Random Pictures

Lately Dean has been asking us to take his picture. So here is one!
We got this great ladder that allows us to fix our lights in the kitchen. I feel like they go out all the time. Noah was so brave and climbed up to help us out!

Dean's 1st Prayer

When Dean was younger and learning about prayer he would imitate our actions by folding his arms etc. I think he even tried to repeat a prayer a few times here and there. The past while probably 6 months or so he does not even like to participate in prayer time. He usually is disruptive and during the food prayers he will start eating. A few times he says he will say it but then he starts acting goofy and saying silly words. I was getting a little frustrated. We usually ask him if he would like to say the prayer before anyone else but her refuses. Tonight went a little different. We were in the room and it was time for prayer so I asked him if he would say it. He said yes and actually folded his arms and closed his eyes. I asked him if he wanted help and he said no. He started and ended the prayer correctly, I am not sure what he said in the middle (there was a lot of mumbling) but it was great! We were so excited for him and he was happy as well. When I got him to his bed he wanted me to say a prayer. After I ended it he told me that I needed to prayer for a couple of things and made me do it again. It was funny! Not sure if it will last but it was a memory to keep!

He also is not very good when we read our scriptures and does not want to participate. A couple of weeks ago I was reading the Book of Mormon while he was playing. He asked me what I was doing so I told him. I then asked him if he wanted to read a scripture with me. Surprisingly he agreed and repeated one scripture with me. It was great!

Julia is 15 months

Our sweet little girl is 15 months. Time is flying by but it is still hard to think of her as a toddler and not a baby. She is so much fun to have around and she is usually very happy. She loves to smile and laugh but is very serious when she first meets someone. She is such a fast mover or I guess crawler. She still chooses to crawl instead of walk. She likes to walk around the furniture and have us assist her in walking but once we let go she sits down quickly. She does like to stand up on the couch and put her hands in the air. She thinks it it funny but won't stand on the regular floor where it is more stable. We finally had to put a gate on the stairs because she loves climbing them. We would put our foot rest in front of the stairs and it would prevent her but now she just pushes it away. She loves going outside and gets so mad if someone is in the backyard and we don't let her out. I don't let her out in the backyard much and remind her that once she walks she can go out as often as she would like. I don't thinks she gets it yet. The park is the place where she is able to rome, climb, and get very dirty. She likes to repeat what we say and usually only will say mama or dada on her own. She does say banana, cracker, and nigh night. She still sleeps and eats great. She likes to cuddle and loves playing with Dean. He is starting to get a little impatient with her since she is more mobile and can get into his things. He loves having her around and always asks about her when she is sleeping or not in the same room. She is our giggler and laughs a lot before bedtime at night. It is so cute to watch because she laughs at anything and nothing. She also is starting to fold her arms when we say the prayers. It is fun to see how kids mimic the actions of others. We love our little princess!

Julia's 15 month STATS

Julia will be 15 months in a few days but we had our check up today. She is getting bigger and is very healthy. She has slowed down on her weight but continues to get taller.

WT: 25lbs 6oz 80th percentile

HT: 32inches 90th percentile

Nonny and Papa Visit

Brian's parents came to visit us this past weekend. We always love it when they come and the kids had been looking forward to their stay. They enjoyed playing games, reading books, Papa giving Dean horsey rides on his knee, going out to eat, going on walks, going to the park, watching family videos, movies, and just hanging out. I am sad to say that I did not take that many pictures so I guess that means they need to visit again!

Dean loved the book Nonny brought him and she read it to him many times.

Noah loves it when Nonny comes because she plays Monopoly with him. Dean got to help her roll the dice.
Dean showed Papa his puzzles. He sure kept Papa busy!

We went out to a Cuban restaurant which Nonny loves to eat at when she comes.

Park Time

Dean and Julia go to the park usually once and sometimes twice a day. Here are just a few pictures of what goes on during those times.
Julia loves to climb!

Helping Daddy

Brian was busy doing some work around the yard and Julia and Dean were all for helping!Julia loved helping pull the weeds
It was time to pick some oranges to juice for Brian's parents visit

Dean is a great helper when it comes to the oranges!

Steve and Megan Family Visit

We were so lucky to have Brian's brother Steve and his family stop by to visit as they were on their way to Texas. They were moving so they brought their big moving van and truck filled with their belongings. The kids loved seeing their cousins and we enjoyed the company!Dean and Nathan got along so well. Nathan is almost a year older but he enjoyed playing with Dean.
We all watched a movie together the night they stayed. Noah, Dean and Connor look so happy that I was taking a picture!

I tried to get Dean and Nathan to sit together for one last picture before they left but Dean was being stubborn.

Brotherly love!

Julia with Annalee, they both have beautiful hair!