Pictures

Here are a few recent pictures that I thought were cute, but had no special occasion.

Just Chillin'


Happy Doing Tummy Time


Camping in the Living Room


Joseph and Kimball taking a break from yard work.

Turning Twenty-Nine

Yesterday was Joseph's birthday and he turned 29. A few days ago I asked him if he were excited about being 29...he said no. He said he would rather skip the next 3 years and just go straight to being 32. So, for the next few years Joseph will be 32.

Joseph ended up having a longer day than usual so our birthday celebration was a little rushed to get dinner, presents and treat all in before the kids went to bed. Here are a few pictures from our evening.

Joseph and his presents.



The treat.



Joseph and Kimball blowing out the candles. Kimball was so excited to help blow out the candles. If it had been up to Kimball, the candles would have been lit hours before Joseph came home from work.

Corn Tortillas

So I have never liked corn tortillas. They have never tasted as good as flour tortillas and they are hard to work with without them cracking and breaking. BUT...when our ward had our Cinco de Mayo activity earlier in the month I had my first taste of warm, fresh corn tortillas and they were amazing. They were so much better than anything you would find or buy at Walmart or any other grocery store. Joseph always said that I needed to experience fresh tortillas in order to like them, and he was right.

A little over a week ago we were making Mexican food and Joseph went to the local tortillaria and bought some fresh corn tortillas. We have learned how to heat them so they are pliable and yummy. I'm now a fan of corn tortillas, although for some meals I'll still need my flour ones.

Walking

The past few days have been absolutely beautiful. With the nice weather, I have been more inclined to take Kimball outside in the afternoons after Rebecah wakes up from her nap.

When I have asked Kimball what he wants to do outside he either wants to ride his bike on the road or walk. More often than not he turns his bike in after a few minutes and decides to walk. Yesterday we had probably walked about ½ of a mile when Joseph drove by on his way home from work. It wasn’t until we saw Daddy that I could convince Kimball to turn around. I was afraid that he would be too tired to walk all of the way home. On the way home I asked if he were getting tired and he said no. Once we got home he played outside for another hour helping Joseph in the yard. It is amazing what a little exercise can do. We had a terrific thunderstorm last night and Kimball slept through all of it. He was so worn out!

Today we walked about the same distance to visit a friend. When leaving her house he wanted to climb in the stroller, but I told Kimball it was for Rebecah and he had to walk. I could tell he was more tired today than yesterday, but he walked the entire way home and didn’t complain. It was hotter today than yesterday so that may have had something to do with it.

Kimball is just carrying on the walking tradition…my grandparents walk, my mom walks, I walk, and now Kimball walks.

Here is a picture of Joseph and Kimball walking home from the park a few weeks ago.

Saying Prayers

Kimball said his first prayer by himself in January when Grandma Coffey was visiting us. Since then praying has been touch and go with Kimball. Sometimes he wants to and most of the time he doesn’t. We offer and then let it go either way. Of late, Kimball has wanted to do more praying and do it more himself. We usually preface our prayer when he is voice by reminding him of things to include…gratitude, blessing on the food, praying for specific people. Within the last week he has started adding his own things to his prayers, usually things he has heard us say in the past. For example:

Last week we were praying for Grandpa Zimmerman as he recovered from his surgery. I reminded Kimball to pray for him and he did and said “Zimmerman” in a very cute way. Then he proceeded to pray for Mandy and Laura, our two pregnant sisters. No coaching, just pure Kimball.

Yesterday, Joseph took Kimball to the park and last night at bedtime Kimball expressed gratitude for the crane and police car he saw. They had parked next to the police car and the crane was dredging out the river.

One last example. I have mentioned before that Kimball loves the General Leadership of our church. He has started praying for President Monson and ALWAYS includes Presidents Uchtdorf and Eyring. If Joseph or I am voice for the prayer and WE don’t include the two counselors we hear Kimball whispering “President Uchtdorf and President Eyring”.

We are glad he takes such interest in his prayers and is learning to tell his Heavenly Father about all areas of his life and the things that are important in his day…like the cool vehicles he sees.

Sorry, no picture with this post; I didn’t think it would be too reverent to take pictures during a prayer.

Salvaging Mother's Day

I was really looking forward to Mother's Day this year because my mom and two of my sisters were going to visit. They had planned to visit in early April, but had to reschedule for Mother's Day weekend. We were all excited to see Granny and we had special presents for her and the Aunties. We were really disappointed when my mom called Friday morning saying she was in the ER and would probably need surgery. The most important thing was for Mom to be healthy and safe so we shed some tears and moved on. It was hard for Kimball to understand, especially since he had been watching out the window for them before 7:00 Friday morning and they weren't even expected until dinner time. The other bad thing about a canceled trip was that I had already made the two desserts for their visit so now I have two desserts staring me in the face every time I open the refrigerator...I'm just glad my mom talked me out of the THIRD dessert I was planning on making, especially with my bike gone.

I told Joseph that since my Mother's Day was not going to be what I wanted he needed to make it extra special...he did. He made me breakfast: omelets and toast. We like omelets and I was glad we actually had cheese, ham and green onions on hand for the omelets.

Joseph also gave me a nice wall decoration to put above our mantle. We have been needing something in that spot and I think he made a good choice. Here are a few pictures of it:



The most important thing about Mother's Day though is the opportunity to be a mom. I love my kids and I'm lucky to have two cute ones that are good most of the time.

Here is a picture of Rebecah and me. We never could get Kimball in a picture. He always wants to see before they are even taken.


So, all in all, Mother's Day ended up being good and we were able to still have a special day. We'll just celebrate Mother's Day again in June when we make a trip to St. Louis.

Four Months Old

Rebecah is four months old. She is wonderful. She loves attention and having people talk to her. We made up a little song for her to the tune of "If your happy and you know it" and she loves to hear us sing it to her. She went to the doctor yesterday and was pronounced "perfect". She is a little over 13 1/2 lbs and 24 inches.