Tonks 4th of July

After the parade in the morning and spending time with my mom, we headed over to Jennifer and Eric's house for more fun. We had a fun bead project, an amazing magic show by Aaron, and tie dying t-shirts.  It was a beautiful day and we all had a lot of fun!

 

Sweet Emily

Grandpa Tonks

Carson and Em

The trampoline was a hit... especially for my Carter

 Brooklyn loves the chickens

 Michael and Chelsea

 Evie

All of the grandchildren... minus Lila (We were trying to keep her out of the sun)

my girl

hospital

Grandma Tonks

Nana

water love

Lila Geneal Tonks

June 29, 2012
7 lbs 3 oz
20 in
12:48 am

More to come

weekend recap

Friday night the girls convinced Aaron to sleep with them in the tent out back.  It is just another way that Aaron is an awesome dad. Sad to say that doesn't sound like fun to me, even when I'm not 3 weeks away from delivery. We decided to kick off the night with smores, and that does sound like fun!

Saturday morning we decided to take the kids to the airshow.  Carter is obsessed with airplanes right now.  It was really fun... and really hot. I kept telling the girls,

 "We don't complain about the heat.... ever." 

 I feel like beautiful, hot sunny days with no wind are few and far between here. I soaked it up on my white pastey legs. I was glad Aaron remembered the chairs and I remembered to get sunscreen on the kids. The snow cones that Aaron waited in line for 40 minutes for were the saving grace for the day. I don't think we would have made it without them!

Our dad

{love you}

sweet summer time

sometimes a little warm pavement is all you need... and your big sister

Dam Marathon

As I have mentioned in a previous post,  Aaron has taken up running. Not just a little running, a lot of running.  It started with his work weight loss challenge back in February, and the fact that many of his co-workers are avid runners. A 25 lb weight loss later, and a lot or training lead up to the Dam Marathon. (The full marathon starts at the location of the Teton Dam that burst back in 1976)  Aaron actually trained for the 1/2 marathon and found out that it was full when he went to register. Bummer! He ended up running the 10K instead and I couldn't have been more proud. He came in at 51 minutes and 40 seconds (9th place)... which I am told is a great time, especially for someone who just starting running just a few months back.  I was so glad that I decided to wake all the kids up early and waddle over to cheer him on.  He is planning on running a 1/2 in August with a friend from high school. I giggle sometimes because he used to make fun of all the runners when he was in high school.

Jenn, Liz, and Aaron

(The Rudd and Company Crew)

Itch it if it itches, even if its in your britches

(Did your parents ever say that?)

Headed Home!

girls weekend

This past weekend three of my dearest friends from Portland made the long trek out to good ol' Eastern Idaho. I have always commented that we had the best group of friends when we lived out there. We were each others family.  So many other friends couldn't make it and were missed, but boy did we have a great time. One bummer was that it pretty much rained the whole time they were here.  We did have a few moments of gorgeous weather that we were grateful for though.  We were able to walk around BYU-Idaho a bit while Naomi and I reminisced about our days there and how much it has changed.  We also did plenty of shopping which was fun. The gals got a whole bunch and I resisted until I get my waist back.

Eating at the Texas road house. Boy did we eat! Steak, Salmon, chicken and endless hot rolls with honey butter. We could have stayed all night .Yum Yum

Feeding the fish

We went to a place called warm river that isn't to far from where we live. I think at first they thought, "Oh fun....feed some fish."  Once we got there though they realized why it is so neat.  You stand on a little dock next to the most picturesque river and mountain side and feed literally dozens and dozens of river trout that never ever leave. People bring marshmallows, bread and dog food to feed the fish.  Rachel was trying so hard to take a picture to send Chad because she knew he wouldn't believe it!

Visiting the beautiful Rexburg Temple

After we left warm river we headed up to Mesa Falls.  The weather could not have been more beautiful and the waterfall was amazing.

At mesa falls there is a small visitors center that we decided to check out.  The curator said that we needed to kiss the moose for good luck. Oh why not!  Shortly after the kissing incident we were taken by surprise by a ferocious bear.

Here is Lisa at the famous Big Juds restaurant.  They have the best greasy homemade fries and burgers as big as your head. Lets just say that we were glad we shared that one.

What a weekend we had.  We stayed up late, laughed until we couldn't breath, did nails and each others makeup, cooked together and just enjoyed our time like the good old days.  Thanks Naomi, Rachel and Lisa for such a great time!

young love

I didn't think I would be seeing this quite so young

I literally laughed out loud when I found it

 (Me... love....Brigham)

at least I think they're at the temple

Lately

I feel like things have been really great but extremely busy these past few weeks.  With the warmer weather here, we have been spending a lot of time outdoors.  Mowing and fertilizing the lawn.  Fixing sprinklers, planting shrubs, landscaping, going  to soccer practice and games, swim lessons on Saturday and fitting in Aaron's new "hobby"..... running. (Have I mentioned he's lost 25 pounds, during busy season too)  Lets just say I made a lot of salads and he ran a lot.  Such a stud but that is another post. 

We are getting anxious for baby girl to come. Just over 6 weeks.  I think that we've finally decided on a name.  Aaron is tasked with picking her middle name, and has informed me that he'll let me know what he decides when we are in the hospital. 

The girls are out of school in three days. Anna has a talent show this week where she is going to play a piano piece and Brooklyn preformed in a "circus" for graduation last week. She was a tight rope walker. For Summer I am trying to find a way to have some structure but not expect too much.  I need to stay organized or I'll go crazy.  Carter is a sweet heart as always.  He definitely has his moments, but truly he is such a pleasant little guy. I am trying to soak up every bit of him.  Here he is giving his baby a drink. He loves to carry around these dolls, and then in the next breath I can hear him making machine gun noises.  Don't ask me where he learned that. I think boys come wired that way. 

   

 Here I am in the standard awkward pose, trying to document the 33 week belly. 

 My baby basil

 Oh how I hope this smile is a phase

I know that this is so random, but I thought it would be a fun idea to document what you have on your fridge from time to time and how it will change as your family changes.  We have

1. Anna's pink spelling list

2. The girls star charts. (when they fill up all the squares they get a prize)

3.  Brooklyn's picture at bottom

4.  Baby girl ultrasound pictures

5.  Picture of my in-laws

6.  Wedding picture of Aaron and I

7. Our article of faith for the month.  (We work on a new one each month in family night and keep it on the fridge so that I can repeat it each time I go and get a drink)

8. Picture of my cousins adorable baby Luke

9. Tonks family picture

10. Sunday school lesson schedule

and finally..... note to self. Aaron needs a new bike

handy (& hard working) men

(Helping dad fix Nana's sprinklers)

I tell Aaron often that when I married him, I had no idea how handy he was.  At first, something would break or I would want something built and he would say, "I can do that."  I didn't really believe him at first. Slowly though, I began to realize he could fix just about anything.

  Another thing that I love, is that Aaron knows how to work.  When we first started dating, Aaron was landscaping with friends for a large company that did everything from sprinklers to ponds and any other yard related thing you could imagine. He worked very long hours and was very tan. :) 

After we were married he mowed lawns, and was the "maintenance man" and an appartment complex and worked very long hours, fitting in work and school.  Then after undergraduate school, he went off to Ohio State (Go bucks) and got his Masters degree in 10 months.  He worked very long hours and I was so proud of him. He did the same studying for his CPA exam, and communiting long hours to work in Portland.  I never wondered or questioned that Aaron would do whatever it took to take care of our family. 

Aaron is also one of those people that would do anything for anyone.  He doesn't bat and eye or complain. He just says "sure!"  All his best buddies are that way too. Maybe it was something in the water there in good ol' Sugar City.  

How grateful I am that my little Carter is going to be able to grow up with such a wonderful dad.  Sitting side by side, learning how to be an exceptional man and father. 

Love you A!