Bear Lake Part I

The bi-annual Carlsen family reunion was at Bear Lake!  It took place at the beginning of August and it was so much fun!!!  We stayed in a big cabin all together.  I felt like it was a great way to really maximize the time we got to spend together. 

The first day we got there around lunch time.  After getting settled in we headed down to Main Street.  We ate dinner at one of the ma and pa shops and then walked around the fair.  It was the city’s Raspberry Days.  Then we got our first taste of raspberry shakes and watched the parade.  This parade was one of the best parades I’d been to regarding hand outs.  Candy, candy, and more candy, otter pops, beaded necklaces, mini loafs of banana bread and even a bag of chips and salsa from the local Mexican restaurant.  It was pretty hilarious actually.  Here are some pictures from the parade.  Tyson didn’t like the loud sirens and me and Andy just hanging out watching everything go on around us.

The next day was a pretty lazy day.  Most of the family went to a local park for a few hours.  Later we hung around the cabin and talked and the kids had a great time playing with their cousins and staying up late watching a movie.  I remember LOVING being at the cabin because Tyson was so entertained.  I think we hardly saw that kid.  Even Andrew would disappear for awhile.  I took Tyson to the pool for a bit in the late afternoon.  We had a good time but the water was super cold and the breeze was as well.

Twin cousins!

On Saturday we headed to Bear Lake and played in the water.  The kids played in the sand and made a huge hole in the ground and enjoyed watching it fill up with water.  Some kids also built sand castles of course.  Andrew loved the water.  I did well of not getting myself or the boys sunburned.  Brian is a different story.  I didn’t apply the sunscreen very well on his back and then when I told him to re-apply he didn’t.  He got burned really, really bad.  Andrew has had reactions to sunscreen before but the one I bought for this trip worked great.  I was a little worried about him breaking out and being miserable.  Dave rented a boat and we got to take turns going out on the lake and tubing.  Tyson came with us but didn’t want to get in the water.  He loved just being on the boat though and helping look out for other boats and holding up the flag when someone was in the water.  I went on the tube myself and I loved it.  The first round was so so fun.  I held on for what felt like awhile.  I do remember that it doesn’t feel great being a nursing mother and riding the tube.  I had such a great time that when Dave asked if I wanted to go again I said sure!  The second time I only held on for a few seconds and went flying off.  That time when I hit the water I felt a huge blow to my ribs.  It hurt so bad.  It took a few seconds to convince myself to take a breath.  The rest of the trip I was in a pretty good amount of pain but I tried to suck it up.  My swimsuit has underwire and I think the speed and angle that I hit the water at just jammed it right into my rib cage on my right side.  Brian went next and he held on for what seemed like forever and I remember seeing him get some really awesome air time.  Of course because I had gotten hurt I started to get nervous that he would get hurt.  He did have a sore shoulder before going and tubing didn’t really help.

Jeffrey stayed in the shade the whole time hanging out with Mom Carlsen and Wendy and sometimes Jaden and Maddie.  It was an exhausting day.  I remember the sand being really really hot trying to pull the stroller up the hill to go home.  The water was pretty cold when you got out a little farther but you didn’t notice it when you feel off the tube I don’t think.  The kids instantly feel asleep in the car and Brian stopped to buy everyone raspberry shakes.  Yum.  When got back to the cabin a lot of us were locked out.  Fun times  

 

2 months old

My little Jeffrey turned 2 months old a bit ago but I don’t want to miss sharing his stats and how adorable he looked then.  At 2 months he was already smiling.  What a great stage he was in.  He was also doing really well at sleeping.  He took great naps at this point and I think would sleep from around 11pm to about 4 or 5 in the morning.  He’d go straight back down and then wake up around 7 or 8.  Something very unique to Jeffrey is his snorting.  He snorts when he gets really upset and crying.  Everyone always laughs.  It’s really cute.  And then he snores pretty loudly.  I’ll explain below why that happens.

Going to Jeffrey’s 2 month Dr. appointment was my very first outing with all 3 kids completely by myself.  I tried to be as prepared as possible.  I packed both kid’s backpacks with snacks and toys.  It was still a complete riot.  I think the office sets up a video camera in these tiny rooms and then they all sit around and watch a mother break down as her children run wild.  Then the Doctor finally comes in when they’ve had enough laughter.  I mean really.  Why must they lock me in that room with all my children for over a half hour?  Its just torture. 

So let me continue talking about Jeffrey.  The Dr. said he is growing great.  He’s on track, gaining weight and all of that good stuff.  I did ask about his congestion and he said that will go away with time and it is because his nostrils are just so tiny.  Then he started listening to him and told me it isn’t congestion but his throat making that noise.  Apparently when Jeffrey gets really excited or basically any other time his throat collapses a little bit.  He had a fancy term for it but I don’t remember it.  Anyway, I was just starting to freak out and he said babies generally grow out of it around 8 or 9 months.  Alright, so nothing really serious and I guess he’ll grow out of it.  That’s a relief.  That really explains his snoring.  Other than that issue he said he looked fabulous.  He got his shots and was a trooper.  He cried of course but calmed down quickly when I picked him up.

Here are some pictures from the office…

Adorable Jeffrey

And ridiculously crazy boys in a tiny tiny room

2 months

Weight: 11 lbs—25%

Length:  23”—43%

Head Circ: 39 1/2 cm—33%

 

Frisby Reunion

Every year Brian’s mom’s family have a get together at their property.  I remember going to the property before Brian and I were married.  Brian talks about going with his family all the time growing up and going tree-tipping.  Anyway, he loves sharing this part of his life with his boys.  We make it an effort to go each year.

It was a Hawaiian theme.  There was a raffle (where my family won I think 5 times and more but stopped getting prizes at that point), a piñata for the kids, and Hawaiian haystacks for lunch.  It was a great time.  The kids loved the zipline and the swing set.  Of course it rained while we were there for a little bit.  I think it rains every year.

Baseball Game

This was our first game of the season.  It’s Tyson’s second baseball game and Andrew and Jeffrey’s first.  Andrew was a bit difficult to handle as usual but Tyson and Jeffrey did great.  I think it is nice every once in a while to get out and do things like this.  It was a Friday night and we were all tired but wanted to make a fun memory.  I know the kids enjoyed it and that’s what matters most to us.

Andrew was NOT having it to stand by the Owlz.  He just stared at them instead.  It was funny.  I kind of don’t blame him.  Giant red birds…weird.

Just some pictures

Here are some random pictures I found on the computer that I hadn’t blogged about yet.

Jeffrey hanging out at with me.  He’s just a few days shy of 1 month old here.

Jeffrey’s very first bottle (if you don’t count the one they made me give him in the hospital…irritating)  He did great taking it.  I remember worrying but he did fabulous here.  He was just a little bit past 1 month old.  Brian looks tired in this picture.  He probably was. 

All dressed up for his very first Sunday at church.  Handsome, adorable little guy.   {June 30, 2013}

Tyson wanted me to take a picture of one of his Lego creations.  I’m always very impressed by him.  He plays Legos at least once a day, usually more like three times a day.  He is so creative.  He talks while he builds, makes up stories, pretends to be the people, sings songs.  I think he may be an architect when he grows up.  He’s just so smart with building.

And, I can’t forget about Andrew.  Andrew, Andrew, Andrew.  He was very quiet one morning and I figured I ought to go find him and make sure he was okay.  I found him on my dresser playing with my make-up.  I’m talking mascara wand in my foundation, and chapstick everywhere on him.  Thank goodness it wasn’t on the carpet or a huge mess all over the dresser.  The causality was really just him and my mascara.  I have been trying harder lately to not get so upset over his 2 year old-ness and I told him Oh no!  That’s a no-no! and starting snapping pictures.  He said to me, “Mommy make-up.  I pretty!”  Yes Andrew, you look beautiful.  Here are some pictures of him in the tub.  Oh man, you’re a handful.