4th of July 2018

Oh 4th of July ... it feels like it was months ago already rather than just weeks. That might have to do with the fact that so many life changing things have happened around here in the last two weeks and it all has us in a bit of a tail spin! I plan to share more of a life update here in the next week or so but before I do, I can't pass up the opportunity to document one of my favorite 4th of July's to date! Prepare yourself for MAJOR picture overload because if you've been around here long, you know I can't hold back. ;) And if anything, skip to the very end, because there is a story there worth reading and being reminded of child-like wonder and awe. The true essence of what makes witnessing holidays through a child's eyes, absolute magic!

Looking cute and festive as ever in their Sunday best before the 4th of July! Liam got those adorable suspenders and bow tie from his Pa and Grams and he was obsessed with wearing them!

First thing on the morning of the 4th we headed straight for the parade downtown. It was in the most perfect spot this year where one side of the street was completely shaded (top it off with 75 degree weather) and people throwing candy at our children, we could have stayed there all day! haha The beginning of the parade always gives me goosebumps as the military marches the flag down the street! It was so cute watching Liam put his hand over his heart. All those days of saying the Pledge of Allegiance during preschool last year. ;)  

It didn't take him long to learn that if he waved at the floats or people passing by that they would toss handfuls of candy his way. I don't think that arm ever got a rest for the next hour and a half. ;)

Lyla had about 4 different 4th of July outfits to squeeze in that day (#girlclothesshoppingproblems) but these tiny star and stripe moccs may have been favorite part!!!

The second best part of the parade was watching the Portneuf helicopter fly over us. They did multiple passes with it this year and did all kinds of tricks. It was so much fun to watch and of course, Liam was in heaven saying, "Dad, hold me up!!"

Part way through the parade, a man walked up to Nic (noticing me sitting with Lyla in my lap behind him and Liam) and offered a sucker for Lyla. Here I was thinking I would be a fun mom and give her a couple licks ... she would not let that thing go!! Death grip 'til the very last drop!

When we got home from the parade, this sweet sleepy girl was tuckered out and slept most of the afternoon ...

... and woke up just in time for the neighborhood bike parade!

A couple years ago, a lady in my neighborhood had been organizing an annual bike parade on the 4th where all the kids got to decorate their bikes/scooters/wagons/strollers and she would play patriotic music as they rode up and down the streets. At the time, Liam was only 9 months old and so we sat on the back end of our car and cheered on all the little neighbor kids as they passed. Since then, the lady and her family moved out of the neighborhood and no one has picked it back up since. I knew how much Liam would love it so I decided to start it back up again this year. We took around fliers the day before inviting everyone to join and got a pretty decent number of families who both participated and watched! It was a lot of fun and a tradition I hope to keep going, even if it won't be with our friends in this neighborhood next year.

It was dinner time and we were starving after the bike parade so I kept it simple and we did sandwiches and fruit for dinner.

Then we spent the rest of the evening out back playing in the pool!

This picture!! haha

Liam is ALL boy! Loving playing squirt gun fights with his dad ...

Lyla still doesn't love the water. It's nice having this seat in our pool because she cries when we try putting her feet in. 

My heart is a puddle on the floor whenever she is in his arms!!!

With a 7:00 bedtime that she can't make it past, Lyla missed out on fireworks for her first 4th of July. It turned out to be a really special bonding time for the two of us with Liam. Nic lit a few little ones in the street for Liam and I to watch.

While he ate his popsicle ...

Or rushed up to watch Nic light the fireworks and ran away as soon as he was told to get back ...

And his favorite part of all, the sparklers!! Thankfully this year we made it through the holiday without anyway touching the end of one of these bad boys, unlike last year!

The boys busting a move to the strobe light ones! haha

Practical dad, having Liam use his sparkler to kill a weed growing in a crack on our driveway. haha

And the moment that is etched on my heart the most from the whole day was this one ... after finally putting Liam to bed for the night, we slipped out the front door to sit on the porch together and watch the sun slip below the horizon. There were neighbors letting off illegal fireworks around us to watch as we waited to see the city show at dark. 

It was getting close to 10 and I had to run inside to use the bathroom and found Liam in there looking for us. In a confused voice he said, "Mommy, someone has been scratching on my door?!" That's when I grabbed his hand in mine and said, "Come here, I want to show you something." He asked quietly, "Mommy, where are we going?!" and I guided him out the front door and onto our porch where he witnessed the biggest fireworks he's ever seen in his life. We then went on to explain that was where the noise he was hearing was coming from. You could tell he was absolutely amazed! But it wasn't the only thing he noticed ...

He pointed to a tiny little light in the sky and said, "Mommy Daddy, what's that?!" To which we both replied, "That Liam, is a star." and we both realized in that moment, it was also his very first time ever seeing a star in the night sky. We watched him look up with complete wonder and awe in his eyes as he started searching for more, "there's one, there's one, look over there!", taking them all in. It was absolute child-like magic and wonder!

We stayed out there long past his bed time, just the 3 of us. Not even talking all that much but just watching as colors flashed across the sky. It was moment as a mom that I'll never forget. His first time seeing that star in the night sky ...

So Happy Belated 4th of July! I hope you had a magical day with the ones you love! I sure did! XO

a new chapter

When I met Nic 9 years ago, one of the first things I told him was that I didn't have any intention of staying here. I loved growing up in the Boise area of Idaho and wanted to move back after I graduated from college but God has a way of making other plans for your life that you don't expect and the most important thing I've learned (and learned quickly) is that His plans are even better than the ones you will ever make for yourself. So when He told me Nic was the one, I married him. When He told me to apply for a job in Pocatello because of the college connections I made through the school district here, I did and loved every minute of teaching 3rd grade. When we both had great jobs and could consider traveling the world, we felt the pull to settle down instead and bought our first home. Then again when it was time for me to stay at home with Liam, he made a way for us to do just that. Every life decision up until this point He has guided and suddenly I realized that 10 years had gone by and I had grown to love this place that I once thought I would leave so early on. It became my home. I always felt my purpose here, I started my family here, and I'll never forget it. Which brings me to today ... a new chapter.

Our little family is moving!!!

As of yesterday, our house is on the market and we are moving to Boise! It is so bittersweet and still doesn't even feel real. All we know is that it is time. I know this new chapter will bring growth for our family in so many ways and I'm excited to take the leap of faith with them! I'll share more details in the coming weeks but for now, we have a TON of boxes to pack and a house to sell. Wish us luck! Here's to a new adventure! XO

Turning 28

I celebrated my 28th birthday the last week of June and if there is one memory I could write down from that day it would be how sweet my family was at trying to make it so special for me. Both my boys told me "Happy Birthday" several times and all Nic wanted to do every single moment of the whole weekend was something for me.

In reality, it was one of those weekend when almost every single plan you make falls through and it was tough not to feel discouraged. We had planned to go to Boise but the kids were going on 10 days of runny noses and coughs and we knew everyone would get the sleep they needed to feel better in their own beds so we canceled the trip last minute. We started trying to make fun plans in town like swimming at the Wellness Complex because the "beach" is one of my favorite places to be but it turned out to be unseasonably cold outside (also not good for their colds). We tried going out to lunch at Wingers since we wouldn't be able to on Sunday but Lyla refused to nap in the morning and fell asleep for the first time that day at noon. Nic decided to pick it up for take out instead and RIGHT as he showed up to the restaurant Lyla woke up from a mere 30 minute nap and was awake for the rest of the afternoon (so we could have gone after all). We thought about taking the kids to this fun indoor skating rink but their Saturday hours were after the kids' bed times that late in the day.

My actual birthday landed on Sunday this year and I wasn't overly excited about it because we do our best to try and keep the Sabbath day holy (eat meals at home, try to keep our activities focused on God, etc.). It was the usual mad rush to get to 9 AM church on time and everything seemed to be taking 10 times longer than normal to get ready. I picked a dress from Nic for my birthday and as I tried it on moments before we left, it didn't fit so I couldn't wear it. That's when the tears began to fall and I let myself feel pretty defeated for the next 30 minutes.

After those 30 minutes went by though I began to feel the Spirit there and it calmed me down. I took a moment to look around me and found myself thinking about all the things I had in my life at that very moment at 28 years old that I was so grateful for. And everything felt right in the world.

I took a deep breath and blew out these candles knowing my wishes have already come true!

our summer bucket list

As preschool was winding down for the year I remember saying to Nic, how in the world am I going to keep our kids entertained this summer (haha!) and that's how our summer bucket list was born. :) Although I say that and here we are, June already behind us and summer a third of the way over and I'm wondering where the time has gone! So clearly there was nothing to worry about in the first place. haha In fact, I better get going on these fun bucket list adventures because we've only crossed off a few so far. 

The Williamson Family Summer Bucket List ...

One of the first things we did to welcome summer was hit the splash pad! They built it last summer and it has become one of our favorite places to go in our little town. Bonus, it is within walking distance of our house!

It's also where I took my favorite picture of Lyla ...

Liam has become so much more brave this summer with the water (hence the swimming lessons we need to get him enrolled in). Last summer he would hardly let the water come near his head and after warming up, now he'll run through them like the other kids.

He thinks it's pretty hilarious to cover up the holes they are shooting out of and makes my favorite face of his whenever the water catches him by surprise ...

He is so good at making friends which makes my momma heart so happy. The other day he started playing with this little girl and I caught them holding hands. It was adorable!

And then there's these two ... they run up to each other from across the room, yelling each other's names, and bear hug anytime they see each other. Liam and Hadley, best friends forever!

Another summer favorite so far, hiking! Liam's stamina is insane this year. In the past, he has lasted 5 minutes before wanting to be carried for the rest of the hike. So far this summer, he begs us to go on hikes and once we get there, begs us to never leave. It has become such a fun family activity and one of our favorite forms of exercise with the kids in tow! So far we've hiked the pillars at the ISU campus. The view of the city is incredible at the top but slightly terrifying with a 3 year old! 

haha Lyla's hair!

We've also hiked a place called City Creek. It is much more scenic with a creek running through it. Liam kept saying, "We're in a real jungle!"

I think this is one of the only pictures we have of us with just Lyla so even if it may be a selfie camera photo, I cherish it ...

It has been so nice to slowly ease into summer weather. Usually by now we are having to hit the park before 10 AM in order for the slides to be rideable and the swings to not scald your skin but we've spent many mid-afternoons playing pirate ship and slaying dragons at the park and it is always an adventure. ;)

He's learning to pump on the swings this summer!!

And I'll do ANYTHING SHE WANTS to get this grin!!!

We've been frequently to both parks in our neighborhood, Bicentennial, and Brooklyn's Playground so far but we have many more parks to explore in order to fulfill our bucket list of trying every park in the city this summer!

I spy Lyla ...

I spy Liam ...

Coming up on our bucket list soon ... parade and fireworks TOMORROW for the 4th of July and our annual trip to Bear Lake in a little over a week! 

Summer, we love you!!!