Fourth Festivities

We had an amazing fourth of July!!!  For starters, Ahmma, Dumpa & Great Grandma Howard came into town a couple of days ago.  But then my Aunt Kathy and cousin Jennie were also in Portland, so we invited them over for a barbecue.  Our neighbors were barbecuing as well.  We shared side dishes, desserts, and fireworks.  Sophie organized a mini parade where I volunteered to pull the wagon train and sing patriotic songs while the girls waved flags and passed out bottled water.  After a couple pass-throughs, we convened to the back yard for a quick photo shoot because it's practically tradition.  After Tessa went to bed for the night, the firework show got started. McKinley and Piper had been chomping at the bit all day, looking forward to the privilege to stay up past bedtime.  However, they were super timid to even hold their own sparklers. Once they got comfortable with the noise and seeing the sparks and smoke, they loved it.  And we had quite the show, as many people were firing off illegal fireworks into the sky.  Before we went to bed, we were graced with one last surprise…Sophie and McKinley performed a ballet routine.  Such a fun day!  Family, friends, food and fireworks….God Bless America!

To beat the heat, we ate in the garage.

Tessa finally warms up to Great Nonna.

Thumbs up for cool shades with Aunt Kathy and cousin Jennie.

Getting situated before the big parade.

And off we go.

Annual patriotic photo shoot.

July 2012

July 2013

July 2014

Piper insisted on making funny faces the entire time.

Dadda's little tongue-smacker.

Saying goodbye to my cousin Jennie's baby bump.

Sophie painted our faces before the firework show.

The girls didn't like the ground fireworks at first, especially 'the snake'. See below.

Finally they agree to hold their own sparklers with Dadda's assistance.

Chillin' with Dumpa and watching the show.

The clouds in the sky were absolutely beautiful before it turned dark.

Happy 4th of July!

God Bless America!

Tea Party

The first of many, I'm sure.
This one was a little impromptu gathering of neighborhood gals after nap time.  So cute to watch!  Sophie and Faith supplied everything, including costumes. Even Tessa was given a crown and wand. On the menu: turkey sandwiches on sourdough, smoked almonds, blueberries, cookies, lemonade, and ice cream sandwiches.

Getting all dolled up. 

McKinley dazzles in a Princess Aurora dress.

Sophie reminds the girls to keep their pinkies up.

Faith leaps like a kitty.

Place cards were taped on the back of their seats.

Tessa tries on a tutu.

Razzle-berries

This past week McKinley took swim lessons. Monday through Friday, everyday at noon. Despite her first day jitters, she couldn't wait to go to the pool every morning.  She learned so much in such a short period of time and gained so much more confidence in the water.  We can't wait to sign her up again for lessons in August!  We also met up with Justin and Twee, who recently had a baby boy named Finn, at Rowell's Berry Farm to pick raspberries & blackberries.  Justin works with Benji, and they were hired at the same time.  McKinley was very diligent in picking berries to fill up the container she was holding.  Piper, on the other hand, insisted on holding her own container but ate all of the berries she picked.

On first day of class she was a little bit scared, hence the half-smile.

One of the skills she learned was floating like a starfish on her back, with and without assistance.

Butter, butter, butter - POP!  This is what her teacher would say to get her to jump into the pool.

Baby Finn slept the entire time.

"Summa, sum-ma, summertime…..time to kick back and unwind"

If you haven't already noticed, the posts haven't been coming as regularly as I'd intended.  Maybe it's because I haven't been taking a lot of pictures.  And I probably haven't been taking a lot of pictures because I'm either holding Tessa or because we've just been super busy.  Anyways, with summer in full swing, no more math tutoring, new renters in our old house, and more family coming to visit in the near future, I'm resolving to better document the summer (and get a haircut).  Even if it means I have Tessa in one arm and my camera in the other.  Below are some pictures taken prior to the longest day of the year.

Piper takes the inaugural ride on her new balance bike.  

Yes, that is a yellow jellybean in McKinley's left nostril. 

Piper still regularly asks to hold Tessa. 

Piper poses by our new dogwood tree.  Their blooms are so beautiful!

McKinley invited our neighbor, Sophie, to CrossFit Kid's 'bring-a-friend-day.'  Here they're warming up with a Sampson lunge. 

The first, of many, triple-twinkie outfits.  Thanks Ahmma!

This is where Tessa resides when I'm working in the kitchen. 

Little butterfly girl!

Sophie gave McKinley her cheap, old roller-skates.  Even though they barely stay on her feet, she loves 'em.  

I have discovered another location where Piper takes her naps….underneath her bed.

Ballet lessons with Sophie.  

Hey there minxy-jinxy!  Tessa loves to play in the exersaucer, while I watch the girls ride their bikes.

We visited a replica of the ancient temple set up on the grounds of the church across the street. 

Another selfie with my tiny t-bird.

One last raspberry harvest before our new renters move in.  

McKinley and Piper are sporting new dresses from Sophie's father's company, Hannah Anderson.  Love their bright, bold colors and prints!

Father's Day

The girls couldn't wait until Dadda got home from work today to shower him with love and presents.  They each made him a hand-imprinted, cement stone, while I bought him a new pair of Keens. It was McKinley's idea for the girls to wear matching outfits, so of course, I had to do a little photo-sesh.  For dinner I used our grill for the first time to whip up some tasty burgers, which included some of Dadda's favorites: sweet potato fries, homemade onion rings, and a sriracha aioli. Happy Father's Day to all of our Daddas!