Idaho Family Reunion

We got to spend just over a week in Idaho with the Davis family!

Tyler's sister, Jenny, and her family just got back to the states after being in England for the last 3 years with the Air Force and his brother, Eric, came from Ireland. It was a good time to have everyone altogether before people move again! (Eric is going back to Ireland for another year, Jenny and her family are moving to North Carolina and Cindy and Mike are moving to North Dakota!)

We started the family reunion with the best family-bonding activity: paint-balling! :) It was my first time- and to be honest, I couldn't see much because my mask kept fogging up so my strategy was: run to a tree and hide behind it! :) I did manage to capture the flag one round...but I'm not getting my hopes up in becoming a professional paint-baller. I'm just grateful that wasn't real combat--I'd never make it!

Tyler was so hard-core!

And just in case you wondered what Jordy was doing during our paint-balling..his girl cousins were spoiling him with lots of attention! :)

Cindy's wedding reception was later that night- Tyler found this little tie lying around the house and thought he'd wear it...hmmm.

We then went up to a cabin in Island Park, Idaho with all of Tyler's family for the reunion. Now THAT'S the way to go camping with a baby! It was nice being in the woods but also having plumbing and comfortable places to sleep! :)  We had a marshmallow-shooter war, there were ATVs to ride, a hot tub, we watched the USA World-Cup soccer game, had a campfire and made smores, played games and had lots of fun up there just hanging out! **Unfortunately I didn't always have my camera on me- so I didn't get pictures of all of our activities during the reunion. 

Riding ATVs...

Don't worry- Jordy wasn't driving it-just posing for a picture!

Mr. Turtle! 

Jordy's first campfire! (Again- I feel I have to reassure others we aren't the worst parents ever--or at least we know not to let a baby get close to fire! So his hand only LOOKS like it's touching it!)

 

Eric had gone for a 4-wheeler ride early one morning and came back to the cabin telling us there was a moose. We were a little doubtful at first because the day before -the kids came running in saying there was a moose in the woods so we followed them outside to see it- to realize we had been tricked and were now the targets for their marshmallow-shooters! (Which is what started the marshmallow war!) But- we trusted Eric and hopped on the 4-wheeler and rode down the road and saw a real moose! (we only had our phones to take a picture- but it was closer than the picture shows!)

We took family pictures while up at the cabin. Jenny was taking nice pictures- so these are the "process" of getting everyone ready for the real thing! 

Tyler and all his siblings!

We ended our reunion riding horses on a ranch in Montana. Jordy got to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Davis while we rode!

Jordy didn't seemed phased at all being close to the horses...and NO- the horse isn't eating his hand! :)

Playing with Uncle Eric on the ranch

Riding Folgers and Shuffles :)

It was really pretty where we were riding!

After riding horses we stopped at a diner on the way back to Idaho Falls called BIG JUDD'S...any ideas how they got that name?!

Again- Jordy was excited to see our food! (We shared- just not with him this time!)

He did grab a chunk out of our bun before we got it away!

We were back in Idaho Falls for the Fourth of July. Jordy got to see the famous Idaho Falls fireworks! (My first time in Idaho Falls was for the weekend of the 4th four years ago...so this holiday has special significance for us!) Tyler had told me the fireworks show in Idaho Falls was the best -west of the Mississippi and wanted me to come see for myself-- even though I had just met him less than a month earlier. I ended up surprising him by coming up to Idaho and saw the fireworks...and I'll admit- I was VERY impressed!!! :)  *It was then later that night that Tyler kissed me for the first time :) There's something magical about fireworks I guess...
We go to watch the fireworks pretty close to the river where they set them off- and I was worried that would be really loud for Jordy- but he did just fine. He actually seemed to enjoy them for the first 10 min. or so-- then he fell asleep! Yup- with fireworks exploding overhead! He should be able to sleep through anything now! :)

 Our friends have a little girl that just turned 2 and she and Jordy were almost outfit-twins!

I saw my friend do this for her baby when she brought him to see the fireworks. I don't think Jordy really needed the socks stuffed in his hat...the explosions didn't seem to bother him! :)

 We also got a picture of all 15 Davis grandchildren (oldest to youngest...currently Jordy is the youngest by 9 months)

Jordy did so well during this busy week with lots of people and going lots of places...it was a busy, yet very fun week! :) We are so grateful we have such wonderful families!

End of Spring Term

I'm playing some catch-up with the next few posts...
(MAJOR CATCH UP now!)

Spring term ended in the middle of June- and boy was I ready for a break! :) Jordy has been so good - considering he's been in a "school routine" since he was about 3 weeks old.

I can't thank Ben enough for still being willing to watch Jordy during the spring/summer as I took classes and worked with clients. Jordy loves his Uncle Ben! :)

He's a natural! :)

Ben was even willing to watch Jordy when Jordy was sick. One day I came to pick Jordy up and Jordy had leaked, but apparently I hadn't changed the spare clothes for awhile in the diaper bag- the clothes no longer fit...so Ben got creative! :) 

The Thursday I finished my last final we celebrated by going to the Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days Rodeo!

Jordy makes a cute cowboy :) 

They have the yummiest strawberries and cream...we always look forward to eating ours- just look at how excited someone else was too! 

They had fireworks at the end of the Rodeo- we weren't sure how Jordy would do with loud fireworks- but he seemed to like them! :)

I was able to play on a soccer team (for 3 games- because they were desperate to fill the team in order to not forfeit :) Jordy was a good "cheerleader" - though some wanted him to be our ball! 

 Speaking of soccer- we were super excited for the World Cup to start in Brasil! Jordy's shirt is still a little big, but he was excited to cheer on Brasil as they played their opening game.
*Because I'm writing this after-the-fact, I can say we were sad how Brasil got dominated- but it was fun to see some good games during the World Cup. Hopefully Brasil will have more luck during the Olympics! :)

We went to the nearby Farmer's Market one Saturday in June and bought a cucumber plant, a tomato plant (yes, we're still trying to prove we can grow something! :) and then enjoyed walking around looking at the little crafts and things to eat. We decided to try out this pizza van...they cooked their "gourmet" pizzas in a wood stove in a glass box on wheels...it ended up being pretty yummy!

Poor Jordy-- he really wanted some of it!

My great friend, Rachel Bronson and her family got to visit us during their trip from Oregon. We loved having dinner with them and seeing her adorable boys. We wish they lived closer and can't wait to see them again! 

Logan was so cute with Jordy!

I don't know what surprised Jordy so much in this one!

Come visit again soon!!! :)

Grandpa Hyatt was also able to visit for a day (after driving for 23+ hours from Wisconsin) before he had to leave for a business trip. We were excited to get to see him, even if it was a quick visit! 

Taking advantage of half price Sonic shakes with Carly and Brad

Visiting my Grandma and Grandpa Hyatt 

These are just some random pictures from the month...

Jordy sleeping with his butt in the air! 

One of Jordy's new favorite things to do: eat his pacifier!
(Now he can put almost the whole thing in his mouth)

He also started biting his lower lip- making him look like a little turtle! 

He's such a big boy...he likes holding his own bottle!

"Aww Dad! Now I have grandpa pants!"

I haven't gotten a good picture of him eating his toes- but that's another new favorite thing now! 

What a happy boy! 

On the way up to Idaho the last weekend in June we stopped in Ogden to meet up with my cello teacher from Appleton, Linda Calhan. It was fun getting to catch up with her!