asa turns two

Asa has been two for almost a week now... does that mean I should stop referring to him as a baby? Maybe once the official baby is here I'll be ready to call him a toddler. Whatever he is, he has me wrapped around his finger. Maybe I've chilled out a little as I've gotten 'older', or maybe my other two boys have broke me down enough that a freight train could run through my house and I wouldn't even notice: either way, I think I have been able to endure Asa's toddler antics with more humor and 'patience' than I did with the other two (I feel kind of guilty admitting that). So, even though he's a total stinker, he brightens my day with his fun, goofy, lovable personality. Here are a few things about him at the ripe ol' age of two:

1. He is very lovable and affectionate. He gives us all lots of kisses, hugs, and cuddles that help him get away with a lot. One of my favorite things that he does is pat me on the back as I'm hugging him.

2. He is not shy at all. There was a very brief moment when he considered having some stranger anxiety, but he got through it quickly and is back to not caring whether or not I am there to save him. He will climb into pretty much anyone's lap who sits on our couch.

3. He loves himself a good book. It makes it hard at bedtime, because he doesn't quite get the 'each kid gets to pick out one book' rule, so he will keep coming back with book after book. And, since he's so dang cute, he often gets two or three books (favoritism?).

4. Like I mentioned, he can be a stinker. Isaac and Luke have shed many tears over destroyed projects or pictures that Asa has gotten his hands on (all while laughing).

5. He is a man of few words... but a lot of sounds. He can't say a lot, but he's trying, so I guess that's good... right? One thing he's got down is a good scream (probably thanks to his older brothers example/encouragement), especially when he's in one of his loopy moods, running around.

6. One of my favorite things that he does is give me hugs while he is in the shopping cart. Whenever I stop to grab an item, I get a big Asa hug along with it.

7. Another one is how he backs up into my lap if I am sitting on the floor (which is getting harder these days :).

8. I love his over exaggeration of a lot of things, like: his cheesy smile, the way he turns his head away and draws out his 'no' like you have just suggested something unbearable, and the way he throws himself off balance as nods and says 'uh-huh'.

9. I also love how over dramatic he can be when he gets wet and comes in and says 'brrr' as I take his wet clothes off and wrap him up in a towel, and when he gets hurt, how he says, 'ow, ow, ow... ' in a totally phony voice so that you will baby him.

the loveridge's hit up lava hot springs

1. It was reunion time for my family and this year we found ourselves in Lava Hot Springs. We had been counting down to this trip for a while: my boys, because they were extremely excited to play for four days straight with cousins and have some fun; me, because I have been feeling guilty about my boys not having much of a summer... and I like my family.

So, the questions from Isaac started pretty early on in the drive, but surprisingly nothing in regards to the name of our destination. Surprising because every little boy seems to have a fascination with lava... hot lava. Instead, he asked if they spoke a different language in the state of Idaho. He was a little nervous about leaving Utah until I reassured him that it wouldn't look or feel too much different than Utah... and that they spoke English. Once grandma brought up the exciting topic of 'lava hot springs' then the questions really got going. So, we talked of lava and volcanoes, prickly soy fields, when we would cross the border, and whether we would see any aspens in Idaho, and before we new it, we were there!

One of the days we went to the swimming pool in town - which was surprisingly nice. It had water slides and Isaac, being the fearless boy he is, wanted to go down the speed slides. So, Adam took him over to watch someone come down to make sure he was sure he would still want to go down. He was confident, so up the stairs they climbed. It was so fun to watch him come down and then jump up, beaming with pride.

Another day we spent a few hours on some tubes in the river. This was probably the funnest part of the trip for most of us... except Luke. After one run he decided that the cold water wasn't worth the thrill and decided to hang out in the car with grandma and Asa (I can't thank you enough, mom!). It's amazing just how different Isaac and Luke are from each other.

The rest of the time was spent visiting at camp and enjoying some adult time around the fire once the kids were in bed. We had a great time with my family, and once again I am reminded of just how blessed I am to have the family that I do. Now me and Adam have the fun job of planning next year's reunion... goody. Here are the only pics that I got up there. I guess I was having too much fun to pull out my camera :)

I wish this picture wasn't blurry so you could really see his face.

2. The other day Isaac asked me, "Are blood cells made in the heart?"
Me: "No, actually blood cells are made inside your bones - in bone marrow."
Isaac, in a very impressed voice: "Do you know that because you used to be a doctor?"
That's right, I'm a freaking genius.

3. Luke and I were watching TV and Ellen Degeneres (sp?) came on. Luke asked me, "Is that a girl?". I told him 'yes', and then he asked, "What kind of girl?" That's perception for ya.

4. Adam was practicing his elk call while driving with the boys, when Isaac says, "Maybe people are driving by thinking, 'What the hell is that guy doing?'". I know we shouldn't laugh, but you've gotta admit, that's funny. Plus, I actually think that's the first time that I've heard Isaac 'swear'.

5. Isaac was creating a flower garden on a computer game and was pretty proud of his green thumb. He asked me to come see his fine work and said, "Mommy, try not to cry when you see this because it's so beautiful."

Random pics:

Luke fell in love with this dog when we went up and spent a day at the Johansen camp. It reminded me of why we need to get a dog... maybe next year.

isaac's sixth birthday

We celebrated Isaac's sixth birthday last week. I was able to steer him away from the 'water fight party' that he had requested (thank goodness), and we kept the day pretty simple but fun. Me and the boys had a picnic lunch at the 'old house' at Wasatch State Park (one of his favorite places), then that evening some of his cousins came over for his official party. I can call it a party because we had a pinata and played a game (pin the arrow on the Avatar... I'm so clever).

Isaac is still the same inquisitive, lovable, playful, inquisitive, intelligent, uncoordinated, inquisitive boy that he was a year ago, but he does seem older (and look older! Holy cow!). Here are the things about Isaac right now that stick out to me the most:

1) Like I mentioned, he is EXTREMELY inquisitive. He does a great job of making our drives go by quickly by filling the time asking one question after another. You would think that we have covered every single topic that there is known to man, but he likes to re-ask and re-evaluate things over and over. He also asks questions that most kids (or adults) wouldn't even think of (nor care to know about). I think I have gotten pretty use to it, but he can do a good job of exhausting the minds of even the most loving grandma.

2) Kind of going along with his questioning, he has to know the 'why' in everything, so he often draws his own conclusions when he hears the phrase, "I don't know." For example, he often asks questions that I wouldn't possibly know the answer to: "Mom, why did that tree die?". Well, when you say the obvious, "I don't know.", he will proceed to think of all the possibilities... "maybe it has bark beetles", or "maybe it got a disease", or "maybe it didn't get enough water", or....

3) He is very mechanically minded. He loves to figure out how everything works. This is why he loves to hang out in the garage while Adam works on fixing machines or any other project.

4) He loves the cartoon, Avatar: The Last Airbender.

5) He has a huge fascination with plants. That makes up about 75% of his questions lately.

6) Although he lacks some in coordination, he is not afraid to try new things. I'm very glad he has the attitude that he can do anything. Although, he can get pretty frustrated when he can't figure something out. But, he's extremely excited when he does. The bad part about his lack of coordination comes when you combine it with his floppiness, his size, and his obliviousness to who/what is next to him. You end up with a lot of 'accidents'.

7) He takes warnings/cautions very seriously... almost too seriously at times. Say you tell him to watch out for some stinging nettle on a trail, he has to come to a complete stop, then give himself as much distance as physically possible between himself and the threat before proceeding at a snails pace. We often wonder if it's better not to say anything at all in certain situations.

8) He's very outgoing. I don't think I've ever seen him hesitate to talk to someone.

9) He loves, loves, loves playing with his cousins.

10) He has a huge sweet tooth. I think it even rivals mine.

11) He is a really good brother. He seems to appreciate all the cute things that Asa does and he plays with Luke pretty well. He has his moments when he can be a stinker, but he does love them (as I'm typing this he is bugging Luke... but, with love :)

12) I think that the phrase 'To have the faith of a child' directly refers to Isaac. If he knows of someone who is sick, or if he is sick, or if his mom hits a baby deer while driving, he doesn't hesitate to say a prayer for the one in need. And, I get to have my faith strengthened by witnessing his sweet prayers being answered.

There is so much more about this sweet boy that I could say. I'm thankful for what a gift he is to our family. He's definitely one of a kind and has taught me a lot over the last six years (like what an impatient person I am :).

Wasatch State Park



Isaac warning us about some stinging nettle.

Asa managed to cover himself from head to toe in dirt and mud.

Isaac's cake request this year: An Avatar cake with 3 layers

Isaac's first attempt to pin the arrow on the Avatar.




Isaac taking his new bike off a sweet jump in our backyard.

Isaac got to go with Adam and pick out a new bike for his birthday. He has been SO excited about his 'mountain bike with gears'!