Hughes Happenings

It has been too long since I have updated--So much has happened in the last two months.  

Dallin is the light of our lives and is growing like a weed!  

In fact, this last month he graduated!! :)

And So did We!!!!

Our families came up to celebrate with us, and we partied all day long. 

 Everything went smooth thanks to Grandpa watching Dallin all evening.  And Amy came out to support us as well.  Everything went pretty smooth--Except we did leave the tickets taped to our fridge and didn't realize it until 10 minutes before the Commencement began. :P haha--but we only had to break a couple of laws to retrieve them....

                                            The best part of Graduation: The Candy Leis!!

Since then, our Summer has just flown by!  We spent lots of time in the water.

And went for some hikes.

And spent LOTS of time with family--livin' it up summer style!

Grandma and Grandpa are essential to summer fun these days.

And cousins have become best friends.

Life is good.  Dallin is 10 months old today and he is crawling like a maniac!

He also eats like he's never tasted food, laughs like he lives with a comedian, and never wants to sleep. Sometimes when I peek in on him (hoping to find a content, adorable, deep-sleeping child) I find this instead....

Have I mentioned that I haven't stopped laughing ever since this boy was born? 

Well I haven't.

: Adventure Edition

Since we're back in our familiar territory of Rexburg ID, 

we have been galavanting all over the area and enjoying some family adventures. 

 First off, we took full advantage of a very cold, rainy day and drove to Mesa Falls.  

It was so fun-- Dallin even got to wear this great fluffy outift!!

       Which, as you can see, he enjoyed so much. :)

But seriously, it was so nice to get out into the wilderness and enjoy the waterfalls! Because of the dreary weather, we were one of the few people there, so we got VIP access to all the 'picture-perfect areas!' Thanks to all the rain, everything was so vibrantly green, and the color was food for the soul.

   And the view was just breathtaking.

We even got a family picture--thanks to a lone couple we ran into.

And a friendly yellow bellied marmot crossed our path as we walked around.  Pretty neat. :)

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A couple weeks later, we got to drive down to Logan to see Mom and Emma ride the Little Red Riding Hood Century Ride. Here's mom after 20 miles or so--looking amazing!!

Dallin really got it the spirit, onsie and everything.  He loves his aunt Emma!!

Throughout the day, Dallin, Amy, and I drove along and followed Mom and Emma through their ride.  We had a great time, and they did such an amazing job riding!!  Grandpa joined up with us near the end, which was great because Dallin really needed a cuddle buddy. 

And nobody's arms are as inviting as Grandpa's!

Here they are nearing the finish--they aren't even winded!!

 The weather was just perfect and it turned out to be a great 100-mile biking day!

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Next on our list of adventures was introducing Dallin to the wonderful world of water!!  

He has always loved bathtime

(haha, I love this picture--it's like the paparazzi caught him bathing!)

But he wasn't so sure about the splash park...

Nevertheless, we took him to the little pool in Rexburg last week...

It took a little prodding, Aunt Amy, and a trusty-wide-rimmed hat, 

But before we knew it he was crawling everywhere!!

We always knew he'd be a waterbug, just like his Momma!

[ life is good ]

8 Months Come and Gone

  As of Friday, our little (and not-so-little Dallin Christoph is 8 months old.  I can't believe how much has happened and how profoundly my life has changed since he became a part of it. Let's take a second to remember:

1 Day Old: Helloooo World!

1 Month Old: Settling in on daddy's lap

3 Months Old: Baby Blessing.  He was blessed that he would be a light to all those he would come in contact with--and it has proved true every day since.

4 Months Old: Doing the Bath Time Boogie! 

5 Months Old: Here's My chill little man.

6 Months: A half year old and full of smiles and giggles

7 Months Old: Daddy's little outdoors boy

8 Months Old:  Have I mentioned he is the joy of my life?? 

This picture doesn't even capture the half of it!!

Life has been good to me.  I always knew I wanted to be a mother, but I completely underestimated how much I would love it.  I can't imagine my life any other way (dirty diapers, sleepless nights, and all!)

Sunday Sunday

I know it has been ages since I have done anything on this blog--the last time I wrote, Dallin was barely 2 weeks old, and now he is almost 8 months!!  It is crazy how time flies! It never ceases to amaze me how the seemingly-insignificant days add up to be the meat of our ever-changing, meaningful lives.

The last eight months have been full of many typical and atypical adventures of an average family of three.  I plan to spend this week catching up completely on the last months, but as for tonight I will merely focus on today.

  Today was a pretty typical Sunday for the Hughes Family.  Thanks to the Lord's commandment, we are able to keep the Sabbath holy by actually sleeping past 7:00 in the morning. ( But could someone please tell me why I still feel so tired?? )  Church goes as follows:

8:45- Arrive and sit in whatever bench allows easy access in and out of the chapel. Dallin is wide eyed and silent as he watches everyone arrive.

9:00- After 15 minutes of a quiet, observant child, the loud noises and wiggly legs kick into full action.

9:10: As the Sacrament begins, Dallin decides to unexpectantly leap out of our arms in to the back of the bench in front of us--proceeding to smack his head right on the wood; soon follows a good scream and cry.

9:11- And so it begins.  Out in the foyer. Look out the windows--sure to leave some tongue marks for the lucky cleaners next week.  Walk around the church.  Walk around the halls. (Repeat 6 times as needed) Hand Dallin a toy. Pick up the toy from the floor and hand it to him again. (Repeat 10 times) Put toy away and try to distract him from noticing. Nurse in the overflowing Mothers Room, but fail to finish because there is WAY too many exciting things happening in there. :) And back to the hallways, windows, and nice smiling ladies sitting in the foyer.  Repeat the toy sequence with 3 different toys.  This all is then repeated spontaneously throughout the next 2 1/2 hours.  Finally at 11:45, Dallin falls asleep--only to be awoken by the wind outside as we get in the car to leave.

Awww yes, Sundays are so validating.

All the same, life with Dallin is exciting and exhilarating. He opens our eyes to the wonders of pie tins, spatulas, and stuffed animals.

   I mean who wouldn't love looking up and seeing this face all day long??

                              Or this one??

We sure don't!

Quality Time

When you are a full time student with a part time job, it can be difficult to find time to spend with your family, but Jared is so good. Lots of times, I will find him reading Dallin a story or chatting up a storm.Other days, I will walk in and his camera will be out and being put to work, capturing all the funny faces that Dallin seems to come up with.And there is always some good ol male-bonding naptime.But a man's gotta do his homework some time, so Jared has come up with a variety of strategies of keeping Dallin entertained and happy. He recently downloaded a 'White Noise" app. This app will just play white noise for hours...and Dallin loves it. It will soothe him almost immediately...The normal-non-infant human being is easily annoyed by the never-ending whooshing sound-- But Jared is an innovative man. Now at only 2 1/2 weeks old, Dallin has already learned how to put headphones in. Let's just hope he doesn't make a habit of it. :)