fearful

I haven't gotten too into politics, just enough to vote at a few elections- mainly for local leaders.  Maybe it was because my dad is WAY into politics, and I only ever heard one side to every issue- I always wanted to hear the other side and no matter how I would question him, I never got to hear the other side of the story. 

Lately I have been watching alot of tv - sickness and tiredness running around the home lately (Claire took a nap at 10am yesterday- CRAZY- she just walked to her room laid done and fell asleep- that says alot- This is a girl who fights sleep like its a plague).

So, with all this tv watching I recently watched Paul Ryan's talk at the RNC (Republican National Convention).  And I really liked his speech.  He painted a clear picture of how things were 4 years ago, how they are now.  He gave a clear plan for how to turn the economy around (govt only spending 20% of GDP- tough to do, but I believe Romney and Ryan are both God-fearing, honest men- who will keep their promises). 

But his speech also made me fearful!  Points that he made that stick out to me were: 4 years ago Obama called the $10.3 trillion debt unamerican.  But yet he has spent more than any other president ever and has added a $5 trillion debt- so now its a $15 trillion debt.  This is more debt than many European countries like Spain whose governments is so unstable it fears being overthrown by the people.  Obama has taken away $716 billion from medicare (money for our grandparents) to fund his ginormous Obamacare. (Yes, I think there are some good things about Obamacare - like no out of pocket maximum on health insurance coverage- but obviously with costs this high its simple to see we can't afford it)

I was afraid of Obama's health care reform when elected in 2008, but never imagined it would get passed. Now I am really hoping and praying and even more scared of what he will do to our country if elected another 4 years.  I hope and pray people will get over any prejudice against Mormons and just let the numbers speak for themselves.  If they want a place that will not cripple our children's future, then please pay attention to politics this season!


I know there is more than just economic issues that concern us. If you want to hear a good speech about about Romney's character, his track record in Massachusetts with education, and how hard working he is, listen to Ann Romney's speech.  (When she talks about the Olympics- she is talking about the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake). Wow business school and law school at the same time- that is amazing!

loving summer

 

Claire painted a pic for grandma- Trevor loves the water!

4th of July BBQ - Alyson's cousin Alice and Trevor

Jack and Ellie- Claire adored Ellie and talked about going to Oregon after they left

Big kids eating dessert- Nathan, Johnny, and their cousins Arwen and Ellie

If Claire asks me to take her picture- I never refuse- they always turn out so much cuter than when I ask her to take a picture-  Standing Trevor- Now he's 15 months he prefers walking to crawling

Spanish Fork Splash Pad & Park- I forgot all the shade cloths- so nice!

 

Claire is always making freinds

 

Matthew and Trevor

Lance and grandma with Trevor peeping his head through the hole

Splash Pad- Claire getting some help from cousin Nathan and Lance

Having fun now!

Even Trevor had fun

Until he got soaking wet from a big kid running around...oops

Trevor desperately trying to get Lance & Logan's water bottle

24th of July fireworks at Chrissy & Bret's

Silly kids... yes I got the idea for Claire's shirt from pinterest

love my cuties!

Jason's made us an awesome swing set

Tried to get a cute pic of both of them thinking they can't run away in the hammock...nope, not happening

Although I do miss her blue eyes... her green - blue eyes are just as stunning

Trevor was in a ride 'em cowboy mood...ergo, ride 'em caterpillar- I love this smile

Claire loves books... She looks too grown up in this pic...ahhh stay young

Last year we were picking weeds while a 5K when right by our house... this year Jason ran in it

You can see Jason's mad dash for the finish line- inbetween the yellow shirted kid and grey sweatshirt lady

Trevor is learning early how to make big messes... he has quite a good teacher...unfortunately this is one mess (stacking books up) that Claire gets so frustrated doing- that its easier to just clean myself

She did this all herself- the bag are her wings- She has a great imagination

Beginnings

Popsicles and Trevor's little pool

This handsome guy was gone for 4 days- we missed him!!!- 110 mile bike ride scout camp (yeah our ward is awesome)- But we are glad he got a break from his laptop and work/ dissertation- He is such a hard worker.
  He even talked all they boys into waking up uber early just to come home a few hours early- but one of the other leaders (whose wife he saw on the trip) said NO...Jason kept getting teased for being a newlywed- It was the longest we have been apart since we met/got married 7 years ago

We were so excited to have daddy home, we did our hair curly- mine didn't last- but Claire's did!

My kids have the best silly faces!

Claire loves making friends. Any kid she sees, no matter the age/gender, she says there are some friends.  Well these cute 10 year old girls were outside biking and Claire somehow got their attention.  Probably by saying something like, "Hi friends"- lol...she adored them and picked flowers for them (the roses were flowering then) and showed off her bike.  They adored her too- saying I wish I was little like you, you are so cute.  Well Claire loved having the attention of three 10 year olds, she found a BB, from a BB gun and asked them whats this- to which she heard baby... She loved that thing for a while- calling it her baby- So funny!

Hot air balloon festival

Trevor choosing broccoli over vege crisps- I am a proud mama


Claire did a summer camp with her old nursery leader

Hiding in the cabinets

AZ trip

Stopping at Glen Canyon Dam

"I got this all figured out"

Gilbert, AZ temple

Love this pouty face... in his new white shirt Grandpa Bassett made with a men's dress shirt

Uncle Spencer and Claire

Happy Birthday Trev!- on his actual birthday :)

YAY! Party time ... third time around... not too excited about his pumpkin gluten free cake

I love his adorable smile!  Thanks for the new shirt and swimsuit Uncle Spencer and Ronnie(roommate)!

Getting a feel for the surf board

"This is not too bad"

Swimming time, meant snack time for Trevor- and fun with grandma :)

Thanks for having a awesome pool grandma& grandpa- Clarie continues to talk about how she is going back to AZ

 

Trevor loves splashing

We brought our bike trailer - and may have stalked the house of one of the blogs I read (come on.. they are in my parent's stake... it wasn't too hard)

Loving grandma's scooter!

Mr pouty lips... so silly

They had a morning ritual of making pancakes together

Claire became shy about the water... when she tried jumping in all by herself- no life suit or anything- thank goodness grandpa was close by- we had to show her a picture of her jumping in last year, for her to believe us... silly girl- then she couldn't stop!  lol

After she jumped in the water- we decided it was time for swim lessons.  She listened great to Jason- he again is so patient and good at making somewhat scary things seem doable. First she started with this ring, then tried arm floaties and swim noodles .  We focused on good strong kicks, blowing bubbles, and being less worried about her eyes getting wet (thank goodness for the Dollar Tree and its good supply of swim gear)

"I'm going to race you" - Claire

Making friends at the park

 
 
 
 

Uncle Eric is a natural with kids!  He is going to be a great dad one day!

We have driven this many times and never stopped for this hike- Horseshoe Bend- just south of Page, AZ- well worth the short little hike!

It is a short little hike and we were lucky it was overcast ... this picture looks more risky than it was... Jason was standing on a higher rock when he took this

Here is Jason standing by the same rock I was sitting on... just from a different angle

Love T's tethered pacifier, and that he loves books!

Claire watching a show, while T naps

I forgot to add the one year old pics to last post

What a big happy boy