Multnomah Falls (& Linc of course)

We haven't been as obsessive about taking pictures of Linc, which I assume is normal as he gets older, but here are a few pics of him now. I took this one day when he wouldn't fall asleep for his nap. I laid him down and he cried a little, and then about 5 minutes later I went to check on him and he had turned himself sideways in the crib....it begins!!

Dad was in town on business a few weeks ago, but got to extend a little and stay one night with us. I took him on a date up to Multnomah falls and we hiked to the top with Linc so we could look down at the view. It was a beautiful and perfectly cool day.

Looking down from the top

Linc saying hi.

Lincoln Lips

This is Lincoln discovering his ability to spit. I'm sure he will only get better with time. :)

Screamin' Lincoln

Lincoln discovered this new sound. He does it when he's happy too, but this time he couldn't decide if he was tired or having fun.

BYU vs. OU Game= VICTORY!!

Oh what a way to finish out our summertime travels and to initiate Lincoln into the life of being a Cougar!!

We are grateful for the picture below as it illustrates how Lincoln has decided to soothe himself. He hates his binky (which I have purchased a total of 6 in the first 3 months of his life because I can never seem to remember where I leave them), and does not particularly like to be rocked. He prefers us to lay him in his crib, then he proceeds to smack himself in the face a few times until he finds his thumb and then falls promptly asleep. Quite hilarious actually.

This will come into play in a later picture...

Dallas purchased several BYU outfits for our little man. This is a picture of Lincoln trying on his outfit before we left for Texas to make sure it fit appropriately for the game...he's obviously ready for the part of the fight song that says, "Ra...ra..ra.ra.ra. GOooooooooo Cougars!!!"

Proud to be a Cougar.

We are so spoiled. Lincoln nursed on the way up and down on the plane, but looked like this the rest of the time. The joys of traveling with a new baby! (Relatively new (:)

On our way out the door to the BYU vs OU game...at the new GINORMOUS Cowboys stadium.

Crazy Cougar fan and child that has no clue what kind of family he's gotten into.

In front of the stadium. We left in plenty of time so as to not get caught in traffic and have enough time to park, etc. When we arrived we just couldn't believe that there wasn't TONS of pregame traffic like there usually is anywhere there's a football game. Well, it turned out the game started at 6, not 7, so we got there in time for the 2nd Quarter. Whoops. The Cougs just needed us to arrive before they kicked it into gear.

Lincoln is so confused at why his parents are so obsessed.

THE. HUGE. STADIUM.

At the end of the 2nd quarter Lincoln decided he wanted to snuggle. Still no crying...(Note: I was SOOO prepared man. I packed a novel to read in the car in case he got super fussy and wouldn't let us stay in the stands with all the other crazies, but no need, he's a true blue cougar.)

Why I am thankful for Lincoln's thumb. He found it in no time and took a good 45 minute nap so he could be rested for the AMAZING last quarter.

Catching Up!

Time Runs Out....

Boo Yah!!!! Victory!!!

Raising helmets as we sing the fight song!

Ok...Do you see the smaller screen? This is the size of the ones that are usually in every OTHER stadium. Do you see the BIG screen? This is the SIZE of the one where WE were....HUGE!

VICTORY!!

Oh yeah baby!

Lincoln saying, "Go Cougs!!"

Our Victory picture!

So we went to Texas to see the BYU game, but we also went to visit Dallas' family and we were lucky because Baranie had her baby 3 weeks early just so we could see Levi while we were there! (Just kidding...she didn't do it for us). We had a blast hanging out with Dallas' family and although we didn't take as many pictures as we would've liked, we had a great time!!

While Gram and Grandpa were on vacation, they let us stay at their house, so this is Lincoln's "crib". What a good sport.

Lincoln's "after game day" outfit. Good choice Dallas. :)

So Nana wanted to get a picture with her and all of her grandkids. Not sure how good everyone else's pics turned out, but we sure love THIS one...notice Dallas trying to cheer Greta up in the bottom right hand corner, Nana trying to grab Adam before he runs away and the rest trying to figure out what to do....lol.

Lincoln on his way home from Texas. He was all tuckered out.

These pictures are just here because we're still obsessed with our little man. The middle one is my favorite because he pretty much looks like that most of the time. :)

Lincoln's Blessing and OtHeR sTuFf

Well, we just got back from Dallas' 10 year high school reunion and seeing the Fromms. It was a great way to finish off our summer vacations and travels. Here are some pictures from Lincoln's blessing. Dallas did a beautiful job and we were grateful to have family there.

Ashley, Ivan, Mom, Dad, Dallas, Heath, Me, Lincoln, Nathalie, Brie, Brooke, Grandpa Jay

Lincoln's not so happy to have his picture taken in this one.

All the guys that participated in the blessing.

This is why we bought the Wii.

Love Heath's face in this one!

Heath and Nathalie at our BBQ at Hornings Hideout.

The Girls

After everyone went home, Brookie and Mom stayed behind for a few days. I took Brooke to ride horses over at Carie Lynn's and she was a pro!!

You look hot on a horse B.K.S.H.A.P.L.F.!

So I took a shower with Link and set him on the bed in a towel while I was getting dressed. I should've known better than to not put a diaper on him. This is what I turned around to find...HAHA!! Nice aim dude.

Okay, so try to watch this without laughing. It's just a video of my mom laughing the entire time, but it's hysterical. I don't think I've ever heard her laugh this hard...ever...or laugh for this long. Nice job getting it on video babe!! Sorry mom, I had to post this. (Pause the music on the blog so you can here the video)

This is what babies make us do. We make silly sounds and faces just to get a laugh...and LOVE every second of it...we have a cute baby in case you weren't aware. :)

Scott and Liza took us to Horning's Hideout for the first time and here are some pictures of when we went with them about a month or so ago...so we took the fam back when they came into town. (And it's HornING's Hideout dad...not Horny Hideout...lol.)

Dallas trying to shoot Denmark and Scott.

Happy little family.

Denmark nailed Addy, but I think Addy got Scott pretty good.

We probably should've taken pictures before we got soaked, but didn't think about it. Lincoln is sleeping here like in most of our pictures...:)

5 YEARS ALREADY!!

So I've been reflecting a lot these last few months. Dallas and I have experienced a lot of pretty awesome things in our 5 years of marriage. I wanted to write down some of the best things I've learned from Dallas. He is a wonderful husband and a great father to little Lincoln. Although our marriage has been the happiest 5 years of my life, we have also worked hard together to make each day better than the last. I love you babe!!

Things I’ve learned in 5 years of marriage

I’ve learned that quality time IS quantity time

I’ve learned that thinking is an ability we have, not necessarily a reality

I’ve learned that being happy is more important than being right

I’ve learned that an apology is, “I’m sorry.” Not, “I’m sorry you feel that way.”

I’ve learned it is important to compliment more and criticize less

I’ve learned to laugh at myself AND my husband

I’ve learned that sarcasm is not uplifting and is rarely an effective way to communicate

I’ve learned that it’s important to ask for what I want and not expect anyone to read my mind

I’ve learned that all frustration comes from unmet expectations, so communicating expectations and managing them prevents frustration.

I’ve learned that communicating about communication is essential.

I’ve learned it is best not to parent my spouse

I’ve learned that Dallas can find things that I’ve looked for for days.

I’ve learned that worry is not worth the energy

I’ve learned that it’s awful to be a dream stealer and a fun sucker. It is more important to let the person you love talk about things they want, things they can’t afford and dreams they have. It helps us believe in ourselves and each other.

I’ve learned it’s important to believe in your spouse no matter what.

I’ve learned that being happy is a choice regardless of circumstances, hunger, or PMS!!!

I’ve learned that the use of superlatives like NEVER and ALWAYS is usually ineffective

I’ve learned not to discuss important issues when I’m hungry, tired or in a low mood.

I’ve learned that praying together teaches us more about each other than a lot of other things

I’ve learned that praising your spouse in front of others is important

I’ve learned that correcting or interrupting in front of others is not worth it. The details that get corrected probably aren’t crucial to the story anyway

I’ve learned that there’s no such thing as, “That’s just the way I am.” We always have room to improve.

I’m sure there are lots more, and even more to come, but I think Dallas has taught me some pretty awesome things so far, yes? Happy Anniversary Dallas. I love you!!