Matching Dresses

My mom helped me make these cute "pillowcase" dresses for the girls when she was here last. They turned out so cute and I felt very crafty!

Too bad the girls weren't as pleased with modeling them as I was at having sewn them.

PIck your own!

Saturday we went as a family to Butlers Orchard to pick our own cherries and blueberries. It was such a fun family activity. We took a tractor ride across the orchard to the cherries and blueberries and then just got to roam and pick at our leasure. The cherries were pretty sour and more difficult to pick but the kids had a blast picking the blueberries. We plan on going back this week since after only 2 days, all the blueberries are gone.

Hot Maryland Afternoons

This just might be my favorite picture of the summer so far. Neelah trying to drink from the sprinkler. She definitely doesn't get her tongue from me!

My Grandma Lois used to make my sister and I take pictures in our swimsuits every summer we went to visit in Las Vegas. I used to hate them. But now it is too cute for me to pass up.

The kids thought it was hillarious to do the "bum dance" in the sprinkler. I thought it was hillarious to watch.

Growing Up

Growing up is never easy. Especially when your mom takes away your "Lovey". Before anyone calls Child Protective Services on me, I didn't actually take it away. I just banned it from leaving the bed. No more falling in muddy puddles, loosing it in Costco or Finn using it as some sort of ransom while we are all in the car. These tears only lasted one day and then it was just fine that "Lovey" takes a "happy nappy" while we go play. (For the record, the elastic rope didn't stay there all night. I wouldn't intentionally provide a choking hazard for my child.)

I remember what it feels like to be without that one security item...my grandma stole my blankie from me. It was in rags and she did give it back to me when I got married but it was still tormenting.

Summer Carnival

While Mom was here last week, we went to the local Lion's Club Carnival. What a way to blow lots of money! Aside from that, it was a lot of fun.

When Finn and Neelah rode the little rollercoaster, this is how it began. Both of them had huge smiles. By the end, Neelah was crying. When they got off the train, she was laughing again and acting so excited. Crazy girl.

On the ferris wheel, Finn rode with Eric and loved it. Before we actually went to the Carnival, it was the only ride he could see from the car when we drove by. He kept talking about the "Ferris Wheel" and then of course Neelah the mimic chimed in on just how excited she was to ride the Ferris Wheel.

She didn't feel that same excitement when she was actually riding it.

Finn started off on the Swings but didn't know if he liked it while actually riding.

Dinner with the Missionaries

We have had the Elders over for dinner quite a few times since moving here. I love that part about living outside of Utah...the opportunity to REALLY develop relationships with the missionaries. The last 2 weeks Finn and Neelah have insisted on putting the Elders shoes on and carrying Books of Mormon around the house. It is pretty classic really. Now all they need to do is sing "I hope they call me on a mission" while stomping around the house.

I love my kids.

In the yard

We have a small break in the rain this weekend. Today and tomorrow and then all next week it is supposed to rain again. Who knew it rained this much in Maryland?? Eric took advantage of the rainless weather and finished the electric dog fence. HALLELUJAH!! Maile is getting too brave for her own good around here. Of course Finn and Neelah had to tag along to "train" Maile to her boundaries. Finn counted all the flags.

Here are a few pics of our developing birds. The above shot was taken 3 days ago and the below was taken just this morning. Their eyes are open and they have feathers already! I will be so sad when I go to look at them and they have all flown off to live their own lives. Maybe tomorrow they will start "cheep"-ing.

Aunt April and Uncle Nate

April and Nate took the kids across the street to visit our neighbors the horses. They even let the kids feed the horses a slice of apple...without asking the owners first! Naughty April and Nate! We loved having them visit!

They did a great job vying for the "favorite aunt and uncle" by giving all the kids presents. Hunter and Finn got shooting airplanes which promptly got stuck in the trees. The girls got these hand mirrors that they got to decorate with jewels and glitter.

April was very patient in helping Kinney, Neelah and Riley with their stickers. The gifts were hits!

More D.C. Pictures

Too bad Eric wasn't able to meet us until later in the day! This is such a classic picture that shows my kids and their personalities. Neelah of course has her glasses on, Finn is making some sort of Elvis face, and Savvy is just happy to be along for the ride.

When we passed this quote at the end of the WWII memorial, I just had to have a picture of it. It hit me so hard and the impression it left with me was one of what it was like for me while Eric was in Iraq. Maybe that isn't what the quote was about but that is what I took from it. I am so proud of the service that servicemen are giving and have given. I am also so thankful for the women who support them in doing so. I know, it is not easy...but definitely worth it.

Of course with the sunglasses.

This is a shot of Me fighting with Finn over the umbrella. He insisted on holding it and then poking everyone with the spires.

Lincoln Memorial

Aunt April and the Washington Memorial

Quite the precious shot of my kids with April and Nate.

Livin' in the Country!

Since we are "country folk" nowadays, we have a sweet little birdy nest just outside of our house. I noticed it 3 days ago and then the following day I got a step ladder and got up to get a look for myself. This is what I saw. I think that in this pic there are 3 birds and one egg. The day after that, all the eggs had hatched. Yesterday, I saw all their little beaks wide open waiting for a worm from momma bird. How cute are they!!??

Will you just look at the shine on that piece of lawn equipment?!! This is Eric's new past time. I don't know that you can categorize it as a hobby...but he does spend 3 hrs per week mowing our lawn.

Maybe he should make it his new hobby since the dang thing cost us so much $!!

Washington D.C.

For the past week or so, we have had a lot of visitors! Eric's sister April and her hubby Nate came into town after their college graduation. And then Eric's other sisters, Janae and Annie, came along with all the other grandkids. We had 6 adults and 6 kids (under the age of 6) in our house at once. It was chaos but PRICELESS! Above is what "peace in the car" looks like. Poor Nate, all alone back there on the back row of the van!
The Museum of Natural History. Didn't get to see much of it since the kids were maniacs. I did get to see the Hope Diamond though. WOW. 43.56 carats and estimated at between $300-350 million. This is a pic of what our trek around D.C. looked like. Finn squished himself in the middle of the stroller for about 1/2 of the time. Neelah almost never took her sunglasses off...even inside the museum.
From the left: Finn, Neelah, McKinney, Riley, Hunter and Savvy. What a whirlwind of darling kids!

Here we are at the Lincoln Memorial looking out toward the Washington Memorial. You can see Aunt April in the green shirt with Finn and Neelah at her sides and then Nate is in the blue shirt.
I think that I will try to go back to these monuments without kids one day. We didn't get much time for peaceful contemplation. Neelah kept trying to cross the divider and climb the steps leading to Pres Lincoln. Aside from getting caught in the POURING RAIN at the end of the day, it was a blast to get out and see these amazing sights with family.