4th of July Celebrations

This 4th of July the Fuller's invited us to their annual neighborhood picnic/parade. It is so fun every year they have the fire department come drive a fire truck and ambulance through the neighborhood and the kids follow behind them on bikes, foot, wagons, or strollers. Sterling got volunteered to push Cohen. So Cohen was in his first parade at the age of 10 months old...luckily little boy!!!

Here comes the fire truck...

Sterling running to keep up...Cohen's not exactly the lightest load.

For the picnic we were asked to bring a dessert and when I found this cake on a blog I knew I had to try it. It took us a couple of try's but we did it and it turned out awesome.

It's a flag!!!!

After the firemen eat they spray all the kids down with the hose. Karalee took Cohen over to cool off a bit in the mist.

Karalee, Cohen and soaked Sterling

ahh, that's better!

Cohen and daddy by the big fire truck

On the actual 4th of July day TJ had to work. A bunch of the Logan couple got together though and had a pot luck dinner and walked to the mall to watch the fireworks. The Fuller's were in Nauvoo, and Mirae and Jay were at the Lake so even though I was hesitant to go stag I went and it was a lot of fun. The food was excellent and the fireworks were great. Cohen did really well too and even fell asleep at the end. A big change from the first time he saw fireworks and had a death grip on me the whole time.

Cohen waiting for the fireworks...

Lyla waiting too...

Tyler is so excited he can't contain himself

Linds and I

Just kicking back...happy b-day America!

More Random Summer Fun

We had a new Logan couple move into our ward in early May and made friends with them at a ward Memorial Day Breakfast. Ever since then Lindsay and I have been running together in the mornings. We love hanging out with Tyler, Lindsay and baby Lyla and we're so glad they are here. Lyla and Cohen are about 6 weeks apart and love hanging out with each other.

The two lovebirds swinging together.

Cohen and I got the chance to go to the St. Louis Circus Flora with Gina and her family because Mike was unable to go. We had so much fun and Cohen loved it. Especially all of the white pony's. I was sad they didn't have an elephant though.

Another fun thing they have in Chesterfield to do during the summer's are free concerts in the park. We went to the first and second one but after that it was either too rainy or too hot. We had fun at the ones we went to though.

Cohen playing on the blanket during the concert. Mirae told me that everyone brings strollers so I packed mine all up and turns out no one (well hardly no one) takes strollers because there is barely enough room to squeeze through all of the chairs and blankets on the ground. I got quite a few nasty looks for running over blankets but needless to say I left my stroller at home the next time.

Tyler and Lindsay love to hike so we've gone on a couple short hikes with them this summer. This was the first one it was only about 3 miles and pretty easy. The bugs were nasty but other than that it was an ideal hike and lots of fun. Cohen seemed to enjoy the ride as well.

TJ and Tyler with their precious cargo.

We also got to go down to Mirae's lake house at Lake of the Ozarks and she treated us to a much needed pedicure. We ate lots of yummy food, swam a lot in the pool, and got some much needed R&R.

Cohen sitting with Nana during her pedicure.

1st Summer Trip to Nauvoo

At the beginning of May we took a trip to Nauvoo. My parents flew to Omaha for Beckham's blessing and Spencer's white coat ceremony. But before those two events we spent a couple of days in Nauvoo. We had so much fun taking carriage rides, touring the sites, swimming, attending the temple and just spending time together. Cohen loved hanging out with his cousins too.

Cohen driving the car while we were waiting to go to the Rendezvous at Old Nauvoo performed by the couple missionaries. Prior to the show we went to the buffet...it was so delicious but we had to eat really fast so we didn't miss the show. We ended up missing it anyway and waiting an hour to attend the next one.

Steve, Afton and Brooksie excited for the show. Stephen shaved his beard later that night and left a sweet Pedro looking mustache that only a few of us got to witness.

Mom and Dad equally excited.

Spence, Nikki & Beckham...is it bright Spence?

TJ & Cohen

Merilee & Kelan

Nani and Dave (Nikki's parents) also came over to Nauvoo.

Cohen & Papa getting ready for the first carriage ride

Petting the horses

Brooks petting the horsie

TJ and I on the carriage ride

Nauvoo Temple

Us outside Carthage jail. It was a very spiritual experience and awesome to see Nauvoo. I'm so grateful for the prophet Joseph Smith and all that he did in restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ in these Latter-Days.

Cohen's 1st Braves/Cardinals Game

Nana Mimi got us tickets to the Braves/Cards game while the Braves were in town in April. Unfortunately the Braves got swept but its okay because last fall the Braves swept the Cards while my whole family was in town. What can I say we love our teams. I wore Braves, TJ wore Cards, and Cohen remained neutral with a baseball shirt.

Chipper Jones up on the board!

Chipper up to bat...

Cohen and Mommy...#1 Braves Fans

(and Cards too I guess)

Our family loves baseball

Pretty sure this is Chipper again...or I could be trying to get a shot of Bobby!

Spring Trip to Idaho

Early spring I flew home again for a quick visit. One of the fun things that we did was go on a daddy daughter/grandson date. We went bowling and had a blast. My dad doubled both Merilee's score and mine so we weren't much competition for him.

Aunt Meme and Cohen

such form...

Papa & Cohen. Cohen really liked Papa and always gave him the best hugs.

now that's form

While home I also had a chance to meet up with some friends. Jerrica and Jace met us for lunch at Rupes. Cohen and Jace were instant buddies.

I also got to see Leslie Morgan and her new baby and house while visiting Blackfoot. On the Monday I was there we had a cousins picnic and Emily, Brandon, Kaitlyn, Katie, Nate and their family all came. I also got a chance to stop by Beehive and see some old friends. My old roommate Elsa came from Wyoming for the weekend and we were able to do dinner, and I also had Thai with Lindsay and Jordan right before I left. Kurt and Lynlee were also so nice to come by and see us. I did a bad job at taking pictures with everyone though. We had so much fun shopping, playing and spending time with my family and Idaho friends. We miss them so much!

As soon as we flew in we stopped by my Aunt Mary Anne's to see everyone. My aunt whipped out her old school jumper thing and Cohen really liked it.

A picture of Cohen that my mom took during our visit. Love those baby blue eyes!