Our Pioneer Children Sweat as They Sat!

Nope, no singing and very little walking! We went to our Stake's Pioneer Day parade on Saturday. Lots of fun, sugar and heat! My favorite part was Lexi and I playing in the water while the fire department next door sprayed everyone off. Tim said it looked like they were trying to stop a riot or protest! The girls enjoyed all the treats. Tim was the best on the stilts. And now I'll let the pictures say the rest...

Thank You Library!

The girls have all ready finished their summer reading program and they got some of the coolest prizes! For finishing their summer reading logs they both got free Ben and Jerry's ice cream and a free visit to a big "bounce house" place that Audrey now calls Bounce World. We decided to use all of our coupons on Friday and had a really fun girls day out. As normal Lexi was a bit more adventuresome than her big sis (the pink spec on top of the huge slide is Lexi, she climbed it herself) but we all had a great time. And as the pictures show it was a very exhausting day. Audrey now wants to do this same thing every Friday. We are so lucky to have such an awesome library to do such a great program. I wish they had winter, fall and spring reading programs too!

Happy Birthday Tim... Take Two

Tim's birthday was Tuesday and the girls and I had the evening all planned out. They made cards for him and we would surprise him with his favorite dessert (coconut cream pie) after dinner. I even made the pie myself! Before Tim could enjoy his evening with the girls he had to pick his car up from the shop, again. As we were eating dinner the phone rings, it's the bishop for Tim. Apparently there was a meeting he forgot to tell Tim about (he's just been called as Executive Secretary). Tim stuffs what food he can fit in his mouth, puts his tie back on and he's gone. Audrey was very upset that our plans were cancelled so I let the girls stay up and wait for Daddy. When he finally got home it was time to put the girls straight to bed. The next morning Audrey decided it could be Daddy's birthday again on Wednesday. I didn't tell her that he already opened cards and ate some of his pie. But that night we lit a candle, although Audrey thought he needed all 28 on the pie, and sang to him. Turns out Audrey hated the pie and wouldn't eat it. Lexi loved it, but we think she's allergic to the coconut. That's all right, more for Tim! In the end I think Tim enjoyed his birthday and he loved the artwork the girls made for him. We love you Daddy/Tim! Blowing out his candle

The Artists making Dads cards

The 4th

This was our first Fourth of July by ourselves. No Grass Valley Parade or laying out on a blanket watching the fireworks. Even though it was very different than anything I'm used to, it was fun starting some of our own traditions and enjoying something new with the girls. Our ward had a flag raising ceremony (inside) and pancake breakfast. That was nice, and it meant I didn't have to cook or clean up in the morning! When we got home we made ice cream. When Audrey saw me heating the milk on the stove she was pretty sure I was doing it all wrong. But by the end of the day it was ready, and REALLY good!

After we rested a while and the ice cream was ready for the freezer we took the girls to the pool. It was so busy, but well worth it on a 100 plus day. Since taking swim classes the girls are both really comfortable in the water. But, no doubt about it; Lexi is our risk taker and Audrey our risk assessor. Lexi was going down the little water slides and climbing in play tubes while Audrey was staying where she felt she had a bit more control. Audrey was very cooperative, posing in the pool, while Lexi was too fast in the water to try to take a pic. When it finally got dark enough we took the girls outside and did some fireworks of our own. Lexi loved the little"Pop-its" that you throw and really got the hang of it. She also enjoyed the sparklers, but always wanted to hold them from the wrong end. While everything was just too loud for Audrey she finally admitted "well it is kind of beautiful". Tim got some of his own fireworks to play with too and we could even see some big ones from the casinos close by.
Even though we missed everyone that has become part of our Independence Day routine it really was nice to do something new and hopefully start some new traditions that the girls will remember when they are older.