Ba-ket-bawl!

At the ripe age of 12 months, Stewart had this insane love for anything ball.  The words, "Ma" "Da" and "Bawl" were all too close to really tell which was his 'first word'. But "Baketbawl" definitely came next. Within minutes of me setting up his Little Tikes basketball hoop at 13 months, we was walking. He just needed a little incentive to reach high enough to make a basket and grab his ball quick enough to do it over and over and over again. 

Stew will sit on the couch and watch any basketball or football game, which is soo incredibly mind-blowing to me. Paul, on the other hand, is in Daddy heaven over his sportsy little guy. He will have a life-long sports buddy that he doesn't have to drag to a game or make cheer for a team. He watches so intently that I think he is getting pointers from the players. Then there are times we go to Grandma Heslop's and the family room t.v. isn't on, Stew points and yells, "BA-KET-BALL!" 

On average, he practices about 2 hours every day. If we have been out of the house for the majority of the day, he is always so excited to come home and get some shots in. He runs straight to the toy closet to get a ball and then he is set! And all of his playing has paid off. He is actually quite amazing! He makes most of his shots and has really awesome form for a little guy. I'm already looking forward to cheering him on at his Junior Jazz basketball games. 

Red Rock Traditions

Just about every New Year's of my life, I can remember climbing on all over the Red Rocks of Southern Utah. Growing up we always visited my Grandma and Grandpa Anderson in Beaver Dam over the New Year's. During that vacation we would always make a trip out to Valley of Fire and spend all day climbing all over the beautiful red rocks. Although I didn't always love the drive out there, (because I never love a drive anywhere) it was so exhilarating to get out and enjoy nature's playground.

This year I was spending the New Year's in Florida with Paul, but flew in to St. George to get the kids the first week of January. To carry on the tradition, we found some climbing for the kids. And they were in heaven, they loved the freedom and scurried up those rocks as fast as their little bodies would take them.

I love this picture! It is the perfect representation of Lily & Stew's relationship. She is the best big sister he could ever ask for. She is always trying to help him and make sure he is okay and happy. She is the sweetest thing, a dream for any mom!

Thank you to my sweet parents for all they do for me and my children! And for teaching me as a young  child to love the beauties of the world all around me. I am just much more grateful when I get to enjoy them outside of a car :)