Mini Vacation

We realized we still hadn't made it camping this year. We bought a new tent a couple of months ago, so we would be all ready to go, but here it is August, and we still hadn't made it. So, we packed up Saturday afternoon and headed down to Diamond Fork campground in Spanish Fork canyon. Our neighbor suggested this location to us, because they have walk up available. We found a great campsite and set up the tent. It was really hot outside, so we decided to leave and head to the Harley store in Lindon. We had always wanted to go, but never made it. The boys loved looking around at all the motorcycles. They had said it was a museum too, but only like four were actually old. We were a little disappointed that it was just a store and not quite the museum they said it was, but the boys loved it anyways. We went and got them slurpees after and headed back up the canyon. We got out our hot dogs for dinner. It was funny to watch the boys see how long it took to actually cook a hot dog. It was a little scary having the fire with Tyler, because he loved to look at it and doesn't quite understand "Hot" all the way. He did really good though. He tried to help start the fire too by adding dead grass, and blowing on it like I did. Finally, we got dinner done and started on the best part of camping.....S'mores. We took a walk down to the stream, so the boys could see the water. There is something magical about watching little boys throw rocks into water. I think they liked this part the best, because they always had a smile on their faces and laughed at each kerplunk noise. It was so fun to watch them be little boys in the wild! ha ha It was starting to get dark, so we headed back and got the tent set up and all our food into the van. Bryson was freaking out that bears could be near by, but I told him as long as the bear couldn't smell food it would most likely not come around. He made sure all the food was put away too...ha ha. We all got into sleeping bags, Tyler wasn't fond of being stuck in the tent, but eventually calmed down. Then we all took turns telling stories. The three older boys did really good at this, but I would have to say Dilan has the best imagination of them all. His stories were so cute. We left the fly off the tent so the boys could see the stars as they fell asleep, but at 3 am it started raining. I had to just laugh, because it was so funny to me. Tyler freaked when Spencer started putting the fly on though. Bryson eventually climbed into my sleeping bag because he was cold. It was a fun little get away, but I have to say camping isn't the same as it used to be. Some people had brought skateboards, bikes, electric cars, and roller blades with them. There was a group that had some kind of party going on. They had music blasting as they laughed and talked till the rain came. I was glad at least the boys slept! All in all it was a fun night get away, and I only wish we had done it more this summer.

Happy Birthday Bryson!!!

Yesterday was Bryson's third birthday. I feel so accomplished getting him to three. Since this is my first birthday blog for him, I am going to go over some early things about him. Bryson was born 8:28 am on a Saturday morning. He was 8 lbs 15 oz, and three weeks early. He was a big baby! He had a few lung issues at first but very quickly recovered. He was a great baby till about day five. Then he started this sleep for an hour, eat for 20 minutes, and then scream for the next hour. I spent many nights crying with him because I was so tired and felt so hopeless for not being able to console him. Our pediatrician said some babies just come this way, and eventually grow out of it. He finally started to sleep about three hours, but was still in the bassinet. He was now 16 pounds, so we needed to change him to a crib. He went back to every hour of waking. The pediatrician suggested to put the bassinet on the floor and leave him in that if he was at least sleeping three. Good suggestion, but that didn't work. We tried the cry it out method and first night he screamed for three hours, slept for ten minutes and another three hours, ten, three...etc. Second night same thing, third, fourth fifth! Finally, I just needed sleep and put him in our bed. He was now close to nine months, but he slept a whole four hours before screaming, and then went back to sleep for another four. This continued till he was 18 months! By this time I was pregnant again, and he finally started sleeping ten. There is nothing like sleeping eight hours and being pregnant. Bryson is an extremely strong willed child. He started talking really early and that helped out a ton. Over the next year a lot has changed in him. He is now a very pleasant little boy who still gets very frustrated with people, but has learned to control it a ton, and is way advanced for his age. At two and a half he could say all his letter by sight, their sounds, colors, shapes, and could talk like a five year old. He is a joy to have, and I am so glad I had this sweet little boy.


I always make my boys a train cake for their third birthday. He requested his look like Thomas, so I did my best, because I wouldn't ever want my kids to not have the best birthday. We had a lot of fun with family that came to celebrate and here are some pics of his special day. Thanks everybody!