Return to Paradise

We got to go back to the cabin for a second visit in August!  Ben and Molly and their cute kids were up there when we got there so it was so much fun to see them and to have cousin time for a few days.  We had never met Redek so it was really fun to get to know him.  Dallas and Redek are only 4 months apart so they had lots of fun together.

The weather was gorgeous as always and it was so heavenly to escape the heat in St. George!  We had bonfires, made s'mores, played in the river and ponds and did a lot of swinging on the swings.

These two mostly just smiled at each other and ate rocks:)

The boys got the badminton set out and had fun with that one night.  The highlight of the trip was Daddy making new bows for the boys.  They were so excited and shot their fake stick arrows constantly.

The girls had tons of tea parties and played with the dolls when they weren't running outside and exploring.  

This "flower bridge" was their project one afternoon. They were so proud of themselves!

Ben and Garrett got to catch up on their male bonding time.  I love that my husband gets to have one of his best friends for his brother in law.  It makes getting together so fun for them.

The wildflowers were amazing this year.  Definitely not typical of August but it had been pretty rainy before we got up there.

On Sunday before Molly and Ben had to fly home we had a joint birthday celebration dinner for Beckett and Ben.  Abby and Matt came up to celebrate with us.  

I love that little grin on Beckett's face!  He was so excited to be the center of attention.

He was a big fan of his pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting!

Beckett is so fun to spoil because he is so animated and effusive.  He gets so excited about presents and this time was no different.

Beckett turned four on the 7th and we cannot believe we have been blessed to have him in our family for four years already.  I don't know if it is because we could have lost him when he fell out the window two years ago, but we just have this special place for him in our hearts.  

He lives to be included by his big brother and sister and he is our constant comic relief.  He is so passionate so he is either melting your heart with his affection, making you laugh hysterically with his theatrics, or rip your hair out with his drama.  

He was soooo excited to get these little cap guns with a holster!  He calls them his pistols and says he's a "rootin, tootin, cowboy!"

Carter tried to encourage Beckett to ask for Lego Lord of the Rings sets for his birthday but we had to explain to Carter that those sets are a little advance for Beckett since they are made for 9-14 year olds.  Carter was so disappointed when Nana and Papa got him a lego set that was made for 2-5 year olds:)  We had to explain to him that the other sets wouldn't be fun for Beckett because he could never build them himself to which Carter replied, "I know, I would build them for him!"

Beckett also got some birthday money from Grandma Ryan, Ben and Molly, and Great Grandma Allred.  He used them to buy a lego planes set.  He was so excited to have his 

"own lego sets"

Beckett wants to be big so badly.  He hates it when Carter or Rylynn tells him he's too little to do something.  He is very sad that he won't be able to eat lunch at his preschool like Rylynn and Carter get to do but he has a lunch box just in case.  He is always volunteering to say prayers and he has such a sweet little spirit.  He is great at being reverent in sunbeams and he is working on not being crazy at Family Home Evening.  He loves his little brother Dallas and tries to carry him around as often as he can, much to Dallas' chagrin!  He is so imaginative and loves to make believe.  He has the cutest sense of humor and makes us laugh every day.  He also loves reading silly books.  When he grows up he wants to be a fireman and a daddy!