Fireworks!

This 4th of July, we went over to Mike's brother's house in Redlands. They live right next to the University of Redlands, where they put on a great show. We were able to see the awesome planes and parachuters as well as the fireworks show. We had decided to try and get a little closer, so we walked across the street and layed out our blanket on the corner of the school on a patch of grass. Right in the middle of the fireworks, we hear "pisssssst".........and then the sprinklers came on. It was pretty funny. We moved pretty fast so we weren't that wet. We just moved over into the parking lot and finished watching the show. We had a great time.

The kids were able to do some sparklers before the show started. This was Addison's first time with them. She seemed to like it after she did her first one.



My kids had fun playing with their cousins and the other kids that were there. They ate to their hearts content and I think we all had a nice 4th of July!

Having Fun with my Camera!

We were at my mother-in-law's house and I was having fun with my camera. I got some fun shots of Camden jumping off Mike's shoulders. Just thought I would share them with you!

Our Art Project

This is a great book for kids (and adults!) I decided to have a little art project to go along with it. The kids love to paint so we painted our own versions of the Rainbow Fish.

Camden loves art projects and did an excellent job. Maybe he will be an artist someday (much safer then a police officer!)

Carissa did great! She has started really trying to color and paint actual pictures instead of scribbles.

The kids wanted me to paint with them and I had fun with it too. They were so sweet....they kept praising me and complementing me on my picture.

What do you do when it is too hot to do anything?

Well....I don't really have a good answer to that but here are some things my kids found to do while being kept hostage in our house.

Addison LOVES to color. She will just pull out the crayons and paper and lay down and color for quite a while (which is something for a 22 month old!)

Camden was so bored that he went out and got the microscope and started putting all kinds of things under the lens. Some of the things I saw him put under were chips, a white napkin and a penny. Hey, it was entertainment, right?

Carissa got Mike to play The Crazy Mixed Up Zoo game with her. In fact, we have played a lot of games today because as of right now, it is 107 degrees outside. Needless to say....thank goodness for air conditioning!!!!

To My Hubby on Father's Day

Mike is the best father my kids could ever ask for. He plays with them ALL the time. The minute he awakes, they are asking him to play. He is so involved in every aspect of their life and I must say, it is nice knowing that he loves my kids in the exact way that I do. It makes it easy to tell him all the little stuff they do that I think is cute and knowing that he can appreciate it as much as I do! Does that make any sense? He is amazing. He helps me out a LOT! He knows that I would go insane without him. He keeps me strong and makes me laugh every chance he can. He is calm and never in a bad mood. He is loyal and loving. He is my best friend.

Happy Father's Day to the man of my dreams. I love you honey!

Happy Father's Day!!

My father has to be the best dad on this planet. He really is! He has been there by my side every step I have ever taken.....and not just for me, but for Mike and all of my kids. We know that no matter the time or day, he will be there if we need him. He is one of the hardest workers I know. My kids already know that he can fix just about anything. Not only is he an amazing father but he is also an awsome grandfather. He will watch any and all of his grandkids, no problem. He loves them just as much as we love them.

I was not able to take a recent picture with my father on Father's Day like I had planned because he was out of state, so this will have to do. I love this picture with him anyway.

Dad, you are the best and I love you more than words can ever express. Thanks for all you do for your family!

Build-A-Bear Workshop

There were two things that Carissa wanted to do on her birthday. One was to go to build-a-bear and "build" a bunny rabbit and the other was to get something from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. So...that's just what we did.

She knew exactly which animal she wanted. It was a cute, fluffy bunny.
She got to push the pedal down while the worker put stuffing in the bunny.
Then she picks up a heart, makes a wish, and puts it inside before the bunny is stitched up.
Then off to the washing tub.

They step on a pedal to make air come out of the pretend faucets, while brushing their new animals. Have to make them pretty!
Last, they name them and get a printed out birth certificate. Carissa named her bunny, Sparkles because the fur has sparkles in it.
Carissa and Sparkles, both dressed like princesses!

And of course, the second half of her request......the huge chocolate peanut butter cup. I couldn't believe how big it was!

She actually ate almost half of that huge thing, which is more than I thought she would! She says that she had a good birthday and it did seem like she enjoyed herself.

Princess Carissa

So for Carissa's birthday we put on one of her new princess dresses and some of her new accessories and even a little bit of makeup and took her to the mall. She thought she was pretty special, being able to dress up and put on big girl makeup (as she calls it).

Carissa looked so pretty!! It was fun getting her all princessed up.

Happy Birthday Carissa!

My little girl turned 4 on June 10th. I can't believe it. First thing in the morning, she opened her gifts. She couldn't wait.

This year, Camden wrapped Carissa's present that he gave her.
He was so proud of his wrapping job. He gave her something called a "hair ball." It is what Carissa calls a spikey ball.....which anyone who knows her, knows that is her favorite toy above all else. So, she was pretty excited about getting that for her birthday from her big brother.
When the girls and I were in Arizona visiting my best friend, Addie, her little girl Eliana had lots of dress up clothes. Carissa was in heaven playing with it all. So Mike and I decided to get her a bunch of dress up clothes for her birthday.

She was so excited about all the new dress up stuff.

Water Babies

The weather has been very nice lately and so my kids have been enjoying playing outside, especially if there is water involved! They all love being in the spa. The water was about 92 degrees, which was perfect for them. It felt somewhere between a pool and a spa; not too hot, not too cold!

Addison knows how to float with floaties now, so she thinks she is pretty hot stuff!
I thought this picture made Camden look like he was way older than he is! Handsome boy!

I asked Carissa to pose for me and these two pictures are her version of posing!