palisade state park

My Uncle Marvin, Aunt Wanda and cousins, Ben, Loni and Rena.

 We went to the McEntire reunion at Palisade State Park in Manti in June. 

It was HOT, HOT, HOT! 

97 degrees during the day and hot enough to be out of our sleeping bags in our tents at night.

Good thing there was a lake, but one day Adam and I took a drive out to town with Linc in tow so he could nap in cooler temps. 

Phew.

So fun seeing my family though. 

Linc and Addie played and got soaked over and over again.

The boys did a little night fishing.

And of course Elliott caught his first toad, but then let it go.

After the boys were in bed we had fun talking to my cousin Matt and his wife Lindsay who 

I feel like I know and have never met in real life since I read her blog. 

They have been to almost every one of the 50 states together, cool huh?

I wished they lived closer.

Can all the McEntires please move into my city?
Please and thank you.

(I guess facebook, blogging and the every-other-year reunion will have to do.)

mr. toad

My brother Ari found a toad while we were camping at Palisades.

We ended up bringing it home thanks to my sil Jenny who has 

been known to bring home lots of bugs and animals for her two boys.

Thanks a lot Jenny.

But really- he's such a fat little toad.

And I'm proud to say he is still alive three weeks later.

We love him.

(Don't love finding crickets in my underwear drawer when 

the boys forget to close the lid on Toad's food source...)

Linc Bear

These are some random pics from my iphone of my little Lincoln Bear. 

The kid is Mr. Independent and already thinks he's 5.

Everything that comes out of his mouth is so adorable- I want to write it all down.

(Except for the phrase he's been stuck on lately- "butthead" - who taught him that anyway? 

The neighbor kids all think it's the funniest thing on the planet so they egg him on, and the cycle continues.)

He knows when he gets tired in the afternoon and likes to lay down most of the time- but I leave it up to him.

The other day I was making dinner and went to check on him since he'd been so quiet and he was asleep in his bed. 

He gave himself a nap. 

That's my kid.

He still adores Suki the cat.

We check on our tiny garden most days and try to find bugs.

He knows how to play by himself- which is huge. 

Neither of my big boys do that.

He caught his first baby snake at Grammy's house all by himself.

It was fun to be in charge of who could hold the snake for a change. 

Usually he's fighting for a 30 second turn before the big boys take the snake back.

He is rough and likes to climb, so lots of times his face gets the bumps and bruises.

Poor kid.

He has the best bed-head, especially when his hair is super clean.

Love my little Linc.