2013 Summer Summary (part one)

With a fun-filled summer I've hardly had time to write about our adventures, many of which already seem so long ago. Its already fall! Better late than never...

bEaR LaKe
Summer seemed like it would never arrive. The Canyons School District didn't get out of school until June 7th. Those last few weeks felt like an eternity for both Heath and I. We didn't waste any time once he was done. I picked him up from Hillcrest and we drove up north for our 3rd Annual Lambert Family Reunion. With two pregnant ladies and a 3 month old, we found a perfect cabin (more like a lodge) for our get together in Bear Lake. Thanks for hooking us up Keith! I was lazy and didn't take many pictures. Luckily, my salties did and shared them with me. Thanks for the great snaps.

With gorgeous views, delicious food, and of course- some friendly competition, the Lambert "Symposium on the Family" at Bear Lake was a success. The highlight of the trip for me was our focus on family. My parents asked us to come with thoughts on how to develop stronger families. We had great discussions on applying and teaching gospel principles in our home. I left with a greater admiration for my parents and the leaders they are to our entire family, as well as a firm desire to improve where I need to as a wife, mother, aunt, sister, daughter, and daughter-in-law. I love my family!

We made time for playing on this trip too. The boys and Bec went mountain biking on a trail in Tony's Grove in Logan Canyon. Props to my sister for riding with all the fellas. One day I'll get brave and ride. 

 

We soaked up some sun down at the lake. Jamie of course went swimming and Keith did a little spear fishing. Her little prego belly was cute popping out in the wet suit! The kids played in the sand and attempted dips in the cold lake. 

The big kids played too- Heath and Trent threw the football. I'm so glad they were willing to include Jack. He would have had a nervous break down if he couldn't get his hands on that ball.

Waiting for the hike.

Our little QB looking for an open man.

Pass complete. 

As always, Emily was about to clobbered him. Nice defense Emmi! 

Even being 8 months pregnant I couldn't resist a little football. I relive my powder puff days every chance I get. I had to show the boys how its done.

 

Finding shade with my 2 1/2 handsome boys.

The Reunion Rock competition this year was all about games. Each family brought a game for everyone to compete in. There was jenga stacking, vasaline cotton ball racing, eat a cracker balanced on your nose with no hands, and stack 7 dice on the end of a popsicle stick you hold in between your teeth. I'm thrilled to report the Bleazard's will have their name on the rock for 2013! Too bad the Hatch's got scared of how awesome we are and left early without getting scored in all the games. We'll probably whip 'em next year too. 

Of course we can't have a Lambert Family Reunion without a photo shoot. Here's all the amazing people I love so much...

Grandpa & Grandma

The Hubbards

The Hatchs

The Swallows

The Cousins

The Bleazards

sNoWbIrD
The next weekend our fun continued at Snowbird with Heath's family. The Snowbird tradition with the Bleazards is one of my favorites. There is something about being surrounded by mountains that offers a peace not found in many other places. The picture below is my first time at the Snowbird get together, but it kind of shows how towering the mountains are up there and how handsome Heath is...

We enjoyed the usual games, good food, nature walks, and swimming. The number of kids running around grows every year, while the space in the condo diminishes! Heath and I made it to the finals of the shuffle board contest for the third year in a row- unfortunately the final game never took place. No doubt we would have won it!

Jack is clearly daddy's little boy. His favorite activity was riding scooters. He ran after Heath, Jake, and Tanner when they took off without him. He might love riding scooters more than his pops.

Jack riding with the big boys

Tanner, Jake, Jack, and Heath

I would have taken more pictures if I weren't so tired of being fat and pregnant... Hopefully I can get pictures to post from Heidi...I like to rely on others' picture taking skills.

SpLisH SpLaSh

Its not a good summer without playing in the water. Before Brock was born, Jack and I went swimming quite a bit. The Captain loves the water and thinks he can float and swim by himself. I'm one nervous, but very proud mamma watching him try to run in the kiddie pool, fall, completely submerse himself, and surface with a huge grin on his face. Jack is however a fair-water fish, like his dad. If the temperature isn't just right he doesn't want to stay in long. Here's one of our swimming excursions to a pool in Salt Lake...

Mamma with her fishie

The water was a little too cold for Heath...

Kicking Machine

My two Goldie Locks warming up

We had more fun in the water with our best buds Nate, Kristen, and Jordyn at City Creek's slash pad. Jordyn is six weeks younger than Jack and she'll be getting a new baby sister in September, so Brock will have a girlfriend too:)

Jack workin it with Jordyn. 

Mine and Kristen's dreams of having our kids get married may come true:)

The Captain had enough once he started to get cold.

A Blessed Mom of Two

As I've expressed in an earlier post, I was extremely nervous to become a mom of two kids. Not only did I not have a clue how I would manage taking care of two kiddos, but with one of them being an 18 month old that has only two speeds- fast and faster, the task seemed impossible to me. It caused me a great deal of anxiety and stress. I was not excited to deal with another miserable recovery and possibly postpartum depression again after giving birth. Heath and I spent many moments on our knees asking for peace and comfort to come to me, for added strength, and good health. I must share my testimony that I know prayers are answered. Our Heavenly Father knows the trials we will be able to bare with his help. He does let us struggle to make us stronger, but He also sends us tender mercies exactly when we need them.

Answers to our prayers have come in many different ways. I was blessed with good health and a quick recovery after having Brock. I was able to do a mini triathlon six weeks after giving birth. It was tough for me, but felt so good to accomplish something like that again. Thanks to my awesome husband who cheered me on and watched the boys so I could train for it!  Gotta love those endorphins! Being able to exercise so soon has kept me energized to keep up with the Captain. I feel blessed to have had a healthy pregnancy and no complications after birth.

Jack got me pumped for the big race.

Glad the Captain was my partner for the run leg. 

I wasn't so lonely walking the 1.5 miles with him!

These two old foggies finished way ahead of me. 

I love how tough my parents are!

Not only was I healthy, but my little family has been as well. Heath, Jack, and Brock are strong healthy boys! I realize that has been a huge tender mercy from the Lord. It made the adjustment of another baby much easier for me. Jack's adjustment to being a big bro was also an answer to prayers. He has been a trooper. Of course he has rough days, just like I do, but overall it hasn't been very difficult on him. He LOVES Brock and is eager for the day his little brother can play pass with him.

Another blessing has come in the form of new employment. Heath's commute shortened from 80 minutes a day to 5 minutes. Goodbye Hillcrest Huskies, Hello Stansbury Stallions! Jack, Brock, and I get to see Heath much more now. He even comes home for lunch! We love it. It also means I have a little more help wrestling the boys. Heavenly Father knew it was something our family needed.

I have felt Heavenly Father's love in abundance as I have turned to him in prayer, seeking His help with the challenges of motherhood. He knows the trials and tender mercies we need. I'm grateful for the refining I am experiencing as I fulfill my role as a wife and mother. Spending all day with these two, is the most demanding and rewarding job I could ask for.

Brock : 6 weeks of Heart-Melting Moments

The saying "time flies when you're having fun" must be true. 6 weeks has gone by ridiculously fast and I truly have enjoyed having this handsome little man in my life the last month and a half.

We have had many heart-melting moments with Brock already. Here's my top 6...

Heart-Melting Moment #1:

This is really multiple moments, and all are by far my favorite. I was really worried about how Jack would react to our new addition to the family. But the Captain has taken on the role of big brother perfectly, showering Brock with hugs and kisses often. Every morning and after his nap when Jack first sees Brock he sweetly says (as sweet as you can say at the top of your lungs), "Hi!!! Hi!!! Hi!!!!!!!" and grinning ear to ear lays on his belly next to the Brockster and puts his face right in front of Brocks. It seems to me he has been waiting and waiting for his brother to get here. And Brock has looked at Jack a few times like he already knows who he is, as if he is thinking, "There you are bro...its been a while." These brothers completely melt my heart.

Heart-Melting Moment #2:
I love watching Heath interact with his boys. He will be roughing Jack up one moment and then tenderly talking to and holding Brock the next. Some guys are awkward or uncomfortable with babies, but not my hunk of lovely. He often tells me "He's is a handsome little guy." or "Brock gets cuter ever day doesn't he?" Seeing Brock with his daddy melts my heart.

Heart-Melting Moment #3:
During his first few days of life, Brock made it clear he wanted me to kiss his sweet cheeks and lips by making this face whenever he was awake. Of course I give in to my handsome little man! The adorable faces he makes melts my heart.

Heart-Melting Moment #4:
I also give in to cuddling with him for hours when Jack is napping or watching cartoons. Brock loves to cuddle up on mine or Heath's chest and we love it too. Jack was not and is still not a snuggler. It will take a lot of self control not to cuddle Brock to sleep each night. Nothing can quite compare to snuggling with a new little baby. This miracle melts my heart.

Heart-Melting Moment #5:
Bath time means relaxation for Brock. He is quite content in the tub. However, he doesn't like drying off afterward. Being a water-lover myself, of course it makes me happy to have another baby comfortable in the water. I only hope it continues! My bathing babe melts my heart.

Heart-Melting Moment #6:
A day over 6 weeks old, Brock decided it was time to smile. I have anxiously been waiting for this and trying relentlessly to get a smile out of my little man for the past week with no luck. We've seen a brief grin here and there, but guessed it was just gas. I must have finally said something funny yesterday because while I was giving Brock my best baby talk, he gave me a big grin, dimples and all! Since then the smiles have continued. The only picture I could capture was when he was asleep. It doesn't show his full smile, but trust me its a cute smile! Its a smile that melts my heart.

Brock, thanks for bringing us so many heart-melting moments. 

I can't wait for the millions more to come. 

We love you!

Moments with Captain Jack

For Easter this year, my mother-in-law gave us the church nursery manual to help us plan Family Fight Nights (my dad's term for FHE). This book has been a great tool to start teaching our Captain about the gospel. Our first lesson lasted 2 minutes. We started by singing 'Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam', which made Jack erupt into laughter every time we sang the word "sunbeam". Our lesson consisted of looking at a picture of a little boy and his mom praying and showing Jack how we fold our arms. Jack tried folding his arms once and then made it clear he was done with Family Fight Night. He hoped off the couch and started running all over the house. We tried encourage him to pray with us at dinner as well, but Jack would just stare at us and sometimes even giggle.

A few days later we were visiting Grandma and Grandpa in Kamas. Jack, my mom, and I sat down at the table for some lunch. My mom and I were chatting and began eating. Jack jabbered something at us loudly and when we looked him he folded his arms, bowed his head slightly, and mumbled something for a brief second. When he was done he started chowing down on his lunch. My mom and I were humbled and in awe. Thank you for reminding us to pray Jack! The same thing has happened many times since then. Multiple prayers are often offered by Jack through out any given meal. I pray that this will be the start of a lasting testimony for my sweet kiddo.

I never would have thought that a 2 minute lesson would have made much of an impact, but it did. I have a testimony of the prophets and apostles' counsel to hold Family Home Evening. I've seen the impact of FHE from a perspective as a daughter, sister, and now as a mother. Truly, by small and little things are great things brought to pass.