June

This summer is flying by. I always count down the months until summer but now I'm already starting to think about fall. We have been so busy doing so many fun things it's going to be over in a blink of an eye. Weeks go by where we aren't home any evening but I try to remember soon it'll get dark earlier and we will be trapped in the house.

Russ went to Florida for a work trip early in June so Bryce and I had fun watching movies, eating popcorn and visiting Olivia after picking him up from the babysitter's house. Bryce is still obsessed with Frozen so we watched that probably 10 times and he ate popcorn for dinner. He automatically assumes if you are watching a movie you must have popcorn, like father like son.

I bought a bouquet of peonies at Costco because I didn't want to cut mine.

I did cut one for my sweet baby

My happy snowman

One day while we were visiting Olivia, out of the blue, Bryce said "Ah-ee-ya pretty mama." It brought tears to my eyes. We don't say that to him so I don't know where he came up with it but I am sure she is the most beautiful girl. I believe the veil is still thin for children and maybe he has seen her or remembers her from before they were both born.

Bryce had a total of 10 swim lessons over a 3 week period. He did float a few times but for the most part he hated it and cried for the entire lesson. He would say "help mama", "all done", "mama, mama, mama" it was so sad. I hated watching but I couldn't not watch because I had to know exactly what was going on during the lessons. The last day finally came and I had planned to buy more so that he could learn what he was supposed to but he threw up after swallowing too much water and I was done. I know that is the technique they use but I couldn't handle watching Bryce looking like he was drowning. I almost walked over and plucked him out of the pool and left. I may try these same lessons again next year but this year my anxiety and tender heart got the best of me. The teacher said "he just has a different, stubborn personality", I am pretty sure that is his red hair coming into play. Until next year I will just watch him like a hawk and hope the survival swim won't be needed.

The best part was cuddling after he got out of the pool.

One of the assistants I work with got married this month. She is so sweet. I have worked with her for the entire 3 years I have been at the office and she has become a very close friend. We went to Olive Garden and a pole dancing class for her bachelorette party. I didn't get any pictures at the wedding and I am not sure why but it was beautiful.

I don't think we will be quitting our day jobs any time soon.

Russ' mom had her annual spring dance recital for all her cute little dancers at UVU this year. Russ was out of town still for work but Bryce and I sure enjoyed it. Our niece, Brinley, is in one of the classes and was so cute! Bryce loved dancing in his seat to all the music.

We went to the new Museum of Natural Curiosity with Nixon and Nicole. Bryce loved playing and Nixon liked watching him play. Soon enough they will be running around together! I thought I lost my phone in the museum but I had left it in the car. Sometimes I swear I am losing my mind. We also met up with some friends and went to the splash pad and play area outside the museum a few days later.

 Russ and I are still training for our half marathon. I am a little more nervous this year than last for some reason. I am also pretty bummed because last year I lost so much weight following the same training schedule but this year I have maybe lost 1lb. I think it might have to do with stress and anxiety. The best part of running is it gives me time to think, whether that makes me more or less stressed is debatable. I think about Olivia a lot as I run. I also get sad because I am grateful for my healthy, strong body but I can't help but think that I should be 8 months pregnant and unable to run like that. I get to run near the lake and in the mornings it is so beautiful. There is nothing better than watching the sunrise.

We have gone to the Lindon pool a few times. We went one Saturday with Nicole and Nixon while Tyler and Russ went to the mall to see a BYU football player. Bryce can't get enough of the kid slide and the big slide. He also loves to float around the lazy river with his puddle jumper. We went again with the girls from the neighborhood and all their kids. Then a third time we met up with all my sister-in-laws (minus Kristin, who works during the day) and all the cousins. It was fun to visit the them while the kids played. Bryce loved jumping in the pool with his cousin Jack, who is two years older.

one of my favorite pictures of him

We met up with my friends, Amber and Gabe, and their kids at the Provo Rec center for some more swimming. Bryce is a few months younger than Jace and only 6 days younger than Scarlett.

One of my absolute favorite things about summer is snowies. I have only been twice this year, I better get on that before they close for the season. Bryce couldn't get enough either. He ran back and forth between Tanner, Lauren, Russ and I to sample each of them.

We helped Tyler and Nicole move to a basement apartment in Lehi a few weeks ago. Bryce got to wear one of TyTy's helmets and loved it. He was in BYU heaven.

My sweet sister-in-law, Kristin, went through the temple to receive her endowment at the Mount Timpanogos Temple. It was such a special day to have Grandpa and Grandma Thornock, Kim, Kirk, each of Russ' siblings and spouses all in the temple together. I am sure it was a proud moment for Kim to see all her children there. Kristin is really one of the sweetest, best people I know. Russ and I talk often about how she deserves only the best man to marry. Kim said "I hope one day you will have the chance to see all your children in the temple." I cried a bit because I know I will never have that but I should be happy Olivia has already fulfilled her purpose and is in the celestial kingdom. Now we only have to be good enough to make it there. I told Russ, half joking, good thing we know Kristin will make it there to see Olivia if we don't.

Addi turned 8! I can't believe it has been 8 years since she was born. She is becoming such a pretty little young lady. Tanner and Lauren got her a big girl bike and she looooved it!

We took Bryce to How to Train a Dragon at the Thanksgiving Point outdoor movie. It was so fun. He could run around and didn't bother anyone. Russ and I brought a swig drink and got dinner from a food truck. I hope we will make it to at least one more before summer ends.

Story time with a hedgehog. The kids made their very own hedgehogs out of half apples and toothpicks.

We love date nights with our neighborhood friends. We went to a few parade of homes houses and Olive Garden. We are so lucky to have such good friends that live so close to us.

I had my first yard sale and it was totally worth it! Well, technically it was a neighborhood one but we got rid of tons of stuff and made a little extra money. I took everything that didn't sell to the DI. There is something freeing about getting rid of unwanted, unused stuff.

That same day we went to Crew's second birthday party. He and Bryce are pretty close in age and they have really started playing more together lately. He and Bryce went around and ate off of random kid plates and played with baby Kelsey. Russ and Bryce also played football with the big kids. Russ' dream would be for Bryce to play BYU football so he better start training him while he is young.

That night we went to the Strawberry Days carnival then met up with Scott and Audrey to watch the fireworks.

Bryce found a "buggy" in the garage and wouldn't come inside forever. I am glad he isn't afraid of them so he can kill them for me.

He is still very into sports and will sit down long enough to watch it. He watched the world cup with us and kept yelling "go, go" and "B-Y-U". One day we will have the heart to tell him every team isn't BYU but until then he can live in his BYU everything world.

We had family night with Tyler and Nicole with dinner at Cubby's and a visit to the temple.

We did Lehi Round Up again this year. We went to the outdoor movie in the ballpark, stock parade, rodeo and main parade. Bryce loved sitting with Addi at the rodeo but other than that he wasn't overly excited about it. He did really like the parade though. What kid doesn't like candy getting thrown at them?!

Bryce is very into his water gun and likes to squirt us. I was playing water guns with him one evening and he said "mommy name is Hulk." I'll take it! He is so adorable. He is usually really good but has started to implement a few terrible two tendencies.

We wen to an Owlz game with some friends and Tyler and Nicole. Bryce loved the Owl and wouldn't leave him alone. He hugged him, danced with him and stalked him a bit. He also made friends with some big boys and they let him play catch. When I went to get him they kept saying bye Jace. Apparently he told them his name was Jace instead of Bryce.

another favorite picture

I finally found the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. I does require an entire stick of shortening but my theory is that shortening doesn't stick to your insides since it so slippery. I got it from Erin, Sara's sister and like she said, It is like crack. You cant just have one!

 What is Bryce up to?

1. still loves Frozen and Toy Story
2. more attached than every to his blanket, he calls blanky
3. talks soooooo much and impresses us with all the things he can say
4. he make complete sentences
5. says I love you
6. says "I like your hair mom." Then if you don't say I like your hair bryce he will ask "like my hair?"
7. he said "baby ah-eee-uh I love her"
8. sings the ABCs, not perfectly but pretty well
9. can count to 15
10. sings B-R-Y-C-E to the tune of bingo
11. recognizes the letter B
12. likes to eat cereal for breakfast but doesn't eat much other than that
13. still wants to wear his BYU jersey every day
14. one night while I was helping Nicole clean their old apartment Bryce told Russ"where mama, where mama? Mama so pretty."

Quotes:

"In our own lives, when the rains descend the floods come and the winds blow,  we can be more certain of this than of any other thing in the universe: our faith in Christ, our foundation in Christ, our building on the rock of Christ will be a sure foundation that will withstand very grievance and every pain. He is the foundation whereon if we build, we cannot fail."
-Jeffrey R. Holland