Just because

I wish so badly that I could remember ALL the funny things my Jackson tells me on a daily basis. He is quite the precocious 3 year old that is not a small sponge, but a HUGE sponge. If I say something once, he not only remembers it, but he remembers the words I used and how I used them. Nothing gets passed this kid. Since I can't remember everything he says, let me just have a snapshot of a couple of things from today that I can remember.

I took the boys to the library and I said out loud I wasn't sure if I knew exactly how to get there. I made it and as I pulled into the spot Jackson says "Mom! You made it! We are here and you did it without your GPS! I knew you could do it".

We were headed home from the library and I went home a different direction which included going over railroad tracks. He said, Mom, why are you going over these tracks, we didn't go over any on our way to the library?



He is adjusting well to the move and seems to enjoy the bigger house and outside yard. He still seems to get a little confused everyone now and then about not living in Lexington. When we went to KY for the Bylundfest, the night before he asked me, "But aren't we going to take any of my toys?" He was so sincere. I think he thought we were moving back to Lexington.

A couple days ago we passed a house with a swing set that looked a lot like his cousin' Ashley's. He said "Mom, that is Ashley's swing set." and followed up a couple minutes later with, "Why aren't we going to go and visit her?"

Potty training was a MAJOR success!! It deserves its own post, but I figured I would put this in since I am thinking of it. I put him on the potty a few days ago and noticed his underwear was a bit wet already and I said, "Jackson, did you have an accident?" and he said, "No mom! Accidents are when the pee pees come out and go down my leg. I did NOT have any pee pee come down my leg, See?." And proceeds to point to his dry legs. Ha Ha.

This little baby of mine Drew is growing by the day now! He is up to Jacksons' shoulders in height now and watches Jackson like a hawk all day long. He tries nearly everything Jackson does including the fit throwing and whining--he will often intimate these while Jackson is doing them and he has absolutely no reason to be upset, he just watches and intimates him.

He is starting to say words though that are not always distinguishable, but he is obviously trying to repeat things as he has the tones and inflection of words we say just perfect! He gets oh so excited over any kinf of construction vehicle and especially enjoys "Choo choo" trains!!! He loves to bring me books all day long to sit down and read. They are usually cars, trucks, airplane or flap books. He loves bringing me his shoes almost just as much and almost as often. His sweetness has been proven again when he gets devoured by the misquitos here in KS. He can barely walk outside our house before he gets one.
He is a great eater and is not one to turn down food. He finds cups and pulls them out all the time holding them up for me to fill them drink. He is a great signer when it comes to crakcer, please, thank you, more, and all done. He has started saying many of these now, though only his mother who is with him all day understand them.

They have started to play and enjoy each other more and more. The bathtub is one of their favorties and they do really well together.

I sure love my little buddies!

Reynolds meet in the middle!

I had know idea that living in the center of the country would really ever have any perks. But this weekend it totally did!
While we were in California I was talking about how tough it would be for me to go back to Kansas after the Bylund reunion--(that's, right, I did NOT call it home... not yet. At some point I will try. Just not quite ready). She quickly chimed in she had nothing going the rest of the summer and would love to come see where we live! She knows how I love anticipation, and this would give me something to look forward too! LOVE YOU WENDY!
So we hadn't been back in KS for 48 when I get a call and she has found a ticket and is ready to click purchase! As things evolved over the next few weeks it worked out that the weekend she was to come Larry could have flown home to CA but instead, they met each other in the middle at our little Casa de Reynolds! Wendy flew in Wednesday morning and Larry flew in Thursday night. It was such a fun few days for a whole family!! Pretty much everything we did we all did together for the first time. First Costco run in KS, first movie trip, first time to Liberty Jail, first up close drive by at the temple, first time to Home Goods. But then there was the famous trip to Fritz that no one will go without if they come to visit us!:)

A picture of Jackson inside Liberty Jail with Joseph Smith in the background. Jackson kept saying he didn't want to leave and he wanted to hear the story again. He knew a fair amount about the story because he was fascinated by the picture of Joseph kneeling in the jail that is in the Gospel Art Kit. He reminded me on our way home that the Joseph in this jail was just plastic and not real.

We are soooooo soooo soooo excited there there will be a temple in Kansas!!! WAHOOO! We have heard lots of rumors of when it will really be done, but have not seen anything in print from the church for an official opening. The outside is done, there are still windows to be worked on and landscape is in progress. Should be fun to watch it and be a part of the dedication and open house. Who wants to come and visit us when it happens...!? We have an extra room and basement! ... any takers?


Each time we go to Fritz at the Crown Center we also go to the little explore play place put on by crayola. Right now they have a rainforest exhibit. Jackson loved being the explorer complete with real binoculars (He's been really into those recently), compass, flashlight and vest.
We went up to the clinic before going to dinner so Larry and Wendy could really check out the clinic and envision what Adam does all day. Since it was Friday evening there weren't really many patients so the boys got to sit in the chairs and Adam gave them a little water and air from the tools.
Love this look of Drews'. It's classic. He likes to look up at you first with just his eyes before bringing his head up.



Papa keeping Drewsies awake so he'd take a nap when we got home from our adventures!

Bylundfest KY 2011

Another rocking weekend with my family! This one was especially fantastic since it was the Bylundfest KY 2011. We were all there, minus only Adam because he had only been in ortho residency a couple of weeks and couldn't come. We were most bummed, but made the most of it and had a great time!
Our opener was on Thursday July 14. That's right me and the boys had only been home from our near month in California when the 3 of us took off again to go back to KY! It was so worth it, and again the boys did fantastic on the plane. I have been amazed at their traveling abilities and flexibilities. I have certainly built confidence in myself in traveling with them and without Adam. They are 2 very impressive kids that everyone adores as we walk down airplane isles and through terminals. It is a fun feeling as a mom to watch others' faces just light up when they see how completely darling they are. Anyway, our opener started with the unveiling of the family t-shirts designed by Jon! They were awesome and will be worn for years to come--so long as I can fit in it! They are fitted and athletic and very breathable. He did a great job. Mom and dad "TRIED THEM ON!" after much cheering and chanting. Mom read a book about being a bucket filler that helped the grandkids focus on being positive and happy versus being a bucket filler that is selfish and negative. Jackson got into and called cousins bucket fillers and specifically dippers during the weekend. It was quite funny and cute.


We packed as much in to the next 3 days as possible when you have 16 grandchildren and 9 adults in a house in Morehead, KY. Some the most memorable included 60 Krispy Kreme doughnuts from Jason and Erin for mom's 60 B-day, day at the lake with a boat, picnic, and lots of fun and sun, bubbles, chocolate fountain, planetarium, rodburn nature hike and kickball, Bingo and celebrating mom's 60th birthday! The adults played "the name game" and good memories were made.





Thanks to Erin for busting out the chocolate fountain, and to Julie and Angela for teaching us how to do it!

Jackson took the nature hike pretty seriously. Grandpa was a great sport and helped him all the way through. Weeks later Jackson told me about the hike and how we need to stay away from poison ivy because it can hurt our whole body!



Jackson thought the planetarium was pretty awesome and talked about "constellations" for nights to come telling Grandpa they forgot to look at the stars. Drew on the other hand needed a break from the fun day and slept hard at the end.
When we asked mom what she wanted for her birthday the only thing she would say was "to have everyone here and to get along". I felt like as adults we could probably handle that, and we could pull it off. However, we thought she would also enjoy a memory book of the last 60 years, and a Erin put together a fun and incredible video of all the grandkids saying a totaly of 60 words that describe mom. It was a hit.
The other things she wanted that goes without saying was a family photo and a picture with she and all the grandkids. Again, the kids rose to the occasion and we got some cute ones.