Qualtrics summer party

The pictures may be a little out of order but you get the idea. A lot of fun. bounce houses, petting zoo, face painting, and free food from food trucks. Aunt Milla joined us and a great time was had by all

24th in the cul-de-sac

This year, along with our neighbors, we enjoyed s'mores and a few fireworks in the cul-de-sac! it was so fun to get together with neighbors and friends. the cookies and the glow sticks were also an added bonus.

birthday boys

We are sure lucky to have the boys birthdays so close, Kyle's on the 14th and Adam on the 16th and since there were no objections from Adam, we celebrated both birthdays on the 14th with one big combined party. Grandma and Grandpa Gleason, Aunt Sherri, Aunt Milla, Great Grandma and Grandpa Bassett all were there and there was even an appearence from Grandma and Grandpa Cook, Aunt Brianne, Uncle Dustin, and Aunt Emma in India! (facetime is awesome). thanks everyone for the great clothes books and toys. These boys sure are loved!

Pinwheels came in a package from California and they were a huge hit. Adam and Kyle figured how to save their breath with the air vent

Kyle has been interest in trucks and tractors lately and Adam asked for an M&M cake. Mom made them again this year and they turned out great!

 Adam is pretty excited to be four now, in fact he has been telling people he is four for the past several weeks!

 our little hat lover Kyle thought his new helmet make the perfect hat, and now he wears it even when he is not riding bikes

following the leader

I know this wont show up when I print this into a book, but it was too sweet not to share. Last night it rained for probably the first time this summer. when the boys woke up there were puddles!  Kyle was unsure of what to do with them but quickly learned that all he had to do was follow his big brother in order to take advantage of these wonderful wet things. it was so much fun seeing Kyle following Adam in all that he did. He certainly looks up to his big brother.

 Our garden has been growing and it trills me that my boys get so excited about what is growing. Kyle discovered that beet greens are edible and now he eats them plain. yummy!

to daddy

Dear daddy, we love you so much! 

we love how  you snuggle and change diapers, 

we love how you wrestle and play,

we love how you take care of mommy and kiss her all the time. 

we love how you laugh and smile and read to us.

We love how you help us learn new thing. 

we love how you let us help with the yard work.

we love how you work so hard so we can have all the things we need,

 and a lot of what we want.

we love being your pillow, and that you can be our pillow too.

we love that you take us to bed every night and that you tell us you love us.

because we know it is true

and we love you too

swim day

Orem has the coolest pool and we sure had a fun time with daddy and the boys, enjoying the cool water and sunny skies. Adam a Kyle are pretty fearless in the kid pool and spent a lot of time jumping off the back wall to the water. we got treats on the way out and had an all around great time.

a little more of life

mom has a bulged disk in her lower back so she is a little less able to take care of the house and the boys. Bending, twisting, lifting and vacuuming are out.  this has made the boys a little more independent. Here kyle decided that pancake mix would make a good snack.  

Great Grandma Cook holding Colin at cousin Alicia Wilson's wedding reception

 Adam and Kyle got a ride on our neighbors lawn mower, we have the best neighbors!

Camping with the boys

dad took the boys camping up in the mountains, something he has wanted to do since he got the truck. I think it is safe to say that they had a blast

 Kyle loves dirt

my little fishies

The first couple weeks this month we dedicated to swim lessons for Adam and Kyle. Kyle, who was absolutely fearless of deep water now has a healthy respect for how water can actually be a little scary. I was in the pool with him for his lesson and he learned how to kick, splash, jump, float, blow bubbles and be submerged.  Adam who is also a little fish, but would freak out if his head went under water, can now hold his breath when he is under and is getting better at "swimming" under water.  we had a lot of fun and we are so grateful for Aunt Milla who watched Colin while mom was in the pool with the boys.  Now I can go to the pool without worrying about them so much :)

visiting Uncle Mark and the zoo

Moms Brother Mark died when she was 15-years old.  He is buried up in cache valley so we try to make a trip up there every year to visit.

 Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Gleason are also buried in the same cemetery, as well as Great Great Grandma England who married Kyle England, our little Kyle's namesake.
After the cemetery we went to the willow park zoo and park, and then Gossners dairy where we got g-milk and icecream. They were all out of squeaky cheese.

 Can't get enough of his little face

 Reindeer 

 Kyle giggles so cute when he is in the swing

Cook family reunion

We had a great relaxing Cook family reunion up at Uncle Vance's cabin this year.  we enjoyed leisurely activities such as hanging out in hammocks, playing soccer, shooting arrows, playing Foosball, hot tubbing, and playing a lot of board games.  Adam loved hanging out with cousin Zach and he  even had his first "sleep over" to spend an extra night with him.

 Kyle loved playing ball with Grandpa Cook

 Colin is getting so big and he is mostly a happy content boy

gardening

A little late in the growing season but we finally got our garden in!  Dad and Mom built the boxes, dad laid the paving stones and got the dirt and mom planted the seeds.  I hope we have a good harvest this year and the years to come. It looks pretty good if you ask me!

 Four 4x8 redwood boxes with room for more, and a flower bed in the future

The plan... almost followed very well