a day at the beach

we live in a landlocked state and so the term "beach" here is being used rather loosely. we are actually at a reservoir and you don't have to look too closely to see that it's kinda gross. but that didn't stop us from having a great time. logan had fun swimming in the cold water, throwing rocks and digging along the shore and dave and i had fun on the jet skis and boat (thanks to our brother-in-law sterling)! it was a perfect day and i'm already thinking up boating plans for next summer!

baptism

a couple of weeks ago dave and i were privileged to be part of this sweet family's baptism.

for a couple of months i have attended lessons with the sister missionaries 1-2 a week at their house. i have watched as their testimony of jesus christ and his restored gospel has grown. i have watched them make changes in their lives in preparation for baptism. and it was so exciting to finally see this beautiful mother and her 2 daughters dressed in white, ready to take this step in following jesus christ. it reminded me of my mission and how incredible it feels to share the gospel, bear testimony of the truth and the love and friendship that is developed in the process. there are few experiences that compare to the joy that comes from moments like these.

(i felt like a giant next to them!)

logan these days

i found these random pictures that dave took. they make me happy.

especially this one. it actually makes me laugh real hard.

i can't get enough of this kid (which is good since we spend all day, everyday together). i still find myself peeking in to watch him sleep and i love to watch him play when he doesn't know i'm watching. he still loves books and all kinds of fruit. about a month and a half ago he decided he was done being fed by someone else and wanted to do it himself. it's actually quite nice (minus all the food under his high chair when he's done. mainly because we have carpet in our eating area. lame. rice can really get stuck in carpet). he can stand on his own, but has yet to take any steps. but man can he crawl fast. he has finally figured out how to open our cupboards . dave discovered him in the bathroom eating a bar a soap from under the sink. clearly we need to get some baby proof latches. he loves to shut doors and throw toys and balls into bins and boxes. he says hi and i think it is the cutest. especially when he comes into a room, looks up at me and says, "hi!" we have discovered he bruises easily and quickly. at least on his face. sad. he knows how to go up stairs but not down (hence the bruises). he now empties his crib of everything if he is protesting going to sleep or after he wakes up. this consists of his constellation turtle, watson his glo worm and his lovey (blankie). he's got a pretty good arm and can chuck them pretty far. he babbles constantly. i love it! he calls me mom a lot now in addition to mama. he loves to bounce on beds, cushions and pillows. he loves to dance to music. he is so cute shaking his little bum. he LOVES milk and is always asking for his ba-ba. he notices water wherever we go. sprinklers, swimming pools, water bottles. he always says wa-wa when he sees water. he loves leaves on trees. kinda strange but they make him happy. especially when they are blowing in the wind. he has figured out pointing and loves to point at things. he knows where his nose is and still loves to stick out his tongue. he loves to be with other kids, even if they are not playing directly with him. he gets super sensitive when he is tired. a bonk that he would usually not notice sends him into tears if he is tired. he loves to play with cars and makes the "vroom" noise (at least his version of it) when he "drives" them. we think he is the cutest! we're definitely keeping him!

welcome home

greeters don't get any cuter

logan's future wife

it's already been arranged (technically even before their births).
he seems pretty psyched about it!

todd family reunion: out and about

as i mentioned in my last post, my mom is an incredible planner and she had an outing planned everyday. the kids definitely didn't ever get bored. i just noticed i look pretty trashy in all these pictures. apparently were were so busy having fun i never had time to get ready :)

jumpstreet
an indoor trampoline place. it was awesome and i can't wait to go back with dave so we can play around!


logan was too little for the trampolines (he would have gotten trampled by the big kids) so we hung out in the toddler area and he had a great time.
plus we did manage to bounce on a tramp for a minute and he loved it!

time at the park
logan loved the slide! i would say "ready, set, go" and by the time i got to "go" he would be leaning forward, trying to slide down.


pirates cove and the rawlings' neighborhood pool
it was my first time at pirates cove (a little water park) and i loved it! logan is a total water baby and loved crawling around in the water and going on the lazy river.




lexi got her ears pierced!
she had a full entourage including her mom and 3 aunts. we were quite the sight. she was brave and looks beautiful with her new earrings!



hiking devil's head
i carried logan in the kelty backpack and i must say, i enjoy hiking more when dave carries the pack (and i carry the camelbak) :)! but since dave wasn't there i stepped up to the challenge and it really wasn't too bad. i just had to remember logan was there so he didn't get smacked with a tree branch or something! mark was nice enough to carry logan up to the top of the fire tower though (i was too nervous to carry him up and down all the stairs). the kids were amazing hikers, even though we got caught in a major thunderstorm (nothing like hiking in lightning with a metal pack on your back surrounded by tall trees)!
(click collage to enlarge)

the international culinary school at the art institute of colorado aka dave's work

we all went down to visit dave at work and tour the culinary school. i think the culinary students were a little smitten by 11 cute kids watching them cook and brought out some fresh baked bread and brownies. the kids thought it was so cool. we had lunch out front where the kids enjoyed the fountain.

and then it was off to...
the children's museum!

it was our first time taking logan (we wish we would have taken him 1 week earlier before he was 1 year old when he was free. it's was still worth the $6 though). he (and we) had so much fun! plus dave got to come which was a major bonus! we can't wait to go back!
(click collage to enlarge)

other fun outings (without pictures) included a trip to the dollar store where each kid had a dollar and could pick out a toy, walking to the ice cream store, playing wii, a cousins sleepover and a temple trip and night at the movies (for the adults).

good thing for lots of pictures and great memories to last me until the next todd family reunion. i already can't wait!