The Grand Tetons and Camping; Day 1

Nick and I decided that we wanted to go camping for our summer vacatio. Nick's sister, Rachel, got married in March and the moved with her husband, Eric, to Rexburg, Idaho for school. So we went to go visit and see the sights. There was plenty to do there. We got in to the Tetons on sunday morning, ealry, to get a camp site. We got a great one with lots of space for Hunter to play and run around. After setting up we drove around and see the visiter centers. Then came back to rest a little. Then all heck, rained on us. It rained so much that our tent flooded, and Rachel and Eric's beame a water bed (there was a lake under there tent). So we drove up tp Jackson Lodge. We saw lots of green grass and Mountains. While at the lodge we saw a herd of elk. It was pretty cool to see the huge animals. Then once it had stopped rainning, we ame bak to camp and ate hot dogs and smores!!

The mighty Teton's from Jenny Lake.

Hunter really wanted to help put the tent up.
But just kept stepping where the boys were working.

Look, Mom! I'm helping!
He loved playing with the tent poles.

Priceless!!

Help!!!! I'm in the tent!!!

My boys looking for rocks and sticks to eat/play with!

Our family at the vistor center in the Grand Teton National Park.

Need I say more about this one. LOVE IT!

Another great shot of the Tetons.

Rachel and Eric, the happy couple.

We always need a picture with both Nick and I.

The end of the day!
Yes, Hunter had to be put into his back pack
because he kept trying to touch the fire.

More pictures to come. We had such a great time, can't wait to go again. I have to say I think the Grand Teton National Park is now my favortie place on earth!!!

1st Birthday!!

My HUNTER boy turned 1!!!

We had a youth boating activity out at Pyramid Lake Saturday morning. Hunter had a lot of fun playing in the water and sand. He was quite a hit with all the girls there. We sure love this little man!!!

Hunter and Me when we first got to the lake!

The minute Hunter was out of our arms,
he headed straight for the water.

So Nick took him to touch the boat.
He Hunter had the biggest smile ever!!

Hunter in his life vest.

He even got to ride on the boat while daddy was on the tube behind.

He had to keep watching daddy because it was every entertaining to watch.

Both Nick and I got on the tube with the youth. We were the only adults to. Let's just say that mom and dad are paying for their fun time on the tube.

Hunter found a friend's ball to play with.

What could get any better: a ball and some sand!!! 

Once we got home form the lake we had to finish getting everything ready for Hunter's party. I had frosted most of Hunter's cake the night before to save some time:

This is the final product. Hunter likes to carry around his Cookie Monster stuff animal. So I decided to make him a Cookie Monster cake. The cake was only 4 inches around, but he sure had fun with it.

I made cupcakes for the family and thought they turned out so cute!!

Hunter's birthday outfit:

A Zebra with a tail!!

Hunter got a book from Nick's aunt. Hunter was totally excited!

It made noise and lit up!

The best toys of the night!

2 popper toys!!

Grandma Haines got Hunter a tool belt!

Hunter wore it with pride.

He even knew what to do with the hammer!

The 2 best toys of the night!!

Hunter is a funny kid when it comes to eating. At first when we gave him the cake, he picked off the fur one-by-one and ate it. After a while he decided it tasted good and ate more frosting! Once he got going, the cake went flying!!! Anytime there is food next to him in his highchair, he has to pick it up and put it back on the tray. He had a blast! Mainly he was the main attraction and he knew it! Once he got everyone laughing, he started to bend over and try to eat the cake like a little bird. Then he picked up the cake and put it to his mouth and lick it, just to get people laughing!!! Everyone called him "Blue Beard"!

He figured he could drop it off the edge!!

 You have to check out his face on the next two pictures!!

First he would taste it, then he would spit it out!

THE AFTER PICTURE!!!

 Right now, he is working on how to walk backwards, and gets so exited when he can show us how to. He loves to eat with his own spoon, and loves to go shopping and ride in the cart. He loves playing with his play kitchen and hide things in any cupboard he can open. He loves snuggling with his blankies! AND he loves playing/bouncing his balls. If we are outside, he has to be out there with us playing in the grass and dirt! Can't wait to see what new things Hunter will learn!

August Fun

That last few weeks, we've been having fun in our backyard. We have a small garden and an herb garden. We all like playing in the dirt. At the beginning of the summer, we had this plant growing in our herb garden. We decided to just let it grow. Low and behold, it was a giant sun flower.

One evening while working in the garden, Hunter pulled off a very red tomato. He as carrying it around as if it was his greatest prize. When we came inside, he had already started to eat it. So we stripped him down and let him at the tomato. We loved it and ended up eating almost 3/4 of the tomato.

I head braids in my hair one morning. Hunter was trying to figure out what was in my hair (the hair ties at the bottom). He had a bag clip in his hand and keep trying to to put it in his hair. So, I did it for him. He wore it for a while. We just had to laugh at Hunter. He has also figured out the rubber bands go in your hair to! He's a cutie!!

Yes, he's talking on a cell phone. He learned this in Arizona!

Nick had done some fixing on our sprinkler system and had a PVC pipe left over. We decided to give it to Hunter. One day, we were blowing in it like it was a trumpet. Hunter looked at us like "I want to try'. So we gave it to him and he put is mouth on it and made tons of noises. He was laughing while doing it. The best part was that his voice would come out the end, and we were afraid that he might pass out, but he hasn't yet.

At the end of last growing season, we had a little maple tree growing in our garden. In the spring, we dug it up and re-planted it. We have to hand water it because we haven't figure out where it's home will be. Hunter so was intrigued that he had to play in it. He would dig and throw out the dirt. It was pretty funny. Also, the little brick flower bed behind us, in the picture, Hunter would climb up and over it to get to the other side of  the planter. He figure how to climb it all by himself, and didn't even get a hurt.

My little gardener.
Dirt on his hands while carrying a shovel.

By the time we were ready to come back in, Hunter decided that he was going to climb in the Maple tree planter. He wanted to be up close and personal with it and the dirt. I love that he is so curious.

The dirt monster is coming after us!!!

I love this shot, because it's the 'Oh, no! I got caught!' I sure love this little man. Can't believe that he's been in our life for almost a year! Love you Hunter!!

Arizona Trip!

The last week in July, Hunter and I headed down south to Arizona! Nick was on a 50 mile hike, so we went to go visit Grandma and Grandpa Nielson. Hunter did great on the flight down. Although, all he wanted to do was get down and walk. He started walking on his 11 month birthday. But, he was a trooper on the plane. When we got in, we went to my sister, Heidi's stake pioneer day. There was a ton of people and games for the kids. We had fun and get to see a real Arizona sunset.

The Larkins, Grandma Sandi, and Hunter
Eating our dinner.

Just my mellow boy. Watching everything around him.

My sister and her new little son, Kellen.

On Sunday, we had dinner over at Heidi's, and while there I had to take some cute pictures of Kellen. Hunter also figured out how to climb up the slide, by himself. He sure had fun doing it. When he got to the top, he had a huge grin on his face.

On Monday, mom and I headed down to Tucson. We visited with my aunt and her family, as well as, Nick's aunt and uncle. It was good to see family. On Tuesday, we went to Reid Park Zoo and the Wildlife museum. We had fun. Mom and I had fun, hunter just wanted to walk and push the stroller. But, I'd go back any day to see the sights of home.

Grandma Sandi and Hunter in front of the Giraffe

Me and Hunter

A very huge desert turtle

Hunter and I at the Wildlife Museum

Hunter pushing the stroller

Off he goes!!!

When we got home, Hunter had to play with his favorite white ball. He would just stand there and bounce it. Here's one shot of him. He's a cutie!

Nick's aunt gave Hunter this white hat. We all thought it was cute. I put it on him so I could get a picture, but as you can see he had to pull it off. One of these days, we'll be him in it.