Yesterday...

I was totally on the ball and got so much done, I love it when that happens. We're leaving for our 4th of July Pilgrimage to Rexburg tomorrow...the house is pretty clean and the clothes are all washed. It's a miracle.

When I went upstairs to get M after afternoon nap, someone had decided to grab their blanket, climb in and keep her company:

Only a Mommy would think their baby is soooooo cute eating Cheerios, huh? I think she's doing pretty well at grabbing them for her age. And Noelle is the background just adds to the cuteness.

We walked to the store in the morning and this guy stops to coo over M and turns to Noelle and says, "Looks like your little brother forgot his shoes this morning! He's so handsome and you're a princess, huh?"

I just smiled and walked on, but really wanted to say, "Do boys wear yellow dresses with pink flowers? You fool!"

YARD UPDATE:

Hallelujah! Angels were singing about 6:00 Saturday evening....I started about 8:00am and did not take a single break. But, the flower beds are done! I think they look awesome. We still have some little things to major part is finally O.V.E.R. The backs of my legs are still sore.

7 Months

Sweet little Madeleine is so much fun! She has turned into a crazy raspberry-blowing-jabber-jaws with her favorite word being, 'Da-Da.' I know she loves her Mommy, but this girl really has eyes for Daddy. Anytime she hears his voice or sees him, she whips her head back forth looking for him until he comes and gets her. One morning last week she was up really early so we had her in bed laying between us and Aaron whispers, "Madeleine, say Da-Da." She turned her head to the side like directly into his face with her little look and clear as a bell said it. Stinker.

She and Noelle have become fast friends, they actually play together, and no one can make her giggle like her big sister. We were like an comedy act in the middle of the grocery store as Noelle kept crouching down under the cart and popping back up, Madeleine's hysterical giggles could be heard several aisles away.

She is absolutely at the 'I need to be constantly entertained but not mobile stage' which can make me crazy at times. I feel I can't get anything done, like most Mothers out there I'm a pro at doing everything one handed because I've got a baby on my hip 80% of the time. I guess she's worth it, though!

How are you supposed to feed this? Just when you get the spoon to her mouth she lets it rip!

Rite of Passage

Saturday at Trader Joe's...first time sitting in the cart.

And because she's such a big shot...first time getting drinking from (well, playing with) a cup.

Let Beach Season Begin!

Thanks Daddy!

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you, Daddy!

Thank you for working so hard, your job takes so much out of you but when you come home you can't wait to see and play with your girls. I doubt there is a Daddy around that is more fun than you.

We're so blessed to have you.

~

All of my good Daddy pictures are on my old computer so they will have to wait until next year. Plus, Daddy was asked to help out at Scout Camp....so that is where he spent his weekend. Funny thing is, I really think we were more disappointed about it than he was! He loves the Scouting Program and had fun with the boys.

Friday night he opened his presents (pictures, a tie, and a Deadliest Catch T-shirt) then we used a gift card we had at Chili's. This is how Noelle felt about having her picture taken:

Daddy did leave earlier than expected to come home on Sunday when he called, I was totally unprepared for making an appropriate Father's Day dinner. We BBQ'ed hamburgers (which actually are his absolute favorite), then decorated cupcakes. It all worked out for the best. The only picture I took were of our blue beauties:

The highlight of the weekend was making and giving Unc his Father's Day shirt. Noelle loved it and was bursting at her little seems with pure excitement. The tears he shed were so tender...

A little helper she sure is! Noelle loves to help him pick up after the dog in the yard. I do believe she could spot a pile at least a mile away.

I'm So Glad They Like Each Other

Look Alike Raspberry Maker

Does this baby girl look like her Daddy or what? Both of these pictures are 'faces' that Aaron makes all the time.

And if you're not busy for the next three minutes here's a cute video. Big sister was sleeping in so we were playing around. She started doing raspberries the minute she woke up and continued until she went to bed. Sorry about the dryer in the background, I always do that!

Stupid blogger won't upload the video...will try later.

High: Auntie and Unc took the girls for a couple of hours and I got a lot done in the backyard. Getting it done with an out of town husband and a six month old is pretty much impossible.

Low: While we were getting ready for the pool and I was looking for Madeleine's hat Noelle thought she would help by putting half a bottle of sunblock on her sister. Let's just say it wasn't my best Mothering moment. After Noelle's tears started to abide she said, "Mommy! I don't want to be sad anymore, I want to be happy!" I couldn't agree more.

Summer Means...

It's Otter Pop Season!!

Thanks Sarah :)

Someone else enjoyed peaches.
Today's High: Noelle was at the table eating and I was sitting by her tickling Madeleine's belly. Madeleine started giggling...Noelle started giggling...soon they were just cracking up at each other giggling. So glad I'm their Mommy.

Today's Low: We were walking to the Post Office, I ran back into the house to get my cell phone. At the end of the street I realized I was carrying the TV remote instead.

I Love Saturdays!

In the morning I dropped Noelle off her first Primary Activity. They learned about Articles of Faith 1-4. Not sure how much of that she retained, I do know she had a fantastic time. On the way home she said in her little voice, "We didn't sing Together or Temple."
Meanwhile, at home, Mommy and Daddy were hard at work in the yard. Long story but we tore out most of our flower beds and are starting over. I saved most of the good plants and will replant those but I am replacing a lot them. I am SO excited. We worked hard. Yard work....the more you do, the more you realize you have left to do. I'll keep you updated!
We got done about 7:00 and went to our favorite place for a yummy salad and a piece of carrot cake to go. Noelle was being so funny she wouldn't take a picture without her drink and sweet Madeleine slept through the whole thing.

Noelle fell asleep in the car, we got her to bed, then Aaron and I enjoyed our dessert watching his new obsession, 'Deadliest Catch.' I put the sheets in the wash earlier but we were too tired, just put a blanket down and lights out!

Noelle?

Mom: "Noelle? Where are you?"
Noelle: "Just playin!"

...in the storage bin. She grabbed a blanket and her toy and climbed on in.

_________________________________

Mom: "Noelle? Where are you?"
Noelle: Silence

This girl's sleep schedule is a wreck. Every afternoon this week she's fallen asleep from about 4:00 - 6:00, then is up until 10:00. We can't get out of the cycle! She falls asleep in the funniest places. This day you can't see it well but she wrapped herself up in about 5 blankets put her pillow on the Boppy and knocked out on our bed.

Yosemite 2009

When we pulled into Yosemite Valley the rain started to come down and by the time we got to our campsite it was pouring. I started getting a really bad sore throat and stuffy nose the night before, I felt horrible when we got there, the thought of doing this in the rain almost sent me over the edge. Luckily, after about 20 minutes it cleared up and we got to work. Noelle was a big helper and Madeleine took a little nap, it worked out great! Day One: when we woke up and headed out of the campground Noelle thought she was in heaven! All the places to climb and trees were awesome. First thing we walked to Yosemite Falls, the took the bus to Mirror Lake. Noelle had the best time running around all the rocks in the water. It broke my heart when it was time to go. Next year we may have to take our swim suits like everyone else.

Day two: we hiked up to the bridge at Vernal Falls...it's short but steeeeeeep. I pushed Noelle in the stroller most of the way. Crazy work out! We went back down while Daddy hiked the rest of the way to Nevada Falls, it was too much for the little ones. The afternoon we spent in Yosemite Village walking around and checking out the stores. That night Madeleine enjoyed a nice warm bath.

Day three: we drove about an hour over to Hetch-Hetchy which is the sister valley to Yosemite which was turned into a damn in the 30's. We hiked 2.5 miles up to the waterfalls. It was awesome! The terrain was gorgeous, the weather perfect, and there were butterflies everywhere. Noelle struggled a bit on the way their and I had to carry her part of the way. After a little rest and lunch she was ready to roll and made it the whole way back herself. Beyond impressive. It was not an easy hike by any stretch. We saw a bear in a meadow on the drive up and he was still there hours later on our way back and in the next meadow there was another bear with her two tiny cubs. They were the cutest things.
Day Four: Aaron's birthday and he climbed Half Dome. He's been saying since last year that he wanted to do it on his birthday this year but he did not do any sort of training. I was the nay-sayer and kept telling him he was crazy. Our campsite neighbor convinced him he could do it and let him us his walking poles. He said those would save his knees and he was absolutely correct. He left the campsite at 6:00am and got back a little after 4:00pm, this included waiting an hour at the cables (some crazy lady screaming that she wasn't going anywhere) and an hour at the top. He made great time!
After the long day and several days of all the work cooking with little kids in bear country - I was done. So, we hit the Curry Village buffet, way to celebrate! The carrot cake worked in place of a birthday cake and Noelle loved all the chocolate milk she could drink. Our last morning waking up...I thought Aaron would be really sore from the day before but he felt pretty good. Packing up camp took a really long time, I was ready to get out of there. As I was taking our trash to the dumpster I saw this little bear cruising around, it was actually kind of emotional, he was amazing. Then he started ripping apart this old stump and eating the bugs out of it, I loved seeing him in nature doing was he was supposed to, not cruising campsites looking for doughnuts. :)

I alsmot forgot to mention Noelle's little friend, Jack. A family moved into the campsite next to us on Monday and we had kids about the same age. Jack and Noelle instantly bonded, they were adorable. They shared everything, never disagreed in any way, and just plain loved eachother. Giggles, holding hands, running around, acting crazy, sharing snacks. These were the only pictures I got of them. :(

6 Months

Well, this is only a couple of weeks late....better late than never! Madeleine continues to be a little ray of sunshine around here...although she is a very high maintenance ray of sunshine! She loves people and watching every little thing that goes on, this means she gets bored quite easily and does not have a problem letting you know she needs some entertaining.

All went well at her 6 month appointment, except for her shots, of course. The only thing is that she has yet to roll over, isn't that funny?! Her development is perfect in every other way, I just think she has her own stubborn way. She really enjoyed eating her oatmeal for the first few days, then at her appointment the doctor said I should be introducing more foods, since then her interest was wained a bit. She eats a few bites and is over it. Once again, her own little way!

Stats

Weight: 18 lbs 2 oz - 85%

Length: 27" - 87%

Head: 16 3/4" - 51%

Dallin & Evan

Before we left for Yosemite my friend April had an opportunity to meet up with some friends from her mission. We had her two boys, Dallin & Evan, stay with us. It was fun, fun, fun!

Dallin slept on the floor of Noelle's room instead of on the spare bed, it was too cute. First thing in the morning they played a mean game of Candyland.

After lunch we made Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Then we played some Wii.

Madeleine watched from the couch. Before baths & bed we played outside, it was such a beautiful evening.

Noelle pushed Dallin everywhere, they were hilarious.

Then we it was Dallin's turn to push Noelle he went at it with too much gusto, fell really hard and fun times were over.

Just Because...

I'm too lazy and busy to post about everything else going on... so here's a picture of this precious, chubby baby straight out of the bath. I love, love, love clean babies. If it were feasible, I'd bathe them three times-a-day.

Home Sweet Home

We got home last night after 5 days of camping in Yosemite. It was amazing to say the least but nothing feels as good as being home in your own comfy bed. Here's just a sneak peak into all the fun.

The best part of the whole trip? Aaron climbed this mountain on his birthday:

Half dome! 14+ miles with an elevation gave of 4800 feet. He made amazing time and did not train a single day for it. Way to go, baby!