Idaho Falls Zoo

I took the kids to the local zoo to give Grandma and Grandpa some quiet time and for the kids to get some fresh air.  Easton was battling a fever on and off this day.  As you can see from the picture below he wasn't feeling 100% and that is mainly why I decided to rent a stroller.  I thought if we were going to enjoy our day Easton needed some place to sit while we walked around the zoo.  Blair had a fever earlier in the week for about two days which I think she got whatever sickness was going around from her cousin Ella who had a fever the Saturday we arrived in Idaho Falls.  I ended up getting a fever/chills/aches/pains/sore throat the following day and I was miserable for about two days. Dyer was the only one who didn't get a fever while we were on vacation but he definitely got his fair share once we got home and he was teething!  We must have brought the sickness home because Nathan got the same thing as me just a week later.

Blair and Easton ready to check out the zoo.

Dyer and I.  Easton took the picture!

Video:

Feeding the ducks!

Blair

Easton

Penguin

Video:

Playground near the petting zoo

Dyer

My camera went dead so I wasn't able to take anymore pictures while we were at the zoo.  Not too long after this it started to rain?!?  I thought it might sprinkle a little bit but it was actually raining.  We hung out under a gazebo for a while, ate snacks and called Nathan as we were waiting out the rain.  It let up a little bit but we decided we would just tough it out and check out the rest of the zoo at a little faster pace.  Luckily all the kids had jackets and hats.  We definitely hung out a lot longer at the monkey house since it was indoor.  They had this one monkey that was definitely entertaining.  

When we completed the zoo (it didn't take that long since it's not a very big zoo) Easton was distraught that he didn't see the lions.  I told him that I was pretty sure that we saw the whole zoo and that maybe they didn't have lions at this zoo.  He kept pointing to the map that had a picture of a lion on it and saying that they have to have lions.  Since it wasn't raining anymore I decided to take the kids around the zoo again to see if we maybe missed the lions.  Sure enough they had lions but the first time we went through the lions just weren't outside.  Easton was definitely a lot happier once he was able to see the lions.  

Valerie gave each of the kids some money that they could spend while on vacation so they each got something at the zoo.  Easton got a penguin, Blair got a tiger purse, and Dyer got a kangaroo with a joey in her pouch.  Thanks Valerie!  You definitely spoil my kids.  They were so excited that they got to pick out something special from the zoo!

Later that night we went over to Aunt Jessica and Uncle Bryen's house to watch them light fireworks.

When we got back to Grandma and Grandpa's I thought I was charging my camera.  It was plugged in and the light was blinking as though it was charging but when I went to use it the next day, when Grandpa took us for a walk around the falls, I was able to get one picture before it went dead!?!  I'm not sure what happened but so far my camera seems to be working just fine now.

Going for a walk with Grandpa.

We didn't walk very far before Easton started complaining that he was too tired and wanted to go back home.  He obviously wasn't feeling very well because normally he enjoys hiking and going for walks.  The kids did get to feed some of the geese before I walked back to the car and drove back to meet Grandpa and the kids.

Since my camera was dead I wasn't able to take anymore pictures while we were on vacation.  

On Saturday everyone left to go to Uncle Gary's memorial service.  The kids and I didn't end up going.  I was sick that day but we weren't planning on going anyways.  It would have been a three hour drive each way and I just kept remembering how horrible my kids were at Sue's funeral.  I only had two kids then and Nathan was there so I just didn't think it would have been the best thing.

We ended up going to church on Sunday even though it was a nightmare trying to convince Easton to go and to get him ready.  He claims he doesn't like church and he thinks it is boring.  During Sunday school I took Dyer out so that I could get him to sleep.  When I came back Blair was on Grandpa's lap.  She said her tummy hurt so after Sunday school I took her and Dyer back to Grandpa and Grandma's house.  The second we walked through the door Blair said with a huge smile on her face, "My tummy doesn't hurt anymore but I don't want to go back to church!"  She is such a cleaver little one.  I'm actually surprised Easton didn't think of that one himself.   

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for letting us stay with you.  Besides being sick and getting others sick we had a great time!  It was great to see almost everyone!  We sure miss and love everyone.

4th of July

We met up with a bunch of family to have a picnic and wait for the BIG firework show.  The kids spent most of their time sliding down the grass hill on cardboard boxes.  Blair's white shorts definitely aren't the same as they used to be.  I really didn't think that one through.  Oh well she had a ton of fun with her cousins and that is all that matters.

Ella, Dyer, Bekah, Easton, Braeden, and Blair

Blair

Easton and Blair waiting their turn to go down the hill.

Blair getting ready to go down with Austin.

Video of Blair and Austin going down the hill:

Easton going down with Austin.

Video of Easton and Austin going down the hill:

Blair and Bekah

Video of Blair and Bekah:

Haha!  They crack me up!

  

Blair with Aunt Jessica.

Two videos of Dyer dancing:

I couldn't decide on which one I liked best so I included both.

Easton cuddling with Grandma Gretch.

Easton laying down trying to sleep.  He was so tired and I don't blame him since he was up the night before throwing up with his baby brother.  Dyer got the worst of it but luckily it only lasted a couple hours.

Dyer and Torie

Dyer and Grandma Gretch

Fireworks!!!

Video of about 10 seconds of the show we watched:

The whole show was like this but it lasted just over 30 minutes.

Easton fell asleep during the show.  Apparently he doesn't care must for the Idaho Falls fireworks since he is 2/2 for falling asleep during them (granted the last time we were there he was just over a month old!)

Cousin Time!

Braeden and Ella came over for a couple days to hang out.  We went to the park twice and played in the pool and slip n slide in the backyard.  All the kids get along really well which is nice but sometimes when all the kids get together it can get a little too noisy at times.

I thought this picture was funny.  Ella was trying to pick Braeden up so he could swing.  Braeden and Ella are two years apart but they are basically the same height and I'm almost sure that Ella weighs more than Braeden even though Brae is older.  I wouldn't be surprised if this was Easton and Blair in the next year or two.  A lot of people already think they are twins and I think it is because they are about the same size.  

Blair playing at the park.

Easton

Dyer

Ella and Braeden showing me the worm they dug up.

Easton picking up a worm

Cute Blair

All the cousins!

Too bad they all couldn't smile and look at the camera at the same time!

Back at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Braeden and Easton hanging out in one pool...

...and Dyer, Ella, and Blair hanging out in the other.

There was a slip n slide as well but I apparently didn't take any pictures of the kids on that.

Grandma Gretch came up for a couple days as well and the kids had a blast with her.

Blair all ready for her Princess Picnic at the park with Grandma Gretch.

Princess Ella

Braeden didn't want to wear a crown but still went to the princess picnic.

Easton left the house before I had a chance to take a picture but as soon as Dyer got up from his nap we met the kids and Grandma Gretch at the park.  I snapped a quick picture of Easton before it was time to go.

G&G Stockton's 50th Wedding Anniversary!

We drove out to Idaho for Nathan's grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary.  Because it was still June Nathan couldn't get any time off so we had to wait until he got off work Friday night before we could take off.  We had to make a little detour to drop Nathan's car off at the airport so that he had a car to drive home when he flew home that Sunday.  It was a really quick trip for Nathan.  We decided to drive out there since I wanted to stay about a week longer and thought it would be nice to have a car while there.  It was really rough driving all through the night to get there.  We were all exhausted by the time we got there because no one slept very well.  If we ever have to do another quick trip and it would involve driving through the night I'm pretty sure that we will be flying and if needed we will be renting a car.  I don't think we could do that again.  Plus both Blair and Dyer threw up so that was really disgusting!  We definitely had a good time once we got there but it was pretty miserable getting there.   

Watching the sun rise as we are driving to Idaho Falls.

We left California a couple hours before the sun went down and we didn't get to Idaho Falls until the sun was already up and shining for the day!

Grandpa Stockton singing to his bride of 50 years!  It was so sweet!

Video of Grandpa singing to Grandma:

I only got the very end but it was still so cute and sweet!

Happy 50th wedding anniversary Grandpa and Grandma!  We sure love you and admire you!  Thanks for your example!  

I had to include this random video of Blair.  She's too funny!  I think she thought the fan was a microphone!

Video of Blair singing:

If you can't tell she is singing three different songs into one!  (Born in the USA, Somebody That I Used to Know, and What Makes You Beautiful)

Swimming Lessons

Easton and Blair were once again in the same class for swim lessons.  Neither one of them passed which I guess is not uncommon for this class.  I was told that most kids don't pass the first time around and a lot don't pass the second time either.  I thought Easton did really well.  He just needs to get over putting his head in the water when he is floating on his back.  I guess he doesn't like getting water in his ears when he does it. I knew by the second day that Blair wasn't going to pass the class because for some reason she was acting like she was terrified of swimming and didn't want to participate.  She was totally a different person three weeks earlier when she would jump right in and do everything her instructor asked her to do.  I'm not sure what happened!?!  I don't think it helped that the very first thing her teacher did when they got into the water on their first day was dunk them in the water.  Blair will put her face in the water but it has to be her idea and on her time.  I think it freaked her out that everyone was getting dunked so she opted to stay away from her teacher just in case her teacher had the crazy idea of dunking her.

Video of Easton getting dunked:

Easton volunteered to be the first one.  I was so proud of him!  Too bad Blair didn't go first because it all went down hill from here.  If you watch the movie again you should look at Blair (yellow swim suit).  You can kind of see that she is really not sure about this dunking thing.  I'm sure it also didn't help that it was freezing the first day.  The Saturday before swim lessons (2 days earlier) the temp was 109 degrees.  On Monday the temp dropped to 64 degrees and it was really windy.  

Video of Easton swimming with kick board:

Easton

Video of Blair swimming with kick board:

I was actually really surprised that she finally got in and swam because she was being as stubborn as ever.

Blair

Blair smiling!

I asked Blair to get dressed for swim one day and this is how she came down the stairs!

Video of Easton swimming:

WEEK TWO:

They actually moved the kids to the bigger pool because the heater went out where they normally do their swim lessons.

Video of Easton swimming with the kick board on his back:

Video of Blair swimming with the kick board on her back:

This is a video of what it generally looked like when Blair got into the water.  Usually it was her instructor grabbing Blair and bringing her into the water:

The only thing missing was Blair begging to go back the second her instructor grabbed her.

Video of Easton swimming underwater:

I was so proud of Easton.  He was so brave to do it!

Easton

Blair of course clenching onto her teacher for dear life.

Video of Dyer:

He was so proud of himself that he could get over that bar.  He now climbs in and out of the bathtub!

Even though Blair acted like she was afraid of the water I was proud of her that she got in the water by herself everyday.  On the last day she finally seemed back to her normal self.  She was blowing bubbles in the water and even putting her face in the water.  Her teacher was definitely shocked.

Some of Dyer's first steps and Father's Day!

Dyer took some of his first steps over a month ago but he still isn't walking much.  He has taken as much as 15 steps at one time but he still prefers crawling over walking and actually probably prefers being held to crawling.  Yes, he is a bit spoiled.  

Video of Dyer taking some of his first steps:

Nathan had (I think) a pretty relaxing Father's Day.  We got in really late the night before because we went and saw Wicked, but somehow I still managed to get up early and make him breakfast in bed before we had to get ready for church.  I saw this really fun idea of making bacon roses so I thought I would give it a try.  

Up close picture of the bacon roses.

I got a nice laugh from Nathan so my mission was accomplished!

We love you Handsome!  Hopefully you had a great day!  Thanks for being such an amazing father and husband!

Father/Son Camp Out and Mother/Daughter (and Dyer) Hang Out

Our ward every year has a father/son camp out.  While the boys were having fun setting up camp...

Dad and Easton camping (from Nate's phone) 6/16/2012

... us girls had fun at Chuck E Cheese.  

Blair having fun at Chuck E. Cheese

Proof that Dyer was sleeping!!!

While the boys had fun roasting hot dogs and marshmallows for smores...us girls had fun eating at McDonald's.  While the boys (mainly Easton) had fun playing sword fights with friends and getting dirty...

Easton with his friend Andrew

Easton

...us girls had fun painting our nails and getting facials while watching a movie. 

While the boys slept in a tent in really HOT weather... us girls enjoyed a very comfortable bed in an air conditioned house.  Although the boys didn't sleep as well as the girls, I'm pretty sure everyone in the end had a great time!  I know I had a blast hanging out with (mainly) just Blair.  Dyer was with us too but he was sleeping most of the time (with the exception of dinner) so most of the time it was just the two of us.