Bella's First Words

This post is quite a bit late...that seems to be how all of my posts are lately. About three weeks ago, Bella said her first words. I'm not really sure which came first, they were all said around the same time. She has always said "dadadadadada", to me...she was just making noise. Now she has started to say just "Dad" when she sees or wants Ben. She has also been saying "this" and "that". It's pretty cute, she points to things she wants and says "dat, dat" or "dis, dis." The other thing that I think she has started to say...but I'm not quite sure if she's really saying it or if it's just a coincidence yet, is "bu-ddy." The dang kid will say dad and buddy and I'm the one that fed her for the last year!! Doesn't she know that she's supposed to say MOM?! I think that maybe she already knows that she needs to get daddy wrapped around her finger now...so that she can beg him for things later. Ben just loves it when he hears her say "dad" with a huge smile on her face. She already has him hooked.

We thought we'd never get to say this...

but Ben and I are thrilled to announce that Nolan is potty trained!!! He tells us when he needs to go to the bathroom, usually goes by himself, and doesn't need to be reminded. He even comes in from playing outside! One thing that I'm a little less thrilled about (pardon the potty talk) is the fact that he has learned how to pee standing up. He thinks it's the coolest thing in the world. (Aside from peeing on a tree while we were camping) He hasn't had an accident for over three weeks! He's such a good boy!

Drummond Camp out 2008

Last week we went on the annual Drummond family camp out. We had so much fun. The kids loved being in the mountains and getting dirty. Simon's favorite thing was playing with his cousins Marshal and Keaton. They live in Wyoming, so we don't see them too often. I think Simon and Keaton played Uno pretty much the whole time. Nolan's favorite thing was being able to whip trees and dirt and rocks with his Indijones whip. He never put it down...not even for sleep. Bella LOVED to play in the dirt. She was so incredibly dirty by the end of each day...it was pretty disgusting. There was a little creek that ran through our camp, so the kids got to throw rocks in, and build dams. We painted rocks, played with playdoh, went fishing, played games, went on hikes, shot guns, saw deer and squirrels and hummingbirds and chipmunks but most importantly we made hobo dinners one night (yummy!) and made smores all the time! Smores are the greatest camping food ever. A raccoon got into a cooler, and took a whole bag of marshmallows. My brother, Armand, woke up to find marshmallows all over the place and scratch marks on the cooler. Good thing he didn't get to all of them! Another brother, Ryan, surprised my mom by showing up to camp. She was thrilled when she saw him. All of the little boys LOVED to play and wrestle with Ryan. The poor guy barely got a break from all of them! Ryan had his birthday while we were camping, so we drove down the canyon and got ice cream and milkshakes! Anyway, we had tons of fun. Unfortunately, Ben got sick and pretty much stayed in bed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. He was a good sport to let us stay up in the mountains and let the kids continue to have a great time. He's a good daddy. All in all it was a good camping trip. Here are a few pictures...

Bella Turns ONE!

I'm a few days late...sorry! Our pretty girl just turned one on Sunday! Saturday evening, we had a little party for her. We set up the pool in the back next to the rock wall, so the kids could jump off the rocks and into the pool. They had a great time! We had a BBQ with hamburgers and hot dogs, and just had a good time visiting and celebrating Bella. The best part of the evening was when Bella got her cake. I've always bought a little cake for the birthday boys/girl. Then they can dig in and get messy. Simon was sick for his first birthday party. He didn't want anything to do with his cake, so eventually we gave each of the cousins a spoon and let them go to town. Nolan was also sick for his party, and he needed a little persuasion and a good example from his big brother before he stuck his fingers in the cake. We let Simon help Nolan. Simon probably got more on him than Nolan did! Bella, however, didn't need any help at all. She was thrilled to death to be able to get all messy and have some yummy cake! We sure do love our little Bella. She is so dang cute, and she's the sweetest little girl ever. Thanks to all of the family who came, and thanks for all the gifts. Ben and I really do have wonderful families! Here are a few pictures from the party...