Summer Projects

We are loving summer break. Shawn is doing a research fellowship so he is gone from 7- 4 or 5 most days, but when he gets home, he is home! There is no studying or homework. We have really enjoyed this little break and can hardly believe school is about to start up again (and from what I hear MS2 is worse with studying for Step 1.) We have packed a lot of little projects into this summer. My favorite though is definitely our litle herb garden.

Shawn did all the hard work- he broke down the pallet, sawed, drilled, stained and cut the wood. Then did the metal to hold the mason jars. All I did was tell him what to do (sort of), fill the mason jars with dirt and plant the seeds, and make the vinyl labels.

The herb garden turned out awesome. And I LOVE it. I love seeing it in the corner of our kitchen. I can't wait for everything to grow so we can start cooking with it. And to just see the green... plants make me happy. 

Birthday Girl

Our little Jacqueline Iva turned three! I cannot believe she has been a part of our family for three years already. Time sure has flown by. We had a great day celebrating her. It was a successful day- when we got ready for bed, she said her party was her favorite. She is pretty easy to please. I hope she always stays that way.

Last year, we decorated Iva's door with streamers and she loved it so we decided to make it a tradition. Shawn wasnt home in the morning so we waited and made her play quietly in her room while Charlie napped while we decorated. She was so excited to see the streamers, but did not want to break through them. 

 

 

We had a nice quiet party just the five of us. Iva loved her cake- she said it was her favorite. She knows how to make her mama feel good. She had one wrapped present. As she was unwrapping it, Shawn said what is it, Iva? She looked at him and said a piggy for my money. She asked for one last month. It is a good thing I listened and followed through.

  

 

Iva has been begging and begging for a bike for a few months. There have been many tears cried when she was told she had to wait for her birthday. But she did it (or rather I did it!) She was so so excited to get her bike. I was worried she wouldn't love it and it would be a dissappointment, but it wasn't. She has been riding everyday. We got her a balance bike after much debate and she is getting the hang of steering and lifts her feet up for a few seconds. I am rather impressed. She asked for a bike with pedals tonight so I am sure she will have one of those soon. 

After presents and cake, we headed to the movies. We saw The Minion Movie. Iva loved being at the movies eating popcorn. I am not sure she loved the movie, but she loved being there. She is getting so big I can hardly believe it. She only wants to do big kid things.

Do We Look Alike?

Henry Dorsal

 Henry Dorsal Catmull

We can hardly believe a month has come and gone since you joined our little family. We love you, You are really loved by your sister and brother. Iva loves talking in a squeaky voice for you and most of the time you are saying "I want my mommy" or "I am hungry. I want my bottle". Charlie loves to pat you and hold you. They get a kick out of you burping and not saying excuse me.  

You are super gassy! And tend to be fussy from about 5-8 at night, but as long as dad or I squeeze you tight you are as happy as can be. You don't like to be ignored and want to cuddle all day long. You like to sit up and look around. You have already smiled for us, but it takes a lot of effort. You take the best naps in your swing, car seat running errands, or in the baby wrap. You sleep at night in your crib and wake up at 2, 5,6,7... we are still figuring out the morning and your cluster feedings. You have slept through the night once- in a hotel after seeing the Grand Canyon. You have started to focus better, but still tend to go cross eyed. You are easily startled and wake easily. (You would think with Iva and Charlie running around you would be used to it, but nope.) You are growing and filling out quite nicely- Shawn says you even have the trademark Catmull leg roll that is impossible to resisit tickling. We tickle you lots and lots and you seem less than amused. We can't wait to watch you grow and see your little personality develop. I can already tell you are going to be a sweet, cuddle bug.

Sedona

We have been told that Sedona was a must see and that it was a mix of Park City and Moab. And I would say both of those statements are true. We didn't stop in the city because we had nappers, but we spent more time in the redrock areas.

We spent most of our time at Crescent Moon Park. It was a fun little trail along the creek. We planned to hike farther along the trail, but once Iva and Charlie saw the creek there was no keeping them out of it. We ended up playing in the creek and exploring the creek for a few hours instead- it was a good thing we packed lunch. 

Iva and Charlie loved it and were not ready to leave when it was time to go. We had the perfect morning/afternoon and will definitely be back.

 

Grand Canyon

Shawn crossed one off his bucket list this weekend. He had never seen the Grand Canyon before and now he has. 

We took a quick day trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It was about a four hour drive with stops. Henry proved to fit in to the Catmull family even more and was a great little traveler. We somehow managed to time his feedings perfectly. 

Iva and Charlie were in heaven and were a little too comfortable. Iva kept asking to stand on the edge and Charlie didn't want to hold our hands when we were near the railings. The glass windows looking straight down in the Mathers Point Visitor Center didn't even phase them. They walked a little less than a mile along the rim and did great. I was a little surprised that they didn't get tired.

After stopping at Mathers Point, we drove over to Desert View Watchtower. I didn't get any pictures, but Iva, Charlie and Shawn climbed to the top and had a blast looking out over the "Grand Candy-yon." I am not a huge fan of heights and stayed down below with Henry.

After exploring a bit, we headed to Flagstaff to spend the night before heading to Sedona. We had a pretty good night in the hotel. Henry slept better than he ever has. Iva slept like a rock in  a drawer because she wanted to be like Henry. Charlie, on the other hand, had a lot of energy until he finally crashed at 11 o'clock. He and I spent some time spinning circles and running the hallway at 1030 because everyone else was sound asleep. They slept in long enough and were well rested to begin our next adventure at Sedona. 

Happy 4th of July!

We had the perfect 4th of July for our little family. Shawn had the day off and we made the most of it. We swam in the morning, BBQed for lunch, took long naps, played in the yard, set off our own little fireworks while Henry napped inside, and then watched the "huge" Macy's fireworks on TV.

We truly are blessed to live where and when we do- so many freedoms and opportunities. Lately, I have felt some anxiety about raising kids in this day and age and worry about what could happen to them (especially with all the different things being passed lately). Just lately I have felt reassured that they will be blessed and am hopeful for their futures. As long as we start setting a firm foundation now, they will be ok and I know they are going to be great and do great things. I am thankful for the freedoms they will enjoy because of those before them who sacrificed so much. I hope they always remember them. 

Oh Henry Boy!