Dad playing softball

Yesterday was Merrill's first softball game of the summer. The kids and I were watching when Merrill, who was playing first, caught the ball and tagged the runner out. However, there was a little collision as well and the runner ended up falling down. MIkayla was watching all of this very closely and when the runner fell down, she looked at me and said, "Dad knows better than to push people down." I started laughing and told her she needed to tell dad that when he came off the field. Instead, she just started saying it over and over again and gave all the people around us quite a good laugh!! Dad got a good laugh over it too!!

Oh no, words are coming out!

Here's our compilation of funny things that Mikayla said this past week:

Last Sunday, we were having dinner with another family in our ward. They live in an apartment building with a swimming pool out their back door. Mikayla noticed the empty pool and became very excited: "Hey, let's go play in the Beach!"

Today, when we were playing around, Mikayla mentioned that mom had broken something "with her big bum."

Upon further questioning, Mikayla said that "before mommy had a baby in her belly her bum was OK, but now it's too BIG!"

Mikayla sings Kokomo

Mikayla heard 'Kokomo' by The Beach Boys on the radio one day and has been in love with the song ever since. Here, we have some video of her singing her best version while stroking the ivories.

Joshua's scowl

Joshua can give the most hilarious scowl, but it only lasts for a brief second so it's hard to get on camera. He only gives this scowl when he's playing around and not really mad. He rolls his eyes up in his head and tilts his head down. Here are a few of our attempts with video. If he was really mad, he'd find something to throw (see post that's a few down from here about throwing).

Easter Egg Hunt

Rain, rain, go away

Actually, we also needed the rain here and were happy to have some. We had been in a 'drought' the past few months.

Josh can use a spoon

Joshua can feed himself now, and danged if you think that you are going to help.

Mikayla's Haircut

Over the course of a month or so, Mikayla insisted every mornint that she have a haircut "like Julia's" (one of her friends). She was getting fed up with all of the rats that we had to brush out of her long hair. After we were really convinced that she wanted a haircut, we finally gave in.

Joshua throwing a ball & a fit

Here's a few videos to demonstrate Joshua's throwing skills. Mikayla is also pretty good about making sure that she becomes part of the footage.

Joshua playing Peek-a-Boo

Joshua has had a fun time lately playing peek-a-boo. Here are a couple of video clips.

Mikayla & Josh in the same chair

For some reason, Mikayla has had the urge lately to sit in the same chair as Josh whenever they're watching TV. The problem is that they are not sitting in large chairs, they're sitting in little camp chairs that are just big enough for one of them.

Mikayla and Joshua in the Kitchen

We can't quite remember exactly what they were doing at the time, but Mikayla and Josh seem to be having a nice time together on the kitchen floor.

Dad's Birthday Party

Hanging out with dad on the computer

A few more pictures of the yard

We spent a couple of days over spring break hauling in wood chips to throw in the bed areas of the yard.

Mikayla's Birthday Party

Hoorah! Mikayla is 4.

Hoops for all

As a requirement of the state of North Carolina, we must teach our children how to play basketball before they enter kindergarten. So, we figure we'd better start learnin' them kids some ball.

Christmas in Arizona

We had a great time in Arizona, surrounded by a lot of family.

They're both glued to the TV.

Of course, since we're such good parents, we never let this happen except in December. Right?!?

Joshua opening his birthday package

Joshua enjoyed opening his Birthday box.

Playing with Puppies...

Yes, these are the only kinds of dogs we have around here. In case you're interested, the light colored one with spots is 'Aunt Rita.'

Walking & Playing Football, Two Essential Life Skills

And sonlicious has got them down...kind of.

Joshua's Birthday Cake

As advertised, Josh had a great time eating his birthday Cake.

The Binky Game

Here are some pictures of one of Joshua's favorite games. You take the binky and then he takes it back. Great Fun.

Mikayla Hanging Out on the Sofa

Rocks & Acorns...Acorns are More Favorite

Josh demonstrates his serious rock and acorn eating skills in a few videos. Part IV is the best one, but also the longest.

Reading on the Old Park Bench

Mikayla and Lucy looked so cute reading on the bench out back.

Back Yard Photos

The back yard is starting to come together. Hopefully we'll be able to get some plants in the flower beds come spring.

More Shots for the Silver Screen

Here lies a collection of some of the great videos recorded over the last few days. We've got Joshua talking on the phone and darting from his mom as she tries to dress him. Enjoy.

Another Camping Trip to Stone Mountain

We went to Stone Mountain State Park again this weekend. This time we took some friends and showed them the way of the Stone Mountain Zen Master.

Believe it or not, a few people thought it was warm enough to swim in one of the creeks in the park. It was plenty warm outside, but that water was darn cold.

A big surprise for the trip was that Jose was able to climb to the top of Stone Mountain and back down without us having to carry her (1.5 miles roundtrip). We were pretty pleased with her. She's growing so fast, as is son-a-licious.

Some Bigtime Footage

Happy Halloween!

Strawberry Puzzle-Cake

Mikayla has a 60+ piece puzzle of Strawberry Shortcake. She loves to put it together and calls it her "Strawberry Puzzle-Cake."

Clapping and Having a Good Time

Farmer John

Bedroom Change

Camping at Stone Mountain State Park

Yesterday, we went on a camping trip to Stone Mountain State Park in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was only a two hour drive and a place we will definitely return. We've got several pictures of Dad & Mikayla 'reeling that sucker', Joshua eating rocks, and Mikayla being a big sister to Joshua. The Dad & Mikayla fishing team managed to bring in a couple of 10-12" rainbow trout on Merrill's fly rod. Josh managed to spit out all of the rocks he tried to swallow, thank goodness. The reasons we will definitely go there again have nothing to do with the fishing, of course.

We also threw in a few pictures of the namesake of the State Park.

Joshua pushing around a stroller

As promised, here are the pictures of Joshua pushing a stroller around the house all by himself. He did this for the first time last week.

Mikayla and Josh Playing Around the House

Mikayla has really got into creating paintings lately. She's been trying to duplicate some work she's seen on the home and garden network. Josh still likes eating things, including Mikayla's paintings on some balloons.

Now, even I'll admit that these pictures of Josh in a Sundevils get-up look just like a little Eddie (or a Big Eddie, depending on how you look at it).

Dad grew some facial hair

After four days without shaving in Mississippi, I decided to go for another few days with my lovely facial hair. Cami said she liked how it looked, but not how it felt. I think she's just jealous she can't grow a beard.

Mikayla, the Piano Teacher

Mikayla is no dummy. She picked-up on Cami teaching piano lessons very quickly. Here we have a picture of her teaching a friend how to play. She also gave daddy a lesson and kept telling him to put his hands on middle-C and play like this (as she would demonstrate).

Son-licious on the Move

Josh is really starting to get around. He loves pushing things across the floor, but gets really mad when he hits a wall. We'll get some more pictures of him actually walking behind a stroller soon.

Oh yeah, and he still likes to eat.

Workin' in the Yard...Again

Here's a part-way done set of photos of some work we're doing in the back yard. We're trying to get some flower beds and trails laid out.

Trip to Hattiesburg

Merrill went to Hattiesburg, Mississippi with 17 other Elders and High Priests from our ward. We helped people in the community cut down and clear out trees that had fallen in their yards as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The trip was short, but definitely worthwhile. There should be additional photos posted as we get them from others who took more pictures.

Joshua found the flour...

and Mikayla was quick to join in on the fun. Cami found this so amusing that she just watched them for a while. How could you resist?

Surprise, I'm Eating Again

Use your best National Geographic narrator reading voice as you read the following sentences:

In these pictures, we find Joshua thoroughly enjoying an otter pop while his mother watches attentively. She appears to be full of glee as she watches her young enjoy a special treat.

At the Hill's Home in Virginia

Since we obviously hadn't received our fill of DC with our trips in July and August, we went again last week while Merrill was at a research conference in Bethesda. Cami, Mikayla, and Joshua stayed with Bridget, Benson, and their family while Merrill was at his conference. Here are a couple of pictures with Mikayla and Hayli.

Arlington National Cemetary

While we were in DC, we went to Arlinton National Cemetary to watch the changing of the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier.

The National Zoo, Part II

We went to DC again over the 3rd weekend in August to see Ashley, one of Cami's roomates from college. Ashley is married to Lee Phillips and they have a 2 yr. old, Morgan. Here are some photos we took while we were at the zoo with them.

A Morning Ritual

Cami usually wakes up with the kids early while Merrill sleeps in for a bit longer. Josh is getting to the point where he'll join Mikayla in watching a cartoon while Cami steals a few extra minutes of precious sleep.