Getting into everything

Franklin is a very busy little person. Though he is only moments from walking on his own, he is very content to jet crawl after anything and everything he wants. He loves his kitties, popcorn, open cupboards, books and magazines (have to make sure it's a book he can't tear apart, or that we don't care if he does) and anything that his mommy happens to have. (regaurdless if he actually would want it if I wasn't holding, or using whatever he may want). He always wants to eat what we have on our plates, even if we've let him taste it and he hates it. He still wants it. So occassionally I make something I know he'd actually eat on his own. So far we know he likes spagetti, pizza, soups, and some mexican food, however he hates the baby food version of dinners, all dinners. Can't blame him, I've tried to get him to eat it by me taking a bite of his food and I hate it too, the fruit and veggies are fine thank goodness. He also loves to pretend he's chewing on something if we are; for example, gum. You should see him eat popcorn, it's actually very funny. He's obsessed with it. It can't run out before he's finished eating it.

In some of the pictures in our Picasa album (click on this entry's title for the link) Franklin is persuing Rizzo in a box. Rizzo loves boxes, and Franklin loves Rizzo. Franklin will bring a toy to Rizzo and Rizzo will bring a toy to Franklin. Those two can play all day, and I imagine they literally will when Franklin no longer needs 2 naps a day. It's such a huge relief that our cats no longer have their front claws. Franklin likes Osgood too, but Osgood doesn't always like Franklin. Sometimes he hisses at him, and usually Franklin will laugh. He still imitates their meows, and often laughs at them for any reason at all. The video at the end of the album is of Franklin and Rizzo playing. You can tell Franklin is partically distracted by the tv, which is muted.

I LOVE Springville. If anyone wants to experience why we love it here so much you should come visit us this fall (or perhaps if you want to go to conference, come see us during your visit). It was fantastic to go outside the other day and you feel and smell that Fall is just days away. Just in case you don't know Fall is my absolute favorite season. We've jumped the gun a little and already put up some Fall and Halloween decorations. Up here everyone goes all out for Halloween; the entire town really gets into it, and the city has something just for the kids. We're going to take Franklin to it. I'm hoping that Franklin finally gets up his nerve to walk before then so I won't have to carry him everywhere. He has taken one step on 3 different occassions all by himself, he just lacks the confidence to do more; plus we have to trick him into it. I also can picture in my mind Franklin trick or treating (we already know what he'll be) and I see him taking things out of his bucket and then once it's empty, putting it all back in, at every door we stop at.

For our Labor Day we put up the tent in our living room, and camped indoors. It rained from Sunday to Tuesday. Franklin thoroughly enjoyed the tent and air mattress. He thought it was more fun than the cats. The only thing better was Rizzo playing in the tent too! Franklin was in heaven! They were hilarious!! Oh, and I wanted to let you know you can leave comments on our blog even if you don't have an account. We'd love to hear from all of you who stop by and check out whats going on in our family.

Having fun in August!

If you click on the title it'll send you to our Picasa album link, and you'll get to see the pictures of what we've been up to this month.

Last week we had our Primary Class Party, and it was fun. We got started a little late, and so it ended late as well. We held it the night before school started, and I was thrilled that no parents objected to it. There is only one girl in our class, and she was SOAKED within the first 2 minutes. Of course the other 4 boys ganged up on her, and so it was a very uneven water war, but hey, it was all fun for each of them. I can also tell that 2 of the boys in our class really like her. But they are at that age where girls are gross, and boys are stupid (10 - 11). I hear it every Sunday.

They broke up into groups of two, and we all made Ice Cream, and it was fun! They loved their ice cream, and everyone got so sticky, and gross. We also played a game, and then we had to end it earlier than I had planned because it was getting late and they were starting school the next morning.

On Thursday Whitney asked me to accompany her to Salt Lake while she completed some paper work for her new job. She got a teaching position at the Salt Lake Community College, South Jordan campus. She graduated with her master's degree the week previous!! Yay Whitney!! She was going to start teaching that evening, and she was told a little late that there were more signatures needed, and other things. So we, Whitney, Franklin and myself were jotting around campus. It made me miss the college life a little but not enough to go back, at least not for now.

Things started to run a little late, so her hubby, Blain came up to So. Jordan to bring her a few things she needed for the night, and came and got Franklin and I, and took us home. It was fun, hot, and long day. It was so great to get out of the house! Even Franklin had fun!

Saturday we went over to Greta's and they had rented a huge slide for Miles' birthday party. We missed the party because of Franklin's nap, but we had fun with just the family. I can't believe that Miles' is 6! And even more so that Boston is 7!! It was so hot, that's what was getting me first, but the 25' slide was a lot of fun! Chloe went on the slide more than anyone else, she was so fun to watch. Oh, to be 3 and have her energy. She did have super red cheeks from the heat when she was done. Lucky her she doesn't sunburn! Thanks Whites for having us over!

A funny thing happened on the way to the. . . ah, just go ahead and laugh!

Our place has become the official home where we hold FHE every Sunday for the Young Married couples in our ward. It's been the perfect way for us to get to meet other people, especially since we've been in Primary since the third Sunday we came here (the first Sunday was General Conference and we did unpacking while we listened, so we didn't meet anyone that day either). We've made new friends, and people have discovered that we are funny people, and having Franklin hasn't stopped us from being social. In fact everyone wants a piece of him. He's just like his mom (the whole social bug thing).

Speaking of Franklin a very funny, and gross thing happened the other day. So he's cutting more teeth, finally. However he isn't very quiet about it, poor thing, and I'm trying so hard to keep patient. He's gone back to waking up with the roosters, so we just give him another bottle, and he'll sleep till late in the morning, which I don't mind one bit. Stephen got up at 5:00 a.m. on this particular day; changed his diaper, and gave him the bottle. Stephen did this very sloppy, and didn't put his shorts back on him either. When I went in there at 8:30 I was horrified at the site, though I can most definitely laugh about it now.

There was poop EVERY WHERE!!! In his sleep he managed to get the diaper off, and while it was off he took his opportunity to poop. Of course there was no poop in the diaper, but there was on the outside of it. He had poop on his shirt, his head, hands, feet, legs, belly, but not his bum. It was smeared in the sheets, on his bumper, on the railing, his blankets, and he happily stands to greet me. Usually I walk up to his crib, and allow him to grab me, then I pick him up. I didn't let him touch me. That shirt was off in record time, I closed the door behind me, then put him in the shower. At first the water was cold, and he cried, but I wasn't going to let him put poop anywhere else except down the drain. Once it warmed up he was fine, and started having a good time till I had to start scrubbing him down. Then he was getting mad at me.

Once the poop was gone I filled the tub enough for him to play and finally gave him some toys. He enjoyed himself for a while, and I was happy to think that I could forget about the mess in his room for a while till he took a nap. I had to set up the pack and play in our room, which he didn't care for because he knew his crib was in the other room. While he played for a little longer, because he didn't want to sleep, I let all of his bedding soak. I must have put it through 4 cycles, the last one with a little bleach, before I put it in the dryer. I did laundry all day, with just one load! When he was asleep I took care of the crib. I love GreenWorks products! I also lowered his crib all the way down since he's discovered the art of climbing.

So, did you have a good laugh? or were you grossed out? Try being me on that unforgetful day!

Franklin's first birthday and visiting Arizona