Rea's FiRsT WoRdS

Ok, the first two official words in ReAgAnS vocabulary! We are (I am) currently working on MoMmY!

Ta Da

A-o O H!

Pooper Scoopers!

K, this is really kind-a funny! From the outside, this looks like I am the worst parent ever...however, my kids already have a "CHORE!" Yep, they are pooper scoopers. But they love to do it! One day, I went outside to pick up all the dog poop in our yard. Immediately, they wanted to help, so I scooped and they each had a bag for me to put the poop in. They even got upset with me when I didn't put the poop in THEIR bag. A couple of days later, I was making dinner and Savannah came running inside straight to the pantry saying, "Poopies, poopies!" Well, not really paying attention to her actions, I replied, "Don't step in the poopies, its gross!" Next thing I knew, she was outside with a grocery bag (just like we used the first time) and scooping the poopies. Since then, both girls have made it their chore and they really just do it on their own when they see poop. Here is my proof! For the most part, they do really well, and very seldom do they need assistance.

This is a picture of all the POOP she scooped before I started helping.

Saige and Savannah discussing who gets to put the POOP in who's bag.

I told Daddy to go help so I could finish up what I was doing inside.

A Better Place

My GPa Jewell died the morning of July 19th. It was a long time coming and it was time for him to go. He had been not doing very well for about 7 months prior, unfortunately I can't help but to think that it was his own will not to live. He did fall in January and as a result of it he had broken ribs and ended up getting pneumonia. He overcame those obstacles, but ever since then, he didn't want to eat and all he DID want to do is lay in bed. It was no life for him.

Mixed emotions on his death, but relieved. As I was growing up, he made a life in San Diego, CA. He lived there until I was 25, when my Grandma died. He decided to move here to Utah and spend more time with us. I jumped all over it, as much as I could! With him traveling between Oregon and here, it was tough trying to coordinate to see him more. But I am grateful to have had the last few years to even try!

A couple things I will never forget about him are:

1) He loved to FLY. I have enjoyed the stories he has told and the opportunity for me to hear these stories. He could talk and talk and talk about his flying days. I was lucky enough to hear him speak a couple of times, once to my 5th & 6th graders during my first year of counseling. They asked him some pretty tough questions like "Did you kill anyone?" or "What was it like to shoot down someone?" His answer was very stern, "We will not be talking about that." I can't imagine what he went through being a fighter pilot during WWII. He flew all sorts of planes and has set foot in many countries! I am grateful for his determination, dedication, and heroic efforts to protect me and my freedom!

2) He loved my GIRLS! He definitely, without any doubt loved my girls. I remember when we were trying to get pregnant the first go around, he was so concerned about me and he always would tell me he knows there are some little babies for me and that he was hoping and praying they would come soon. Needless to say, the moment we told him we were pregnant with twins, (I kid you not) he was probably about to PEEE his pants! When he came to see them for the first time.....PRICELESS!

3) He loved ME! While he was in the George E. Wallen Veterans home, I would visit him frequently. Every time I walked in his room, it was amazing to see how a man lying in bed, looking like he could go any minute, would light up with a surprised look on his face then it would turn to a comfort look of thanks, just for stopping by.

A few weeks ago when I was visiting, really touched my heart. I was telling him good bye and that I would see him again in a couple of days and he said to me, "You are truly beautiful. Just absolutely beautiful!" I was deeply touched that a man on his death bed could offer such words of sincerity and mean so much.

He had a long life, 87 years for that matter. Rest in peace, GPa! Good bye for now, I will see you soon!

Interesting Discoveries

One day, I was looking for Reagan all over the house and trying to find where she crawled off to. I finally found her! She was totally enthralled with her new discovery. She couldn't take her eyes off it for longer than 2 seconds!

Make sure you pause the music on the right side so you can hear the audio.

Tumbling Head Over Heals

Clinton City partnered with some of the local businesses and they had a tumbling class for the month of June and July. So, I couldn't resist signing little S & S up to participate. They have set up several obstacle courses for the little tykes and S & S love it! Its hard to keep up with them. Here are their favorites...

Their good-bye song with Teacher Becky!

Cuz'n and WSU Fireworks

My awesome cousin got married about 2 weeks ago to Sarah, whom I just love! She is the cutest little thing ever and will talk your ear off! But I thats what you can't get enough of! Anyway, they were here for 2 days last weekend to visit my Grandpa who has been given about a month left to live. Well, they are just amazing and it shows that they really care to drive all the way from California to see him one last time! Thanks Scott and Sarah, it meant the world to him!

Ok, well we had them over for dinner on Sunday and they got to play with Saige, Savannah, and Reagan, whom they met for the first time! They all had a blast!

After some playtime, we all headed to the WSU fireworks. And it was Reagans first time! Also, this marks the 3rd anniversary of when Bryce and I found out we were pregnant as a result of IVF...but didn't know we were going to have twins. The doctor thought we would, based on the my HcG levels, but we were only 10 days along at that point! Cool!

GOT MILK?

Actually, Reagan was enjoying a slice of Bryce's cake! Couldn't resist taking a picture of this cute little thing, sport'n around her whip cream mustache!

Did Someone Say BROWNE?

Yes, I am a sucker for the brown fudgy ones that make ME pudgy! However, that kind of BROWNIE is not what I am referring to. Over the 4th, our Fab 5 and all of Bryce's siblings (except one) and parents went to Browne Lake in the Uintahs. It is a long time favorite of their family. The girls were "outragously elated" because they got to ride the "four-weewas!" However, I was very happy to FINALLY be camping.

Me and my girls on our "new" ride!

Saige, happily assisting Daddy with his safety gear

S & S seeing their Daddy off fish'n

Saige enjoying herself

S & S, can't remember what they are looking back for...Maybe Grandma?

Savannah, being stubborn!

Ahhh, my favorite 2 pics of the trip! Enjoy!


That is Bryce out there on the H2O!

Miss Saige'S MESSes!

This is just one of the MANY messes I have had to clean up. Off the top of my head, there has been laundry detergent on the carpet, (expensive) hair product on the carpet, lotion smeared all over tile, saw dust rubbed into carpet, ummm, I am sure I am forgetting something. Anyway, there are numerous jobs for me to do while in charge of two two year olds! TROUBLE, TROUBLE, TROUBLE! Some days, YES, I feel like pulling my hair out! BUT I still love em!

THIS mess was Saige's mess! As I recall, there was a story told by my mom, of me doing this similar thing. HMM, SORRY MOM! Luckily, it wasn't all that bad, but it gets a little tiring when there are several of these "clean-ups" a day!"

I was outside and this is what I found...

Feet prints leading to and fro the DISaster ZONE!

I think I may have startled her a little...

What she did when I said, "aaaaa-ooooh!"

Her response when I asked, "what did you do?"

Summer Time in the Backyard

It was time to get the girls a little pool! So, being the kid I am, this is the creation I came up with to make some summertime fun for the girls! Savannah didn't like to go down the slide with it in the pool, BTW!

Summer Time Fun: With the BOYS!

There are the cutest boys that live behind us. Their names are Covyn (6) and Ky (3). Anyway, one day the neighborhood boys were playing outside and the girls ran to the fence, watching every move they made! The boys' dad, Mike, invited the girls over to play. They had fun and this was their first time experience with the Slip'n Slide!

Never hurts to check out the boys!