The Return

 Since returning, we have had many adventures as we've readjusted to the student life. First and foremost, we've re-established that Cosmo is awesome (to the point that Mickey occasionally cries when he's tired and I tell him he can't watch a YouTube clip of Cosmo...)

 Babysitting dates with Auntie Jess

 

 

 Visiting Discovery Park with friends. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that Mickey loved the musical instruments in the park and quickly picked up the tune to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" when I started playing the notes. (Smart boy)

 Watching football with daddy.

 More importantly, going to his first football game with Grandpa and Auntie Jess. He was quite scared of all the loud noise at first, but by the second half he was excitedly into the game. Almost daily, Mickey will recount his experience "at football game with Grandpa" and recite his favorite phrases: "BYU Cougars!" "Another Cougar first down" "inerception." Or he'll ask me to do the rah-rah (rah-rah rah-rah-rah rah-rah rah-rah-rah, gooooo Cougars!).

 Of course, one can't end the day of a football game without a manly dinner. :)

Visiting the local museum. Mickey's favorites are the hippopotamus (yes, he can say that by the way), and the bears. He asks to go with Grandma frequently. This picture, however, is for Aunt Jenn (who is on her mission).

 Visiting Cabela's with Grandpa is also a must. This little one found a love for tents and kept climbing onto the cot and pretending to be asleep.

 ...and shooting at Cabela's, of course! It was SO hard to leave!

 

 We also found an absolute favorite splash pad in Springville. Perfect for our little one - he could have stayed there all day, and he normally isn't all that interested in splash pads. (By the way, Utah is THE best for a variety of splash pads in a close proximity).

That's all the updates for now! The weather is cooling down and the leaves are starting to change color. Hopefully our next update will include another addition to the family! (Wish us luck!)

All About Us

This last month has been one of adjustments, changes, and lots of dirty diapers :)

Through it all, it has been great to get back into date nights again ... Just a few additional preparations are needed. Our first date after Munchkin joined our family was a wonderful dinner at La Jolla Groves and a short walk around the Riverwoods (and playing in Blickenstaff's). Munchkin was lucky to have 3 wonderful babysitters that night (thank you Rs!).

If you're looking for a fun atmosphere with good food (though a bit pricey), we recommend La Jolla :)
(Image from their website)

Such a fun place to go! With all the random candies you could want!
(Image from their website)

For our second date, Mr. planned a hilarious night with Humor U (BYU's stand-up comedy group).

"Not like the girl who comes into class and says, 'I am so fat!' 
while all the other girls immediately validate her and say she is not. 
All the while loathing her inside and screaming, 
'you are a size 0 - that's the absence of EVERYTHING!'"

"Most people use congrats when they are congratulating someone on something. 
I feel like the rest of that word is neglected. 
So from now on I am just going to say, 'Tulations!'"

[With a handicap] "I feel like I get away with a lot. So much so that I feel like Obama."

"People often have a hard time understanding me, so they often just say 'uh-huh.'

Instead of getting mad, I just have some fun with them!

'So, have you kissed a moose?'

'Uh-huuh'"

Munchkin had some wonderful aunts come to watch him this time!

In addition to these fabulous dates planned by the Mr., he has also helped me out a ton! Even with his 2 part-time jobs and a full-time college student, he still comes home and holds. Munchkin, time with me, and helps around the house. Last night I came home from a walk to find he got out of class early and was washing the windows & blinds, dusting, and vacuuming the bedroom (all tasks I have been trying to do for some time)! He is the best!