Emily's 6th Birthday

Emily turned 6 on July 20th. We had a fun stretched out birthday week. On her actual birthday we started the day with her request for breakfast in bed . Pink (strawberry) milk, waffles with strawberry syrup with strawberries and blueberries. Aaron spilled the pink milk on her sheets and breakfast then moved to the kitchen.




Next item of business was opening a present, Ashley's came first. It was a barbie with 3 pet dogs- "Potty Training Puppies Barbie." The dogs get filled up with water from a bottle and then they 'pee' on the special newspaper which changes color when it's wet. What grossed me out later was seeing both Emily and Aaron walking around with the toy newspapers in the their mouth with pee and poop colors on it. I know it's fake, but it's the idea of putting dog poo in their mouths.

For her family party day Emily wanted to go to Kangaroo Zoo, and after lunch we headed out. Kangaroo Zoo is an indoor bounce house warehouse. There are 12 different jumping castle types and they have another section for black lights miniature golf. We ordered pizza for dinner and all 3 kids had a great time.

Aaron loved doing his thing, which included taking cups off of the cup rack.

We came back and opened presents from the grandmas. Thank you grandmas! The girls played with the new hot tub polly pockets for a while.

For her dessert we opted for a cupcakes and ice cream night because we would do cake for her later.

Aaron and Bryan having a great time feeding Aaron his otter-pop popsicle.

We finished the night with a pinata Emily made at a summer preschool. We hung it over the swingset. The whole process took 10+ minutes to break open her paper sack with 10 candies in it. We're lounging on the deck in the backyard eating nerds and calling it a good day.

We had a family party with the Fosters on Sunday the 25th and got some fun presents and a yummy cake. We had 5 Fosters plus extra guests Sarah and Tyler on their road trip and Tiffany's dog Scout (my girls adore her).

Emily's friend party was the next week on the 26th. We did a combined outdoor birthday party with our friend/ neighbor Nathan Moultrie who turned 5. We had 11 kids, 3 adults and some tears. We had 'Spiderman' and 'Hello Kitty' cakes and pirate themed games. We drew pirate body art, had a treasure hunt, got wet and had some fun.

I have to say I am a little surprised at my over protective feelings of Emily growing up and leaving for school soon. Right now we are considering part time home school as an option for next year.

Super dad

This is Bryan and the kids playing in our backyard last night. He loves playing around with our (his) new camera with the tripod and now remote control.

Sunday at our House

Sunday July 12th

After church doing some coloring. Emily apparently is ready for a break with that expression.

Aaron is the man on the run. This boy is going places and fast. He started walking at 10 months and is now running at 13 months. He loves to find new things and put them in his mouth. He gets a big smile when you chase him to take it away. Here Ashley has dressed him as her baby doll. He loves to go outside (in his new sandals Pedipeds- I love 'em) and usually heads first for his bike, then the wagon and then rock pile where he picks up a rock and up and promptly sticks it in his mouth. He loves all our neighborhood kids who come to play.

Ashley successfully getting Aaron to put the toy bottle in his mouth. She loves being in charge in him, sometimes to a fault. He howls at her and lets me know when he needs help. But there is no other kid he loves more. Both my girls are so sweet to him. The do not like him in their polly pocket world, but they adore being with him.

Playing a called Four Corners in the street in front of out house. I love that we live in a cul-de-sac!

Farmers Market

Saturday July 10th we went to Pioneer Park in downtown SLC to the Farmers' Market. We went last year too and loved it. Here was some of our fun.

Sunscreen on before we left.

Joining in the with the hippies as they demo their hula and drum skills for tips.

African food that Bryan gladly passed on to me- boiled spinach, rice, red sauce on chicken. This was after my yummy pulled pork sandwich I shared with the kids.

Emily with her mad monkey bar skills. She learned last year during recess and is quite good.

Ashley's beautiful genuine smile. The hand is telling dad to get that camera out my face!

Bry turns himself into the photo subject. This picture is so beautiful. My two girls laughing and climbing on their amazing daddy.

The girls played on the playground with Bry while Aaron and I shopped for cherries, cookies, and slurpies. Bryan pushed them on the swings so long they finally said, "Dad we're done swinging." (that's a first). Here they are playing follow the leader.

Aaron is generally the man of mischief. A lot of the day he was carried around in a hiker backpack but let him out and he is running! Here he has a mischievous look in his eye as he decides mid-run to turn and head towards dad with the camera. He and his shirt loved his blueberry-orange smoothie.

The reason I love the Farmer's Market so much is for the colors, smells and sights of people who are different than me. Living in Davis County too long does strange things to me and I like to be reminded of people's uniqueness. The good food and cool music and dance shows are bonuses.

Camping part 2

After the kids were all asleep Bryan and I went for walk and looked at stars. We went to bed around midnight. Baby Aaron didn't last the night. He woke up at 1:30 a.m. I put him on my chest to warm up, but no. All my camping worst fears were confirmed when our crying baby needed his bed and nothing else was going to be enough. I drove home in the middle of the night. After a lonely 45 minute drive and warming up in our own beds, Aaron and I went to bed (again) at 3 a.m.

Back at camp the girls woke up cold at 5 a.m. Bryan got them re-situated and everyone slept for a while longer. Notice the pink pillow on the bottom right of the pic. That's where Emily slid to during the night. And my tan colored sleeping bag which Bryan used to cover the girls after I left had also slid down.

Bryan was really excited be awake after his long night.

Bryan and ladies needed a ride home so Aaron and I drove back out the next morning for more camping fun.

We had pancakes for breakfast. We went on a hike and saw a snake. We walked to the river and enjoyed watching the fishermen and the people floating down in tubes.

In the end: Gorgeous days with nice weather, happy kids who said they never wanted to leave, and the knowledge that Aaron will need some practice camping in our backyard before we camp far away again.

Camping Part 1

Thursday July 8th we set off for our first camping trip as a whole family since Aaron was born. We went to Perception Park in Ogden canyon. Bryan chose it because it advertised a playground. It was about 45 minutes from home, we got there around 6 pm and were set up by 7 pm. We had a fire and toasted hot dogs and marshmallows and warmed a baby bottle with our fire.
Still hungry for more marshmallows and chocolate.
Aaron opted for a stick for his dessert. We had a fun night together. Nighttime was colder than Bryan thought it would be. The girls snuggled in their sleeping bags around 10. Aaron in his pack-n-play did not go to sleep easily even though he was in feety pjs and he fell asleep in Bryan's arms around 11pm.

Our new camera

Bryan wanted to buy a new camera. I conceded after realizing that my joys with my kids now are what is going to keep me smiling and no better way to help me remember than taking lots of good pics. From the first day July 7th.
Aaron just waking up from his nap by a mean dad who is now an avid photographer.
In the kitchen
Snuggling up for a story