Sunday, July 31, 2011

July

Started out hot and fun in a mud puddle in my parents driveway. When I was a kid we irrigated our lawn. When we did this, my Mom would send all of us outside to play in the HUGE mud puddle that was usually our driveway. We would play in that for hours. Giving us some great time as a family (the neighbors would also join the fun) and my Mom some precious time to herself. Those days are long gone, as my parents now have a sprinkler system. However, each summer we flood the driveway (as well as we can with only a hose) and send the kids out to play. It took very little persuasion from me to get Sam involved in the fun.These girls are a different story. It took about 30 minutes for them to warm up to the idea. It wasn't until I jumped in and started building a dam that they started to see the purpose to it all. Oh! We get to get dirty!?! Once the Moms got involved the girls started to have a much better time.As you can see here... On another morning Elsie started the day off right (at 6:00 a.m., of course) outside. Here she is sporting her "princess" skirt from my sister (which was seldom taken off during the whole month of July), Shoe Shoe (her stuffed puppy), and Cutie Pie (her pink pony). 4th of July parade. Fireworks at the reunion. When they would go off, and make loud noises, Elsie would cover her mouth. Weird. Sam waking up from his nap, and Grandma. Elsie was a stinker when we were trying to get our family picture taken (shown above!), Tyler is trying to get her to laugh here. Which, of course, she does. Great shot of our little guy. A brief glimpse into our future of having a girl, I am sure. Sam splashing in the water.

June!

Here is what happened in June. Make yourselves comfortable. This is going to be a long one.... I went to girls camp this year as the Assistant Camp Director. I loved it, because I got to go, but I wasn't "in charge". It was just the right blend of responsibility and relaxation. I took some good advice from a friend of mine, and made sure I didn't do as good of a job as I could have, in an effort to avoid being called into the YW Presidency. Kidding. I'm kidding, right...? Anyway, we did our hike before we went up to girls camp (weird, I know). Tyler took this picture of me with Sam. We did a pre-hike to make sure it wasn't going to be too difficult for the girls. It was a great evening spent in the Boise foothills. Sam did well in the back pack, and was only a little fussy when we were at the top where the wind was stronger. This is Tyler with Daryl. They are 2 peas in a pod. Daryl is my cousin Emily's husband. He is a lot of fun, and Tyler loves having him around. So do I, of course. Here is Elsie with her cousins eating ice cream. She ADORES these girls. They have a lot of fun together. Sam, playing outside with Elsie & Mommy, waiting for Dad to get home. I like this picture. Elsie chased a squirrel up a tree in the park. She is yelling "Squirrel! Where are you!?!" trying to get it to come back down so she can play with it. At the zoo with Kelli and Co. The girls are taking a snack break here in the stroller. On our way from the zoo, back to the car. Elsie was too tired to walk the remaining 10 feet to the car at this point. Hence the meltdown that ensued as soon as we got her buckled into her car seat.I was making bread, and caught Elsie in the flour bucket. I thought I had taken care of the mess (putting the lid back on the bucket). Only to turn around and find this. Elsie had filled her own "tiny" bowl of flour (just like mommy!), and was sharing it with Sam. Mommy's helper. LOL! When in Rexburg my sister drew kitty faces on all of the kids (and adults). I love this picture of Elsie, because of the way her lips are puckered. The entire time Teresa was painting her face Elsie was puckering up. I have no idea why, other than she wanted to make sure she looked fabulous! Sam playing in the water at Beaver Dick Park. The Snake river is SUPER high this year, so most of the park is flooded. We walked through the water to get to the playground, and he is splashing around. He LOVES water! Elsie and her 2 cousins. That's the update for July. Hope you enjoyed!

Three Amigas

Wow. I can't believe it has been since May since I last updated our blog. I thought I would start the blogging marathon I am about to embark on with a picture of some of my favorite people. Who also happy to be family. Just coincidence? I think not. I am so grateful to have such great friends/family so close to me in Idaho. This was a hot day that we got together to visit, eat food, and splash around in the wading pool. It was a blast.