Kennecott Copper Mines

Yesterday I took the boys on an excursion to visit the Kennecott Copper Mines. On the way home when I asked the boys if they had had a good time, Hank confessed that it wasn't as cool as he thought it would be. Apparently, Hank was under the impression that he was going to get to ride in the dump trucks, get right down in the excavation site, and get in on the action. They were a little disappointed that they had to settle for watching all of the excavation action (worlds largest man-made excavation site) from a safe distance. Nonetheless, they were pretty mesmerized watching the giant dump trucks haul off huge loads of materials and learn all about the history of the copper mine at the visitor center museum.

Moving Target

It's almost as though the moment I take a picture of Joey is becomes outdated because he seems to be growing and changing so quickly. Even though I just snapped these photos last week, Joey already looks older to me.

Joey Tidbits:

* Joey loves company. If I put him down or leave the room for a moment, I have to make sure to set him near a brother or he will get lonely and start to fuss. As long as he is being held, he's happy.

* Joey has found his fists and loves to chew on them, producing an impressive amount of slobber. I offer him rattles and chew toys, but he prefers to suck on his hands or the strap to his binky clip.

* Likely because he doesn't like to be put down, unfortunately Joey doesn't behave well in the car. Hard to believe anyone could feel lonely in our cacophonous car.

* Joey has the cutest little deep, husky giggle.

* By far, Joey is my highest tone baby. Whereas Max and Ben were just floppy rag dolls, Joey is very rigid and erect. He loves to stand on his feet. He wants to sit up so badly; if he is laid on his back, he crunches up into a sit-up position.

* Joey can take or leave his binky, he is fond of his blankie, doesn't like to be  swaddled, and likes to snooze in his swing the best.

Say Uncle

Last weekend Unlce Adam came to visit for a golf-cation. The boys could not get enough of Adam--from the minute we picked him up at the airport they started in amusing Adam with their full reportoire of knock-knock jokes and kept him busy playing trucks until lights out each night. The countdown is on for the next visit!

Prince Harrison & Prince Maxwell

When the Draper Chamber of Commerce submitted an email asking for a volunteer to tow the float, Aaron jumped on the chance to grab a little free PR for the business, and, well, just for the heck of it. Not going to lie, the boys thought they were pretty special when they got to ride in the back of Aaron's truck, huck handfuls of candy to the crowd of kids, and wave like dignitaries to the sea of common-folk in the Draper Days parade.

Bonus

My little Jonas-Bonus. He is just that. A Bonus. On top of my three other awesome little boys, I get this sweet litte bonus. Joey LOVES to be held. If he isn't being held, or getting direct attention from someone, he will start to complain. Not that I don't love to hold this little guy, but thank heavens for the Bumbo seat so that Momma can get a few quick things done!

Ahhh! I just want to squeeze that cute little face! Loooove that baby!

Drop-dead Tired

The boys are tanned from playing outside with friends and splashing at the park with their shirts off. They're dirty from catching rolly-polly bugs in the yard and climbing the rock piles at Nana and Papa's soon-to-be house. They're sweaty from playing tag at the park and riding their bikes up and down the street. Their faces are grubby from popcicles stains. Their clothes don't match because they slept in late and dressed themselves in yesterdays' clothes. They're so tired, by the end of the day, they look like this:

They're tanned, dirty, sweaty, grubby, mis-matched and tired. Its summertime and we're loving it!

And He's Off!

Watching your child ride a two-wheel bike for the first time is right up there with witnessing those first baby steps--so thrilling! Hank must have been ready because when I suggested we take the training wheels off his bike, he grabbed the wrench, removed the training wheels, and never went back.

I held onto the back of Hank's seat while he rode in loops around the driveway a few times. Within just a few minutes of practicing, Hank was ready to ride by himself. I gave him a little push and he took off! Just like that! Pretty soon Hank became increasingly adventurous and before long he was riding up and down our street, racing the neighbor kids down the hill.

As a mom, its a little bittersweet to hear your child say things like, "No, Mom, I don't need any help," and "No, Mom, I can do it by myself." Of course I am so proud of Hank for the courage, determination, and independence that he displayed while learning to ride his bike, but there is a teeny little part of me that hurt just a tiny bit to watch my baby take one more giant leap forward into big-kidhood.