Parker at 4 Months

They grow so fast, it's so much fun to watch but it goes too quickly. I'm already missing holding a snuggly newborn while at the same time loving her huge smiles when she sees me. She's so alert and communicative, we have another talker on our hands. During Sunday School today she kept chatting with the two sisters sitting beside me. She discovered her toes this past week and is having fun catching them. Last weekend at our 4th of July BBQ she followed Grant with her eyes and her head as he swang in the swing. Paislee gets her to laugh the hardest while we drive in the car, I love hearing those belly laughs.

She is sensitive to sound, if she hears a loud noise her bottom lip sticks out in a huge pout and the wailing starts. Pretty sure it's a warning cry to notify me that she's worried Grant's going to get her again. He loves her so much, he just doesn't know how to show it kindly.

Stats:

Weight - 12 lbs 12 oz (40th percentile)

Height - 25" (75th percentile)

Head - 42cm (75th percentile)

and as my mother-in-law pointed out

100% cute!

The Reason Why

These four kids are the reason why I'm so grateful to live in this country. Even with all the political turmoil and the economic downturn it's still the best place to raise children. I'm so grateful for the men and women who have fought for our country protecting our rights and freedoms. I love teaching our children about our founding fathers, the meaning behind the Stars and Stripes, and showing them why we celebrate our Indpendance Day. I also loved watching their faces while the fireworks were being lit and exploding in the sky, it was better to see their wonder and amazement than any firework show!

I'm proud to be an American!

Family Fun Run

We had an awesome 4th of July weekend. The girls started it off with hitting a bucket of balls and practicing their putting with Daddy and Papa Bill while I enjoyed cleaning as the other two monkeys slept. Then bright and early Saturday morning we went to our Stake activity and participated in our first family fun run. This is the only photo of Paislee because she completely left us in the dust, although her smile was just as bright at the finish line!
Ella started off with a piggy back ride courtesy of Jake before she used her own two feet.

Grant started strong and finished strong, pumping his arms and moving his feet.

Parker enjoyed the ride.

Grant being reverent and respectful for his first flag raising ceremony.

We spent the rest of the day enjoying the temperate weather and sunshine at Roaring Springs with Grammy.

Learning to Swim 2010

Our kids and their goggles, they are seriously obsessed with them. One morning as I was driving to lessons I looked in the rearview mirror and both of the girls were wearing their goggles, why? I don't know! They felt more secure with them on? They were afraid I was going to drive into a canal and they'd need them? Who knows! And here's Paislee, waiting for her lesson to begin, wearing her goggles. Ella did the exact same thing while waiting for Paislee's lessons to finish and hers to start. Funny kids!
Paislee diving...she's not supposed to be squatting like that as she dives in, but whatever works!

Ella's first dive, and she did it head on and was EXCITED to do so, probably the only kid in her class that couldn't wait to go in head first!

Diving for rings, she's a champ and loves, loves, LOVES it!

Jumping off the diving board. On the last day she was supposed to jump in (not to the teacher) and then "ice cream scoop swim" to the other end. Her teacher was treading water out of her reach when she jumped in and Ella was seriously bicycling through the air in an effort to get to her teacher, she almost made it and made everyone laugh.

Once again swimming lessons were a ton of fun for everyone except yours truly, one day I won't be a nervous wreck from dealing with the children on the sidelines, but I'm afraid the days of entertaining, combatting children during lessons are going to last a few more years!