Natalieism

On Saturday, Jon took Natalie and Curtis to run some errands. One errand was looking for a new pair of slacks.
Natalie: "Dad, what are slacks?"
Dad: "They're dress pants."
Natalie: "So why don't you just call them dress pants?"


On Sunday, Natalie learned about being kind to animals at church. She brought home a picture of a rabbit with cotton balls glued to its body.
Dad: "Natalie, I see you learned about animals today. Do you like to call your picture a rabbit or a bunny?"
Natalie: "Dad, it's a hare."

She always keeps us laughing.

For Book Lovers Alike

My friend and I were talking several weeks ago about different books we read recently. We both mentioned how we wish there was a site that would rate books similar to sites that rate movies for bad stuff.

While I like Good Reads, I can never find if there is objectionable material in a book I want to read. Over the weekend, I came across a site that does just that. It's called Rated Reads. The reviewer gives a brief description of the plot, then rates it according to what is in the book. I checked through several books I have read and mostly agree with how they are rated. I also like how there is a place to suggest a book to be reviewed. Hope this helps to find a great book for the long winter evenings that are coming.

First Day of School

Natalie's first day of preschool was on Wednesday. She was so excited to go, we were ready 45 minutes early. Her teacher's name is Teacher Shelley and we couldn't be more happy with her new school. She has a few friends from our current and old ward in her class. Natalie told me her favorite part about preschool is recess. We are looking forward to a fun year of learning and growing.

Summer Vacation

Our family trip this summer was to Utah for the Hunter family reunion and Ryan's blessing. We love being in Utah and seeing lots of family. Here are a few of the highlights:


We spent one day with my family at Heritage Park and Temple Square. Some of our favorites were the train ride, learning to wash clothes by hand and see the new Salt Lake Temple cut-out display.

Since we were going to be in Park City on the 4th, we decided to have our own fireworks show. Jon was the master lighter. Unfortunately, the sparklers weren't cooperating, but the rest of the show was great.


The rest of our trip was up in Park City hanging out with cousins and grandparents. Some of our favorite parts of the week were swimming in the hot tub, going shopping at the outlets, going to see Toy Story 3, swimming with cousins, having family pictures taken, going to the temple, and swimming. We can't wait for the next reunion.

Natalieism

Curtis and Natalie were running down the hallway and Natalie bumped into the wall. Then she came crying to me and said "Mom I bumped my head and hit the roof of my bum."

The roof of your what?

Ryan's Blessing

We made our annual summer trip to Utah this year and blessed Ryan while we were there. It was a very special day for us. We were lucky enough to have most of Jon's side of the family there since we had a family reunion that following week and my family came up from Arizona for the blessing. Fortunately, Ryan was quiet and happy through his blessing for our special day.

Ryan- 2 months

This has been a busy month for Ryan. He had lots of visitors come to meet him, more moving and unpacking, and lots of growing. He also just started smiling. It takes a little work, but is such a cute smile when it happens. He wakes up once or twice during the night and the biggest challenge is managing is eczema and acid reflux. We hope those go away soon. We love our little guy and love watching him grow.

Curtis turns 2!

Curtis turned two on June 26th. We had a pretty low key day doing some of his favorite things like mowing the lawn and playing in the backyard. The kids helped me bake and decorate Curtis' dinosaur cake. They loved putting the m&ms on the cake and then sneaky Curtis ate more than half of them when I was out of the room. Oh well, I guess it is his birthday.

Curtis had an all-boy birthday with lots of trucks, legos and a car ramp. We had to open every toy and play with it for a few minutes before he would open another present.

A few stats about Curtis:

Weight: 26 lbs

Favorite food: meatballs, pb & j sandwiches, treats of any kind, cold cereal

Favorite color: blue

Favorite toys: trucks, dinosaurs, books, blocks

Favorite Books: How Does a Dinosaur Say Goodnight and How Does a Dinosaur Eat his Food

Favorite things to do: help Dad mow the lawn, go for rides in Dad's truck, play outside, give lots of hugs, help mom mop the floor, play with mom's pans and kitchen utensils

Curtis has the funniest personality. He is a teaser and says the funniest things. He is always smiling and loves to give hugs and lots of 'love' to his little brother Ryan. He loves his big sister and wants to do and be wherever she is. He is finally starting to say more words and put sentences together. Some of our favorites are:

mm-mm Dada- Dad's truck

nilk- milk

hun nu nu nu- lawn mower (like the sound of a lawn mower starting)

Natalieism

While Kathryn and Anna were visiting, we were talking one night about Kathryn's mission. We asked Natalie where she wanted to go on a mission when she got older. Her reply was, "McDonalds."

Nothing like talking about the Word of Wisdom over a Big Mac and fries.

Does He Think This is Comfy?

This is how I found Curtis sleeping one night. Maybe there is too much stuff in his bed.

More Visitors

Getting two visits from family in one month was sure fun for us. It meant more park time, hanging out, swimming and lots of laughter. We love it when Kathryn and Anna come to our house!

Swimming at the wading pool

Hanging out at the park together (photo courtesy of Natalie)

Playing at the splash park

Dancing Queen

This year Natalie decided to try out ballet. She had the three cutest friends take it with her and they had a blast. I loved hanging out at ballet and chatting with my friends. At the end of semester was the dance recital. We were lucky enough to have Grandpa and Grandma Amundson come all the way from Utah to see her recital. She danced to "Kiss the Girl" from The Little Mermaid. She did such a good job and we can't wait to do it again next year.

Part of the routine was for each girl to curtsy. Notice Natalie's concentration with her tongue sticking out.

Rebecca, Meg, Natalie, Abby-all of her dancing friends

Graduation

This year Natalie participated in playschool with 3 other friends. We each took a week focusing on letters, numbers and shapes. Natalie looked forward to going to school each week and learning-although I think her favorite part was playing with friends. We look forward to many more graduations with this bright, fun girl.

Natalie waiting for her name to be called for her diploma.

Natalie with her friends Emry, Tyler and Kye. What a cute bunch!

Ryan-1 Month

Ryan is such a joy to have in our family. He is a great little baby. The kids especially love to hold him and talk to him.
This is Ryan's one week birthday. He was asleep for most of the party, but the cupcakes were sure great.

We didn't have a washer a dryer after we moved, so I spent days a few days a week going back and forth to get laundry done. I put Ryan in the laundry basket so I could finish up and he promptly fell asleep. Doesn't he look cute?

Hooray he takes a bottle! After struggling with Curtis for so long to take a bottle, I wanted to teach Ryan to take a bottle right a way. He was a pro right from the start. I don't feed him a bottle very often, but when I do, Natalie loves to be my special helper.

Ryan also learn to smile this month. It takes a little work, but he has the cutest little toothless grin. we love our little buddy!

A New House

We finally became home owners! We closed on our house May 13th. We started moving in right away. We love the smell of the new house and cant' wait to make it our home. When we have a few more decorations up, we'll post some pictures. Our walls are still pretty bare because we are trying to finish going through boxes.

Our kitchen-this is my favorite room in the house since I know I will be spending a lot of time in here.


The upstairs toy room and family room-I love all the extra space for the kids to keep their toys and play.

A Busy Summer

It has been a busy summer for us with a new house and adding a new baby to our family. We have had lot s of fun with visitors, playing outside, vacation and swimming. Catching up with take a little time, but we will get there.

Ryan's Here!

Ryan Oscar Amundson was born on Monday, April 26th at 2:34pm. He came out in a blaze of glory with a quick one hour delivery, weighing in at 8 lbs 11 oz and 21 inches long. His siblings, Natalie and Curtis, love having a new little brother. Natalie is very attentive to Ryan's needs, letting him know she is right by his side when he starts to cry. Curtis, on the other hand, thinks he has been dethroned as the baby of the family and is not too sure about it. However he likes to come two inches from the baby's face and give a nice resounding 'hi.' Grandma Toone has helped keep us on schedule and the kids busy as we adjust to a new little one. We love having Ryan in our family and can't wait to introduce him to each of you.

One Month To Go

Tomorrow will be the one month mark before the baby is born! I have been trying to get everything in order from organizing all the baby clothes to making lists of things to get done before the baby comes and our move in May. It is a little bit of a crazy time, but I think the next four weeks will go too quick.

We were lucky to have Jon's sister Haley visit with her cute little boy Mitchell this week. We spent a lot of time at the park and just hanging out together. Come back soon Haley!

Say, "Curtis"

Curtis loves to say everyone's name in the family... that is, unless you ask him to say his own name.

Our Blood Runs Blue

We try not to indoctrinate our children, but we can't help it if the only word Natalie can spell by herself is BYU. Even if it is backwards.