J-U-L-Y you aint got no alibi

July, Well July was a very BUSY crazy month!!!! We started it out by celebrating my Mom & Dad's birthdays in ID. We had a relaxing day of hanging out in ID- only rule was no Logan or driving allowed. Then it was the 4th of July- believe it or not a big holiday in our family.... although it doesn't quite have the bang and glitter that it once did in China (I know kinda odd, but you should've seen some of the fireworks we got there...)

These were my sugar free- strawberries from the garden, sugar free frosting mini cupcakes. They were apparently well received as they were gone in about 5 mins... After a couple of days in ID we headed down to San Deigo. We caravanned with Liz and Andrew. We had lots of fun meeting up with them and driving down to Las Vegas, where we stayed the night. We had lots of laughs and fun swimming time. (Probably too much as we didn't get to SD as early as we had hoped- but you can't pass a $30 nice room with kids who are tired of driving and all that fun)

Once we got to SD, things got super crazy!!!!!!! I don't think I can add enough exclamation points... Brian's sister Amanda was getting married- and because the whole Butler family was going to be there and my Mom and Dad wanted to go to SD to see Dan, Christina, Kyle and Aaron and my Mom's family we asked Liz and Andrew to come over so we'd have as many family members as possible for Jaxon's baby blessing. So- all crammed into thurs night through Sat night we had family pictures (both Butler and Smith), Jaxon's baby blessing, decorating & catering Amanda's Wedding, the actual wedding, Wedding pictures, and small snippets of being with family. (I'm afraid way too little snippets of family time with both families) So without further ado- Our crazy weekend!

Butler Clan

Smith Clan

Jaxon's Baby Blessing

There is so much about a baby blessing- The Spirit is so strong! Being such a crazy weekend, I don't remember much but the feeling that we were blessed with a very very special little boy. My sister took the following notes for me (I've put them in here so I have them with my journal)

Strength & Power

Who u r

Know what u came to earth for

Learn grow

Rise and be a great leader

Lead and guide in kingdom

Health wise healthy

I am so very very grateful for all the family that was able to be there!! I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that allows me to be with my family for Eternity.

Amanda and Brian Carson's Wedding

June roses for the December of our Lives

May was hard, learning to balance, learning to ask for help, learning to let people help me, learning I can't do everything... but June, June was a bit better. It all started with Brian starting a new job! Yes you heard me another NEW job. We are so blessed. A new restaurant opened in Folsom- Land Ocean. They hired him without even an interview. It is only 10 minutes away, they gave him a raise and they appreciate him! He's excited to go to work again. Such a blessing! He worked the two jobs for the 2 weeks that we were gone- but it was really too much! So he kept the new job and hasn't doubted for a second it was what he was supposed to do.

Both of my boys are very warm blooded- they DO NOT like being hot... so we've had quite a few mostly naked days...

Jaxon at 2 months! He had a rough go for a little bit. He had a double ear infection and thrush all at the same time- not a good combo. Once we got everything cleared up, he was a much happier baby! He loves his big brother- and his big brother adores him. T is always wanting to help and do things with J. I was a bit worried that T would feel a bit out with a new baby- but he really really loves his brother and is such a BIG help! (We have however found that Ty has his mother's gag reflex and dry heaves when he smells a poopy diaper...)

The last week of June was time for me to go back to UT for work... argh BUT Liz and Abby flew out to Sac to help me drive to UT. We had lots of fun, ended up staying the night in Wells, got pulled over for speeding, Drove and drove and drove. Talked. Laughed. Appreciated that we live in a time of technology- I think I would've died as a pioneer. No REALLY! We hooked Liz's Ipad to the sun roof so both the kids could watch movies, plugged the audio through the sound system and then listened to the radio on our Iphones. Can you imagine crossing the plains WITH OUT google maps, cell phones, radios, or

movies????? Well I can we did it when we were kids, but oh how grateful I am for technology!!!!! (Thank you Steve Jobs!) We met my Dad in ID and played for a bit with him and then my Mom flew in the next day. We had fun playing for a couple of days until I had to go to work- enter the weeping and wailing and nashing of teeth. But it was ok... It was still hard, but I got to Facetime (like skype for iphones and ipads) with the boys almost every night and sometimes during work. Liz would send me updates like this little gem

"Oh also, Ty came over and told dad j was Stinky. Dad said r u sure? So he went and checked and dad said he had "a little rock in his pants". so he went to change him and I said maybe u should wait to make sure he's done. And dad said naw let's get the "rock" out of his pants. So he starts to change him, moves old diaper out of the way without new diaper in place.. Is half way done wiping and j starts pooping in dads hand. Lol good thing dad had a wipe."

Ty got bribed into riding horses with Abby- He was NOT going to ride. Brian and I tried and tried to tell him it would be fun and that he would enjoy it, but had no idea if he was really going to go. But he did and lived to tell the tell and later told me he had ALOT of fun! (Thanks Gma and Gpa!)

My mom has a big bucket of dress up clothes- one is this Indian- Ty LOVED dressing up. He would beg daily- Mom can we dress up today. Finally I gave in and said yes!

After working for a week, Brian was able to come out and join us. We had fun going to the Lake, making toy shelves, family dinners, fireworks, and all that good stuff. We were glad when Andrew was able to join us and enjoyed a good jump in the lake and BBQ. (I don't know where those pictures went, but....)

Summer where did you go?

Summer seems like a blur I know we enjoyed it but I'm too overwhelmed at the prospect of recounting it all that I'm just going to give you a picture run down..... and maybe a few words here and there????

I had to go back to work a little over a month after Jaxon was born.... it was a hard time for me. My wonderful mom flew to Sacramento and she, T, Baby J, and I drove to Idaho. I was able to spend a few days in ID with them before I had to go to UT. My sister, who is also amazing, drove all the way from AZ to ID with Abby to help with my boys... and to see mom. They had a fun week! As I was driving down the driveway to go to UT my phone stopped working... argh!!!! People could hear me, but I COULD NOT hear them- This was not going to work for me. So I went straight to Verizon and got myself an Iphone.... and I love it!!!! And it is because of this wonderful technology that you all are blessed with pictures- otherwise this would be only words. Anyways- This pix of Jax was when I got back from Provo- His first REAL big smile. I knew he still knew who I was- phew!

Ty LOVES jumping on the trampoline in Idaho- well let's be honest he loves jumping anywhere we let him!

Ty's view from the backseat while we drove back to Sacramento.... only 5 hours later than planned. We left at 4 PM.... I somehow missed my small little turn off and ended up in Twin Falls- Yes friends I said Twin Falls. I'm sorry to those who love TF, but I hope to never be back there. We finally got back on the right road- in the middle of nowhere pitch black fields. AHHH Hit horrible cold rain & wind storms.... couldn't find a place to stay the night to save my life- NO WHERE from Wells to Reno. Two boys who were REALLY done. Awful. I finally pulled off to sleep for a few minutes when T woke up crying, Just wanted to be home. Mamma Bear kicked in- I just have to get my boys home- so we drove and we drove. Hit snow on the pass- I hate the pass, I really hate the pass with snow. I was SO glad and grateful to my Heavenly Father who blessed me to stay awake, stay the course and got us home. I was tired! But I survived- work and driving! I can do hard things....

Just a thought from the past 6 months

Source: Uploaded by user via Liz on Pinterest