Vaca!! Lake Powell!

We had a most fantastic vacation!  Usually there is some mechanical issues or some major but not tragic problem on the trip, but not this year!!! And we got an extra day! the family on the houseboat left a day early so we got to spend a FULL 7 DAYS!!! on the lake.

We paddleboarded... a lot.

Jumped off lots of things into water... including Miss H!  Miss E helped her younger cousins, adorbale.

We laughed, ate lots of food and lounged about some.

Paddle-boarding as a family.

Miss H surfed with anyone who would take her, which was anyone who was going.  So she surfed tons.

Which made her smile,  She sported her sunglasses almost constantly.  In her words, "they are waterproof in the pool but not in the lake." I wonder where she got so smart. hmmm...

Kyle wakeboarded.

I videotaped. we used the "Go-Pro" constantly.  Best documented Powell trip ever.  I look like a bit of an idiot, but oh well, it was fun.

One of our friends brought this funny hat, the mustache stuck to the hat. the kids loved it.

We swam, at every possible moment. it was over 100 degrees every day most of the day, in the shade where the thermomter thing was hung.  And the water was probably 85 degrees.  I was in heaven. 

Driving fast on the boat is a funny thing, especially for girls because our hair goes every which way.

Miss E learning to wakeboard!!!!!! Kyle used the paddle board to help get her and her cousin out of the water, it worked like a charm.  By the end of the week, deep water starts were simplicity!  

Well done my Little Wakeboarder!

Doesn't that just look like success!  She did great!

Miss E driving the boat, she did this tongue thing all week, dang cute, but thankfully she hasn't been doing it at home.

We sprayed our hair blue.  Miss E has been wanting to die her hair all sorts of colors and we, as ever wise parents (hehe) decided that once a year on vacations, we would all do a temprotya hair color.  The girls thought it was THE BEST THING EVER!  

They were too busy to get a group photo, oh well!

Isn't she cute, she wanted Blue Stripes, so she got them.  

The blue washed out about the 3rd time jumping in the water, which worked fine because it was getting all over everything.  But you know we are doing it again next year!

The last two days it rained off and on again.  So we had fun anyways!

Happy Independance Day!

We Paraded... (no photos, forgot the camera in the car)

We swam

We Hot Tubbed

(We BBQ'd with friends and family... No pictures, too busy!)

We watched Fireworks!

And More Fireworks!

We snuggled

Girls Slept on the way Home.

Fantastic way to Celebrate Freedom!

Happy Birthday Miss H

I love my little 4 year old.  She is a darling.  Seriousy, I don't know how I am so lucky to have her in my life.  I adore her.  This last week she turned 4.  She is thinking she is hot stuff.  "I can wash my hands, cause I'm 4." "I can get my shirt on, cause I'm 4"  

              

 she was SO excited about her soccer ball.... she wants to be just like daddy :)

 A new "BIG" bike for her birthday!!

 surfing with dad behind the boat!

She's all tuckered out after the lake.  I love that she's asleep with her hand in the air and holding her birthday gum.  Darling.  (she didn't get sunburned she was just a little warm on the 98 degree day)

I wish she was still a tiny little thing.  But she is the perfect age.  She still loves to cuddle and kisses and loves.  And I am loving every second.  She is a bit of a outdoorsy type.  SHE LOVES TO PLAY.  For her birthday we had a party at the park, then went to the lake with all the family, then went to a baseball game so she could have her favorite dinner - Hot Dogs.  Awesome.  On the way home (at 10pm -gasp) she sang "Oh Yea! It's still my birthday!" over and over and over.  Melt a moms heart.  Everyday my girls melt my heart.

walking on eggs!

please don't judge me on my daughters hair.  their hair seems to be crazy quite frequently.  But, ya know, there are more important things in life.  Like walking on eggs....

Did you know you can walk on them and they won't break?  its pretty true.  We only broke 2, not a bad ratio 2 out of 9.  The girls thought that was the best thing ever!  It was our science experiment for the day.  And it was fun.

Lost Tooth and STOMP fun.

Miss E lost her second front tooth!  I was hoping that she would have those two front teeth gone at the same time.  And it happened!!! She talks so cute right now without her front teeth.  Her darling cousin pulled out the tooth while spending the night.  It is wonderful to have so many cousins so close!

I wanted this picture so badly... the essence of "kidness" right here, without two front teeth.  

This age is so fun.  Getting old enough to joke and have fun with and still believes in Magic.  Childhood is incredible.

"Look Mom, it will stick from my blood!"  

Now switching topics... Park time, I have brought my camera to every park and adventure we have been on during the last 3 weeks of our summer and I have only taken this one picture below.  I realized that yesterday.  Sad.  I will be better!  But isn't it a cute one.  Look at those cute little pig tails.

Lastly, Has anyone in the world seen STOMP? 

it is the most fantastic show/concert. period.

 Kyle and I went and saw it when I was pregnant with Miss H.  It was my only outing (other than dr app's) during my bedridden pregnancy and WOW was it AWESOME!  Miss H thought so too.  She danced all night in my womb.  I thought that was great, healthy and kicking!  Well tonight we experienced it again.  Kyle made a drumming sound with his hands at the dinner table and Miss E replicated the rythum.  It ended with full on drumming session with the objects on the table.  Forks were pinging against glasses, table, plates, plastic cups and anything we could reach.  It was a blast!  We banged and drummed and danced!  It was one of those magical moments when everyone is laughing and loving and living in the moment.  Completely enjoying our family together.  The girls want to do it again tomorrow night.  Oh baby!  I can't wait!

Making in the Kitchen

i can't believe its been a month since i last posted.  summer.  its too fun.

Miss H loves to "Make" in the Kitchen.  "Mom, can I Make with you?" "What are you making?"  I love it because it evokes creativity into cooking.  In essence "Mom, can I create with you?"  Awesome.  This particular morning we were making pancakes.  I love big breakfasts.  

 This morning Miss H got a bit carried away with the flour!

Through the Eye of my Baby...  Miss H then took a picture of me.  I had just washed my hands and was going to dry them off.  I just think its cute when kids take pictures.  Too see what they see.  And learn what is interesting to them.

Oompa Oompa Oompadedo... I've got another riddle for you...

Miss E was an Oompa Loompa in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" The kids work SO HARD.    Memorizing songs and dances.  3 months.  2-3x per week. 2-4 hour practices.  Thankfully the Oompa Loompas didn't have as vigorous a schedule.  A few weeks were rough but for the most of the time Miss E LOVED IT.  She had a great time and can't wait for next year.

Here she is dumping sugar in the "Chocolate River.

Coming on to sing about the spoiled brat, Veruca.

Here's Miss H waiting for Miss E after the play.

Miss E in her Costume.  SHE LOVED THE FLOWERS (well mostly she loved the Wonka Nerds)

Miss E with her cousin.  They are both in 1st grade, and were Oompa Loompa's together.  SO FUN!!

Good Work Miss E, I am proud of you!

Showered Time Success!

We have always battled Miss E with her showers.  She really doesn't like being told what to do.  Which when you are young, you are constantly being told what to do.  So that can make life very difficult for child and parents.  Recently we found a fantastic fix, at least for being happily hygienic.  

I labeled the Shampoo and the Conditioner. #1 for the shampoo and #2 for the conditioner. I used the black lettering you buy when you sell your car... I tried a sharpie but the ink just slid off.  I am sure any scrapbook stickers would work great too. (and the pump style is a budget save -only one pump needed- no more cup full of shampoo being used per washing!)  She could read which was which but she could never remember if the Shampoo or Conditioner was used first.  Oh the things you have to learn!  As a parent I am constantly amazed at all the little things that you take for granted.  For example, we, adults, know that you just don't drink orange juice after brushing your teeth.  You just know that is NOT going to be a pleasant experience.  But a child doesn't know that.  They have to learn SO MUCH STUFF!

BUT this was a fantastic fix.  Now showering is not a frustration.  She knows what to do, and doesn't need annoying (for her) parental help.

YAY!