WALKING!

Kasidy Rose is WALKING!  She took her first real steps on Friday June 17th!  Greg and I were putting things away in our room and Kasidy just decided to pick herself up and walk.  She did amazing!  It was like a light bulb turned on in her head and she just stood up and went for it!  She practiced a tiny bit at Bear Lake, but that was two steps, this was full out 8 steps WALKING!  Good job Kasidy! 

There's no stopping her now!  She is faster at crawling, but actually prefers to walk!  WOW! 

We got some video of her that I will have to post later, but for now enjoy the pictures of her enjoying a good old PBJ!

SWIMMING!

When did she grow up?  McKinley is old enough to take swimming lessons!  We started Monday June 20th and they go for two weeks.  She LOVES them!  She can't wait until the whistle blows so she can go in the water!  She is becoming more adventurous too!  She would NOT jump into the pool, you'd have to hold her hands, and now...She jumps ALL BY HERSELF!  Good Job Kinners!

Kasidy is also being a big helper by not getting into trouble and just staying by mom!  I have such good kids!  Thanks for making my life wonderful!

BEAR LAKE OR BUST!

We went to Bear Lake on June 11th - the 15th!  It was too cold for 'real' swimming at the lake so we went wading in the lake...

Played at the park...

Rode Bikes...

Did arts and crafts...

Pulled out the kiddie pool...

and had a wonderful time being with cousins and celebrating birthdays!

 Watch out!  Kinners can take you out!

I can't decide which is the best one!  What a bunch of goofy kids!

JUST...

another day of finishing projects,

 Playing in the sand,

 and coloring.  

I am one lucky mom!

S & S RAILROAD

Our neighborhood has the cutest little railroad station.  We found it while we were driving around and stopped to look at the sign.  It is only open the first Saturday of each month in the summer so we decided to go.  The family who started it just did it for a hobby...quite the hobby!  They have a plethora of little and big trains all over the property!  They also sport a miniature golf hole and host birthday parties!  Needless to say, it was a fun magical day! 

There are two trains, the big train, and the little train. 

The big train... takes you in a simple circle around the property.  Kasidy wasn't sure she liked it until we started going!  She kept pointing at everything!  McKinley loved siting in front of us and BY HERSELF!!!  It was fun to take the loop around the property and see all the different amenities at this awesome place!

 The little train...as you can see is so little, you SIT ON TOP OF IT!!!  SO FUN!  This train ride took you to the front yard, through tunnels, over bridges, and past a little barn yard!  This ride was the favorite of everyone!

 After our train rides we walked around the place...it is full of so many fun old trains, rides, playgrounds etc!  What a fun Saturday!

p.s. They even do one ride in December and you ride on the Polar Express!  Guess how they clear the tracks?  They hooked a snow-blower onto the front of the train!

PROJECTS

Here are two projects that I have recently completed!  I love the chairs!  I also have two stools that are light blue and yellow.  I'm not sure I like them, but they are going to stay because I have moved on with that project and want to do something else! 

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Time to break out the bikes!  We finally got our bike trailer out and we love it!  We use it at least once a day, if not more!  I was a little too excited about it when we first pulled it out.  On my first bike ride I rode to my mom's house...it is 7 miles away!  It took me an hour!  Not only that...it started raining when I was half way there!  WHAT WAS I THINKING!  I saw the rain cloud, but thought it'd be fine!  Turns out, we just got to sleep over at Grandma Sue's!  Greg was out of town, and I didn't want to go home anyway!  McKinley thought it was fun to have a sleepover with mom at Grandma's house!  I thought it was CRAZY:)

The next day Aunt Lacey and Aunt Shaye helped me bike back home...My bum was, to put it gently, a little sore!

That little experience didn't stop us...we love to go biking!  BRING IT ON!

p.s. Tonight Greg hit a bump a little too hard...Kasidy hit her head on the wheel through the plastic covering! She has a red skid mark to prove it!  Poor girl!  Time to get her a helmet!

SO CUTE!

Just wanted to post this picture and dedicate it to my sister Jayne!  Thank you for making these darling little outfits for my girls!  You are amazing!  I love you!

McKinely is THREE!!!

 My beautiful, smart, clever, teasing, creative, silly, wonderful girl turned 3 May 26!  I can't believe she has been in our family for 3 years.  Then I think I can't believe it's only been 3 years because it feels like we have always had her in our little family, and we are so glad!

For her real birthday we just celebrated with mom and Kasidy.  McKinley got her traditional pancakes in the shape of how old she is!  She loved blowing out the candles.  Kinners got to open her presents from Grandma Sue and Dad!  I hope she had a good day!  That night when she was going to bed she reminded me that I still needed to make her a Rapunzel cake and have people her cousins come!  I assured her that in 2 days it would be a big party!  I think she felt better about that!

May 28 we celebrated McKinley!  When the guests arrived we had them draw their favorite Tangled picture with sidewalk chalk.  After all the guests arrived the kids went on a hunt for Pascal.  Each child had a strip of paper that matched a border around Pascal.  I would have made Pascal that color, but I was having computer difficulties, so the border had to suffice.  After some hard hunting (Too hard in my opinion...GREG!:) The kids all found their butterfly net with pascal glued to it! The next order of business was to pick up all the flowers, using their newly acquired net, that had fallen from Rapunzel's hair.  It was boys against girls...Girls won!

After games we trekked inside for some presents!  Thank you everyone for your thoughtful gifts!

Next was the cake!  I wasn't sure where to place the candles so I let McKinley do it.  She did a great job and Rapunzel didn't catch fire!  McKinley loved getting her doll out of the cake!  She had been asking for a Rapunzel Barbie since they came out in stores!  She was very patient and it only made it sweeter when she finally got it!

Enjoying the weather, and company!  

The weather was great, by the way, I was worried that we'd have to move our activities inside,

but it was perfect! 

My wonderful husband!  He helped so much with last minute details!  Thank you Greg!  We colored the Rapunzel sun at 10:30p.m. the night before!  It turned out really cute!

 McKinley's gift from dad, mom, and Kasidy...A new bike!  She isn't thrilled about it now, but when she gets a good push she exclaims...I'm doing it!  Good job McKinley!  When I asked her who gave her the bike she says Rapunzel...Do the parents get any credit?:)  Later that night I asked her if her day was magical..."NO!  It was beautiful!"  I'll take it!  I Love you my darling girl!

Highlight on McKinley...She:
Loves PJ's, chocolate, watching movies, anything princess, playing with friends, making up silly songs, doing things ALL BY HERSELF! being a helper, getting excited about her sister growing up.
McKinley loves to talk about new things and has a remarkable memory.  She learns quickly and soaks up everything in her amazing little brain! 
McKinley is a blessing in our lives and I feel so fortunate to be able to learn from her and enjoy her sweet spirit.  Thank you for being a part of our lives!  We love you beautiful girl!