Happy Birthday America

Next to Christmas, 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays (except I forget that fact until the day actually arrives. I really should do more planning).

Kristine and Kams (before Kams hates fireworks that make noise)

Pretty much the best babysitter EVER! (and this is the look she gives me after I pay her)

WE LOVE STASIA! I don't know what we are going to do without her!!

Babysitter-in-training? Karsten

S'more what?

this is what happens when your sister tries to "share" a s'more

What a good daddy!

Sweet Eden

jack and carly

Apparently Gracie can do the monkey bars, FOR REALS! ALL THE WAY ACROSS! That is HARD! (I tried it and sadly cannot make it across)

oh yum!

"helping" clean the pool

only in OR do you need a fire for warmth on July 4th! The high temp for the day? 66 degrees.

LOVED the celebrations. She would clap, as her sisters hid under the blankets (yep it really was cold) at the fireworks. What a fun weekend! Thanks friends for sharing it with us!

Where does she get it?

it must be from lance's side.

I have to share a story just for journaling sake. Last night we had Family Home Evening about Christ loving everyone, and being kind. We talked about how the girls could be kind to their friends, as well as each other, and they both were being stinker pots and not really listening and definitely NOT sitting anywhere near still. Today we went to a small play group and I couldn't believe what happened. Gracie went first to a boy (that she had troubles with the last time we went) and offered him her toy that she had brought from home, and said, "I thought you would like to play with my soccer ball and we could share." I was taken back at her kindness and made sure I reinforced the good behavior. Then Kami and a friend were fighting over a baby stroller. I suggested she take a turn and then let her friend take a turn and she said, "Ok, you're turn" and gave the baby stroller up without taking a turn! Then, it happened with a second friend and she gave the baby stroller up AGAIN! I can't believe how sweet they can be at times. I have the most wonderful little girls and I am so thankful I am their mother.

When it rains it POURS!

You know the feeling when you know something is going wrong because your kids are quiet? I had a quick little inspiration to check on Syd the other day and she had gotten into the canned food cabinet. She was covered in marshmallow, which was the least of my worries because she was also covered in glass! Thank goodness marshmallow creme is so thick and gooey. She had glass all over her hand, mouth, and legs, but was so coated she only had a small nick in her leg that bled.

So, I tossed her in the bath fully clothed and supervised by Grace. I know, totally responsible parent to have your 3 year old watch your 1 year old in the bath, but I had to get the glass off the floor so the two year old didn't play in it while everyone else was busy.

IF you happen to live in Portland and IF it happened to be a sunny day, we were not out. BUMMER for the short summer break!

I can only imagine a cool story to tell about how I got injured...cause the real one isn't that interesting. Basically, I missed going down a step at the movie theater and tried to catch Lance on my way down, and because I was reaching straight out with my left arm, I jarred my shoulder really good (So good, in fact that I wasn't able to move it the next day, AT ALL )! Went to the chiro clinic, and I was probably an intern's dream come true: a complex case, x-rays, and a "fun" diagnosis: HADD

"FUN" meaning that I couldn't use my arm, couldn't sleep, and had a rough time taking care of the girls. I couldn't lift them at all! I got all Kinesiotaped up (see below), got an arm sling, and went about my business healing.

Lucky for me, I had a wisdom tooth extraction scheduled for Monday. (The lucky part being I got pain meds, so I could sleep! YAY!!)

In the meantime, poor Sydney got 3 teeth, THREE!!!! (and two more should be making an entrance this weekend).

Also in the meantime, Kami had two nights where upon pure inspiration we checked on her when she was choking and had puked all over her bed. And then took a nasty spill when the lip of the counter she was leaning on gave way and she hit one side of her face on the way down, and the other side on the ground. One bruised cheek, and ear later....

Poor Lance, he spent his off-time of break taking care of me and the girls. I only wished we could have traveled and explored more of the city/state. But I am so happy the girls are happy and healthy, and even more happy that I have gained back almost all of my range of motion in about a week, thanks to a Priesthood blessing and having a good doc(s) around. Now, on to Quarter 11 (of 12) with the last of Lance's actual classes. One more quarter of full days, then half-days and the home stretch!!

Father's Day 2010

I have the best husband in the world! He does so much for our family. He is always taking care of us. WE LOVE YOU SWEETIE! You are my hero.

A random smattering of pictures

these are all from within the last month...I think. Enjoy!

Pit Stop

So we made a small pit stop on the way to AZ. I couldn't help driving by Disneyland and NOT stopping! We had a rough start to the trip with puke in the first 30 minutes. A stop to clean up at Subway, and a dose of Dramamine later, we were on our way. It took us 16+ hours to get to Anaheim, and NONE of us slept. We got to the hotel at 6AM!!!! We look a couple of hours to nap and get breakfast and hit the park by 10AM. I went ALONE with the girls to give Lance a chance to sleep a bit more. He met up with us a couple of hours later. We had such a blast. I haven't done Disneyland "kid style", aka no scary or fast rides, in a long time. Lance took the little girls back to the hotel to nap and G and I ran around and got as many rides in as possible. She had a hard time understanding why we had to wait so long to get on, but we made up games, and made silly faces, and had photo shoots, so it was a good time. We exited the park just before the fireworks started and got in our jammies and started the drive home. We had the perfect view of the fireworks from our car! We drove through the night AGAIN! We made it to Gilbert around 4AM, but leg of the trip all the girls slept soundly. We were so grateful for such a fun and safe 22+ hour drive.

Look Who's Two

It took quite a while to train her fingers to make a 2, but she got it.

WARNING: BRAG BLOG FOLLOWING

Kamryn has definitely been acting like a two year-old for quite awhile now, but she is now officially in the "terrible" phase of her toddler years. We are so happy with our Kamy-girl, and she has turned into such a sweetie lately, in addition to her terribleness. She is such a thoughtful little girl, always making sure everyone is included, and that owies are getting kissed. Her newest favorite things are giving high fives for things she thinks are cool (such as throwing things in the trash, going to the bathroom, or finding her blankie) with an accompanying "Gimme five!" along with it, and saying "I have no idea". She is still a great sleeper, sleeping all the way through the night, even when she rolls right off of the bed onto the floor. Her and Gracie are sharing a room now(bunk beds), which is ....interesting, and we laugh our heads off hearing Kams and Gracie argue about who the boss is and who needs to go to sleep first. I am very proud at how strong a personality she is, not just being a follower, but also doing things that she wants to do, even if it is by herself. I know that her strong personality will probably come back to bite us in the rears later in life, but I am so happy for a strong-willed girl who can stand up for herself, which is such an admirable attribute in all women, and seems to be lacking in the younger generation of our day. She loves Dora and Diego, and Signing Time, and is still a good signer, especially when she feels her point is not being made clearly. Kams- we love you so much, and are so glad you are in our family.

L

SURPRISE

I got another tooth! FINALLY one top tooth has poked it's way through, we are now at a total of 3.

And here is the "photo shoot " promised. We had time to kill before Dad came home from clinic so I pulled out the camera, and this is what we got.

(still no official steps yet)

Lou, you are not going to be happy

Dear Celynda and anyone else who cares to read the blog,

I left my memory card in AZ. Please don't be mad. So here are shots from our family photo shoot in February, and I did a "photoshoot" while we were stuck at home all day without a car. The In-Law's promise to upload my pics soon...

My apologies,

-em

heatherwardphotography.com

Give-a-way (pronounced with much expression)

I really can't help myself. Who wouldn't want to win something! see here for details.