Swimming and Swinging

This past weekend we took Scott swimming for the first time!
Earlier last week I took him to the kiddie pool with some of my friends. 

I put him in the water for the first time.... and he loved it! No crying for this kid.

He was so excited and started splashing his arms and smiling. He also loved listening to the other kids talk and laugh!

This weekend we took him over to Nate's parents to go in the big pool...

He was so excited and loved it just as much!

 

Nate played peek-a-boo (Scott's new favorite game) by going under the water and making a big splash on the way up. He thought it was hilarious. His little baby giggles make me so happy!

He also went in the swing for the first time and thought it was great. 

It is so fun as a parent to experience all these "firsts" with him. I think it's almost more fun for me than it is for him!

 Here is a video of Scott playing his new favorite game with Mommy!

So Lucky...

To have such awesome girlfriends down here in San Diego! 

I must say, girls nights are good for the soul...  

It makes living far away from my family so much easier!

We get together once a month for a "recipe night". Each time is a new food-centered theme and we all take turns hosting. Last night my lovely friend Rachel hosted. I knew Rachel and I were meant to be friends because the first time I met her she brought homemade rice pudding made with real vanilla beans to a BBQ. Right up my ally...

 People brought ingredients for a couple delicious pizzas...

 Rachel provided the crust, sauce, AND Italian sodas...

Who would have ever thought to make them at home? So fantastic!

 Kate made this very adorable and very necessary banner for the night...

I contributed a fruit pizza...

I'm always most useful when it comes to dessert.

Love these ladies! Thanks for a great night!

Johnny Jumper

 

He LOVES it!!

The Ranch Trip

Nate, Scott and I just got back from a 3 week vacation! Well it was a 3-week vacation for me anyway. We started off by driving up to Escalante, Utah for a trip with Nate's family. After a week at the ranch, we drove up to Salt Lake and I left on a plan for Virginia for a week and a half while Nate stayed in Utah for a business trip. Scott was a great traveler to my relief... I'll start by posting about the Ranch Trip!

Nate's family used to own a ranch in Escalante, Utah. 

The whole time I've known Nate he has talked about how much he loved going there as a kid. 

Nate's parents friends now own the ranch now and turned it into a bed and breakfast.
The Collins family took over the whole thing for a week and it was a blast! 

The drive through the dessert!

 

I love hanging out with my in-laws... seriously! 

Nate has the awesome siblings and we had lots of fun day trips and excursions...

Hiking to Upper Calf Creek which turned out to be A LOT bigger of a hike than we anticipated...

Water Fall at Calf Creek

Getting lost on the hike out...

Scotty and I at dinner one night!

How cute are my nephews?

Hiking at Devil's Garden

Lower Calf Creek

Being typical parents who assume their baby will love having his feet dipped in ice cold water..

Baking, watching movies, and playing games at night...

  

Scott LOVED all the attention he got the whole trip

Angela, Alice and I at Calf Creek

Riding ATVs!

Our guided hike through Slot Canyon

Claustrophobic much? This wasn't even the tightest part..

Hanging out at dinner

Sarah is 3 weeks younger than Scott and such a sweetie! She got blessed that Sunday at the Ranch

ATVing to town

It was a great trip! Thanks Collins family!

Happy Father's Day!

One day I'll be big like you Dad!

Thanks for always changing my diapers...

And holding me during dinner, so I can be up at the table with you and Mom...

I get really excited when you come home so we can rough house...

And I'm glad we get to share our birthdays together from now on...

Thanks for putting me to bed every night with a book and bath...

And coming in my play gym with me, even though we both barely fit...

I love it when you play guitar so I can dance...

You're the best Dad ever! We love you!