Tracy Aviary

We decided a couple of months ago to take a trip to see the birds at Tracy Aviary, most of which Jack was afraid of. But he had a good time walking around like he owned the place, and not listening to us... as is the norm these days.

Most of the time, while around the birds, he was clinging to Chris to stay safe.

Or, had a perma-worried look as if the birds weren't going to stay behind their cages.
He did like pushing the buttons on the educational stands available for visitors. There was no listening involved, however. He may have broken the button, having pushed it so many times.

He loved feeding the birds, though...

And actually quite enjoyed watching the ducks.

He thought sticking his face into the holes here was so funny.

I think he mostly had fun because he was outside and roam-free.
I love my cute boys!

Belly Shots

My goal after having Jack was to document my next pregnancy more than I did with him. Unfortunately, once again, that goal has hardly been a priority - and it's slipped from my mind somehow. it's a shame, because I feel like I'm much larger at 24 weeks with this one than I was with Jack - and I don't have many pictures to compare. I guess if we survive this two kid thing, it'll be a goal for the third. Perhaps setting a weekly reminder on my phone would help?

Here are the shots I have thus far.

16 Weeks

18 Weeks

22 Weeks

24 Weeks

As my belly has gotten larger, Jack has noticed more and more that something is different, and isn't ashamed to poke my stomach now and again. And though he doesn't understand that big change is coming, he's happy to give the baby a kiss when we ask. He's such a sweet little boy... let's hope that doesn't change when this baby turns his world upside down. Ha.

Utah State Fair

Ahhh, the State Fair. Nothing like it... literally. We wanted to take Jack to enjoy "people watching" (which is always a top reason to attend), music, rides, and of course - fried food.

When walking toward the entrance, a man asked us if we had tickets. When we informed him that we did not, he handed us two and said he worked at the ticket booth and was leaving for the night. Upon telling him that he was sweet, he told me to call his wife and tell her that. I told him I'd be happy to - and I would have, if he wasn't kidding. Anyone that saves us twenty bucks is a friend of mine.

When we ventured our way into the park, Jack was in awe. He was in his stroller, contained, but I think he was content that way - there was so much to look at that he didn't need to run everywhere. There was enough in a ten-foot radius. Realizing I had forgotten my camera in the car, I was unable to get any good pictures of his face, but it was priceless the way his expressions changed as he watched and pointed at everything.

We made our way toward the animals as a start, and I quickly made a note that on the way back, we MUST pick up one of these bad boys (don't judge me, I'm pregnant. Though I can't say I wouldn't get one anyway):

Yep.
They looked even better than this picture, and I was salivating already.

We made our way to the goats, and Jack liked this little fella... until we spent five bucks to get his picture taken with him.

He pretty much fell apart. Poor kid.
Later, when we decided we were ready for our deep fried meal (which included a foot-long corn dog... so good), we headed to get the bucket-o-fries....

Only to find out that they had run out of buckets a few minutes before. I was forced to buy a small four dollar basket of fries (which was about 1/4 or less the size of the bucket, which was only eight dollars), and enjoy what I had...

And, I did. They were magical.

After dinner, Jack took a few runs down the giant slide with Chris, and loved the bounce house - both of which he kept returning to. Chris spent a dollar to see a lady with a snake body... oh, the things you can see at the fair. As for me, I was satisfied with my delicious, yet small, portion of fries.

We ended the night with some deep-fried oreos, which are much better than I imagined they would be. As are all deep-fried things, right?

So - until next year... where the bucket-o-fries will be waiting for me. I will be sure not to delay my visit to pay eight dollars for one thousand times that in calories.

BYU's Newest Fan

Chris came home with a BYU hat for Jack one day... ...and he's been glued to it (as much as a toddler can be) since, wearing it whenever he sees it and in various places.

In front of the TV

Whenever we go outside

And he keeps it on in the car, which is quite amazing.

Jack isn't to the point yet where he will watch even a second of a football game, or any sports, on TV - but he sure loves his hat. Just look at those blue eyes!

Summer Lovin'

Jack had a blast this summer. Here is how he spent his time:

Eating ice cream, both fully clothed...

...and fully naked.

Jumping on the tramp - I can't get enough of those legs!

Swinging at the park

Spending time with Grandma (most of which involved water)

Swimming at Grandma's house

Which, half the time, happened without a swimming suit.

Exploring in the driveway...

Rafting with dad at the Snake River

Being silly at the Munford Family Ranch

Learning how to shoot a gun (should I be worried?)

Having fun on the 4th of July with dad, mom...

... and watermelon.

Not to mention more fun on the tramp with water. Just can't get enough of that hose!

Falling face first in the mud...

And loving just being filthy.

What more could a busy boy like mine ask for? Maybe to be naked more. He loves it.
I love this boy. I'm so lucky to be his mom... he is so much fun!

I love these boys.

Adventures With Grandma

There was no surprise from me at Jack's response when asked who his favorite person is. I only had to ask, "is it Grandma?" once, and he was happily repeating her name, "Bama," several times over.

He will choose her over me when it comes down to it... and runs to her when he's in trouble. I don't think she minds, though. Who can resist this face?

She has introduced him to his new love of water, for which I will forever be either thankful or fearful of (he has no problem jumping into water where he's not supposed to... such as the duck pond at Tracy Aviary)...

Her favorite thing in the world is the hose. Here she is, teaching him how it's done...

Filling up the pool

And, a lot of the time, not bothering to take his diaper off to swim, so it ends up like this... about to fall off.

This is his first sprinkler time. After just learning how to get a drink from a water fountain, this is what it consisted of.

And of course, Grandma's favorite activity, water balloons. He loved holding them...

But didn't quite understand the concept of throwing them down, no matter how much she tried to convince him how fun it was.

One his favorite pastimes is now leading Grandma to find the lights for the train, which she introduced him to as well.

"This way!"

And playing with her phone... which, clearly, he wasn't happy to be caught on camera doing.

Going for strolls in the back yard...

And chillin' on the tramp.

Grandma is his world. I love it... and I think she might like it, too.

Two Feet

We are extending our home by TWO FEET...Addition to be completed in February!