Hi Everyone!! Guess what??  We drove to Canada today!!  Yep, it’s true.  There’s a new temple in Canada that the Prophet hasn’t blessed, yet, so we wanted to visit it!!  So this morning, we hopped in the car and took off…

“I’m tired. May I nap now?”

Poor Scooters started the trip ready for his morning nap.

And I started the trip enjoying some of my train books.

While Mommy started the trip enjoying my bare toes.

And the beautiful outskirts of our city.

Awww! It wasn’t long before Scooters drifted off.

And I decided to join him. :)

Mommy and Daddy enjoyed the peaceful tranquility of children sleeping and gorgeous trees.

—

The Border:

When we got to the border, we realized we were going to be there for a loooong while.  The Mormons were storming Canada and Canada wasn’t prepared.

But that’s okay, because I got to drink a Caprisun!

And we saw the Peace Arch!  It means that Canadians and Americans are friends.  I’m so glad!

But we weren’t glad that there were a million Mormons trying to get across the border and only three lanes open.

So we jumped ship while Mommy kept our spot in line.

“Wook! A Peace Arch! I wike Canada!”

While she was in line, Mommy remembered why she doesn’t like to drive in Canada.

And I pushed Scooty-tooty in his stroller!

“Hi, Mommy! Are you still in line?”

“Okay, we’ll come back later!”

Then we saw a PASSENGER train ZOOM by on the tracks behind us.  It was awesome!

And Mommy was still in line, so we wandered some more.

But then she moved!  And saw signs!

So we ran back and joined her.

But then we still had to wait.

So Scooters played with his socks!!!

Hee, hee!  He loves his socks!

**Fiercely intense chomp**

And Mommy broke out her secret weapon.

I love Mommy’s secret weapons.

And then!!  We were next in line!! And then!!  We were in Canada!!

—

The Temple:

Guess what!?!

We’re here!!!

We’re at the temple!!  And I get to go inside!!!

But first, we needed to find a place to park and walk back.

Oooohhhh, isn’t it beautiful!

I wanted to go inside right away, but first we waited for our turn to join a tour group and watch an introductory video about temples and the history of Mormons in the surrounding cities.

Then our group got in line to enter the temple!  And we saw lots of people we’ve known from all the places we’ve lived–it was like one big Mormon reunion!!

And some of them totally saved Scooty-tooty’s tired bacon from getting fried as we waited in long lines (there were thousands and thousands of visitors!).

They actually LET him pull their hair and then LAUGHED!!!  Mommy’s scalp cringed just watching, but since her baby was happy and they were happy, she was happy, too!

And I got to eat a GOGURT!  So I was happy, too.

But then.  My food ran out.   And I wanted to be a train and chug.  But I couldn’t!

So Mommy and I jumped ship and chugged around while Daddy kept a spot in line.

AND THEN!!!

It was our turn!  And I got to go inside!!  And it was so beautiful!

I saw the baptismal font–where I’ll get to serve when I turn 12 years old.

And a sealing room–just like where Mommy and Daddy were married.

And an ordinance room–just like where Mommy and Daddy go to learn about God and the purpose of life.   (When Mommy showed me the altar, I asked, “Where’s the sacrifice?”)  :)

And the beautiful, incomparable Celestial Room.

The room that represents what heaven will be like after this life.  A heaven with God and Jesus Christ.  And our families.

And being in that room all together as a family was a small glimpse of what it might be like to have our family for eternity.

Because that’s what temples are all about.

With gorgeous weather and no school for Daddy (hooray!), we tackled today with vigor!

Daddy broke in the newest roto-tilling member of our family.  (Thank you, Dad, for the recommendation!  You’re right–this makes things so much easier!)

Then Bubbers paved the way for our next step…

… Steer manure!  (Thanks for this recommendation, too, Dad!)

“Mommy?” Bubbers asked, “Is cow poo-poos awive? Does it move?”

Then he ran off and grabbed one of his favorite tools.

“Wook, Daddy!  I’m measuring you!”

“Wow!  You’re so tall, Bubbers!!”

“Wook at this, Mommy!!”

“Daddy says it’s a chunky monkey!  Just wike Scooters!”

After that, we took advantage of the weather and went to…

… the zoo!!!

We had to wait in a very long line, because everyone else in the city had the same idea.  :)

But look!!!  The first blooms of….. winter?

The glorious sunshine brought out all the animals– the flamingos, zebras, gazelles, ostriches, giraffes, tapirs, wild dogs and sloth bears…

… And a sweet sleeping Scooters!

But the most beloved exhibit of all was that of …

… The hippos!

**Awed silence**

**Awed sleeping**

And a hippo to call your very own!

“Wook, Mommy!  My very own hippo!!”

Then someone woke up!

**Glazed stare into the camera**

**Glazed stare at Mommy**

Oh, look!

I see movement!!

And the glimmer of…  of…

… A smile!!

Welcome back, Scooters!!!

Then Bubbers took in a second helping of the hippos.

And Mommy took in a second helping of how cute her husband and son looked together.

Then took advantage of a conscious Scooters,

To introduce him to the wilds of Africa.

Then we moved on to the king and queen of the jungle.

And the Komodo dragons!  Bubbers was very entranced.

And after the elephant barn, he took a ride on baby Dumbo!

“Wook!  A baby Dumbo of my very own!”

What a great day!  We worked, we played, we walked in the sunshine!

And we enjoyed the beautiful view.  Life doesn’t get much better than this!

—-

p.s. We didn’t get a picture, but Scooters’ favorite exhibit was the penguins.  The cute little birds swam right up to the glass just at his level and he watched them swim and dive with great fascination!

Hi Everyone! Guess what??  We made egg salad sandwiches today for lunch and boy do I love those!

And if you don’t mind, I’d love to show you how I help make them.

Oh! And if I look paler than usual, it’s because I’ve been under the weather, but hopefully I’ll be on the mend soon…

Okay!  Now who wants to help Mommy??!!

I…

dooooooooooo!!

So, first!

Mommy hands me an egg.

Thanks, Mommy!

(Howy mackerew!  Wook at those cute wittow fingers!!)

Hooray!  Now, if only I could eat you now.  But Mommy says no.

Isn’t that right, Mommy?

[Yep, it is!]

Aww, hi there wittow egg!  I’m gonna swice you and eat you, okay?

Okay!

But don’t worry.

I’m very careful.

After that, Mommy takes it and turns it.

Is everybody catching all this?

You are?  Good!

Because then Mommy gives it back to me!

For more slicing!

Whoo-wee!  Would you wook at that!  I think it’s time…

For a taste test!

Or two.

Or three.

Or twenty!

Oh man, this is the life.

Uh-oh…

Whatzat?

Are you trying to take my egg??

Noooo, Mommy!!

Well, folks.

As far as I’m concerned…

My story is finished!

So, thanks for joining us!

And don’t forget to bless it!

With a yawn. :)

Hey, hey, hey–check it out!

Mommy’s finally starting her “Summer Series” posts about all the fun we had in the sun last year! (Give yourself a big pat on the back, Mommy!)

It all began last April…..

….. With a beautiful day that marked the beginning of “summer”.

The day I scooped my first sand ever (I think…).

And the first day of 2009 that I had to wear sunglasses, so you know for sure that summer had come! :)

We met our wonderful playgroup friends at the park down the street and really had some fun!

I went barefoot in the sand!

And got on my first merry-go-round ever!

I was a mite apprehensive at first.

But Mommy taught me how to sit down.

And hold on tight!

Then she’d push it at least .000025 miles an hour and I loved it!

After that, I got tangled in the web climber.

“Hi, Mommy! Someday I’ll be free again!”

“Ha, ha!” says Efan, “You’re so silly!”

Then I was free!!

(And so cute!)

After that, I just hung out.

Holy mackerel–I look so small!

Then we ran around the dry water park all crazy like we were little boys or something. (Ha!)

After that, things got serious.

Very serious.

It was me.

And Efan.

Just. Sitting.

But holy smokes were we cute!!

So Mommy (and Scooters in utero!) just had to get in on the action!

And then all my friends did, too!!

Man–what a fun day.

Mommy and I are so lucky to have such great friends.

Now, if only I knew how to get off this thing…..

Hello, my friends!   I’m sorry I can’t stop to talk right now.

But you see, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is singing.

And they need me to direct them.

Which is serious business.   (Although, if she tries hard enough…..)

(Mommy can still get me to smile).

Now, this means that we had General Conference weekend again.  And Mommy is a bit relieved to see that I don’t look too grown up now that I’m 2-and-a-half years old, compared to the last time we had General Conference and I was almost two years old.  (Though if you go back to last year, she’s not quite so relieved…..  And if you go back to a year-and-a-half ago, I look way too young, but at least I’m a consistent choir director).

As usual, we all really enjoyed Conference.

Mommy was sick, so she appreciated being able to rest as she watched the eight hours of Conference over two days.

Daddy was cold, because the thermostat is back to 65 degrees.

So he gave Mommy the “evil eye”.

And tried to get warm.

But despite illness and cold weather, we always look forward to hearing counsel from our Living Prophet and feel so blessed to have him, the 12 Apostles and other Priesthood leaders who receive revelation from God on our behalf.

And I always look forward to the choir.

And this time around, I even tried my hand at playing back-up for them.

But you know what really made this Conference special?

This little guy!

He was almost four months old and it was his very first General Conference outside of the womb.

True to his nature, he was as sweet as could be.

And constantly smiling–even through his spit-up!

He enjoyed the Prophet and Apostles, too. But I think what he really enjoyed…..

Was watching me conduct.

With my stuffed snake.

What?   Haven’t you ever seen the Mormon Tabernacle Choir being conducted with a multi-colored stuffed snake before?

He also enjoyed lots of snuggles with his Daddy.

Daddy??  No, stop Daddy!!

Phew, that was close!

Daddy really does love Snuggles.

And so do we all!  Happy First General Conference, sweet Little Man!

Hey Everyone!

Sorry I can’t talk right now–it’s time to give Sir Snuggles a bath.

And I have to be real careful not to let the water get too high.

Or too hot.

Okay, Mommy. It’s all ready. You can bring him in now.

“Thank you, son! I’ll give him one more kiss and then he’s all yours.”

Aww, hi there Snuggles! Are you ready for your bath?

Okay. First things first…..

I need to squeeze out some of this soap…..

Ha!!  I did it!!

Now we rub and lather!

But we make sure to be very gentle, huh, Snuggles?

After that, it’s time to rinse!

1, 2, 3…… Pour!

How are you doing, Snuggles? You okay?

“Yep, I’m great–two fists up!”

Oh, good!

Because I’m done and off to go play now!

Love you–bye!!

Okay, Flat Stanley!

Now that your arm is fixed, it’s time for….. pinto beans!!

So down you go!

Into the bucket.

“Uh….. are you sure about this Bubbers?”

Oh yes!

Just…..

Hold…..

Still…..

Ha!  What’d you think of that?!?

“Mwmmummwm.”

He said he loves it!

And wants to know what happens now!

Ready, Stanley?!?

One, two, fee!!

Kerrrr-splat!

Don’t worry everyone, Stanley only feels a tiny bit squished.

Hee, hee, hee!

Come on, Mom– not the armpits!

Hee, hee, hee!

–

To be continued…..

On this particular afternoon, I had promised myself I would sit in a chair and not move, thus allowing my poor recovering uterus time to….. recover.

But alas, my self made promise lasted less than 2 minutes.

And before I realized what I was doing, I was knee deep in a pile of weeds I’d pulled and vines I’d clipped.

That’s when my aching back and uterus called me back to earth and my goal of just resting.

So, I hot-glued myself to a deck chair and played bubbles with the Wooga man.

He loved it!

And then he ran off!

Which is where our story continues…..

“Bubbers!  Hey, Bubbers!  Come back and see what I’ve got!” I called to his back.

Suddenly, Bubbers halted and turned to look at me.

“Uh?” he asked, with interest shining in his beautiful eyes.

“Come see what I’ve got!” I called again, holding up a canister he had never seen before in his 15 months of life.

Eagerly, Bubbers redirected his toddling up the deck stairs and to my side.

“What’s that, Mom?” he asked, smiling up at my canister.

“It’s Play-doh!” I said with great enthusiasm and then handed the canister to him.

Excitedly, he reached out to take it.

Then he plopped himself down on the deck.

And commenced to shake.

[Holy toledo, I love that picture and his cute hooked wrist!!]

But nothing happened.

So he shook again.

But still nothing happened.

So he looked at me and asked, “Uh?”

“You need to reach in and pull it out,” I tried to explain from afar.

So he reached in and pinched out the tiniest piece of Play-doh ever.

And stuffed it in a crack.

And looked at it.

And stuffed some more.

And looked some more.

“Huh, would you look at that?” he said to me, “This Play-doh stuff is pretty cool.”

“Isn’t it?” I smiled, “Would you like a different color?  How about white?”

“Sure!!” he said and reached out his cute, chubby hands.

That I couldn’t resist zooming in on.

And then, in a sudden burst of generosity, I gave him yellow, too.

And he reached those same cute fingers in and pinched off an equally minuscule amount of Play-doh.

And tried to stuff it in a crack.

But it didn’t stuff.

So he tried again.

“This time it stuffed!!” he laughed.

And I laughed, too, and then handed him the red canister.

“Boy, Mom,” he smiled…..

“I could stuff Play-doh all day long!!”