Articles of Faith Confusion

Today after our primary presidency meeting, I decided I should try to help Lincoln learn his articles of faith. Our song leader gives the kids a full size candy bar if they come to her house and pass off any article of faith. I thought this would be a fun opportunity for Lincoln. While driving to a store today, I thought we would start with the first article of faith. I asked him to repeat the words after me. The rehearsal went something like this...

Me: We believe
Linc: We believe
Me: In God
Linc: In God
Me: The Eternal Father
Linc: The Eternal Father
Me: And in His son
Linc: And in His son
Me: Jesus Christ
Linc: AMEN!

I couldn't help but giggle. I was not surprised that the said, "amen" at that point. I decided to move on to the 2nd article of faith to hopefully lessen the confusion.

Me: We believe
Linc: We believe
Me: That man
Linc: That man
Me: Will be punished
Linc: Will be punished
Me: For their own sins
Linc: For their own sins
Me: And not
Linc: And not
Me: For Adam's
Linc: BIRTHDAY!

I laughed and laughed as I relished in the joy that Lincoln brings to my life. I love him and his personality. He makes me smile all day long and I treasure these moments that I am allowed to have with him.

First Day of Preschool

Today was Lincoln's first day of preschool. He is so excited to go to preschool. I think one of his favorite things about preschool is that Bridger is in his class with him. Lincoln's teacher's name is Miss Chris. When I picked Lincoln up today he said, "Miss Chris is so nice! She loves me!"

It's hard to believe that Lincoln is already old enough to be going to preschool. He just keeps growing up. I love Lincoln so much. He makes me smile and laugh every day. I can't imagine life without him. He has brought me so much joy. I know he will continue to do that as he grows.

I know Lincoln will have a great year in preschool. He is smart and fun to be around.
Love ya Linc!

Gift Giving

Lincoln is in a really cute stage right now. He loves to give gifts. Well, these gifts aren't really anything new. He finds things around the house to put in a bag or in a box. Then he hides the package and pulls it out of wherever it is stashed. Then he says, "Look mom! It's a special surprise for you!" When I open it, I never know what I will find. Today, I found a plastic yellow flute. Yesterday it was my running watch. Who knows what gift I will be given tomorrow. We will see! He is so sweet and thoughtful.

Mini Golf

One of our new favorite activities as a family is to go miniature golfing. We tried it for the first time as a family a couple of weeks ago and we had a great time. Lincoln is still learning the rules of the game, but he sure loves it. By the end of our game, he was holding the club almost correctly. :) He asks almost daily if we can go again.

While we were golfing, Lincoln would go behind the lights along the course and speak into them like they were a megaphone (they are shaped similar).  On every hole, he would stand behind the lights and put his mouth up to them and say, "Ladies and Gentlemen, Introducing for the first time ever at miniature golf.  Give it up...for Mommy and Daddy!"  (in a very professional announcer voice).  We though it was so cute.  Some of the things Lincoln comes up with blow me away and melt my heart at the same time.  What a sweet, good boy he is...

Hurricane Splash Park

Hurricane got a splash park this summer! We are so excited!

Draper Family Reunion

Every other year we have a Draper Family Reunion. It's fun to get together with family that we don't get to see often. Of course, Lincoln is happy if Bridger is there.

Becky, Steve and Sheila are so silly.

Aunt Bonnie, Aunt Bev and Jill look so much alike.

Lincoln loves to be thrown up in the air by Uncle Michael. It's a daily event. Michael is a good sport. It's a good thing he has strong muscles. Lincoln is not so little anymore.

Lincoln won this little hat in the fishing pond for the kids. It's funny.

There was a bounce house, snow cones, cotton candy, a dunk tank, and a huge slip n slide. It was perfect!

Most of us sisters went on the slip and slide together. We got pretty wet, but it was still fun.

Carolyn, Shannon, Bre, Raquel, Gina... all sisters in law, but we are still great friends.

Swimming Lessons

Lincoln had his first session of swimming lessons this summer and he did a great job! However, on his first day, the teachers had the kids standing on the little step that goes down into the pool. A teacher was working with the child next to Lincoln and Lincoln stepped right off the step. For a split second, I looked at Lincoln bobbing up and down trying to get breath (the water was too deep) and then I looked back at the teachers. No one saw him! I ran from my chair and jumped into the pool fully clothed to pull him out. He was fine, but a little scared. He wanted to sit on my lap for a while so I let him. I was really proud when a few minutes later he told me he was ready to get back in. When he got back in and resumed lessons, he kept looking at me and telling his teachers, "my mom is all wet." It was so cute. From then on, he was much more careful and so were the teachers. :)

He was brave and went off the diving board too!

We did a lot of swimming this summer. Perhaps Lincoln's favorite pool to swim in is Uncle Jerry's pool. He has a salt water pool so the chemicals don't burn your eyes. Lincoln is quite brave at Uncle Jerry's. By the end of the summer, Lincoln was going fullly under water with no life jacket, opening his eyes and swimming from step to step under water by kicking his legs and using his arms. He can really hold his breath for quite a while! Lincoln really loves to swim. I hope he keeps that passion and becomes better and better.

Cherry Hill

Last year, the family went to Cherry Hill for the first time. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we decided to make it an annual event.


Here's the crazy clan.
Adam, Lexie, Austin, Brooke, Lincoln.


We adults love this slide. It's really fun to go down. We could do it all day long. I tried to get Lincoln to go down the slide, but he wouldn't. Maybe next year.






Adam had a good time on the slide too.

We like to hang out under the trees in the shade for lunch and rest. We play so hard when we are there we have to take a break here and there.

We love Cherry Hill. I am already excited to go next year.

Summer Staycation - This is The Place

Our summer was filled with good times and great memories. We decided to stay close to home for our vacations this year. One of the places we visited is This Is The Place Heritage Park. I had no idea that there were so many fun things to do there.

It was really fun to spend so much time with Lexie and Tori. We love it when they get to come to Utah.

Lincoln really enjoyed riding the little train that took us from spot to spot the whole day.

We were glad to be able to spend some time with Mike, Kathi and the kids as well.

The kids also enjoyed riding this little tiny train. Seriously... it's tiny

I just love this picture of the kids on the train with the valley in the background and their reflections in the little pond.

There is a little petting zoo for the kids with some cute, friendly goats for the kids to play with. Lincoln enjoyed that part. He also got to ride his first pony!

There is a fun little stream where the kids can pan for gold. Grandpa helped Lincoln find some little shiny treasures.

Lincoln was able to make a cute little arrow head necklace at one of the spots. He thought that was pretty cool. He wore his necklace all day.

There is a cute little shop where the kids can pound designs into leather. That was really cool.

We had a great time together with our family. We love summer!