Lexie's Birthday Weekend

Since we were going to drive out to Utah/Idaho on Lexie's birthday, we started celebrating early. We took the kids to see "Up" at the Cinema Grill. It is a place where you sit at tables, order food & watch movies. The kids didn't care too much for the movie, but they liked their milkshakes.

That evening we had her cousin's over for a little birthday party.

She loved all of the fun presents she got.

On Sunday, we did a little impromptu interview on her final day of being 5.

That night we found her sleeping with her new Koala bear.

She had been telling us for months that on her birthday she wanted to wake up to her room "all partied up" for her birthday. It's a little difficult to have helium balloons last from Saturday until Monday morning, so we improvised & hung them upside-down. She loved it!

Finally, on her birthday, she opened the rest of her presents (after her doctors appointment)!

Here is Lexie reading her birthday presents.

Then, we sang to her & ate a quick cupcake before hitting the road. We had a great birthday weekend with her!

Joseph to the Rescue!

Joseph the Shark Conqueror!

Being the good brother that he is, Joseph decided to protect his sister from all the sharks in our house. And of course he dressed appropriately for the job.

(He looks fierce doesn't he?)

Admit it, you'd run the other way, too!

Our Little Stars Twinkling

Last Sunday Rick caught Lexie & Joseph performing a silly song.

And then Andrew got into the act.

Yet Another Use of Scotch Tape

As you may remember, our kids really like scotch tape. Joseph had this great idea to have a race. He got himself some scotch tape & made a finish line.

We had a great time racing through the house.

We're not sure what he saw that gave him the idea to create a finish line, but we're glad he is so creative.

Lexie's First Pet

On our walk this morning I found Lexie a rolly poly. She has been looking for one she could have as a pet for several days now. In preparation to eventually finding one, she created a home for it, complete with a slide, toys, a rock, leaves, grass, & a mirror. She named her pet, Giselle.

She has been taking such good care of her: talking with her, playing games with her, & even reading her stories.

Lexie & Joseph also wrote great stories about her this morning.

(On a sunny day I have been looking for a role poly. My Mom found one I will show you her room. That is her room. And her name is Jsel. She is black and curved. And my faferite thing about her is that she loves her house.)

(One day we found a rolly poly. We made a house. We made a bed. My favorite part is when she hides.)

Surprisingly enough, even with all of this love, Giselle only lasted a day.

A Little Leaf Race

We had a pretty good afternoon rainstorm. It was really coming down. After the storm passed we went out to play in the puddles & have a little leaf race. Granted, the leaf races we have here are nothing like what Cheryl had growing up living at the top of the hill, but there was still a lot of excitement for the kids.

(And yes, Andrew put Joseph's shoes on all by himself. He was so proud.)

In Protest

This morning Joseph got to shower first. He was less than happy about it. He wanted to be last to get showered. So, in order to show his displeasure, he insisted on wearing his shirt backwards to church. And he did.

He received many compliments on his outfit. But, sometime during the opening prayer he changed it to the right way.

We will consider ourselves very lucky if this is the worst civil disobedience we experience from our kids. But hey, he was creative & we love him!

Happy 4th of July!

We had a great Fourth of July. Rick started off the day with some early morning flag football. Lexie was so excited to wear her "America shirt."

We made some yummy sugar cookies. They were so much fun to decorate.

Rick made his favorite 4th of July treat-flag jello. Today also marked Rick's 12th anniversary from the day he returned from his mission. There is nothing like living missionary rules in a formerly Communist country to gain a deeper appreciation of the freedoms we enjoy in the good ol' US of A.

The kids had a blast playing with pop-its. Andrew thought it was so cool to stomp on them.

We spent the evening with Becca & Karl's family. They had us over for a fun BBQ & some fireworks at their house & then the awesome city show. They were so great that Lexie fell asleep before the show even started & Joseph fell asleep about half-way through & Andrew wouldn't sit still long enough to even watch the fireworks.

We love this country & are grateful for all the wonderful freedoms with which we are blessed.

Going to Work with Daddy

Today was the family picnic day at Rick's work. There was all types of foods, games & bouncy things to play on. What a blast everyone had in the hot, hot sun.

Thanks for having such a fun work, Rick. The kids want to go to work with you everyday.