Wednesday, August 29, 2012

My wonderful guys

Stephen is an extremely loving and thoughtful little boy.  Here is an example of his incredible sweetness. 

One day I told him a story about a birthday I had when I was in Kindergarten or First Grade. 

The morning of my birthday I opened my presents at breakfast before school and was thrilled to receive a My Little Pony with beautiful iridescent wings that could flutter if you pushed the little button.  I had to leave my new treasure at home and go to school.  Imagine my dismay when I came home to discover that my little brother, Allen, in my absence had busted those lovely plastic wings right off of my pony!  My mom felt bad that it had happened and tried to tape them back on but it really was never the same. 

A week or two after I told this story Stephen built this for me:

2012-06-07 11.11.06

2012-06-07 11.11.43

He said it was to replace the winged pony that had been broken when I was little!  I was blown away by his memory, sensitivity, and creativity to make this for me.  I love my little Stephen! 

 

My numero uno wonderful guy is Scott.  He is a scout leader in our ward and had to go for some overnight training.  He purchased a new canvas scout belt and it was too long for him.  Instead of assigning the task to me.  (Which would have been fine).  He tackled the problem himself by chopping the excess length off and then hemming the raw edges on the sewing machine.  Yeah, it is really pretty attractive to see my hubby sewing. 

2012-06-29 22.46.42

2012-06-29 22.46.52

 

Boston is a very passionate child and he is full of energy and adventure.  His sweet little knees and head are almost always banged up from his reckless abandon in playing.  He is a wonderful guy because one of the most common phrases I hear from him throughout the day is “Mommy, you’re cute!”  He says it A LOT.  I am starting to believe him.  Smile  I think it is his way of saying “I love you, pay attention to me!” 

2012-06-07 17.45.41

Epic California

In June we had the absolute delight of going to visit my brother, Aaron, and his family in Fountain Valley, California.  We caravanned with my parents and sisters.  We all stayed in one house together and had a great Quist family reunion.  The only thing that could have made it better would have been having Allen and Courtney there too.  The trip was sublime!  Lots and lots of time at the beach, and lots and lots of playing and playing and more playing.  I will warn you now that this is going to be MAJOR picture overload but once again my lovely and talented sister, Celsea, took most of these pictures and they are too delightful not to share. 

Carousal ride at Orange County Great Park.

Carousel motion 2

Stephen in front of carousel

Cami and Boston carousel

2012-06-23 19.45.38

2012-06-23 19.46.52

2012-06-23 19.47.09

Anna Jeremiah Steve

 

We spent one day at Huntington beach for “surfing,” swimming, boogie boarding, and general fun…

beach layout

boston at beach

Cami and boston 1

 

Stephen is a regular beach bum.  He LOVES LOVES LOVES the beach and everything about it.  He has always loved it.  When he was little he used to roll in the sand…

IMG_0065

 

As you can see, not much has changed.  Stephen still loves to “become one with the beach.”

stephen in sand

 

We used a fire pit to roast hot dogs and make s’mores on Huntington beach.  We had to create a wind block to get the fire started.  It was so windy!

Blocking the fire

Blocking wind on beach

Blocking wind on beach 2

Stephen by fire pit

Boston by fire pit

Boston shoved his face in the sand…I don’t know why he thought that was a good idea.

Boston sandy head

Endless seashell hunting…

Scott and boys seashell hunting

The load of shells:

Boston seashell collection

Chery and James (2)

Chery and James 4

Dad on beach

The s’mores are my favorite part too Jeremiah!

Jeremiah smores

 

Newport Harbor tour:

Chery and dad 2

Smiths on boat

 

Delightful James!

James eating 2

 

Cousins relaxing with a good book after a day of action.

Kids reading 1

Kids reading 2

Kids reading 4

Stephen reading

 

We walked down the pier at Huntington beach and discovered that you waste your money by putting it in these viewing things.  It was so blurry you couldn’t really see anything!  Oh, well – it didn’t stop us from trying…

on pier 2

on pier 4

and trying…

on pier 6

On pier

…and trying…

on pier3

…and trying some more.

pier 5

 

After giving up on that we decided that we liked the view of ourselves much better and started posing for pictures…

CHery on pier 3

I mean really, wouldn’t you?

Sisters

Sisters_edited-1

 

Another day at the beach, this time Little Corona.  We got to check out the tide pools and play in the surf.  This is one of those days that is just perfect in my memory.  Perfect place, perfect weather, perfect company.  Just perfect.

Stephen drawing in the sand

Stephen by his name in the sand

Tide Pool Aaron and Anna

Tide Pool Aaron, Anna, Dad

Scott and Boston on beach

Tide Pool Chery and Cami 2

Tide Pool Chery and Cami

Tide Pool

 

The entire trip was a pleasure and we loved being with family in such a beautiful place.  We are so blessed!