Little Visitors

We had some little visitors this week... COUSINS... wahoo!!!  Devin and Travis were spending a birthday weekend in Vegas (a long overdue trip), so Grandma and Grandpa were doing babysitting duty.  But lucky for us, Cassidee had a track meet down south, so we begged to have them drop off the cousins on their way down.  Jack got to spend a happy afternoon with his cute cousins Chet, Kara, and baby Anika!

Anika is only 3 months older than Jack.  She is just such a happy little thing.  They are going to have a lot of fun together when they get just a little bigger.  

This is Chet watching his beloved basketball.  Seriously, this kid lives for it!  I changed the channel to cartoons for Kara while he was sleeping, and when he came back downstairs, he said, "Basketball" incessantly until I turned it back.  Then I got a "Yay!  Basketball!" as soon as I turned it back.  What a cutie pie!

I seriously loved the one-on-one time I got to spend with Kara.  Usually I see her when her beloved "Nama" (Griff's mom) is around, so I don't stand a chance.  But without any persons higher on the totem pole present, Kara and I had so much fun together...playing games and reading books.  My favorite part of the day was when I was reading her a Dr Seuss book.  Out of the middle of nowhere she says, "You have red in your mouth.  I don't have red in my mouth."  It took me a minute, but she was referring to my gums!  My lip comes up farther than most peoples when I talk and smile, so you can see my gums all the time.  I thought that was so funny.  And everything was pretty to her... "pretty bathroom, Mindy" and "pretty pillow, Mindy" and "oh, pretty ring, Mindy."  And heaven forbid I mistake panties for underwear... but don't worry, Kara set me straight.  This age is so observant and candid.  I smiled and laughed all afternoon.  :)

Hello Ducky!

Coleman looks very interested, doesn't he?  And Gabe is telling Bridger something very important, I think. :)  Meanwhile, Cannon has found the John Deere tractor hot wheels which quickly surpassed all the baby birds in entertainment value. 

Cute little ducklings... but I have to admit, I was worried they were going to suffocate each other!

I swear there is this little kid in me that will never ever grow up!  Last year when Griff and I picked up our annual spring weed-and-feed fertilizer at IFA, I fell in love with all the puffy little chicks, fluffy ducklings, and funny baby turkeys (no idea what their real name is... anyone?).  Anyway, this year I was so excited to go see them again.  I talked my sisters into bringing their little guys to see, too.  (I left Jack home sleeping with Daddy - he wouldn't enjoy it much anyway, right?).  It was a fun quick trip with my sisters and cute, cute nephews.  PS  I really missed Erin, Ben, and Eliza this trip.   I could just imagine Benny asking a bizillion questions.  I've just been really lonesome for you lately, Erie!  Couldn't you just sneak in a summer vacation to my house? :) 

Discovery Gateway

Jack and I met my cute cousin, Amy, and her darling boys for a day of fun last week.  First we went to lunch at Jason's Deli (which, of course is the best b/c of the free ice cream!).  Then Amy invited us to the Utah Children's Museum.  Can you say F-U-N!  That place is every little kids dream... a news center... a helicopter on the roof... a full sized toy horse to ride... all sorts of blocks... a farm... a supermarket... a playhouse... I could go on and on.  Unfortunately, it will be another year or two before Jack enjoys it, but I sure did. :)  Thanks for the fun day Amy, Carson, and Tanner!

 

Time to Wake Up!

Jack is a serious cutie pie when he wakes up in the morning.  I should just bring my camera in with me every morning.  He was sticking his lip out so far on the verge of crying, but by the time I got the camera... he was just happy.  I love this little man!

St Paddy's Day Bash

St Patrick's Day has always been a party at our house... my mom is pretty much the best! :)  She has always made everything so fun!  I remember green pancakes for breakfast and corned beef and colcannon for dinner when I was little.  And now that our family is bigger, the party has just gotten bigger, too!  My mom had the tables decorated so CUTE...

and she had fabulous food to go with it... Melanie made Colcannon, I made Beacon Bruithe (stuffed mushrooms), Brittany made scones, Mom made my grandma's homemade meat pies and punch (Amy had slept over, so she helped my Mom do everything).  Melanie has good pictures of the food on her blog, here.  

After dinner, we gathered to share our party favors... Irish Jokes and funny skits.  As you can see, that green wig was rather popular!  We finished by playing a rousing game of Bunko, which is a perfect game for kids... my nephews LOVE it!  Thanks Mom and Dad for inviting us over for such a fun night!

BUNKO!!!

Dad, Matt, Mom, and Amy doing a funny fishing skit!

Mindy, Coleman, and Connor

Ride 'Em Cowboy

Jack got a cowboy jumper for Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa Christensen.  He doesn't totally get the jumping part yet, but he still loves being in it... that horse's mane is fascinating! :)  And he jumps enough to keep the music going, which I think he likes, too.  He's just practicing up for future mule and horse rides with his Grandpas.  So saddle up, boys, because Jack is almost ready!

3 months

My baby J MAC is 3 months old!  I can't believe it.  3 months is SO long when your pregnant, but it has flown by since Jack was born.  It has been so fun!  I knew I would love my baby, but I never imagined this much.  And he is so fun!  Griff and I both love playing with him... watching him smile... and hearing that cute little voice cooing away at us.  Life has definitely changed, like everyone kept warning us... but it is so much better!!!   

I realized on Jack's blessing day that I didn't take one picture of Jack alone or with either of his parents.  How sad.  So I took this one a few weeks later, but have never posted it.  Doesn't he look so darling?  His blessing outfit was a gift from his Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Rice.  Thank you so much!  We wish you could have been here to see him in person, but we're excited to come see you in Magrath this summer. :)

Draper Temple Open House

We finally made it to the Draper Temple open house.  Amazing!!!  It was so beautiful, and I just LOVED all the artwork in the temple.  If only I were rich and could have all the art I wanted. :)  And I loved all the things that made the temple special to the area... like the murals of Utah landscapes and the sego lilies sewn into the carpets.  We went to the open house with Brittany, Eric, and Eric's family.  Jack pretty much slept the whole time, which was fine with me.  We're lucky to live close enough to enjoy so many beautiful temples.

Party at the McNeils

One of my best friends, Hillary, moved to Nebraska... and we miss her!  She came home for a quick trip last weekend and took the opportunity to throw a party to get us all together.  It was so fun to see her... meet her new boyfriend... eat some good food... and just hang out with our good friends.  Aren't everyone's  babies so cute, too?  It seems like just yesterday we were having sleepovers (all trying to cram into Hillary's bed or sprawled out on Jen's living room floor), and today we're all grown up with careers and/or babies.  Too crazy!!!

THE GIRLS: Hillary, Shelby, Andrea, Jen, and me.

Griff and Jack watched a lot of basketball in the theater room with the boys. :)

Shelby and Nash

Tom and Bella

Hodi and Jack

Around here birthdays should be called "BIRTHWEEKS"

The birthday fun never ends around here!  Last Sunday, Griff and my brother, Matt, shared a birthday party at my parents' house.  We had a delicious dinner, cake, and presents.  Then we headed downstairs for a traditional slideshow of pictures of the birthday boys.  My dad has put together these shows since we were little... and I have to say they have always been the highlight of the birthday!  I'm glad he hasn't let the tradition die.  And as for the birthday boys... I sure love them both!  Griff is the world's greatest husband and friend... I know, I know... I've just written all about that.  :)  And Matt is the world's greatest brother!  I've always felt we were kindred spirits.  Not many older brothers would let a little sister tag along hunting and fishing, but it never bothered Matt.  Thank goodness Matt didn't get that little brother he wanted, because it made him make due with me.  As a result, I have MANY cherished memories spent in the great outdoors with my big brother.  Matt is a strong, dynamic, caring person, and I am privileged to call him my brother. 

Here's Jack telling Daddy "all about it"

Gabe was so funny.  He was walking around cleaning things in my mom's basement with his "washer" (which was really a wet wipe).  Maybe he thinks his head is a little dirty, too?

Jack and Grandpa

These last two pictures were taken later at home.  I love that cute smile!

More Birthday Action

Griff and I spent another weekend up in Midway.  Thanks Matt and Amy!  We did a little handyman work and relaxed a lot.  On Saturday, Griff's family came up in the afternoon to hang out (except Cassidee - we missed you!).  We started the party out by going swimming.  Griff and I have had serious spring fever lately, so playing in the indoor pool was perfect!  The kids loved it, too.  Even the babies!  Jack loves his bath, and he loved kicking around in the pool even more.  However, I felt horrible after a few minutes when I realized his hands were turning blue. What a bad mommy!  So we whisked him away into the hot tub (which wasn't very hot), where we let him get in and out of the water.  I didn't want to visit the other end of the spectrum and bake my poor baby.  After swimming, we headed to dinner at Mountain Grill in Midway.  Thanks Cindy and Randy!  It was a cute restaurant and yummy.  Somehow we all saved a little room for birthday cake and ice cream afterward.  What a fun day!

Griff and Kara

Devin and baby Annika

Nellie

Grandma and Grandpa with all of their grandkids

Grandpa and cute Chet