Introducing....

the newest member of the Blue Man Group!

The blue from the popscile stained his hands and mouth for a few hours. It was a riot!

Playing with the big boys!

Our dear friends, the Trokey's, were in town the last couple of weeks and we had the opportunity to spend the whole day with them on Tuesday. Their boys, Trevor, Johnny, and Channing, used to come to our house many evening when they lived here and played X-box with Scott. They had a rematch and Johnny FINALLY beat Scott...such an accomplishment. Noah is learning how to play with the big boys now.

Happy Birthday USA!

Happy 4th of July! We celebrated this blessed country this year working around our house, BBQing at the local park with church friends and family, and watching fireworks with our friends, the Claysons.

Noah was a trooper on a VERY long and eventful day.

(Chloe, Cavan, and Noah)

Growing veggies and a love of reading

Last night Scott and I harvested our first produce from our new garden! We went out to check on the garden at about 10:00pm and then proceeded to pick our first produce...in the dark...with a flashlight. Noah helped pick some more this morning for his GG and our friends the Clayson's. The garden is really taking off!

Toddler Story Time is still a big hit in Noah's world. I've been taking him since he was about 4 months old and his love of books is awesome. He'd rather read a book than just about anything. Toddler Time is always a blast watching him interacting with all the other kids.

Rodeo Fun = Exhaustion

We all had a blast at the Reno Rodeo this week. The whole family went on Thursday and Friday. Becki (Scott's mom) and Christopher (Scott's brother) came down from Susanville and spent a couple days with us. We took some family pictures but I'm still learning to use my new camera and they didn't turn out.

My boys are sure adorable though.

The rodeo has lasted to about 10:30pm the last couple nights and Noah is feeling quite exhausted. He started his afternoon nap a little early today...I just had to share.

Our beginning to present

Rodeo and Racing...a Bell and Boutcher Tradition!

Wow, have we been busy! This beautiful Nevada weather has gotten us all out of the house and enjoying the great outdoors. We've been fishing, walking at the marina, and building garden boxes for Noah's first garden.

It's been a joy watching Noah truly playing outside this summer and getting into EVERYTHING. My theory on mothering "If my kid is dirty and tired at the end of the day I've done a good job." It's wonderful watching him experience the blessing that God has so richly given us in this life.

We've been spending quite a bit of time at my parents house with the horses, dogs, and our most recent discovery....the backhoe. Dad taught him how to move the bucket up and down although he still doesn't quite have enough strength to do it himself. As soon as we drive up to their house now he makes a b-line straight for his new play toy.

We bought a season pass to Wild Waters this summer and have been going about 2 days a week. I met an amazing stay-at-home Mom friend, Crystal, and her wonderful children a couple months back and they've been going with us. Her youngest, Cavan, is only 4 days younger than Noah so they've become great playmates. Also, Samantha Brunson, a girl from church stayed with Noah and I during the day the last couple weeks. Noah's becoming quite the water baby!

Not only has the water park been a big hit, but he's been working on his racing...much to his father's approval.

Scott and I went to Sonoma last weekend for my first NASCAR Cup race! It was a blast! We went to practice and a California series on Saturday and then the Cup series on Sunday.

Unfortunately, Tony Steward didn't have the time to come and visit me personally....but that didn't stop me from giving his cutout a little love.

Meanwhile, back in Nevada Noah enjoyed a weekend full of Rodeo. The Reno Rodeo is this week and and he dressed the part. Mom took him to the parade on Saturday morning and he rode around like a big boy with Grandpa Randy. They took him to the rodeo on Sunday night and he's now a big fan of the Wildest, Richest, Rodeo in the West! We're going again on Thursday and Friday and I'm make sure to take some pictures. He's just the cutest cowboy I've ever seen!