The summer before Aaron passed away, we went to look for a tricycle for Aaron Jr. He was about 18 months old and we figured he would probably be ready to ride it soon. (We were a little early, but now I am glad so that Aaron could help pick it out.) So, we went to Wal-Mart and looked through the few options and we were both agreeing that we weren't finding the right one. Then we saw this one... we had both wanted it to be one that had the look of the classic looking Radio Flyer tricycles. THIS one was the one we both loved, so we bought it. Well, this summer is really the first summer that Aaron Jr. has been interested in actually learning how to pedal and ride it. So, here are a bunch of photos of him riding it recently.
WARNING: I loved too many of my photos of him riding to be able to narrow it down, so this posting is to humor me. So, there are a RIDICULOUS amount of photos in this posting of virtually the same thing. :) Enjoy ... if you want. :)
Ode and Aaron Jr. Aaron calls Ode his best friend.
Aaron Jr. working on his trike.
He kept pretending to crash onto the grass. Such a funny kid.
Notice the shirt. This shirt has become his favorite shirt lately. He calls it is 'Mommy's Hero shirt'. I would let him wear it every day if it didn't get so dirty and need to be washed. I love that he loves it... because he truly is my little hero.
He was getting so fast on it, his legs were pedaling faster than the pedals would go, so his feet would slip off the pedals and he would almost crash. So... I was talking to a couple of my neighbors one day and told them that I was hoping to find a small bike for him at the thrift store. My neighbor, Julie, said that they had gotten one at a thrift store for their son and it was too small for him now and she said she would check to see if they still had it. Well, a few minutes later, she came walking back over following her son, who was riding a great blue Huffy bike. They wouldn't hear of me paying them for it, they wanted to give it to Aaron Jr.
I am SO grateful for their generosity. It is perfect for him. And in the photos below you will see how much he is loving it...
First, we had to buy training wheels to put on it. Here is Aaron Jr. working on getting the bolt off...
Once we got them on, it was bye byetrike, and hellobike. Here he is getting ready to ride it for the first time.
The tires needed a little air, so he got off to push it into the garage...
and PUMP... (clap) ... it up. :) I am lame.
And again with the 'Mommy's Hero shirt'.
And here is my sweet boy who is growing up way too fast... He seriously couldn't get that smile off of his face the whole day as he rode. He begs to go outside several times a day to ride his bike. It is great!
* * * * * * * * * My Sweet Boy with pizza sauce on his face. :)
Congrats to my niece Lauren on getting baptized.
This flowering bush comes back every year. Every year, Aaron would rip it out because it would go brown and dead, and it would still come back every year... and I have LOVED it. It has so many different colors on it and I think it is so beautiful. The flowers are closed during the day, but in the evenings, they open up and they are gorgeous. I had to put a photo of it in here... they will probably be gone soon for the year. If anyone happens to know what this bush / flower is called, can you let me know? I have always wondered.
This strange looking butterfly looking bug kept coming and getting something out of each flower or putting something in, who knows?
My friend Tom and his brothers came to visit one night. He was in town for a couple of days. I have not seen Tom since before I was married, but we have reconnected since Aaron passed away. Tom is one of my best friends and I am grateful for his listening ear. He is a wonderful friend. I was excited to see him.
Me jumping with Isaac on the trampoline. He is such a sweet kid.
Aaron Jr put this hamper up on my bed and got in. He was watching TV like this. It was so funny.
* * * * * * * * * Aaron Jr has taken over Aaron's hats. He found them in our room one day and gets them all out pretty often. This was is one of Aaron's prized Chris LeDoux hats. He loved this one. I love when Aaron Jr finds things of his Dad's and feels that they are something special.
Aaron's Mom, Sue, planted these the weekend of Memorial Day. They were tiny little things with no flowers on them yet... and to be honest, I assumed the gardeners would mow them over within a week. Well, they didn't. They have mowed around them and they have become big and beautiful. I love it. Thanks Sue.
This is when I went to visit the grave for our anniversary. Aaron Jr fell asleep in the car, so it was just me sitting there. It was very peaceful and very quiet. Aaron Jr likes to run around while we are there, so it was so neat to be there and be able to talk to Aaron without any distractions. The reason I took a photo of my feet in flip flops is because on our honeymoon, Aaron bought me flip flops JUST LIKE THESE. I wore them so much for nearly 5 years, then on our vacation back east the summer before he passed away, I lost my beloved flip flops. SO, these were all I asked for when it came to a gift for our anniversary. So Aaron ordered these online for me and they are identical to my other ones. So, besides the trip we took to Brian Head for our anniversary, this was my last anniversary gift from Aaron. I love them.
Anyone who has been married in an LDS temple since 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World' was given, knows that they give out a copy of it to the newlywed couple. It is always rolled up with a ribbon or tie around it and they say to display it in your home. Well, we got 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World' and something called 'The Marriage Creed', which also might be given to every couple, I just don't know. Sue (Aaron's mom) said that she was cleaning out her office at her store and found these two documents where she had put them for safe keeping 7 years ago. She remembered specifically that after our honeymoon, Aaron took them to her and asked her to take them to a framing place that is above her store and asked her to get them framed for us. She agreed and then forgot about them. Well, for this anniversary this year, after just finding them, she had them framed and gave them to me as our gift. She also wrote out the story of Aaron bringing them to her and specifically asking her to make sure THESE were the ones that were framed. Not copies. THE ones that they gave to us in the temple. She said that she remembers how light and happy Aaron looked as he entered her office that day. She said he was SO happy. It brings tears to my eyes as I think about how great it was that Aaron was so quick to take those to get framed... so that we could hang them in our home. I do wish they had been hanging there all that time that Aaron was here... but it is definitely better late than never... and I am SO grateful to Sue for finding those and following through on a promise she had made to Aaron 7 years ago. I am so grateful.
For anyone interested, I have put the content of each of these documents below. They are well worth reading. They can improve marriages and families.
The Marriage Creed COMFORT EACH OTHER
Provide a refuge and sanctuary for each other from the chill winds of the world. Your marriage is a hearth, from whence comes the peace, harmony, and warmth of soul and spirit.
CARESS AS YOU WOULD BE CARESSED
Warm your loved one's body with your healing touch. Remember that as babies can die with lack of touching, so can marriage wither from lack of closeness.
BE A FRIEND AND PARTNER
Friendship can be a peaceful island, separate and apart, in a world of turmoil and strife. Reflect upon the tranquility of the many future years you can share with a true friend, and beware of becoming battling enemies under the same roof.
BE OPEN WITH EACH OTHER
Bind not yourselves in the secretness that causes suspicion and doubt.Trust and reveal yourselves to each other, even as the budding rose opens to reveal its fragrance and beauty.
LISTEN TO EACH OTHER
And hear not only words, but also the non-language of tone, mood, and expression. Learn to listen to understand rather than listening to argue.
RESPECT EACH OTHER'S RIGHTS
Remember that each is a person of flesh and blood, entitled to his or her own choices and mistakes.Each owns himself, and has the right to equality.
ALLOW THE OTHER TO BE AN INDIVIDUAL
Seek not to create for each other a new mold that can only fit with much discomfort and pain. Accept the other as they are, as you would have yourself accepted.
GIVE EACH OTHER APPROVAL
Remember criticism divides, while compliments encourage confidence in the other. Hasten not to point out the other's mistakes, for each will soon discover his own.
CHERISH YOUR UNION
Let no one come between your togetherness; not child, not friend, nor worldly goods. Yet maintain enough separateness to allow each other his or her own unique oneness.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Love is your river of life -- your eternal source of recreating yourselves. Above all else, love one another.
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
“We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
“All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
“In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
“The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
“We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
“The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
“We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
“We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).
* * * * * * * * * * * We went to Lagoon in August. Here is Aaron Jr. on Tidal Wave. He was pretty daring putting his hands in the air on almost every ride. SO cute.
This was Aaron's favorite ride... the Bumper Cars. He cried really hard every time it ended.
This is Robert, Teresa, & Zachary. We went to Lagoon with them.
Here we are on the Swings. This one always makes my stomach feel so strange. It feels so sketchy. Aaron loved it.
Aaron was NOT happy that there was water spraying us. Isn't that part of the fun? Ummm... guess not.
The last ride I went on was called Cliff Hanger. My brother and I went on it. It was awful. We had no idea that we would come out SOAKING wet. All it did was take you up, hang you upside down, then pour water all over you while you are hanging upside down. Then it does it again and again. It was AWFUL.
SOAKED
This isn't Lagoon, but thought it went with the theme. This is at a ward party. Aaron Jr. was up and down this big slide THE WHOLE TIME. It kept the kids occupied all evening.
It was great. :)
Okay, here is my funny story from this day at Lagoon. John & Tawnie had extra passes that would get up to 8 people in for $18.00 a piece. So, we went with Robert and Teresa, so it made 5 people. Each person getting in on that pass had to pay $18.00. So, when we stepped up to pay for all of us, we handed the girl that pass to get us all in at the $18.00 price, and this is how our conversation went from there:
Girl: How many?
Us: 3 adults, 1 child, and 1 toddler. (we didn't know if she needed to know ages)
Girl: Do you want a toddler pass then?
Me: How much is a toddler pass?
Girl: $23.00
Me: Can't we just pay the $18.00 for him as well?
Girl: If you WANT to.
Me: Well, I would rather pay $18.00 than $23.00.
Girl: Ok. (still answering as though she didn't know why we were making that choice... she probably did, but it just seemed like it)
