{Utah trip part 1}

We had a fabulous time in Utah seeing family and friends. I took a way too many pictures while I was there. I couldn't stop. This is just part 1 of probably a few more. It takes me so much longer to post stuff having two kids. Plus, I just got done ready New Moon to get ready for the movie coming out. I know it's not until November but I want to be fresh with the story. Hopefully I will get the rest of the pictures of our adventure out this week.
It is good to be home back in Wisconsin. Jake is done taking his boards and starts his OB/GYN rotation on Wednesday morning. He is officially a third year!!! Can you believe it? Time has really flown by for us here. Summer is officially here and it is a hot one! I swear there is no in between seasons here just cold or hot. We will take hot over cold any day though. Hope you enjoy all the pictures. There's a lot!

{dancing & hiking}

The great thing about Nolan's cousin's on my side is that they are all boys. It was a blast being with my sister's boys Ashton and Charlie.
I don't think there is a day that goes by that Charlie isn't showing us some awesome dance moves!! He really knows how to shake it!

The boys were giggling and running in to each other without even one complaint. I love seeing them all play nicely together.
After the dancing Kim wanted to show Nolan where her boys hike up and throw rocks. So we headed outside and up the mountain to find the flowing water. There has been so much rain this spring for Utah that it made the rivers flowing down from the mountains so fast.

The boys had a blast throwing rocks and laughing each time the rocks landed funny. We could have been up there all night long. What a fun little hike for these boys. Thanks Kim!

{reading time}

My friend Melissa and her darling girl Kate invited us to go to the library for some reading time.
I knew Nolan would love it because he is obsessed with books. I have to admit it was pretty funny to watch these two together. It was like they fed off of each other. Nolan would run on to the stage and then Kate would go up.
All the other kids seemed to be sitting nicely and listening to the story. Not mine!!! Is he ever sitting quietly? Heck no.


My favorite part about it was when they started reading one of Nolan's favorite books, Good boy Fergus, he was all ears. The only thing was he was standing right up in front of the book to get the best view. You can't see from the pictures but everyone else's kids were sitting down trying to see the pictures over Nolan's big head. That's my boy!

{Grammy and Grandpa Russell}

Nolan was beside himself when he saw my parents. All this attention for just him. Heaven!!!!
My boys were so spoiled. Nolan was able to play the piano at his leisure. Luke was held pretty much the entire time.




The day started off with me going running with the boys. It was not easy being that North Ogden is full of hills and the altitude was a little much for me. But I survived and the boys caught some zzz's.
The best part about staying at my parents was the park was just down the street. It was Nolan's favorite place. Perfect for him! We visited that park about a million times. Whatever keeps them happy right?

{dinosaur park}

This was by far one of the funnest events for Nolan. He couldn't get enough of the growling dinosaurs everywhere.
Ann treated the grandkids along with me and Nicole.

The funniest part of the day was when Nolan and his cousin Sophie got in to a fight. It all started when Nolan wanted to push Sophie's stroller. That wasn't going to happen. Sophie marched right over to him and took the stroller. So Nolan got really mad and he pushed her and then she pushed him. Pretty soon it was a full blown fight. It seriously was the funniest thing I'd ever seen. None of us did anything at first because we were laughing so hard. But don't worry, Nolan was in big trouble after I gained my composure.


To calm the kiddies down we went over the swings. Grandma pushed Nolan the whole time. He was in heaven. Of course until we had to leave, then the tantrum came. And boy was it a big one. I don't know if I'm cut out for this parenting thing.

{the Band}

My parents started a band just recently and had a "gig" during the time I was visiting. It was so fun to see them up there having fun and singing their heart out. My mom is the one next to the girl in yellow with the salmon colored shirt. My dad is the one in the black shirt strummin' the guitar.
I can't believe what an amazing guitarist my dad is. He even had a solo. Very impressive. Nolan had a blast seeing his Grammy and Grandpa. He still doesn't dance but he enjoyed the show. Fun to see my parents in action!

{the future Mr. and Mrs.}

You heard it first my friends! Our friends Joel and Tera had a baby girl exactly 2 months after us. We are hoping for an arranged marriage but that all will be determined on if Carley is too tall for Luke, seeing that Joel is 6 foot 7 inch and Tera is 5 foot 9 inch, we could have a problem.
But no worries, we already saw them kiss. Isn't that picture hilarious! The shot was captured so perfectly. Here's to the future Mr. and Mrs.

{reception}

I feel really bad but I didn't take any pictures of the reception. I was so busy taking care of Luke or running after Nolan that I didn't get much. However, I did manage to snap one of the lovely ladies of the wedding party. Yes, I do mean Nicole, me, and Kendra. I love this shot! Not because of the poor quality but because we made an oreo. A pregnant lady on each side of me. They are two of cutest pregnant ladies I know. Most of all I love how I'm NOT pregnant!

Our sweet friends Joel, Tera, and their baby girl Carley stopped by the reception. We hadn't seen them in so long. It's always a good time when they're around. And of course Papa Bear Rabe. Marv is so proud of his grandchildren. Especially if they are boys. He seems to like the Rabe name. There is a family joke about Marv....if one of us names our kid Marv then we get the T-Bird. I tried telling him that Luke was actually named Marv, but he didn't seem to buy it. So Ben and Kendra, it's probably yours if you so choose to name your baby the big Marv. It could have a nice ring to it.

{the Temple}

What a perfect day to get married!!!! The weather was amazing! I don't know if it's because we have been stuck in Wisconsin with no warmth, but the hot air seemed heavenly against my skin.





The Blake and Taryn looked ravishing in their attire. They are perfect for each other.
The sealing was so special because Blake's mission President did the honors. Really cool!







When all the picture taking started that's when we all got bored. I've decided that picture taking is only fun for the bride and groom. Pretty much the whole wedding day is. All of us just have to follow them around. We did manage to make the day fun and crazy like always. The brothers of course had to pull the usual faces in pictures. And see that they have drug Courtland in to the mess as well in the picture above.




Jake's mom and dad looked so happy. The day was pretty special to them. Not only was it their last child to get married but all of them did it within the temple. Pretty amazing!







After all the picture taking was done at the temple we headed off for some much needed food. Where do you think we went? Where else, Crown Burger! I'm not a fan but all the boys were so off we went.
The temple was a success. It was sad to think this was the last wedding that we would attend in this setting. The only sibling I have left is my brother. I think that means that we are getting old.

{wedding dinner}

The day of the wedding dinner was so much fun. First, all the girlers went and got our traditional pedi's. I love getting pampered! Then we did some shopping to get all the odds and ends. After lunch we all got ready for the wedding dinner.
I'm so bad and can't remember the name of the place but it was in Bountiful and was so cute! It was so great to see everyone. It had been almost a year since we had seen our families. Crazy, I know.
After the wedding dinner the siblings on the Rabe side decided to go out for some custard. Good choice Courtland!!! I'm not gonna lie though....nothing beats the custard here in Wisconsin. But the night was PERFECT! Just the right temperature and just the right people. We laughed and talked and couldn't have been happier. The Rabe family is so great! I'm lucky to be apart of them.

{6 months}

Has it already been 6 months? I can't believe how fast time goes by. Lukie is so much fun and has a personality all his own.
We just had his appointment on Monday and he weighed 15 lb 13 1/2 oz, which was in the 20% for weight. He is 27 inches long, which was the 80% for height. So pretty much we have a skinny tall kid.
Luke is so full of life. He puts everything in to his mouth. No joke! We aren't use to that since Nolan put absolutely nothing in to his mouth. Luke is also getting around all by himself. He doesn't crawl yet but he scoots and rolls to the places he needs to get.
He smiles all day long and loves his door bouncer. I can't believe how lucky I am to have such a happy and easy going baby.
Luke is probably the worst rice cereal eater in the world. It has taken lots of patience and time to get him use to the concept of swallowing. But he is now a successful eater. We have started him on green beans as well. He wasn't too fond of it at first, who would be, but he is doing much better.




My favorite thing about Luke is he just adores Nolan. Nolan could be slapping him and rolling over him and Luke could care less. He just looks at Nolan with the biggest grin ever!!!! I love it!


One quick story. Just yesterday when we got back from running. I was setting up the pool outside. I gave Nolan the hose so he could fill it with water. Well, Nolan was getting a kick out of swinging the hose everywhere and hitting it against the pool. He would laugh every time it hit. But I could here more than one laugh. I look over at Luke, still in the stroller, and he is laughing at Nolan. Lukie thought what Nolan was doing was the greatest thing ever! I wish I could have had my video camera to capture the moment. Priceless! I love these boys!!!
Mr. Lukester does the most precious thing when he is excited. He will look right at you, when you are holding him, and grab your face and try to eat any part that is near. It just melts my heart. I truly love this boy! We have had the best 6 months with him. I love each and every day with this kid.