Monday, July 30, 2012

Oddball Pictures

As the title says, a small collection of oddball pictures.

Brandt took this picture of me.
Don't I look fantastic?

David Davies gave us this hat.
It folds up, like a fan.
It goes so nicely with the rest of Blythe's outfit and cheerful grin.

I don't have this upside down. 
This is how Brandt took this self-portrait.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

The Fabulous Fourth of July

We are three weeks past the Fourth of July.  Too much to blog about, never enough time.  So here is a recap our our Fourth celebrating.

On Monday, the 2nd of July, Christopher and Tysen had a cul-de-sac party with people from their neighborhood.  There were a lot, a lot of people.  But there were also lots of goodies, fun activities, and cousins to play with.  Blythe had her face painted, Brandt slid down the bouncy slide, and everyone ate way too many sugary treats.



Blythe and Ava had their faces painted the very same.
Aren't they beautiful?


Brandt eating a snow cone with a face covered in cotton candy.


Christopher had parachute fireworks.  
He lit one, a mob of little people chased after it, a big kid ran over a small one, and that was the end of that.
Too many children running after the same prize.
See how many people were there.  
It was pandemonium.

On the morning of the 4th of July, we loaded the children, the picnic blanket, and folding chairs into the bike trailer and pedaled down to the parade.  Some of our neighbors own a business on Center Street and invited any and all who cared to to join them to watch with them.  It was nice to have good seats and to be with friends and neighbors.  The children enjoyed the parade, well, most of it.  Blythe wanted to go home before the end, but Brandt was engaged.  After the parade, we stayed and had a bit of lunch.









Three Brandt pictures.  
Tom, the family, and Jerry

In the afternoon, we swam with my family at my mom's house.  We barbecued, had homemade root beer, and homemade ice cream too.

Guy, Mikayla, Blake, Brandt, Sue, Donovan


Lyla wanted to play on the coaster with the other kids.
It was filthy, and so was she.
Look at those not so white pants.

Because we live on the east side of town, we have to get home before the Stadium of Fire starts so that we can actually get home.  We put the children to bed at their normal time, and quite frankly, neither of them complained.  Kent and I watched fireworks from the driveway.  We are always happy to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy in this country.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

A First!

At just four and nearly six, the children went to the dentist for the first time.  I know, I know.  I should have taken them years ago, but I haven't.  Both Brandt and Blythe were a little nervous, but they did great.  They were good while having x-rays, they opened wide for the dentist, and neither of them had a cavity.  Yeah!  It was a good first experience.

 
Having x-rays.


Waiting for the dentist. 




Anatomy of a Dive

Brandt would feel very put out if I had a whole blog entry of Blythe diving, and didn't have one for him.  So here are pictures of his diving.  When we swam on Thursday, Brandt had a breakthrough.  He was swimming, really swimming.  He was moving his arms, kicking his legs, lifting his head to breathe, and actually moving through the water without his floaties on.  It was wonderful!  I could tell he was really pleased with himself.  We should have been swimming on Friday and Saturday, but it has rained and we haven't been in the pool since.  But we will be in the water again soon so he can keep practicing.






Saturday, July 14, 2012

Anatomy of a Dive

Blythe has learned to dive.  No floaties. No real help.  We are making sure there is someone in the pool to "catch" and make sure she is getting back to the side.