:: E A S T E R  2 0 1 1 ::

 Easter Sunday was so nice and relaxing.

We were lucky enough to attend Todd's last Sunday as Bishop in the college ward. 
It was a wonderful meeting.

 Cohen was all about finding eggs with candy in them. Brock had to push him a little to keep searching for more eggs though. He just wanted to open each one and eat the candy from it. He LOVED his Easter basket full of a kite, candy, flip flops, new shorts and a new white church shirt.

He got new bubbles from Papa and Nana that he has been missing oh so much. His bubbles broke a LONG time ago and he still would talk about them. We also had an egg hunt at Papa and Nana's with Kai.

 Papa's Drums...

This is what Cohen wants to do the whole time we are at Papa and Nana's.

He is actually a pretty good drummer after just one lesson. 
This boy has got some rhythm. :)

We played at the park, and Brock and I both got a little sun burned. 
What better way to feel at home in sunny St. George.

This was Cohen's first time actually liking Nana's tramp.

He has been into jumping lately anywhere and everywhere, so he was all about the tramp. Getting some good air!

Easter was oh so great.

We LOVED being with family all weekend.

LOVED the sunshine.

Loved the sugar.

:: and it starts...our new adventure ::

 {helping dad dejunk and pack}

Packing went well.

Not too hard, not too stressful.

We were lucky to have plenty of family come to Provo for
graduation and to help us pack and move to ST GEORGE.

 Just taking a rest from a hard day of packing. 
He found this comfy spot by himself and thought it was pretty cool.

 Our good friends the ALLSOPS came to bid us farewell. Sad!

We enjoyed our last hot-n-readys for awhile, and the boys played and laughed, even though all the toys were packed except two.

 What better way to celebrate our last time in Provo, than to go to ZUPAS for lunch. This cafe became my all time favorite while living in Provo. If you live near a ZUPAS and are reading this, I HIGHLY recommend ordering half of the Tomato Basil soup and the Milano panini. You won't be disappointed.

 Cohen couldn't have done better on our trip down to ST GEORGE. He slept two hours, then was SO happy when he woke up. Out of nowhere on his own he shouted, "YAY, MADE IT!" right as we were pulling into town. I think we need to give him more credit than we do sometimes. Smarty pants.

We were thrilled to make it to beautiful ST GEORGE, 
greeted by cousins and wonderful sunshine!

More of our "MONTH LIVING IN ST GEORGE" to come...

:: B Y U  G R A D U A T I O N ::

CLASS OF 2011

 Good friend MIKE HENDERSON

 Our family away from home, THE SOMMERS

Laura, Ty, Abigail, Cohen, Brock & Lis

The actual graduation went by quicker than I expected with a very active two year old. The speakers were fairly good, but the best part, of course, was when Brock had his 10 seconds of glory, being handed his diploma. We were all full of pride, and gave him a shout out. After pictures were taken, the whole crew went to lunch at the Mountain West Burrito. YUM! We all gave it 5 stars. It's pretty new in Provo, and I'm sad we're leaving it. VERY satisfying. Great prices, and even gluten free menu. Bonus for Nana.

TOUR OF BYU CAMPUS

Brock took us on a tour of where he had classes and different memories of the last 4 years. And of course we hit up the bookstore to grab some sour watermelon candies, my favorite.

THE AFTER PARTY

Grandma Carma had a CONGRATS BROCK/Easter party that evening.

Loaded with yummy food of course, and an egg hunt.

The candy fest begins!

:: Happy "early" Graduation Brock ::

I just couldn't wait.

I gave Brock his graduation gift a few days early.

One reason, because I wanted him to be able to wear them on graduation. WHY? Because his old dress shoes were 5 years old, very flimsy, and if there was ever any amount of water on the ground his feet would get wet because there were huge holes in the bottom of the rubber soles. I forgot to take a picture of the old shoes. 
These are QUITE the upgrade.

Happy Graduation Brock!

Co and I are oh so proud of you.

:: just like daddy ::

Brock always has his pencil in his ear while doing homework.

So where else would Cohen put it when he gets his hands on it?!?

Always trying to be JUST LIKE DAD.

:: REAL soccer game ::

{the winning goal by REAL}

  

My sweetheart took me on a surprise date last night.

BOY WAS I SURPRISED! I am a HUGE fan of soccer, and played a little myself. When passing RIO TINTO Stadium I have mentioned how cool it would be to watch a REAL game there. {Brock never forgets when I say something like this. Therefore, he always gives me the best surprises EVER. What a babe.}

After sharing a pork salad from Rio, we got on the freeway in Provo and headed north. When we got off our exit in Sandy, and he told me to look in the jockeybox. Inside were two tickets the REAL soccer game that started 15 mins. later. We had a blast! The RIO TINTO stadium is AMAZING, and the players are so talented is was so much fun to watch.

The weather....couldn't have been more cold.

BUT, we were enjoying the game so much that it didn't even matter. The crowd was great, even though the majority was drunk. We heard and saw some very funny things combined with some naughty words. If only those drunk people knew what a show they put on for us. We had great seats on row J, snuggled to keep warm, and to top off the night REAL won with the first goal of the game with one minute left on the clock.

WONDERFUL.

 The crowd going WILD after we won the game in the last minute.

 I wonder how many more times it's possible 

to fall in love with this man?....

Thank you Brock.

You are my best friend.

I LOVE YOU.

And that was the most perfect way to celebrate finishing your

very last day of class of your Brigham Young University career.

Couldn't be more proud.

Medical school...here we come!

 

:: BYE BYE BINKY ::

 {Abigail and Cohen - 14 months old, August 2010}

Cohen has been done with his binky for over 6 months, other than when he sleeps. We have just kept it in his crib for his nap and bedtime. I've been wanting to get rid of it for awhile, but just kept putting it off. Two days ago Brock discovered that Cohen had been biting the binky so badly that he could almost have bitten the whole rubber part off. CHOKING HAZARD! There was no doubt that we were going to be done with the binky completely the next day.

SO....

Yesterday before Cohen's nap, I took him in is room and showed him his binky was breaking because he was biting it. He seemed to understand it was broken. After I popped the rubber off, we went and he threw it in the garbage himself. On his own he said "BYE BYE BINKY". We then went to his bed, he gave me a snuggle and I put him down. He looked up at me very concerned and asked "Binky?" I reminded him that it broke and we had to throw it away. He held his blanket and I said goodnight and walked out. THEN...he cried. Sad cries! I hate sad cries. And for you moms out there know the difference between a sad cry, tired cry, etc. It broke my heart. He cried for about an hour straight. Then just sat in his bed and talked for another hour. No nap. Every now and then that does happen where he just talks in his bed for 2 hours. So, I got him out and he didn't say a word about the binky. When bedtime rolled around we did our normal routine. Then Brock and I gave him loves and put him down. He again asked for binky, but only whined for about 5 mins. then slept for his normal 12 hours. Better.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Wish us luck.

:: My little/big kid ::

 {playing on mom and dad's bed, wearing dad's hat - what more could he want?!}

My little/big Cohen is learning so much.

It makes me happy and proud.

It also makes me realized more and more each day that 

time is just going to continue to fly by right before our eyes.

The little "special" moments in life need to be recognized daily.

 {eating his favorite, strawberries. He does NOT want them cut up anymore}

 We made homemade ice cream Saturday night while it was snowing. Our ice cream maker is fairly loud, which made Cohen a little concerned. But hee was oh so interested in learning all about it.

{That's our neighbor Jonah in the picture.}

A moment I'll never forget:

Last night for Family Home Evening, we sang a couple primary songs, then got out our Gospel Art Book to look at pictures. I started quizzing him to see how much he remembered from the past little while. First, I showed him a picture of Jesus Christ, asked him who it was and he responded "Jesus". He has been able to identify Jesus for awhile. But then I turned to a picture of John the Baptist baptizing Christ and asked what this picture was. Cohen's response FLOORED Brock and I when he said "Baptize, Jesus". He is getting it! He's really learning the things I'm trying to teach him about the gospel. I then flipped to a picture of Pres. Monson and asked him who it was. His response, "Prophet". I then asked what the prophet's name is and he said "Monson". Wow. That was a moment I'll never forget as a parent.

What a reward for "trying" to teach him the gospel. I've been doing very little, the very basics and most simple things, and he is remember them. It makes me realize how much his little brain can already remember and learn. I need to teach him SO MUCH MORE, and never doubt that something it too hard for him to understand.

Thank you Cohen for having a love of learning.

:: Baby Bump ::

 6 months

-Last week I had possibly the worst stomach flu I have ever. Didn't throw up at all, but had diarrhea for a week straight, with stomach pains that I would have loved an epidural for. {not joking} To say the least, I should have bought some adult diapers.

-Feeling VERY pregnant. This little boy is active at all hours, but doesn't keep me up. {so he must not move much in the night}

-Thanks to the stomach flu, I weigh 1 pound less {129} than I did at 6 months pregnant with Cohen. My goal is to not gain more than I did with Cohen.

-At the end of having the flu, I experienced more Braxton Hicks in 2 days than I did my whole pregnancy with Cohen - maybe 6 in 2 days, and no they weren't contractions.

-I went to my last Dr. appt with Dr. Judd here in Provo this week. All is well. 

My next appt will be in Fort Worth, Texas. WEIRD!

Now....my goal is to find a Dr. in TX that will induce me 2 weeks early, 

if this little guy hasn't already come by then.

Funny Cohen Conversation:

This morning when I was getting ready in the bathroom Cohen came in and only had his diaper on. He now LOVES to undress himself. He came storming in and said "Mama, I shower." I said "Oh, you're going to take a shower?" He said "Yeah!" Then he pulled the shower curtain open, looked around for a min., shut the curtain, then  went and rubbed his face on a towel pretended to dry his face.

I was laughing out loud.

"MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO" pretty much sums up Cohen these days. 

:: G E N E R A L  C O N F E R E N C E ::

 For the first time in four years Brock and I stayed in Provo for General Conference instead of going to ST. GEORGE to be with our families. It was quite nice not to travel and just relax and enjoy the weekend, although we did miss our families TONS.

Brock and I woke to the sound of tractors plowing our complex. BOO! 

WAY TOO MUCH SNOW for April, or ever.

 We did take a walk to the Temple which was beautiful.

We had a nice relaxing weekend and stayed plenty warm, considering our circumstances. I didn't plan very well and we did not eat like we normally do during conference. Ya know, the normal 7 layer bean dip, treats galore, and whatever other yummy traditional conference foods there are. Nonetheless, we did enjoy ourselves and enjoyed the words of inspiration from our wonderful church leaders even more.

A few highlights of the weekend:

- Cohen learned how to open doors all by himself. {bad news}

- We had CREPES for breakfast. YUM! My favorite was a crispy crepe with a little peanut butter and cinnamon and sugar, topped with syrup, of course.

- I finally recovered from having the flu by Saturday. YAY!

- Cohen loved playing at home all Sunday, but he did mention Nursery of few times. He is really starting to love nursery and asks to go by himself. He no longer cries when I drop him off. HALLELUIAH! Let's hope it stays that way.