Three Months

Three months already! Three months felt like forever when I was pregnant, yet somehow these last few months have just flown by. But it also seems like time has warped somehow, and now there never was a time before Joey was our baby. I often wonder what it will be like when we can grasp eternity...an existence without beginnings or ends. I think sometimes we get a glimpse of that, especially while our children come to us and grow so fast. 

Joseph is an absolutely happy baby! When my family was here for his blessing, my nephew Ace remarked, "Does he ever even cry?!" And the answer is no, not really! Joey is happy, or at the very least content, virtually all day long. He has the biggest smiles and the biggest stories, and he's happy to entertain anyone that will maintain eye contact with him. He especially loves his brothers and sisters, and he always has big stories and smiles for Daddy when he gets home. But, if this is going to be an accurate account, it must be said that Joey saves his best smiles and stories for Mama. :) That boy brings so much joy to my heart. Which I need so often when my heart is heavy and burdened. Joey is such a gift to me!

I think he's right on track developmentally, though his weight is still a source of stress for me. He seems to be eating great, and he sleeps amazingly well...but he just doesn't gain much weight! I took him in for a weight check and he clocked in at 13 lbs 8 oz...that's not even a pound gained in a month! I don't know where he stacks up against the average weight for a 3 month old, but for a baby that started out so incredibly big he's really not keeping up the growth! He seems pretty long to me, though, so maybe that's where all his energy is going. :) I need to do better about tummy time, as I realized the other day that he's already three months old and I'm pretty sure he can't raise his head. Like all my babies, he hates tummy time. And I hate making him upset! But we're going to have to start working on it.

Here's a bit more about Joey at 3 months old:

* Still in size 1 diapers

*Wears some 3-6 month, but mostly 6 month clothes

*Still has bluish, grayish eyes!

*Is trying his best to become a thumb sucker, much to his Mother's chagrin

*Sleeps like a rockstar, going to bed before 10 and waking at 7 or 8 am most mornings

*Is still a pretty distracted nurser, he'd love to take his food on the go and keep observing life!

*Is pretty ticklish, and can almost let out a real laugh

*Has very strong legs, and likes to practice standing on laps

*Is just starting to discover that he can control his hands and arms

*Loves playing with Claire, Sophie, and Johnny!

*Daddy calls him "Broseph Joseph"

*Sophie calls him "JoJo"

*Mom calls him "The Poseph"

Oh Joey, we all love you so much! The kids wish they could keep you like you are forever, and Dad and I agree! But we're so excited to see you grow up and learn to do more exciting things and get even cuter!

Rulon Call Reunion 2016

The year's Rulon Call Reunion was held at the bowery of the Stake Center right by Great Grandma's House. We had so much fun! Everyone brought their own lunch (we though a big bucket of KFC was appropriate for the occasion) and a dessert to share. Then we enjoyed playing all sorts of games together. There was football and frisbee for the adults and water balloon game for the kids. But the highlights of the day had to be the bouncy house and the unlimited snow cones and cotton candy! 

It was so nice to visit with some of Danny's cousins that we don't get to see that often, and Joey was passed around so much I hardly knew where he was! How grateful I am to have married into such a great family, that still sees the value in time spent together creating memories. Because in the end, it's all about our families. :)

Zip-line Park Awesomeness!

After the blessing weekend, Danny's family stuck around for the week. The kids were dying to see their cousins one day, but I couldn't handle another day at the pool. :) So we thought maybe we'd give the zip-line park a try! We called the cousins and met after dinner (when it was a bit cooler). The park was amazing!! I couldn't believe how unique it was, and the kids were in heaven! Which consequently meant the adults were in heaven. :) Thanks to Aunt Millie for the amazing pictures!

4th of July

Our 4th of July celebrations started a bit early this year with a fireworks show at Great Grandma's pasture the night of the 3rd. Danny's cousin always amasses quite the inventory of awesome aerials, so it was a pretty impressive display! It was a late night, but a ton of fun. The fun was just getting started, however. :) When we got home, Danny got to work dry brining his brisket for our 4th of July BBQ! Papa was the benefactor of this prime cut of meat, but Danny was responsible for making it memorably delicious.

Fourteen hours later, and Danny's brisket was smoked to perfection! We sliced it thin, and served it on rolls with just a touch of BBQ sauce. As benefactor, Papa got the first taste. It was two thumbs up from him!! :)

The afternoon was full of the usual visiting, eating, and swimming (in no particular order). It never gets old...everyone just gets older! :) 

Finally it was time for fireworks! Danny let Claire, Sophie, and Johnny each pick an aerial firework from the firework stand, and Danny got a little something for himself...300 Saturn Missiles!! He was brave enough to light it, and smart enough to get running as soon as it was lit! It was loud, but the kids loved it!

Then it was time for the real fireworks show. The kids are so much older now, and they all actually did the sparklers we lit for them this year. :) We had a fun mix of fountains and aerials, and we even had a patriotic Pandora station going in the background. It was perfect.

How grateful we are for the freedoms we enjoy, and for those who sacrifice to make it so. I really do recognize the privilege it is to be an American; to be able to raise my family in safety and teach them to worship the way we please. It is one of our greatest blessings.

Happy Fourth of July!