Potty Training

Addy has been totally into potty training. She's been doing really well going potty when we ask her to on the potty. One day I found her in there cheering on her baby as she was teaching her to go potty. So cute!

A Shower!

My dear friend, Stacy, from work, threw me the cutest baby shower! She went with the whale theme because that's what we decided to do the nursery in. She went above and beyond and made it such a special celebration of Baby Finn. I loved it. She made delicious food, had a BEAUTIFUL yummy cake, and fun games. Liam was my big helper and is already such a proud big brother. We really had the MOST wonderful time and am so thankful that Baby Finn is coming into such a loving group of family and friends. I'll let the photos speak for themselves on how lovely the shower was.
 
 Liam and his pal, Avery. (Stacy's daughter)
 
We even sold some badge clips there! It was fun. Cute favors and prizes! Lisa (a co-worker) and Baby Jack (son of Katie, another awesome coworker)
 
 Beautiful blanket made by GG,
 
Wonderful Nurses! (Connie, Lisa, Katie, Stacy) Thank you for the amazing party, Stacy!

Big Kids' Room!

We decided to move Addy into Liam's room a couple of months before the baby was born. We wanted her to have time to get adjusted to a big girl bed, and for Liam to get adjusted to having a roommate. We need not have worried- they've done awesome! I think they actually really enjoy being in a room together. We decided to do Addy's side of the room in a pink/green and Liam's side in a blue/green. Wes's mom made the curtains and Addy's quilt. The whole room came out so cute. It is so fun and happy and full of things that my children love.
 

Last Days of Summer

A First Grader

I can't believe my baby boy is a first grader! He has been MORE than ready for this milestone, but it just seems so 'big' to me. I'd been so nervous about him getting the teacher I was hoping for. I kept calling the school to see if we could find out. We finally found out when his teacher sent us a note in the mail and then he also walked to school with Nana when I was at work to read his class list. He was THRILLED (and I was even more thrilled) to see he got Mrs. Sparks, the teacher he read with last year. She is phenomenal and I know he is going to have a fantastic year!

 He was very happy the morning of first grade, especially after having lost a tooth. No worries from him, just pure excitement. I was excited for him and so was Addy. She just likes being able to walk him to school each morning. We all walked him to school as a family and waited for him to go inside. Mrs. Sparks was kind enough to invite all of the parents in and let us take photos. He reported that he had a fantastic day and it's been pretty fantastic each day since!

He was confused why he had to pose for so many photos. He informed me that I took plenty last year on the first day of kindergarten. I told him to please expect this every first day of school every year from now until eternity. Traditional, hand on the doorknob with a back pack on, photo like my mom took of us every year.

First Tooth Lost!

Liam has been praying he'd lose a tooth soon. He was VERY excited when he discovered that one of his bottom teeth was loose.  Wes tricked him when he noticed it was about to literally fall right out and had him come over to wiggle it. He popped it out of there and Liam was SHOCKED and so excited!  What was even more exciting was that it happened the Sunday before the first day of school. So, the tooth fairy came to visit the night before he started first grade. Quite a big day. He got a sparkly, magic $5 bill and a note from the tooth fairy. She wished him a wonderful first day of school! He's already working on the next tooth to get loose, but I assured him the tooth fairy only brings $5 for the first tooth. ;)




Such an adorable gap in his grin!




Reading his "Night Before First Grade" book with his tooth in his monster tooth fairy pillow I made him.


We were in a bit of a hurry to get to school in the morning, but I did manage to snap this photo of him with his note.


I can't believe my big boy lost his first tooth!

John and Laura's Wedding

John Darrington and Laura Gallew were married on August 25 in the Reno Temple. We were lucky to have John stay with us a lot during the beginning of the year while he was taking some classes in Reno. We were able to watch him and Laura start dating, eventually get engaged, and then get married. They had a beautiful ceremony in the Reno Temple and we were so blessed that we got to be a part of it. Congrats, John and Laura. We love you!
 
 I love these photos of our little family. They capture my children and their personalities well.
Wes snapped these photos of me at 33 weeks pregnant. I love my calling to be a mother. I feel so blessed.
We feel so blessed to have the Darringtons as a part of our family.