July 4th

We had a really fun 4th of July this year. We started out by heading to the hot air balloons in Driggs on Saturday. We had to leave our house around 4:45 a.m., but I think it is well worth it. Our goal was for the boys to sleep in the car on the way there - I even hung things in the windows to make it darker. Don't worry, they were awake for the entire ride to Driggs!!

That night we lit a few fireworks in front of our house. The Summers family came and joined us and Josh and Violet had a really fun time together!

On Monday we started our 4th of July at Bill and Lynne's for our annual breakfast before heading to the Rexburg parade. My sister-in-law, Kirsten's, mom had these headbands for some of the girls in her family and shared with our family. I'm not sure how one ended up on Aiden but here he is sporting his new patriotic look!

After our BBQ at Bill and Lynne's we went out to play on the flooded lawn. Josh had a really fun time splashing his way through the yard.

The kids also played in the "kid wash" that Jen and BJ made. I had to post a picture of it because it turned out fabulously! Doesn't this look like so much fun?! Way to go Chapman's - the kid wash was a hit!!

That night we went to Idaho Falls to enjoy the Melaleuca fireworks. My mom and dad watched the boys while Brandon and I went to the Shilo Inn for dinner and me to play in the Freedom Orchestra. It was a fun experience! We finished playing just before the fireworks started, then Brandon and I ran back to join the family and watch the rest of the fireworks. It was kind of crazy but worked out!

We had a great 4th of July holiday. I am grateful for the freedoms we enjoy in this country and we had a fun day celebrating. PATRIOTIC!!

Water Fun

It finally warmed up enough that we have had time to play outside in the water. Aiden is not a huge fan but is starting to be braver where the water is concerned. Mostly he likes to be wrapped up in his towel. On this particualr day he was content enough to play with the sunscreen.

My mom has my grandma's old wash tubs at her house. We fill them up with warm water and the kids get to play in them. Umm, I'd be jumping in if I'd fit....who doesn't want to play in the water when it's warm!!

This summer Josh has really enjoyed playing outside in the water. He loves it whether it is a sprinkler to run through, a wash tub to sit in, the sprinkler under grandma's trampoline, flooding the lawn or playing in our new swimming pool. Sometimes I wonder how he doesn't freeze with the wind blowing (a real shock for Idaho), but he is rarely the one that wants to come inside.

Two years ago Brandon won this swimming pool at his company summer picnic. We put it up last week and it has been played in quite a bit. This picture demonstrates well both Aiden's and Josh's feelings on the pool. Aiden likes to be a part of the "action" while someone holds him. Josh likes to move around like a little fish. It has been a fun new summer activity for us to play in when the weather cooperates.

Zoo Visits

This summer my mom bought a "Grandma Pass" from the Idaho Falls Zoo and we have been lucky enough to go with her quite a few times. The kids still love it every time! On one visit Josh was standing funny by the flamingos. We told him to stand still for a picture when he very kindly informed us that he was standing like the flamingos. Ooooohhhh - that should have been our first thought!

Aiden is getting good at enjoying the zoo from the stroller. Tons of fun right? He is usually pretty content to sit and look at the animals (until the other kids start running around).

Eva and Hunter came with us on one of our zoo outings. Josh and Eva squeezed into the space that Josh usually sits in. They really had to wiggle to fit but it worked. Looks cozy!! They had a really good time together and had to do exactly what the other was doing.

Hunter was lucky and got to enjoy the animals from his stroller too! Don't they look thrilled? They really did have fun - of course the one picture I get of them together just doesn't prove it.

June Update

Here are a few pictures from June. Unfortunately it was a pretty cold June so you will notice the boys are wearing pants and even some long sleeve shirts in these pictures!

Josh and Aiden are starting to discover that it can be fun to play together instead of only fighting over the toys that the other one is playing with. I love when they play together - they can make each other laugh and giggle over the simplest things!!

Sometimes I have to wonder what is going on inside Josh's head....I walked into the kitchen one morning to find this. Josh had moved our basket that holds our blankets from the living room to the kitchen chair and then proceeded to sit on it. Really?!!

Aiden can be so opposite in his moods....one minute cranky as ever and the next laughing and smiling like this! I far prefer these moments. Isn't he cute?

Near the middle of June we headed out for the Rigby Stampede Days Parade. Jen and Brynlee came with us to enjoy the festivities and we all had a good time. The kids made quite the haul on candy - I think they get more candy at this parade than the 4th of July parade. They quickly discovered that the more they waved and smiled the more candy they got. People can't resist cute kids waving at them!

Josh really likes to wear his sunglasses and Aiden tries to be cool with him (but really can't handle wearing sunglasses for very long). I managed to catch them both being "cool dudes" together! I love it!

We were doing a Costco run with my mom and while shopping the boys started to give hugs in the cart. I thought it was cute so I had to take a picture of course.

Then...Aiden started giving Josh one of his very rare kisses. Ummm, are these my children? Once again I love when they play nicely. Moments like this make up for all of the other unhappy ones right?

We had one or two warm days in June and after playing outside we came in and had popsicles. I think this is Aiden's very first popsicle by himself.....he REALLY liked it!

Random Cute Pictures

Josh went to the dentist to get his teeth cleaned for the first time. He did great! I had scheduled Brandon and Josh's cleanings at 8 and mine at 9 so I could go in with Josh for his first cleaning. When we got there we found they had scheduled us all at 8. I went and got Josh settled in the chair and then left him to get my teeth cleaned. They said he was so good...he opened his mouth wide, let them clean his teeth, and let the dentist come double check that everything looked good. I think they could have done anything to his mouth and he would have been fine - but only because he got to watch the TV on the ceiling. Who doesn't love cartoons, right? We were really proud of him.

Aiden makes the funniest faces and we captured one with the camera. It so happens that he was also finishing up his Oreos so he is super messy. Why must we put messy hands all over our head?

Josh and Aiden were each eating a banana for breakfast. It was the first time I had given a whole banana to Aiden. They were making each other laugh and I thought this picture turned out to be pretty cute. I love it when they get along!

Josh is kind of a bath bully - he moves around a lot and Aiden usually tips over then screams to get out. This was the first time Aiden discovered he could lay on his tummy and not be affected by the waves of Josh. Now they both love bathtime! (Is this too much bare skin? :) )

For some reason Josh has an Iron Man fetish. He can only watch the movie when Brandon can skip all of the violent parts so he doesn't even get to see very much of it. We had seen the costume at Walmart but refused to pay full price for it. When Josh had pink eye near the end of March we were perusing the clearance isle while we waited for his eye drop perscription and found the Iron Man costume on clearance. He runs around in it singing the Iron Man song (I.am.Iron Man, dunna dunna dunna dunna, Iron Man)! It's amazing how much help I can get from him when he is Iron Man!

Easter Egg Hunt

The Saturday before Easter my mom came over and we set up an Easter egg hunt for the boys. It was semi-warm outside so I scattered the eggs around the front yard and we set them loose. It was a lot of fun.

They made a good candy haul. Thanks Grandma Boehme!!

Aiden's 1st Birthday!

Aiden is 1 year old (this post is only 2 months late so that's not bad)! We started out his birthday with some muffins for breakfast. He actually blew out the candle all by himself!

We decided to throw Aiden a robot party. I used my cricut and set out to make the party invitations. I am still learning all the tricks of the cricut so the project took A LOT longer than I thought it would, but I am REALLY pleased with how they turned out!

Brandon and I made a robot cake to match the birthday invitations. It was a lot of work - we didn't think through the fact that all sides of fondant would be visible. It turned out pretty cute anyway.

Aiden has always been an adventerous eater. Unlike Josh at age 1, Aiden had no problem digging into his cake and getting messy. He did a great job of eating his birthday cake!

I can't believe how grown up our baby is. He loves to explore and always wants to be a part of the big-kid action around him.

We love you so much Aiden and are so happy that you are a part of our family!