Everyone Needs an Uncle Jeffrey

This past week we had the opportunity to host Richie's younger brother Jeff! I don't know who was more sad that he had to go home, me or Miles. I was amazed at how much stuff I could get done and not even be phased! He helped me can all sorts of things from our garden, made a green drink for us every morning, worked on Gwen's ridiculously complicated stocking (That's right ladies, he cooks and can sew! But you'll have to wait until January till he's on the market :) and kept both kids entertained and happy 24/7. He was even a good enough sport to help Miles go to the potty and deal with Gwen's blow outs.
You can only go to the park so many times, so I fear we had him quite bored the majority of the time, but we had a blast with him. Miles is asking where you are and keeps playing hide and seek by himself, so you'd probably better come back up soon, ok Jeffrey? "C'mon Jeff-ey!"
To sweeten the deal, Richie's parents and younger brother Ross came up on Friday to pick Jeffrey up and brought their dog Cricket. Oh man, Miles was in Heaven. We got to hang out with them over the weekend and as always they left us better than when they found us. :) Thanks again for the corn and all the other yummy food!
At the Splash Park


At our River Spot doing tin foil dinners and mallows. We found a bunch of frogs. Miles was...cautious about them.



playing games together


Making sure Grandpa is comfortable


Feeding the bread fish and going to Mesa Falls


Riding the Carousel


This is how we all felt when we had to get in separate cars and depart. Nothing a little ice cream and play place can't temporarily fix, right? Right.

Check, Check and....Check!

We've got a few more things crossed off our Summer to do list. For your viewing pleasure, may I present:
Mesa Falls and feeding the bread fish



Washing the car outside


More Mallows with friends


Tonight we're going to our river spot again. I have this nagging fear in the back of my mind saying, "Summer is almost over, oooooh winter will be here before you know it! muahahhaa!" It's a very scary voice. I don't want to believe it, but I know it's true. So we're trying to soak it up over here.

Last Thursday

Every Thursday is the same, in fact every day of the week is the same for the most part. Richie, a busy young father, comes home to a somewhat frazzled housewife who he lovingly calls his sweetheart. They hurriedly gulp down dinner sometime between 5 and 6 when Richie switches hats and goes to a different job and Rachel, the previously mentioned housewife, tries to keep some piece of sanity in the last 2 hours before nirvana, otherwise known as bedtime.
She survives another evening of poop on the floor, one million "Wha Doo Mommy??", and relishes in the few hugs, laughs and smiles she receives in payment for her services. The natives are getting restless so she puts them in the tub to occupy their time, then gets jammies on, brushes teeth and starts reading stories when Richie walks through the door at 7:55. Scriptures, stories, songs prayers, lights out. Takes a breather.
"Hey Stranger!" Rachel says as she puts on her running shoes.
"Hello there Sweetheart! Ready to go to the gym?" Rich asks as he gives Rach a little peck on the forehead.
"I'm ready I guess. I'm exhausted. Remind me why I should go again instead of just watching a show with you??" Rach laments.
"Because you love going." Says Richie.
Eventually Rachel gets up enough motivation and makes her way through the door. Meanwhile, Richie spies a small glass of milk left over from dinner on the table. It's no secret Richie has a weak spot for ice cold milk. He grabs the cup, takes it all in in a single swig. Almost sent into convulsions he spews the milk into the sink and dry heaves a few times.
Rachel arrives home from the gym about an hour later and is met at the door by an accusing husband.
"What the heck was in that cup on the table?" He demands.
"What cup?"
"The small green cup."
Rachel thinks for a moment and then breaks into laughter so intense she can hardly breathe. Impatient for answers Richie interrupts her enjoyment and asks again, "What was in that cup?"
Rachel then proceeds to tell Richie how she had pumped a few small bottles for Gwen and put them in the freezer. However the storage containers she had them in broke after they fell out of the freezer so she put them in a small green cup in the fridge to thaw out without spilling everywhere. Earlier that night she noticed they were completely thawed out, so she threw away the little storage containers, leaving only what looked to be a small glass of milk on the table. She had forgotten to put it in a bottle.
Richie is still gagging. Rachel is still laughing.

Proportionately Big

That is how the doctor described Gwen at her 4 month check up. :) She's officially 16lbs 1 oz (90%) 27 inches long (Holy Moly! 98%) and I can't remember her head circumference, but it was in the 93%. This is all happening too quickly! For goodness sakes Gwen, just slow down this whole growing thing a little will ya?? I looked in Miles' baby book to see where he was at at 4 months and he was almost a pound heavier, but about 2 inches shorter. What a chunk. :) Below is a picture of her first taste of rice cereal. Not too big of a fan from what I gathered. She preferred to eat the bib.