Slammed Summer

So obviously we have been super busy this summer that I haven't even thought about finding the time to update our blog, so I guess now is the time. I hope I don't leave anything out, but I am sure I will... 

Since I last posted, we have celebrated my birthday which Andrew made me feel very special. My mom took me to get a pedicure and Andrew came home early the day before and took me to a couples massage, shopping and out to a nice dinner. The day couldn't have been more perfect! For my actual birthday dinner I was craving sushi (which doesn't happen very often) and then we came home for presents and cake. :) I am grateful for amazing family and friends who make me feel loved and special.

Throughout the summer, we have been playing with lots of friends and spending a lot of time at the pool or splash park. Dean has become one tan baby and a pretty great swimmer! He can swim by himself with his floaties on and loves the water. Since Uncle Dyson has been home with us a lot more this summer, Dean has really bonded with him and loves his uncle. Every morning, he yells upstairs to Dyson wanting him to come play with him. 

Dean with his best friend Jace

Dean's uncles Blake (or Bubba as he calls him) and Cade were selling pest control in Chicago over the summer, but we were lucky enough to get two visits for a weekend from them. Dean loved seeing them and showing them all his new tricks. 

We also went on a long, busy and exciting trip to Utah this summer. We had three reunions to go to. First, we spent about a week with Andrew's family up in Logan, Utah. It was so fun to see everyone since we don't get to see them nearly enough, and Dean loved being around all of his cousins. He was such a trooper being thrown off his schedule and sleeping in so many different places. He was okay on the plane... definitely a toddler wanting to run around and busy busy busy! While with the Owen's, we went down a fun slip n' slide which surprisingly Dean LOVED and was not afraid at all, played fun games with the family, spent a day at Bear Lake, relaxed and just enjoyed being together as a family. 

he may look terrified but he loved it!

we took up a whole row at church! So of course I had to document it :)

4 generation picture

After Andrew's reunion, we went to Springville, Utah for a short family reunion with my mom's side of the family. My parents and Dyson flew in to Utah to meet us for the rest of the trip. Dean got to play with even more cousins and see family we haven't seen in about a year and some who hadn't even met Dean. It was a fun day! 

In between reunions, we were able to get together with some of our friends from college and even further back for Andrew. It was nice to see them in Provo and for some to meet Dean for the first time! Wish we lived closer to such close friends and family.

After my mom's side of the reunion, we drove over to a small town in Colorado called Rangely to have my dad's side family reunion. We went to the lake, went boating, played an Amazing Race game, the guys went golfing and shooting, celebrated Fourth of July and once again Dean got to spend lots of time with his cousins. It was such a busy trip, that by the end Dean wasn't the happiest of campers. Surprisingly he did well on the plane home, and we got to relax the rest of the summer until Andrew started school again in July. 

perfect picture from my grandma's bathroom!

helping Uncle Brad drive the boat

The rest of the summer with still busy with lots of fun things going on. Andrew started back in school and is now an intern in the student clinic, so he has some patients (Dean is one of them) and is officially able to adjust others. So proud of everything he has accomplished and how hard working he is in school! So far it's looking like we may be done with school March of 2017 which we are extremely looking forward to. We also took a trip to Stone Mountain this summer with Dean. He loved it! It was a late night for him, but he was so happy the entire night. Also, a couple of weeks ago Dean started nursery! Can you believe we have a nursery child?!? I got a little emotional dropping him off... but he is doing okay... I wish he would warm up a little more quickly (still crying when we drop him off) but I think he will adjust. He is blessed to have great nursery leaders that love him. 

Dean has changed so much this summer! He talking all of the time and copies everything we say! He is so busy and climbs onto everything! He is starting to self play more and more, but his favorite toy is still anything that has to do with a ball! He can now shoot his tall hoop he got for his first birthday! He is such a crack up and keeps me laughing every day! Dean definitely has a strong personality and knows what Time Out is... he is starting to say "no" to almost everything. He LOVES babies and runs to every one he sees! It is the most precious thing. His two favorite comfort things are his blankie (which he calls "cha") and his paci (which he calls "mow mow")---don't know where he came up with those words. Dean really is a happy baby and we love our toddler so much!

climbed in by himself... don't know how he can do most of these things but he is determined and figures out a way

such a goof ball.. every morning has has to put something on like shoes, a hat, my necklace...