{Seven Magic Mountains}

More and more lately I have been realizing it is the small and simple things that bring me the greatest joy in life.  I don't need to be travelling the world, chasing a dream job, or fixated on acquiring 'more' (although I believe firmly in progressing and improving, I don't believe we should spend every moment obsessing about what we don't have yet - another post for another day). 

Anyway, Mike asked me what I wanted to do for this Memorial Day weekend and the answer was simple.  

Sleep.  

Haha!  Okay, we have had some quality naps - but I was super excited to have him home and to just be able to spend time with all my favorite boys! 

We ventured out to a new work of art that has just been erected in the desert (Enterprise, Nevada - aka the middle of nowhere).  This 3.5 million dollar project consists of neon boulders (7 stacks, 33 total) piled on one another to look like totem poles.  In the synopsis I was reading online it said something about the artist wanting to focus on the "meditative art of rock balancing." 

Blah, blah, blah... It was a cool looking tower of rocks in the desert.  We enjoyed seeing them, and Calvin enjoyed running around, and of course, Daddy's shoulder rides.

Venturing out to see the cool rocks!

Here's a good picture that shows how tall the boulders were!

Wes even opened his eyes for this one!

This was Calvin when we got home ... obviously it was a good day for all!

{Lake Mead Trail}

Tonight we loaded up the boys and drove out to Lake Mead to take a walk for family night.  The weather is incredible and we know we only have a few days left before the heat becomes unbearable - so we will live it up while we can! 

We were enjoying our stroll when Mike spotted a huge rattle snake on the side of the trail.  So as not to alarm me, he gently nudged me and said with quiet urgency, "Go, go, go, go, go"

His tone coupled with a terrifying rattle jolted me into the quickest sprint I have mustered in quite some time.  

That's right.

Forget the kids and husband.  I bolted.  Straight up no motherhood instincts kicked in.  

I hate hate hate hate hate snakes sooooo bad...

Like, there's a reason God uses them as a symbol of SATAN in the bible. 

Anyway, as my Dad would say, "Other than that, how was the theater Mrs. Lincoln?"  

It was a lovely night - we had a good time exploring a new little spot where we live.  It's even better to see simple things like a nature walk through Calvin's eyes.  For example, as we walked through the tunnel he was entranced by the echo it made.  He is the spice of life, that's for sure!

Forcing Calvin for some pictures, like a good parent would do. : )

A beautiful view of the lake!

It was a great family night & I am glad we survived the whole ordeal :)

{One month of Wes}

On May 11 our sweet Wesley boy reached the one month milestone in his life.  I wanted to get some pictures of the boys together so we went for a little stroll over to the park and worked with them.  

Calvin wasn't particularly in the mood for pictures, but he did love being thrown up in the air by his Dad!  Heaven help us.

Both of the boys seem pretty content when we go for walks in their double stroller, a gift from Grandma & Grandpa Reynolds.  The weather is perfect in Henderson right now, so we are trying to squeeze in as many walks as we can before it gets too hot! 

The three amigos!

Cute brothers!  Wes is such a little chunk I LOVE his chubby cheeks! 

Here are the pictures we attempted of the boys together!  It is hard to do shots with both of them - a balance act of trying to pose them while simultaneously fearing for Wesley's life!  But the few we got were perfect! 

Momma and Calvin 

Happy one month Wes!!  We are glad you chose to come to us for your family :)

{Wesley Newborn}

There is nothing better than having a fresh & cuddly newborn! 

We are living on cloud nine with Wes.  He is a sweet little man.  Our dear friend, Holly Barlow, captured some of the sweetness in his newborn photoshoot.  

Without further ado, here are the favorites! 

{Life Post-Wesley}

Well life sure changes a lot after the second kid decides to make his appearance!  Luckily we had my parents come down (Dad for a quick weekend trip & Mom for a week) post Wesley's birth to help out with adjusting! 

Jim came to the hospital and met the little bean.  He was so helpful in watching Cal while we had the baby and stayed for a few days in the hospital! 

Grandpa and Cal had some very special  bonding time.

3 generations of Reynolds men! 

Grandpa also took our first picture as a family of four! 

Jim returned to California shortly after the birth and my parents came down a few days later! 

Here is Wes meeting Grandpa Mike for the first time!

Enjoying a family picnic at the park and getting used to having a little brother in the mix!

Calvin enjoying some quality time with Grandma on the porch.  They are reading his favorite book about dogs and puppies!

Wes getting some loves from Grandma

The newborn affect... I guess these tiny humans have special capabilities to tucker everyone right out!

With Grandma here we went on several walks and to lots of different parks!  That is Cal's personal definition of heaven! 

Wesley also got to meet Aunt Lisa who was down from Seattle for a work conference!  This little dude had his first Las Vegas strip experience - meeting Aunt Lisa in the MGM Grand!

The rest of these pictures are just some of the small moments that make all the sleep deprivation and work that accompany motherhood soooooo worth it.

What do babies think about?  I love this picture that just shows a pensive look as Wes absorbs his new home and family.

Take one more picture of me... 

Freshly burritoed little bambino!

We put some turf in our backyard and Cal really enjoys running around and playing on it, especially with Mom distracted having to feed brother all the time!  He enjoys his freedom to go outside and play with his toys!

One happy little guy if you ask me! 

Just my whole world in one picture <3