Swimming lessons

 

One of the highlights of our summer by far for the kids, was their four weeks (2 sessions) of swimming lessons. They were taught by a college girl (on the BYU swim team) and her brother at a nearby private residence, and they

LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

 Even when they seemed to be were practically drowning, don't worry, they were oblivious. They had smiles on their faces and were just sure they were becoming the world's greatest swimmers. Parker especially was convinced, I know because he told me that he might need to compete in the Olympics.

Although I can't really say that they came out ready for Rio in four years (er that they can even really doggy-paddle "swim" by themselves yet), I was so proud of their efforts, their upbeat attitudes and their courage in the water. Their no-fear attitudes terrify ME, but we'll just keep taking those lessons year after year until they can swim like the fish they think they are!

Meanwhile, I think the only unsupervised water I'll leave them in for now is the bath.

Who knew swim lessons could be such a source of FUN?!

Somehow I only recall anxiety from mine...!

Still July

The night of the 4th we met up with the Hansens outside of the Marriott Center at BYU for their annual picnic while waiting for the Stadium of Fire firework show.

 

 

It was a fun night of food, family and fireworks!

Fourth of July Parade

Our kids have asked for the last 11 months when they get to do the parade again. No, not Macy's Thanksgiving Day or the 24th of July Pioneer Parade in Salt Lake.
They meant the Fourth of July  neighborhood parade.
On their bikes.
We live in the best area and celebrating America's birthday is so much fun around here. No need to go to an event to be entertained for this holiday. It's pretty much one big block party here from the 9 a.m. parade to the p.m. firework extravaganza.
 It's the best and we love it (although this year we weren't around for the night show)!

Chris had to work during the day.
 It's funny how appalled people seem to get when he has to work a holiday or a weekend. They act like he has a terrible job or something, which is funny to me because  in reality, it's a pretty darn good one! I don't know about you, but illnesses at our house don't just occur M-F, 8-5. And I'm sure glad we can get medicine when we need it! Just sayin'. And he's not working 60 hour weeks. Just a regular 40! If you want to work in healthcare, that's just how it is, odd hours.  I am so grateful everyday that he picked the profession that he did. It's perfect for him, he will always have a good, secure job, and even better, he enjoys it!
There you have it.
 Apparently I needed to get that off my chest. :)

Onto the Fourth.
Emmie and her cute friend, Braylen.
The flyers for the parade didn't get out this year, so the turnout wasn't nearly as good as usual, but our kids still loved it and that's all that mattered!

Lexi and her porcelin doll friend, Millie. Isn't she striking?!



P and his buddy, Baden. Notice the smoky background. The mountain went up in flames a day or two prior and it had us all a little nervous for a while there. Pretty crazy. There obviously was a ban placed on fireworks so the usual neighborhood show didn't happen. Although I was told (because we were in Provo) that the firework show that night WAS the mountain. Our neighbors barbequed and got together despite the ban.

How cute is this little lemonade stand? Free drinks for the parade goers!
And Emmie's infamous Jessie boots made their appearance once again! My mom bought them for her 2 years ago, 3 sizes too big for Halloween, and it's a good thing because these babies have been well-used!
Kids parade - a success!

The Itty Bitty Baby Queen

Miss Alexis turned 9 months on the 4th of July!
Her 9 month stats resulted in proof that she is
ITTY BITTY...
Her WEIGHT: 0.49%! (14 lbs)
& HEIGHT: 2.49%
She may be tiny but
we love every itty-bitty BIT of her!!!

I was going to try some more pictures because she would not sit still, but, of course I never got back to it....

Most of the pics ended up like this one by the time I could snap it. Oh well, this pretty much sums up her 9th month anyhow....on-the-go and WATCH OUT!!

She has gotten good at the art of crawling! And destruction!
 She loves to examine all her new-found treasures by giving them a little spit wash in her mouth.
She thinks her new mode of transportation is pretty awesome... me... I think it's a little stressful! :) There is no worm-sliding nonsense for this girl, her crawl style is all business. She is very dainty in her movements, each step graceful and deliberate, slow and purposeful. I might be biased, but it's pretty darn cute!

 
Her passion for clapping continues... she's been applauding for the Olympics all week!
GO TEAM USA!!!
This girl has an obsession with remote controls and cell phones. If she sees one, she wants it and will scream until she gets it! Parker was the exact same way at this age. I think we're in trouble!

She defintely recognizes and addresses us by name (mama and dada), and she even says "doddy" over and over when the "doggy" comes into the room. She has the cutest high-pitched "Hiiiieeee" greeting, accompanied with her sweet smile while she bats her big gray-blue eyes. She continues to LOOOVE rice cereal, so we continue to give it to her. She is also obsessed with the Gerber Graduate dissolvable cereal puffs. She goes through at least 3-4 containers in a week.
 She got her 2nd sickness of her little life this week. A pretty bad one. She's had a fever, red throat, I can't suction out her nose fast enough of thick nasty goop, and she just started antibiotics today for an ear infection. Our whole fam has been pretty sick, miserable and sleep-deprived this last 6 days!
(But honestly we've had such a healthy summer to this point - I can't complain!)

She is so good-natured and is very patient with her brother and sis who think they can tote her around when Mom's not looking. Getting a pic of the trio is next to impossible these days as coordinated cooperation of three kids just doesn't seem to exist.

Parker declared a few days ago,
"Mom, Lexi is the BEST baby!
She's the QUEEEEN of ALL the babies!"
So there you have it. I couldn't say it better myself!

Baby J

By far the most exciting event that took place in June was the birth of our new nephew,
 Baby Jack!

{This picture is him around 6 weeks because of course I am just now writing this down}

Isn't he the cutest? 
I remember my little brother telling me a few years back (before he was even married) that he was going to name one of his kids Jack, & that I wasn't to use it since we both liked it.
Well, he kept his word!
 Here's JACK!


Visiting the day he was born.
Parker and Emmie were soooo excited for their new cuz.

Steven is almost 7 years younger than me, so I wasn't sure we'd have any kids very close together in age. Good thing I was almost 27 when I had my first baby, so that my last and his first could coincide in age! (well, most likely my last...)
I love that Lexi and Jack are just 9 months apart and will be the same grade in school!

The cute new family.
I remember first getting to know Kylie and right away I knew that she'd be such a great Mom, and she is!
Jack is a lucky guy!

 

If you can believe it, these two have the same size feet - we measured!
 Lexi is still wearing 0-3 month shoes.
What a shrimp!

YAY for a new cousin!!!