Can boys wear pink?

Yesterday was just one of those days.  It was a Monday and for some reason Alden has a hard time on Mondays.  Maybe it's just from coming off the weekend and being thrown off his schedule, but he doesn't nap very well and wants me to hold him all day.  It's very exhausting.  On top of this, our pool was closed all afternoon and evening because of the threat of rain showers.  I love our pool and count on that hour outside every day to completely wear Alden out so he will take a good afternoon nap.  The one task I had given myself was to do Alden's laundry.  He was out of pretty much everything that fit.  I felt like I was doing good, until I ran downstairs to change the clothes from the washer to the dryer.  I lifted the lid and to my horror, everything was pink!  Earlier this week while changing Alden's diaper, I left the new diaper off a little too long and he had peed all over the rug.  This was a new red rug.  I threw it in with his clothes without really thinking about it and now he has a lot of pink clothes.  So yesterday afternoon was spent holding and fighting with Alden to see what he wanted, and bleaching all this things.  Most of the clothes that actually fit are okay, it's just a few blankets and burp clothes that suffered the most damage.  Everything is almost back to normal, and sorry no pictures, I was too upset with myself.  Oh well, everyone I have talked to has said that it has to happen once.  I'm very grateful it was Alden's clothes and not mine or Patrick's.  Alden is a lot rougher on his and he grows out of them within a few months anyway.  I just thought I needed to write this story down, so I can look back and laugh when it's funny.  Because right now it still isn't very funny to me :)  Life goes on with today being a new day and Alden is already down for a nap. 

Playing peek-a-boo

I love to see the temple

This past week we have spent a lot of time with my family since Bennett is leaving for Utah this week to go on his mission.  Last Thursday we had the opportunity to attend the Columbia, SC temple with my mom and Bennett.  Sawyer walked Alden around outside the temple in the 95 degree weather to keep him happy so we could attend a session together.  It was a really neat experience and we can't wait to go back.

The boys

The whole gang

Family pictures

Best buddies

Bennett's going to be a great missionary

We also had the opportunity to go home this weekend and listen to Bennett give his farewell talk in church.  He did a wonderful job speaking on how the priesthood has influenced his life and has prepared him to serve a mission.  We're very proud of him and know that he will be a great missionary serving the people of Mexico.  Good luck Bennett and we'll see you in two years!

We have movement

Alden is becoming more mobile with his rolling.  He can roll from tummy to back and back to tummy when he feels like it.  However, I think he's holding out on me because when I went in to get him from his nap today I found this..

His head started out on the green "pillow" on the blanket and he moved quite a bit to get his dog :)

Pool Time!

At the beginning of May we went down to Gram and Granddaddy's house and introduced Alden to the pool.  The water was still a little chilly and Alden would only let us dip his toes in the water.  We have a swimming pool about 50 feet away in our apartment complex.  I've been wanting to introduce Alden to the water again, because it would give us something to do during the day when the pool is completely empty.  Yesterday I went and bought Alden his floatie and sun hat so we were ready, but a rainstorm came up last night right as we had all gotten in our swimsuits and put sunscreen on.  So today Alden and I got ready and Patrick actually got off early from work so we greeted him at the door all ready to go.  Alden was unsure of the water at first because it was a little cool, but then he had a blast.  He loved being in the floatie and being by himself.  He would kick and splash and alternated between reclining and sitting up.  It was a hit and we can't wait to now spend our days in the water.

Speed Racer

My mom sent me some more pictures from last weekend, so I thought I would add them on here.  We set up a kiddie pool on the deck and Alden would love to go out there and sit and play in the water several times a day.  Here are a few pictures of us having some fun in the sun!

Sawyer joined us

Also, since Bennett is about to leave to go on a mission at the end of this month we are trying to do things together that he has wanted to do for a while.  One item on that list was going to the Andretti race track center to race on the go-karts.  You had 8 minutes to do as many laps as you could and there were 11 of us on the track together.  I, of course, came in dead last.  Apparently I become very cautious when racing :)  Patrick took 7th and Bennett and Sawyer came in 9th and 10th.  Everyone we were racing was really into it.  I think we'd do better if we did it a second time and if there weren't as many people on the track.  Everyone kept running into each other.  But all in all it was a fun time and we were glad we did it.

Here we are before the race

Underneath the helmets we had to wear these helmet "socks"

Waiting in line to get on the track

After the race - posing with the race car

Dad didn't even race, but he figures he would have come in 1st!

Wanting to be big

Last week Alden and I went to stay with my family for a couple of days and then Patrick joined us for the weekend.  We hadn't been back home for a few weeks and figured it was about time for a visit.  The five days that we were there Alden decided he wanted to be big like the "big boys" aka my brothers.  He wouldn't lay on the floor and play with his toys if everyone else was sitting at the table and he wanted to eat and drink like the rest of us.  He would only nurse at night when no one else was around :)  I put together his high chair and he absolutely loved it.  Alden also loves to be with his Grammy because she lets him run around naked and swim/bath after every meal and sometimes in between. 

Alden's Four Month Check-up

Last Wednesday Alden finally had his four month check-up, even though he'll be five months within the next few days.  It took me a while to find a doctor that worked with our insurance from Utah.  But we went and he did great with his shots and everyone there thought he was the most adorable baby.  He was quite the charmer, flashing his smile at all the doctors and nurses.  Alden is doing great and growing so much everyday.  He learns something new each week and never ceases to amaze me.  We are happy he is part of our family and love him lots.

Alden's stats at the four month check-up:
Weight: 18.2 lbs (+90th percentile)
Height:  26 inches (75th percentile)

Alden the day he was born

Swimsuit picture - 4 months old

Hanging out with Beaver before church

It's about time I started this blog

For the past year now I have been reading blogs of friends and family and other random people.  I have wanted to start my own blog for a while, but something always gets in the way.  So instead of just trying to catch up on all our recent happenings, I'll just start.  One great thing about living in South Carolina for the summer is getting to see so much family.  Patrick, Alden, and I headed to Charleston for Memorial Day Weekend to visit family and play at the beach.  This was Patrick and Alden's first time seeing and playing in the Atlantic.  I think they're converted.  We had a great time and thanks to the Morrows for letting us stay with them.  We had so much fun and can't wait to go back and do it some more this summer!  Here are some pictures from this weekend.  The first day at the beach we didn't get any good pictures of Alden's cute swimsuit and then the second day he slept for the majority of the time so he never got in his suit.  I'll have to find some pictures to post later of his swimsuit.

 Alden snoozing on the beach

 Alden in the water for the first time

 Playing with Chase

Chase's birthday party

Tummy time

Family picture

Playing with Dad

Happy baby

Laughing at Dad