2 Years

In celebration of Lincoln's birthday, we went on a hike to Dworshak Reservoir near Orifino, Idaho. It was an hour or so drive. Matt and I had visions of beautiful vistas and fresh air. Unfortunately, the "trail" looked like the below picture. Essentially impassible with kids on your back. Lincoln and Bennett ended up with a few scratches. Matt and I had a bunch of thorns stuck in our pants, and our shoes were soaked even though we only made it MAYBE and 8th of a mile in. Without the kids, we would have pushed through, but the pace of life changes when you've got kids. 

I had to wear a sweatshirt around my neck for modesty reasons. The Baby Bjorn is NOT meant to be worn  this way. I think Bennett needs some bigger socks. I'm surprised his foot didn't fall off.

The "beautiful" (drained) reservoir.

2 of the 3 boys.

The drive there and back along Highway 12 (which borders Clearwater River) was beautiful. I know these car shots are terrible. I would have rolled my window down to get a better shot but the kids were sleeping as seen below.

Love these moments

Isn't is just so amazingly green???

After the drive, there were showers and naps. Then it was party time!!! Here's Lincoln on his birthday. I cut his hair a few days previous. I always hate doing that. He's just not himself without the curls. 

"Ah, Mom, pictures AGAIN!!??? You know I hate that!"

"I'm just gonna avoid eye contact until you give it up."

"Woman!!! You are relentless!!"

"Seriously, Mom, this is getting ridiculous. I told you I wasn't gonna smile."

"Hey Dad!! Mom's a bore, buy you're pretty funny!"

"Happy Birthday Burger Bun to me!"

"Maybe I'll just eat the cheese."

"I get to have a cake..."

"...and eat it too??? Yes!!"

So, I tried to write down every word Lincoln legitimately says on his own without prompting, and was actually quite surprised. You're probably not interested in the list, so you can just skip over the paragraph.

Daddy, Mommy, Bennett (Bebe), Grandpa (Bapa), Grandma (Bama), Laura (Yaya), Julia (Juya), Bobby, Nick (Ni), Megan (Meh-un), Marissa (Issa), Steve (Tee), Kiley (Ki-ey), Drew (Doo), Lucy, Mousey (Mossy), Giraffe (Jiya), Birdy (Birby), Zebra (Diba), Elephant (Ehfie), Dog (Dah), Sheep (Shee), Duck (Guck), Horsey (Hosie), Cow, Pig, Donkey (Gahkey), Chicken (Chiche), Caw-ca-doodle-doo (Caw-caw-coo), Turtle (Turle), Frogy (Foggy), Fishy, Snake (Nake), Butterfly (Buhfwye), Cat, Monkey (Ucky), Bunny (Buhie), Cheese (Chi), Cereal, Cookie, Hot Dog (Ha Da), Spoon (Poon), Drink (Diggy and Dink), Candy (Khaki), Yogurt (Goguh), Tortilla (Tilla), Bread (Beh), Juice (Joo), Water (Ah-oo), Banana (Nana), Cheerio (Chiyo), Pretzel, (Pepull) Pizza (Pitah), Egg (Ay), Cracker (Kaker), Ice cream (Icy), Hungry (Uhie), Food (Foo), Elmo (Melmo), Big Bird (Bi Ba), Ernie (Uhie), Burt (Buh), Grover (Goga), Cookie Monster (Cookie), Video (Beeyo), Movie (Mooie), TV (TT), Phone (Foe), iPod (Piepaw), iPad (Piepa(d)), Music (Juju), Mimi (a video he likes), Mama (a video he likes), Shapes (Shay), Circle (Dicle), Triangle (Tietaytuh), Oval (Obal), Square (Care), Rectangle (Tehtaytuh), Star (Sta), Green (Ghee), Feet (Fee), Eye Ears (Eee), Mouth (Mao), Nose (No), Hair (Heh), Knees, Toes (Toe), Bellybutton (Beep Beep), Teeth (Tee), Head (Heh), Hand (Han), Hat (Ha), Shoe (Shyoo), Sock (Sya), Pants, Shirt On (Shir Ah), Coat On (Coka), Two, Three (Tee), Five (Fie), Six (Si), Eight (Ay), Ten (Teh), Car (Caw), Broom broom!, Airplane (Pehpay), Shoom!!, Train (Tray), Choochoo, Boat (Bow), Toot toot, Tractor (Tratuh), Hay, Wheel (ooie), Truck (Tuh), What did you do? (Wa di di do?), Where are you? (Are you?), Yes (Say), No, Tickle (Ticka), Kiss, Please (Pee), Thank you (De do), Clean up (Be bup), Help Me (Hell Me), Go, go, go!!, Again (Gee), Hello (Ah-O), Bye, Night Night (Nai Nai), Yucky (ucky), Uh-Oh, Get Down (Di Da), Up (Uh), Ah-choo (For sneezing and snoring), Wee!!!, Wahoo! (Ah-hoo!!), Dance (Dan), Jump (Juh), Good Boy (Goo Boy), All Done (Ah Duh), Ah Gone (All Gah), More (Mo), Jesus  (Jiji), Joseph (Jojo),  Emma, Heavenly Father (Hafifafoo), Pray (Pay), Christ (Kai), Amen (AB), Thankful (Tayfoo), Baby, People, Boy, Girl (Guh), Sun,(Syuh), Moon (Moo), Flower (Ahfoo), Tree (Tee), House (How), Book (Boo), Ball (Ba), Basketball (Baball), Shoot (Shoo), Puzzle (Puhple), Door, Box (Bah), Toy, Bubble, Bath (Bah), Soap (So), Potty (Pa-ee), Poo Poo, Pee Pee, Hot (Ha),Color (Cuhker), Light (I), Chair (Che), Bed (Beh), Key, Guitar (Tatar), Piano (Pepo), Earring (Ehie), Kite (Kai).   

If you were to judge my mothering by the words he knows, you might think that we eat pizza, ice cream and candy every day while watching Sesame Street episodes on the iPad. You might be right.  

In addition to his words, he can say all the letters in the alphabet and all the colors and numbers 1 though 10 very clearly, but has yet to produce the majority of these on his own. He'll get it, right? He definitely had me worried by not saying a word for quite some time. And of course he says ALL the noises the animals make. My favorites are "Hee-haw" and "Caw-caw-coo!!!".            


He's shown a lot of interest lately in actually SAYING the family prayer. In fact, even when it's not his turn, he'll talk over you while you're praying. He's always sure to say we're thankful for Bobby, and Kiley. He also rarely misses Drew in his prayers. It's pretty cute. I say "we're thankful for..." and he fills in the blanks and ends it when he's ready.


It's a good thing he knows how to pray cause he'll need a few to make it through to Birthday Number 3. He is a handful and screams all the time and says "No" in the brattiest way possible at least 100 times a day. He spends a good bit of time in time out, as do I since I have to pin him in a corner so he'll stay there. He's usually there for climbing on the table or counter top like I always tell him not to, making Bennett cry or pinching Lucy. But, at the end of the day, when he's so snuggly and sweet, I remember that I love him and I can foresee continuing on with this motherhood thing a little longer. Sure love that little guy. I love him most when out of no where while I'm playing with him, he'll come over, put his hands on the sides of my face and kiss me on the lips while saying "Mmmwah". Here's to Two Years!!