High Adventure '08

Last week JL went on the High Adventure trip for the ward. They went out on Wednesday and got back this past Saturday. From what I heard, it was hot but totally fun. They concluded the camping trip with a mini-triathlon JL and Dave had planned. Below is a picture of all the boys after the awards ceremony:

While JL was gone, my family came out to keep me company and to play with the kiddo's. The trip was great! I had a huge "to do" list made up of things I've been putting off because I didn't want to drag 2 kids along. (i.e.....shopping!) So while my Mom and I (and Isabel) hit the stores my Dad stayed here to entertain and play with James. Or should I say - James stayed here with his Grandpa to entertain and play with him. :-) Either way the two of them really bonded!

James is just turning into such a boy lately! He likes to "fix things like Daddy" with his fake hammer and screw driver and he enjoys wrestling and tackling everyone! And of course he still has a deep deep love for baseball. I bet he and Grandpa pitched enough baseballs to complete an entire MLB season!

Isabel meanwhile just loves her Nana! She's such a me and JL girl I was a little worried she wouldn't let even the extended family hold her. But she took to my Mom right away!! My Mom even had her enjoying outings (which is amazing!) and taught her how to hold her own bottle! ;-)

We also made a huge breakthrough with James and potty training. Now, let me just say - I'm not trying to potty train James. At least, I thought I wasn't. But all of a sudden he has decided he wants to do his business in his little potty chair. We'd all be playing and he would proudly declare: "pooks mamma - need potty chair!" At that point, my Mom and I would RUSH him into the bathroom and try to get him on the potty in time. We came close twice - but we never did have a time when he went in the actual pot. But it's encouraging because he definitely has the concept down. He knows when he has to go and that he should be going in the potty - he just doesn't tell us soon enough. But, I'm VERY excited about this new thing! I'm trying not to get my hopes up because I know regression is very normal.....but STILL! How would it be??

Besides shopping, I had a few projects I had been wanting to start/complete. One of them was putting up a collage of pictures of the kids in the hall. I printed a bunch of my pictures off in B&W and had them printed at Wallgreens. Then my Mom and I spent an afternoon cutting and placing them in the frames. I think they turned out fantastic!! MUCH better than I though. Infact, they are so cool, I'm having a hard time deciding where to put them in the house. I've concluded that my original location is too hidden. I want people to see these things!

As with all good things - the visit had to end. I always hate to see family leave. It's so depressing. I really enjoying having people out to visit at the house. The kids LOVE the change in pace and really enjoy seeing the family. As soon as we pulled away from the airport James goes "Grandpa and Nana come back soon Mamma??" Sigh. Yup. Soon.