Summer Sunday

Darling coordinating outfits provided by Gma Sans.  Photogenic talent comes straight from Mom. 

Fun at Jordanelle

We had a great evening up at Jordanelle with Pops and Sans and our kiddos.  It was Ethan's first time on a boat and he loved it!

My in-laws took the girls up a few hours before Jonny and I got there.  London jumped right in the water and Addy was a bit more timid.  Addy told me that London was a "good example" to her so then she was able to get in too. 

Pops found some nice water and Jonathan and I were able to have our first ski of the season. 

Addy doing her best cowgirl impression.  Yeehaw!

Ethan was loving it!

Thanks Pops and Sans for a wonderful summer evening full of wonderful memories!

Riverton Town Days Parade

My sister was the "float chairperson" for her stake this year which was a huge undertaking.  We missed seeing it at our local Herriman Days parade due to our camping excursion, so we headed out to neighboring Riverton and crashed their parade to see it. 

The kiddos with candy bags ready

It was hot and Ethan was tired, but he was a good sport

Love this pic

Two and half hours later, clearly they were saving the best for last.

Great job Dani! 

2nd Annual Fourth of July Neighborhood Bike Parade

We spent the night before decorating the girls bikes and helmets getting them ready for the annual bike parade. 

Mr. Patriotic

Addy & London with our cute neighbors Max & Luke

We gathered at the fire station and then rode through our neighborhood to a church closeby for donuts and juice.  Last year they had the fire department come and spray everyone with their hose;  however, this year they were too busy fighting fires.  Maybe next year.

Addy's Big Week

Addy hasn't been too interested in taking the training wheels off her bike.  I think the main reason is because she hasn't felt too much peer pressure to do so.  Her BFF Megan still had training wheels on her bike, so what was the rush?  Jonathan tried to teach her last year but it was a failure.  He ended up with a sore back and a sassy 4-year-old telling him he was doing everything wrong. 

We had just come home from the pool for the night when Addy noticed Megan outside trying to ride a little two-wheeler bike around.  Addy asked to give it a try.  Before I knew it, she was riding down the street on this teeny tiny bike.  Give this girl a little bit of peer pressure or competition and she will thrive.  Jonathan got out his tools, pulled the training wheels off her bike (which also looks a bit small) and she was off! 

She was so excited!  When we came inside for the night she asked if we could put up posters all around the neighborhood saying "Addy Can Ride a Two Wheeler!"   I told her I'd put it on the blog instead for all to see. 

A week later we headed up to Jordanelle with Pops and Sans for a little evening boating fun.  Much to my surprise, Addy said "yes" when asked if she wanted to try waterskiing.  Again, didn't have much interest until Gma Sans started telling her about her other cousins who had done it.  So, I got out in the water with her, much like my Mom did when I was trying to learn.  The only difference was Addy popped up the first time and was off!  Thank goodness for smart people who invented a much easier beginning ski system. 

Way to go Addy!  She held on and on and on.  Once she dropped and was wrapped in a towel in the boat, the first thing she said was, "Can we do that again with the cousins?"  

(Pics taken from the flip camera, so they are not the clearest, but document the momentous occasion nonetheless)

Hogle Zoo

The forecast was for a lovely 80 degree day, so we jumped at the chance to hit the zoo and toted our fun neighbors along too.  It seemed that everyone else in the valley had the same idea.  There was no parking and when I asked the attendant what was going on she said, "Um, it's summer."  Oh.  Guess I'm usually more of a spring/fall kinda zoo gal.  Skip the sweltering heat, the sleeping animals, and the crowds.  Must be my Dad's daughter.

Waiting for the bird show which never disappoints.

The back row proved to be quite an exciting place to sit as the birds flew right over our heads many times.

At the new Rocky Shores exhibit and the girls with their best "bear" impressions. 

Ethan was thrilled.

I often think I could just drive to the South Towne Mall and hit the carousel and my girls would be just as happy as going to the zoo.  They don't stop asking when they can ride it until we do.  London remembered from last time that she wanted to ride the lady bug and ran around until she found it.

Addy picked the ever popular snow leopard.  I think she picked it because Megan wanted it (nice friend) but luckily the cheetah next door opened up and they were able to ride next to each other both with smiles on their faces. 

London's First Dance Class

These pictures were taken from the "Parent Viewing Window" outside, so they've got a funky glare.

We decided to switch dance studios this fall, so I put the girls in a 5-week summer series in order to make a smooth transition (mostly for Addy, but London ALWAYS wants to go to "dance closs" so she joined the fun).  The studio told me that summer would be a better time because it's less crowded.  So, I was a bit disappointed when there were NINETEEN little 3 and 4 year olds in this class.  I emailed them and within a week the class was split.  Now that's good service!

 So, with NINETEEN girls, all being there first dance class, you can imagine the mob of proud moms outside this window.  It was quite comical actually.  It was this teeny hallway that was so hot and stuffy and we were all crammed in there trying to find our one daughter in the masses.  There were lots of funny jokes related to that TV show, "Dance Moms." 

Ethan: Five Months Old

Ethan is by far my biggest, happiest, squishiest baby!  On my scale he's pushing 17 pounds.  Addy weighed 19 pounds at 1 year.  He's a big buddy!

He's rolling all over the place and now that he is traveling as he rolls...the bed is no longer safe.  He still gets mad if he gets stuck on his belly too long, but has now learned to just keep on rolling.  He's sleeping great, usually in bed by 9 and gets up around 4 for a feeding and then goes right back until 7 or 8. 

He's got a great widow's peak that is only accented by his silly facial expressions.  He has just a bit of white blond peach fuzz on his head, not much more. 

I started him on some delicious rice cereal.  I really don't like entering the baby food stage but this kid was nursing or getting a bottle way too often and the solids have definitely helped. 

He loves his sisters, or anyone who will smile and talk to him. 

He is a splashing fool in the tub and likes to turn his head just enough to get some big gulps of water.

His legs are super strong and likes to stand stiff legged on my lap. 

He still has his 2 teeth and is always gumming his lips together like an old man with dentures. 

He has been in the pool twice and didn't love it, but the second time was better than the first. 

We love this little guy!

Dairy Days at Thanksgiving Point

We headed down to Thanksgiving Point for Dairy Days with the Williamson Girls

First, they had to throw the ring on the steer

Next, we shook cream to make butter

Then, we went on a carriage ride

Ethan liked it

Then, the girls rode the cow train

And last, the girls rode ponies

I have been blessed with some of the best neighbors in the world.  I feel so lucky that my girls have such great friends so close.   

Addy's Kindergarten Graduation

Addy has loved her kindergarten class at Montessori.  They had a program at the pavilion at Butterfield Park where different kids represented different continents.  Addy was Europe.  Thanks to our friends the LeBaron's for sharing their authentic German dress (Carrie...what's it called?). 

Addy had some awesome faces during her program. 

She had her part memorized and said, "There are eight planets in our huge solar system and they all revolve around the sun."  The only problem was the sounds system was so bad and the pavilion so big that we couldn't hear a darn thing.  Oh well, she looked cute. 

Ms. Edvik

Ms. Linda

Ms. Sara

Gma Cozy & Gma Sans

London wanted to have the same hair as Addy

Gpa Barney & Pops

Noticeably absent was Jonathan who couldn't get out of school for the night, but luckily had the grandparents support in full force to make up for it.  Thanks for coming all the way out!  It made Addy's night!

After a few attempts, I was able to get Addy bumped up to first grade instead of having to repeat kindergarten due to her September birthday.  She is thrilled to start school at the end of July and be able to ride the bus, eat lunch at school, and stay the entire day!