with their grand kids while we go outside. Once everything was hidden we snuck back inside and told the kids we better check outside and see if the Easter Bunny had arrived. Then it's chaos as everyone grabs a basket and races outside to find all the goodies. 

Cousins!

Mason getting some time in with Uncle Keith

Not sure about this whole hunting for eggs thing

Cuddle time with Grandma

Checking out their loot!

The Easter Bunny got Liam swords and lets just say he didn't put them down the rest of the day

The Easter Bunny

On a whim we went and saw the Easter Bunny yesterday. Actually Liam saw him and wanted to say hi which was great but getting him to sit with the Easter Bunny that was a different story. Liam sat next to him but about a foot away, the photographer had to move him closer just to get him in the shot. Mason on the other hand did not like the Easter Bunny one bit! He started crying the minute he was put on the Easter Bunny's lap and didn't stop crying until it was over. Oh the things we put our kids through to make memories! 

Horseback Riding

Liam got to go horseback riding for the very first time with Auntie Jenn and Uncle Jesse. I of course got to partake in the fun too! Liam was a little timid at first so we all just hung around the corral until Liam warmed up to the horses. When Jesse was busy saddling the horses he'd joke around with Liam. This really helped Liam relax because not to much longer after that he asked to ride the horses. So Liam got on with Jesse and away they went. Liam was hooked after that and having a blast. Jenn, Jesse, and I took turns riding horses but Liam he was on a horse the whole time rotating riding with all of us. Liam had so much fun I'm pretty sure we'll be riding "A LOT"!

First ride with Jesse

Jenn's turn with Liam

And now my turn with Liam

Whoever wasn't riding was snuggling with this cutie!

Mason's First Haircut

Mason got his first haircut...well a few weeks ago but who's counting! We took him into the same gal that cuts Liam's hair and who used to cut Jesse's hair when he was little. She's so great with Liam that we couldn't wait to bring in Mason. But to kill two birds with one stone both boys got haircuts! Mason was a little unsure at first but he did great on my lap and actually stayed very still while Cinder did a quick trim. Liam had fun with his haircut and after getting his "usual" haircut (really short) he got his very first steps. It brought back memories to both Jesse and Cinder because Cinder used to give Jesse steps when he was Liam's age. Liam loved them so I have a feeling he'll be asking for steps A LOT!

Before

After

Loving the steps!

Christmas 2014

This Christmas was a blur but it was by far the best Christmas yet. We welcomed another beautiful baby boy earlier this year so we not only had one little boy to share Christmas with but two! My favorite part of it all was just watching their reactions. Liam just turned three and he really got into it this year. From when I put up the decorations, to decorating the Christmas Tree, to Santa's big arrival. I can still remember what Liam said after he saw all the decorations. I put them all up when he was napping and when he woke up and walked out of his room he looked around and said, "Momma, did you do this for me? They are beautiful." Such a sweet, sweet boy, he just melts my heart! Liam also couldn't wait to see Santa this year and tell Santa what he wanted which this year was a bow & arrow and monster truck. Pictures and full story in my Santa post. Watching Mason enjoy his very first Christmas was a lot of fun too! He really didn't know what was going on but he loved watching everyone and he loved all the tissue paper in the presents. He really liked watching Liam and liked watching how excited Liam got.

This year we did things a little bit different than we normally do, we had three Christmas's. We spent Christmas Eve with my side of the family at the Flynn Residence, Christmas with Grandma Pam, Uncle Josh, and Uncle Jeremy & family, then the day after at Grandpa Mike and Nana B's house. It was really nice because we could space everything out to where we could hang out a little bit more and not feel rushed. But now that we've started this trend, the kids will probably expect three Christmas's every year!

Day One: Christmas Eve with my side of the family at the Flynn Residence

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

New tradition I started last year - Christmas Eve boxes for the boys'

Just hanging out with cousins Alex and Dani

Cousins!!

Loving his new Santa PJ's

Presents Time!

Showing off his new hat!

Day Two: Christmas morning at our house with Grandma Pam, Uncle Josh, and Uncle Jeremy, Aunt Brooke, Boh, and Meri.

Just woke up and checking out what Santa brought them

Trying out his new bow!

Grandma Pam helping him figure out that darn wrapping paper!

After a busy morning of opening presents we took a break to go sledding. We had to try out Boh's new sled!

We can never get Liam to sit still long enough to take a picture!

Heading up the hill!

The brothers trying out the hill first!

Taking a spin with Uncle Jeremy

Liam's turn!

And now Mason's turn!

Day 3: Second Christmas morning at Grandpa Mike and Nana B's house.

Ready...Set...Go!

Needing a little help from Uncle Josh

Having fun with cousin Meri!

Just hanging out with Nana B!