4th of July

Everyone on our block got together for the 4th of July and had a huge BBQ. It was so much fun to eat and sit around all day! Our neighbor provided the fireworks -- he must have spent a fortune because they went on for over 2 hours! We got out the fire pit and had a few people over to enjoy the show. I didn't take many pictures, but got one of Emma that I just love.

Emma kept running with this little flag....so adorable.

Gracie turns 2!

June 28, 2012 sure came around fast!! It's hard to believe that Emma is already 2. She is our little spitfire and she definitely keeps us on our toes! She also thinks she's a comedian. She knows when she's funny and will do everything just to keep you laughing. She has a very big heart and is very compassionate...most of the time. She is definitely not afraid to say what she needs to say! She loves her big brother so much. They are the best of friends and when one is away for whatever reason, the other doesn't know what to do with themselves!

Having fun painting

At the Rainforest Cafe in at Disneyland for lunch

We decided to have the kids drive us this time!

Getting ready for her party

Singing happy birthday

This just sort of happened, but she let 2 balloons go at the end of her party.

Summertime Fun

Summers are great here. Actually, the weather is always great here! We are really enjoying California weather. Especially when we think back on those dreary Montana winters. So when it got really hot, we got out the pool and let the kids have fun. Ben had a blast wrestling daddy in the pool and getting sprayed with the hose!

Ben trying to dodge the hose!

Our little Gracie...

Emma has become quite the character lately. She has a funny personality and has us laughing all the time. She is definitely a girly girl - she changes her clothes and shoes at least a dozen times a day! She loves music and she loves to sing. She will grab anything and make it into a microphone! On this particular day, it was the piping to a slide, but it has been toothbrushes, hairbrushes, straws, markers....anything. And once she gets her "microphone" she just goes to town and belts it out!

The wheels are spinning. Here she is thinking, "Hmmm...this might make a nice microphone."

And....she goes for it. Yes, this is definitely going to be my microphone.

Nana, thinking she might hurt herself, tries to help out....well, you can see how that's going over.

Yes, the stage is where I belong!

Are you enjoying this performance as much as I am enjoying giving it?!

Ben Looses His 1st Tooth!

I think it was Ben's lucky day because he lost his very 1st tooth on St. Patrick's Day this year! It was very eventful! He couldn't wait for that tooth to come out so he could leave it for the tooth fairy. He was so excited when it finally came out!

Ben posing with his first lost tooth!

Ben turns Five!

His first cake

And....his  second cake.

 "Happy Birthday!"

We can't believe Ben is already 5! It's amazing how fast those years went by. He has grown so much and is such an energetic, loving, and smart boy. He loves his sister and is such a great big brother. We had a great time at the party with wonderful friends and family!

Wicked!

Me in the bathroom of the "W" next to the Pantages. It was a swanky bathroom! Look at that beautiful chair!

At the Pantages Theater before the show

Me and my Aunt Jackie after the show having dinner at the famous Pann's restaurant

My Aunt treated me to see Wicked back in January (yes, I am WAY behind on my blogging!) We had such a great time! It was an absolutely amazing show!! We went to the famous Pann's restaurant after the show for dinner. A few scenes from Pulp Fiction have been filmed here as well as the old TV show, Bewitched. It was a nice break for me since Mario had left for a class and I had been with the kids for a month straight!