Summer lovin'

Even though it's in the 100's around here... Connor still wants to be outside all the time. So today at Ikea I saw this swing/chair thing and thought it would be fun for him outside. The pictures are a little blurry but he was swinging and laughing... it's like a baby hammock! He loves it!

*~*Happy Father's Day*~*

This father's day I wanted to get Kiel updated with the latest cell phone.. He's had the crappiest kind of phone since we got married.. he always spoiled me with the upgrades and what not... so of course...... the only way I could get a deal with Verizon was a buy one get one free type of program :) so we both got the new EnVtouch phone.. it's been nice. Anyways.... on Sunday Morning Kiel couldn't get someone to do his pull ups so when he got home he came into a delicious breakfast!!! Cinnamon Rolls, Eggs, Bacon, Sausage...... "the works" Connor and Kiel eating breakfast together... Connor LOVES bacon!!! Next was Connor's present to Kiel....

Connor helped Kiel open his gift... he KNEW what was inside...... CANDY... which Connor calls "LeedaLees" for some reason.... I thought they could share in church later!
One Morning I was brave and got the paint out for Connor to be creative and so I pieced his artwork in this frame along with a picture of him in Action... Connor loved the paint!!!
Here's the picture that is inside!!
After a very busy day at church... while Kiel stayed after for his calling I came home and got dinner ready for Kiel, Connor, our friends Jack, Michelle and their son Logan. I was brave... I make Emeril's fried chicken, Loaded mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob. To my shock the chicken actually turned out good... I think Emeril and Grandma Miller would have been impressed!! Well it was a long crazy, messy day but real great!!! We Love you Kiel and all you do for our family!!

Krispy Kreme Tour

Like I've mention before the ladies in my ward have come up with these great Summer Activities and last week was the Krispy Kreme Tour!!! All morning I was building up Connor's excitement telling him where we were going and who would be there.. He was very excited!! When it was our turn for the tour of the back room Connor was very animated and giggly. But once we turned the corner and we saw the Hundreds of Donuts freshly baked with frosting and sprinkles his excitement turned into tears of Frustration... He didn't understand why he couldn't have them all!! It took all my energy to make it through the 10 minute tour. Immediately after I got him his own donut and I swear it was gone in record time!!! And of course we brought some home to share with Daddy!!

*Starry Safari*

Last night we decided to go to the zoo for the summer's Starry Safari! We went with some good friends and family and we had a lot of fun. It wasn't too hot last night so it made for a more enjoyable time...at least for me. They open the zoo up at 6 and only have a couple exhibits open. They also bring out these awesome activities for the kids.... Connor and his friend Logan loved the Bubble station (of course) and the Elmo bouncy pad. It was fun. Something we would recommend and I'm sure we'll do again soon!!!

Connor laughed every time the water came up and splashed him!!Connor chased all the Ducks down to the water.. I swear he would've followed them in... he made his "Quacking" noise!! He loved the Bubble Station!!!
He had so much fun with his Friend Logan in the Bouncy thing.... Ah... MonkeyKiel volunteered to ride the carousel with Connor.. each time he went around he waved and said "Buh Bye!"

Enrichment Night

I just got home from Enrichment Night... we had a guest speaker who is really well known down here in Arizona and from what I understand is really hard to book. She was wonderful. The evening was opened up to husbands as well, because the topic of conversation was Raising Children. It was really interesting to hear all different areas that people struggle with while trying to raise their children in a home centered on Christ. She shared her opinions on how to deal with those things. She spoke of children from the very early stages in life and how important it is to nurture and the importance of "touch" all the was through to teenagers and how to negotiate without getting into arguments. As she gave some ideas on how to avoid contention with a teenager I thought of Kiel and I.... I leaned over to a girlfriend and said that's how Kiel deals with me... I'm the one that tries to get him to fight with me... and I'm the one that is throwing the "fits".... I KNOW Kiel will be a great with Connor and Chloe when they become teenagers. If he treats them the way he treats me when I'm "acting up" we'll be set! I call this my "emotional/crazy" phase of the pregnancy.... and the other day I was really upset about something someone did and I was trying to take it out on Kiel and he just ignored me... but he did it in such a kind way that made me even more frustrated.... so I went upstairs and layed on the bed... he kindly came upstairs a little while later and asked if I was done "pouting" and wanted to go out with him and Connor. The suggestions this lady was sharing this evening Kiel already does with me... He wasn't able to come with me because he needed to be in bed but it was obvious to me tonight that he already knows what he is doing and I was the one that needed the advice. Anyways.. not to embarrass myself anymore I just wanted to share my experience....

Chloe's Room

My new favorite room... We slowly turned the spare bedroom into Chloe's room. I Slowly.... painted the shelving this purple color and then painted the one window wall the same color. I thought the entire room purple would be really too much. It's really girlie and it's growing on me. Well until Connor is ready to sleep on a real bed Chloe will be in a bassinet (in our room for a couple of months) and then she'll get the boot to her room in a pack n'play. I can't handle babies in my bedroom so I know if I have her room ready it'll make for a easy move. Well her room isn't completely put together... everything isn't hung but we'll get there...

On the Calender

My Doctor scheduled with the hospital for Chloe's c-section. Unless she wants to come earlier (which is ok with me!) she's entering this world on August 5th whether she's ready or not. I will be!! So What to do in the mean time.... with 100+ degree weather, Kiel has helped me/allowed me to have many projects going on in the house. Here are some of them....

-I've made Chloe's crib bedding (crib skirt, bumper pad, blanket, and I recovered Connor's mobile to match) I'll probably make a little pillow with the left over fabric. I haven't found any bedding that I really loved so I decided to make my own... easier/more time consuming than I thought it would be but fun.

-I'm in the process of repainting the shelving that was in the office a really pretty light purple. Since there are a lot of parts to the shelves it's taking me awhile.... but at least I can close the door and walk away from the mess for a little while.

-After the shelves are painted we'll paint the walls in Chloe's room... we haven't decided the exact color but something neutral... I'm not into the bright pinks and purples... we'll see...

-Whenever I can I try to convince Kiel to take us to one of the MANY town aquatic centers. Here in Arizona they are EveryWhere!!! There only like $1 or $2 for adults and less for kids and they all have those zero level kiddie pools that Connor loves to play in with kiddie slides. He loves it and I love getting the sun!! For those locals here's a website... check them out. They are great! http://www.chandleraz.gov/default.aspx?pageid=733

Other than all my projects we're all doing really well... Connor loves going with me to all the Summer activities the ladies in the ward put together... there's something they've planned twice a week. Yesterday was Story time at someone's house. It's was cute. We don't think Connor Fully understands that there is another baby coming to live with him but we think he somehow knows something is going to happen/change..... He'll be a good big brother. Well enough for now! If you have any more summer activity ideas let me know!!!