The Random

She's toothless! After days of her solo front tooth dangling, (and making me quite sick) she got up the nerve and pulled it out. This time we had lots of people offer to help pull it out. Neighbors, friends, family, all willing to help Hannah have the darling toothless smile. We even tried tying her tooth to Nathan's nerf dart gun, and I think we can give that credit to making it loose enough for Hannah to finish the job. Boy did we ever laugh watching her eyes bulge each time she would shoot the dart in hopes that the tooth would be taken with the dart.

Nathan has found a favorite finger to use when pointing. He now points at everything and although he's been using this finger for some time, it still catches Aaron and me off guard sometimes. There's been occasional times that we can't help ourselves from laughing when we see him pointing. We've casually suggested a different finger without explaining why, but I think he's already hooked on the middle one. Should we try to explain to him why this isn't the best finger to use? If we do, we risk him using it for the real reason adults use this finger......so for now I think we'll just let it go. But in advance, if Nathan should point at you with this finger, know that we are sorry. :o) And hopefully you'll laugh too.

We have been finding all kinds of ways to stay cool this summer. I can't say enough how grateful I am to live where we have a pool. I didn't expect to feel well enough to take my kids swimming, but we've already been a handful of times.

 Cute little bum!

The pool has already saved me many times this summer. We've also enjoyed going to splash parks and farm country.

All the while, Joe has enjoyed these outings from here:

 or even here:

On the days that were just too hot we played with art or hung out at Cabella's to see the fish.

I think we'll survive summer yet!

Our Country's Birthday

The 4th of July could very well be my most favorite family holiday. I've been polishing up on my understanding of this wonderful country this past year, and boy oh boy, do I have a love that is just growing and growing for this land. Hannah asked me yesterday why we celebrate the 4th of July, (such a thinker she is). She knows that the symbol of our country is the Eagle, and that it represents freedom and that the flag is our symbol of freedom too. (I was shocked that she knew about the eagle as she didn't learn that at home). Susan and I told her that the 4th of July is our country's birthday and we celebrate because we are so thankful to those who fought, both then and now, so we can continue to celebrate our freedoms here.
Hannah drew this picture of our flag. It says, "In Lehi, Utah. The symbol of our Country".

As has been our tradition in our neighborhood for the past 4 years, we celebrated with a carnival that could rival anywhere you'd have to pay top dollar for. We had bounce houses, the traditional dunk tank and train rides, snow cones, face painting, pie eating contest, BBQ, bonding with neighbors and friends, and of course, front row seats to Thanksgiving Points fireworks.

 This was Hannah favorite attraction this year.  Nathan did it one time, but his favorite was the many bounce houses.

Brave Boy!

  Addy Troxel and Hannah....and Kanoa!

 Chadley, Hannah, Grace

 Abigail's "bff" Owen.

 Our face painters

 Snake face

 Butterfly face

 Abigail, Kamryn, Nathan

 Carlee's family: Beckham, Brett, Car, Hayden.....and Lydia.

My friend texted this picture to me while I was inside my house feeding Joe. Hmm.....think she's watched me a few times? Love this girl and love her serious face for this picture. It is after all serious business. Aren't you all impressed with how perfectly placed her baby is? Apparently she even handed her baby to Owen, who is behind her, so he could burp the baby and then he promptly handed her back so Abigail could finish feeding on the other side. Smart girl!

Grace and Eliza

Lydia and Nathan

Darling Eliza

 This is what I get for cheering him on... Kissed!

Sparklers!!!!

Happy Birthday America! Land that I LOVE!!!!

*not pictured is a perfect, wonderful, precious baby boy that slept inside most of the day and whose mother completely forgot to take a picture of.
**Happy Birthday sister Robin!

We are welcoming the awkward years!

Still a sweet beauty.

 I'm loving all her freckles.