18 months

My goodness, little ACE, you are growing up so fast!  You started nursery this month and let's just say it is taking some getting used to.  You are fine not playing with dad or me and we just sit in the corner but you definitely HAVE to have us there.  Or we can here your sadness all the way down the hall.  But we know you will get used to it.  You are a very sweet girl and just don't love new things.
You are still a child of very few words but you can communicate what you need and want pretty well.  You love making people laugh and have become super cuddly and loving to your brothers.  You are up and down the stairs all the time and have only fallen once (it was scary but you were fine).  You love to be independent and are learning more and more about that.  You are stubborn and often put your foot down with us until you get your way but we are all working together to learn "no" and to be more patient.  You are a great sleeper now and take one afternoon nap a day.  You love the water and all things out doors.  At your doctor appointment you were 23 pounds which is the 55%, were 30.5 inches tall which is the 10% and your head is 19 inches which is the 90%.  Short little pixie thing!
These 18 months have been so incredible with you.  You eyes light up anyone's day along with your scrunched nose toothy grin.  You love to laugh and play and are as busy as an toddler I know.  You are starting to love looking through books on your own but you love carrying around little purses or toys (or dad's books) as you go from room to room.  Love you baby girl!

This was on the way to church where you went to nursery the first time

Your Sunday outfits are so yummy!

Ta-da!  Pigtails!!  It was a happy day for me

How you feel about nursery

But dad makes everything better

Silly girl

Nails

Some more nail designs I have gotten done.  Sadly I lost almost a year of pictures so I am missing a lot!  But I still love going and visiting with my good friend and coming away with awesome nails.

Summer = Water fun

Oh man I am sad summer is over for us in 2 weeks!  We have had such a great time sleeping in and playing outside and going swimming.  My sister's neighborhood has a pool and we have taken full advantage of that a few times.  We also love water fun in our backyard.  It's the simple things in life!

I had to post this one cause I love the trouble the boys look like they are making in the background

That suit!!

These boys love showing their sister the ropes of backyard play

Just lounging...

...and eating

Looks like she will have to grow in to this one next year

Me and my girl

Swimming=best naps on the planet!

She kept falling down in the kiddie pool and can't get up right away but the puddle jumper is much too big so we figured this out and it worked great!

If this picture doesn't scream summer I don't know what does

Ice block filled with coins and toys is a favorite summer activity around here

Dad makes everything more fun

They love getting sprayed with the hose after a hot day of playing outside

Oh how I love that sweet smile

Sports, sports, sports

I always knew I would love watching my kids do their activities and looked forward to signing them up for sports.  It is so fun to cheer them on, see them progress and get better and watch their faces light up with pride when they do something well.
Soccer this year was two seasons with the same team. And Fullback was almost a different player the second season!  He was more confident, more aggressive and had a ton of fun. Shortstop enjoyed the first season a little more than the second but I am not sure why.  He says he wants to do soccer again one day but no time soon.

Tee ball was just Fullback this year.  Shortstop opted to take a break from team sports for a time, much to the heartbreak of his dad, but we supported his decision.
Watching Fullback was a blast!  He is one of the few kids who knows what to do and that kid can drill a ball off the tee. I love how excited he gets when he gets on base too.

Shortstop decided to try out karate.  We signed him up for the 6 week summer program and he seemed to really enjoy it.  However we aren't going to continue for a few reasons:  the class sizes are WAY too crowded and big and the cost is way too high. I just didn't see him learning and progressing, even in the short amount of time, that I thought he would.  He was super distracted and got bored easily...the exact opposite experience we were hoping for.  Shortstop was fine not continuing when we explained that if he did karate, that was fine but he couldn't try any other sports.  And he is really wanting to give basketball a go so he agreed to just have this be a fun summer thing.

4th of July

I love summer holidays and BBQs and fireworks and family so going home to Twin Falls for the 4th is always a favorite on my list.  And the kids love going to Grandma and Grandpa's and spending hours upon hours with cousins!
We went up for a short trip but packed in the fun.  We spent time on Saturday at the Ice Caves and loved that.  I haven't been in 20 years and nothing has changed.  The boys were fascinated with how cold it was down there and it was an interesting thing keeping ACE entertained and trying not to slip on the wet boards.
We had picnic at a park and then Grandpa treated us all to some Baskin Robbins.

This picture reminds me of old photos of families traveling across the country and stopping at little museums and historic sites along the way

Oh this girl loves her Grandpa!

In the afternoon I went shopping with Alicia and we always have a good time catching up and buying stuff.
We love going to church with my parents and it was a bonus for my boys cause Grandma taught their class in Primary. Yay!  That night my sister Alicia and her family came over for dinner.
Monday we just tried to stay cool and did crafts with the kids and went to a movie, Despicable Me 3 in the afternoon.  That night my sister Paula and her family came over for dinner and Family Home Evening.

ACE's favorite place to play at Grandma's house

Tuesday, the 4th, we went to Bass lake in the morning.  I love how much my kids love water and playing on the sand.  It was so nice and we enjoyed a picnic before heading home for naps and quiet time.  Then we went to Alicia's for an amazing BBQ and enjoyed a play put on my the kids.  Afterwards we went to CSI for fireworks and Alicia's delicious chocolate cake.
Wednesday was more playing and shopping and we even lit off some fireworks that Tyler and Mark got for super discounted that morning.  We said good bye, drove home and called it a fantastic trip!  Hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th of July.  I love this country and celebrating the freedom that we have doesn't get any better.