"4" Years Old!

We were back at home for Hoyt's "real" birthday, so we had a little celebration with one of Hoyt's best buddies, grandma and grandpa Murray and Markus. Hoyt started off the day with some birthday donuts for breakfast (a real treat)! That afternoon we went to one of his favorite places for lunch and then to Hop 2 It. Later we had cake, ice cream and presents at home. Before going to bed that night Hoyt said, "I love being four, and I can't wait to start preschool!"

Birthday Boy Breakfast


Blowing out the candles - look at those lips!!


At lunch with Logan - one of his best buddies


Grandpa, grandma and Markus met us for lunch....


and then it was off to have fun at Hop 2 It. Hoyt loves the interactive baseball game - look at that swing!


The jousting is fun too!


The three boys after about two hours of jumping - they were pretty tired!


Time for presents


Hoyt is really into legos these days - he was excited about this castle set


The birthday boy with mom, dad and Jett


Cake time....


and more candles. What a great day!

Fun in the Sun

Just a few more shots of the fun we had at grandma and grandpa's house. I do believe I have a couple of little fish for children.

This is where Hoyt could be found 24/7!


Ryon and the boys - Jett's first time swimming!


Running and jumping, over and over and over again


He doesn't have the happiest face in this picture, but don't let that fool you! He's having a marvelous time....


see - I told you!


The day we left, Hoyt cried because he had to leave Isaiah. They have so much fun together!

Party at Grandma's

While we were in California I planned a little birthday party for Hoyt and Isaiah, who both have birthdays in August. We invited the cousins over for swimming, a BBQ and, of course, a treasure hunt. Thank goodness for Caleb who helped me make pirate treasure maps for each child (we even crumpled them and burnt the edges - I felt like I was in middle school all over again!). I think the party was a success; Hoyt seemed to love it and said, "Mom, this is the best birthday ever!"

With his treasure map hunting for his pirate treasure chest


A few of the cousins with their booty


Pool time!


Hoyt swam every day we were in California - too bad we don't have a pool in Idaho


Having lots of fun - Kasey is inside the basketball hoop....silly girl!


Blowing out the candles on their ice cream cone cupcakes


Hoyt was impressed that I could make cupcakes inside a cone. I told him I was pretty talented!


Presents - Optimus Prime from grandma and grandpa was a big hit....


as was the Captain America costume from mom and dad! I know that I end every birthday entry this way, but I can't believe he is four years old already. I cry every time I watch our home videos of when he was a baby - where did that chunky baby go?

Grandma's Funeral

We spent a week in California for Grandma's funeral and spent lots of time with family. The service for grandma was simple, which is the way she would have liked it. Afterwards most of the family got together for lunch and all the grandkids were able to play at the park.

Some of the family after the funeral


Two of my favorite guys - could Jetty be any more adorable?


Cathryn and Faith


Perhaps he is just a little more adorable here?!


Holly and Paiton


The day of the funeral was HOT, and after running and playing with the cousins Hoyt was definitely toasty!


Mom and Jett


Ryon couldn't be in his suit one second longer than was necessary!!

Grandma Gilbert

"Big" Grandma Gilbert passed away August 16th at the age of 89, and we will miss her so much! Grandma was always such a big part of my life, that it doesn't seem quite right for her to be gone. She and I had a very close relationship, and shared some common passions - clothes shopping being one.

At her funeral I related a story about a time 10 years ago when we were in a department store looking at clothes. I had strayed a few racks away from her and found something that I wanted her to look at. I called "Grandma....come here" to which she responded, "Don't call me Grandma - call me mom!" She didn't want anyone to think she was old enough to be my grandmother. I then sarcastically told her, "Oh, right, so you had me at what.....52?" She promptly told me to "Shut-up," and there in a nutshell you can catch a glimpse our relationship!

Grandma loved the great-grandchildren and all of them called her "big grandma". After she passed away, Hoyt said to me "Mom, big grandma died."

I said "Yes she did."

He then said, "She went to live with Heavenly Father and we will see her again someday!"

How thankful I am for the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ where even a four-year-old understands that death is certainly not the end of things and that we will live with our families forever. When we were in California for the funeral, Hoyt had the same type of conversation with my mom and told her that grandma was in heaven. After a little pause he then said, "He died for us." And when my mom asked him who died for us, Hoyt said "Jesus!" He is beginning to understand that it is because of Jesus that we will live together again someday.


We have had the opportunity to have quite a few Family Home Evenings since big-grandma died about death and the resurrection, and I have loved witnessing the simple faith of a child when it comes to these matters.


Giving Big Grandma a kiss


We were able to visit California in March and introduce Jett to his great grandma. I'm glad she had the opportunity to meet him. She was, of course, smitten!!

Sunday Night Football

Last Sunday evening, the boys went outside to play some football. Hoyt loves to play football with Ryon; so at least once a day these two can be found suited up and tackling each other! This particular evening was so beautiful that I had to take some pictures.

Here they are saying, "We're number 1"!


Jett likes to sit, watch, and be the perfect cheerleader


Grandma Murray came to visit a few days later to help me with the boys because Ryon was out of town. We sure appreciate her willingness to come and help while I have been sick!

Patty-cake

Jett is getting so big these days - he loves to play patty-cake, play with all of his toys, jump in the jumper and try to get up on his knees. I do believe he will be crawling here pretty soon. The other day Hoyt was teaching Jett how to play patty-cake and I had to take a few pictures - they are pretty cute together!

Hoyt had to get a picture in his football outfit...


and Jett was enjoying himself in the "jumper" before they played patty-cake.


Jett intently watching Hoyt demonstrate how to patty-cake


Trying it out for himself


He now claps all the time. All we have to say is patty-cake or "YAY!" and he starts to clap - so fun!

Swim Lessons

Hoyt loved swim lessons this year. He had lessons the first two weeks of August at the Twin Falls YMCA and learned so much. By the time the two weeks were over he was swimming by himself and even went off the diving board three times the last day of lessons. He was pretty proud of himself!

1...2...3...GO!


Waiting patiently for turn #2


Jump #3, and he even swam by himself to his teacher after jumping in. Go Hoyt!!


He thought going off the diving board was great, but I think he loved going down the slide the most!