Monkey

 One of Duke's favorite activities is climbing the slide. My jaw litterally dropped when I saw my 8 month old attempt this for the first time. He is fearless. He will now sit at the top of the slide and yell "Ma, Ma Ma!" until I come and retrieve him. It is so cute! We have a little monkey on our hands...

... and he couldn't be more proud of himself! Gosh I love this boy!

The Tobler Brother's Weekend

...plus  Mom and Dad. (I stole this post from mom Tobler since I wasn't there and Jakob didn't take any pictures. Thanks for documenting Mom!!)

 It's  been 5 years and 4 months since the brothers have been all  together at the same time.  We've tried but it's so hard to coordinate family schedules.  Then to fly a whole family is so expensive.  So the boys decided it was time to have a brothers' weekend...and invite their parents.    They were stalling out on what to do and where to go until they decided to just put Jeff in charge and then... agree or disagree... they committed to support the plan.  And it was great.

 A cabin near Beavers Bend State park in Oklahoma.

 Activities were pretty low-key...

visiting 

eating

 and lounging.

We did make it out of the cabin to check out the lake.

 

We saw a lot of fly fishing.  

 Worked our way through a mud bog.

 and hiked back.

 There was a lot a' beef in that there hot tub

 A few bets were made.

 ...especially when  we played Chad's game he made to teach his scouts about money/life.
We learned...rent, ride the bus and don't trust "hot stocks". 

 

We were all surprised at how much food we could "put away".

 

Sunday was cloudy and  rainy

but that didn't stop the fun.

Since our cabin was "off the grid". 
We had to hit McDonalds for our internet fix.

...more boiling the beef.

Monday it was  back to Jeff's.

 

There was  trampoline testing

 and the finale'...

... who's the heaviest Tobler
after a weekend of constant eating? 

Kyle volunteered to  organize our 2015 reunion.
 And it's been determined that all we really need is a  large couch and a fridge
and everyone will be happy.

A Different Kind of Conference

 This year conference was different. Usually we spend the night at Mom and Dad's wake up slowly and have a delicious breakfast while we sit around lazily watching conference together. It is something I really look forward to. This year I knew would be different. I knew the men would be gathering for a "brothers reunion" and that the women folk would be left behind. I was really looking forward to spending some quality time with just Mom and I but then I realized that she needed to be with her boys more than me, and I knew I would be fine on my own. Never have I ever spent a night alone. If Jakob ever leaves I usually go to Mom and Dad's. I'm a coward but I'm proud to say I survived and actually enjoyed my time alone. 

I turned on my tablet and watched all four sessions of conference. Hands down my favorite talk was President Uchtdorf's talk on gratitude. That was written just for me I think. 

 While at times taking care of two children 17 months apart was CRAZY. It really wasn't as bad as I had planned. I of course was tried but I really enjoyed being with my babies. Just playing, laughing and loving on them.

 We made lots of messes....

 Duke learned how to climb the stairs. I told him not to fall while I got the camera. We then put the gate back up :)

 He was pretty proud of himself.

 I got a lot of snuggle time in with my babies.

 Duke learned how to drink from a sippy cup (finally!)

 Peanut and I played with A LOT of play doh!

 That smiles melts my heart! Pure joy right there!

 And the boys had a wonderful time! I am so grateful that my husbands family is so close. That they are all willing to sacrifice time and money to spend a weekend together. It was a wonderful weekend for all and we are excited to have Daddy back home. :)

Our Last Day

For our last day together. I took Mom and Dad for a hike out at Red Rock. I don't really know if it could qualify as a hike, we just explored a little bit. It was the first time that they've been there and the weather was perfect. I thought it would be a wonderful way to end their final trip to Vegas.

 Here we go!

I love Red Rock! I really hope I get to hike there a few more times before we move. It is beautiful! 

At first peanut was a little bit shy, so I carried her. I was rather impressed with myself. She isn't exactly a light load.

Opa got the Duke. Opa was a little mountain goat blazing the trail!

Eventually E wanted to explore all on her own. 

Well, with some help from Oma.

Okay... a lot of help. :)

We made it to the top(ish) of the hill and then everyone was ready to head back. 

E was clinging to Oma for dear life while she got a rock taken out of her shoe. 

 

Ethnie was pretty sure she was supposed to ride shot gun. She buckled her seat belt all on her own too. It was pretty cute. Too bad Oma can't fit into her car seat ;).

 We finished of a wonderful day with lunch at Costco. So good! It was so wonderful having my parents visit. I am sad that this was their last time in Vegas while we lived here but I'm excited to explore Nashville with them. Thanks for coming Mom and Dad! You were such a help and we love you so much!