UT, CA, and SC

We are off to Utah this week. We have a straight flight, hallelujah, and Dan gets to take care of the kids since I don't travel well! Hopefully dramamine will do the trick this time. Abigail--please oh please be good!! Dan and I will be hiking Mt. Timpanogos this week and visiting with his family and friends! We have our Breinholt reunion next week, then Dan is headed to California for training (I will be joining him his last 2 days thanks to my mom watching the kids for us!!!!). When we get back I will be heading to SC with the kids for a week for one last visit before Jake starts KINDERGARTEN! Crazy! Lots of FUN over the next 4 weeks!

Since I won't be posting anything for awhile I wanted to do a quick update on Abby. Abby is 11 months now. She is a very busy baby but oh so cute! She loves to clap still, blow, say Da Da, she walks all around the furniture and is getting better at standing without any support. I think she will be walking very soon! She competes with any noise and sings with me! She loves water and wants her freedom in it (which makes going to the pool a wrestling match) She will only eat "big kid food", she has been that way for awhile. She has started to give people the biggest grin when they smile at her (it reminds me of when Tess was her age and we would ask "where's your happy face?" and she'd grin so hard she was shaking:). Abby's first year has gone by so fast.

Tess is FOUR!

My sweet, adorable, red head had a birthday. I can't believe my baby is FOUR! We made her day special (Sunday the 11th) with breakfast in bed and a little party after church with the family and Cara, a close friend of mine from high school. Tess requested Lucky Charms for breakfast and Spaghetti and Meatballs for dinner (just like Lady and the Tramp).

She got princess light up shoes and helped me make a rainbow birthday cake.

Tess is so kind and giving. She wants to make those around her happy and is a great friend to everyone. She told us she wanted two Buzz Lightyear's for her birthday, one for her and one for Jake.

She keeps us entertained and laughing often! For instance, last Monday during FHE she had us ALL laughing to TEARS! Dan and I decided we wanted to teach them about tithing. Dan told them the scripture that starts "Will a man rob god...?" After he was done with the scripture he asked the kids what the first part said? Dan started by saying "Will....a.....man...Rob....." and Tess jumped in with "ROB...INHOOD". What???? Then Dan went on to share with the kids some reasons why he has a testimony of tithing. He asked the kids if they could name something downstairs in our living room? Tess quickly and excitedly said 'ELVES!" What??? That one had us in tears laughing so hard. Dan was looking for the answer of the PIANO. ( We were given our piano a month after we had given up on ever buying one due to how expensive they are...a blessing from paying our tithing.)

Tess loves her stuffed doggies so, we had a "doggy" themed birthday party. I made puppy dog ears and a paw birthday cake and cupcakes. We played the M&M game, Doggy Doggy Where's Your Bone, and Pin the Bone in the Doggy's Mouth (artwork by one of my talented young women). I put Dan in charge of the pinata, which he did to perfection with the kids help. To end our party we had a treasure hunt. It was an hour and a half of sugary fun. Tess LOVED it -- mission accomplished!

We love you Tess!

Swim Lessons

Jacob and Tess finished their 2 week session of swimming lessons today. After the first few classes I decided to buy them goggles which really helped them feel more confident in the water. They were in the same class and had a great time together.

Last week Tess was very hesitant to join in when the class played games or any of the teachers instructions. I was a bit concerned and frustrated that the teacher wasn't trying to include her. However, Tess turned FOUR this last Sunday and Monday morning she was a completely different swimmer! She played red light green light with the class, blew bubbles, even submerged herself completely under water (wether on purpose or accident is yet to be determined)! When I asked her why she was so brave she said it was because she was FOUR, "three year olds can't do that stuff." Duh, Mommy!

The highlight of each lesson was the "beaver" slide (which Jake conquered on his own). Though I am not entirely happy about the cost of the lessons and instruction given, I am hoping that I can finally wash their hair without all the drama! I loved watching Jacob look out for Tess and truly appreciate what a protective brother he is. Great Job Jake and Tess!

4th of July

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sweet, beautiful, FUNNY, WONDERFUL sister LIZ today!

We had a fun quick trip to South Carolina for the 4th of July. First stop, AIKEN. I got my hair cut and we enjoyed visiting with some great friends: the Ballard's, McArthur's, and Anderson's. I only remembered to take out my camera for one of the three families. oopps!

The McArthur Kidos

Our Abby's

Emma, Tess, Nicholas, and Jake

When we were leaving Grandma Barnhurst's house to go see Grandma Riley, Jordan (welcome home RM!) Aunt Rhonda, and Uncle Lee Tess excitedly said, "AUNT RHONDA, here we come!" We love spending time with them.

The two Pauline's

While at Grandma Great's the kids ate peaches, homemade ice cream, rode the golf car, and Uncle Herald's tractor, played in the hose and mud, and had such a great time just playing!

While at Grandma Great's house Tess went fishing for the first time in Uncle Heralds pond! She has been so excited to use her princess fishing pole.

After 9 hours of driving , as we were pulling into D.C. traffic we told the kids we were almost home and they both started to complain. Jake told us he didn't want to go home, he wanted to turn around RIGHT NOW and drive back to South Carolina!

Uncle Chuck's Visit

This week my brother was in town on business! We were super excited to see him! Jake and Tess adore him and could hardly stand waiting all day to see him. They spent the day rehearsing all of the tricks and games Chuck taught them last time he was here. We enjoyed dinner and then a fun game of high jump and duck duck whatever. We had a great time catching up and being goofy. Thanks for stopping by Chuck!