Tear Free Bath

This week Kate had her first tear free bath.  She didn't cry at all during it.  She even actually smiled through it.  Up until this point, she has hated her baths and cried the whole time.  I always dread having to give her a bath because she cries so hard through them.  But, FINALLY, she has decided that baths really aren't that bad - happy day!

Fun with my iphone

One of my favorite things so far about my iphone, is that I always have a camera with me.  If Kate is being cute, I can just snap a picture of her.  It especially came in handy this past week.  Scott had to travel all week, so I used my phone to keep him up to date on all Kate's cute expressions by sending him pictures of her throughout each day.  I like to think that pictures of this cute little munchkin made being away from home not quite so bad for her daddy.

Growing

Dear little Kate, please stop growing so fast.  Love, Mom.

This little outfit she is wearing is a size 3-6 month.  I cried when she outgrew her newborn clothes.  And most of her 0-3 month clothes do still fit her.  But I put this 3-6 month outfit on her, and it fit.  She is growing too fast.

Kate is such a little doll.  She LOVES being talked to, and is such a smiley little thing.  She loves when Owen sings to her (which he loves to do), and brightens up anytime anyone starts to talk to her.  Her other favorite these days is sucking on her fists.  She loves to just sit and suck on her little hands.  I think she's going to be an avid thumb sucker as soon as she can figure out how to control her hands enough to get her thumb in her mouth.

I am so blessed to have this sweet little girl.  I waited so long to have her join our family, and now that she is here, she brings such a peace to our family.  She has every one of us totally in love with her. 

Firepit

Last night we had a firepit dinner with the kids.  Hot dogs and s'mores.  It's one of my favorite things to do. We are loving the extra room that the firepit expansion gives us.  It got finished so late in the year last Fall, that we didn't get to use it till this summer.  It's perfect for gathering our whole family around.  It's one of my favorite features in our backyard.

4th of July

This 4th of July, Scott's parents came to spend the day with us.  My laundry room FINALLY got finished, so Jo came to help me organize it.  We spent the afternoon cleaning and organizing while Grandpa Mike played with Kate.  Then, when the work was done, we had a barbecue.  Then we went for a walk down to the open field to set off our "parachute" firework.  It shot a little army guy up into the air, then floated down and all the kids chased it.

Savannah was the lucky kid who caught the parachute (it helps being the tallest). 

Nate had his heart set on catching it, and when he didn't, he threw himself to the ground in despair.

So, Savannah went over to him and threw it back up in the air as far as she could, and let him catch it.  She's a great big sister.

Kate was happy to just hang out in the stroller and be cute.

And then, instead of heading straight back home, Owen wanted to go for more of a walk, so we kept on going around the neighborhood.  But, Owen decided instead of riding in the stroller, he'd rather push the stroller himself.

But, that was rather slow going, so Scott convinced him to go for a shoulder ride.  Owen wasn't too sure about that, and kept a tight grip on his dad.

 When we got back from our walk, Scott parents headed home, and we started gathering all the neighbors in our cul-de-sac for fireworks.  Everyone brings fireworks to contribute, and it makes for a pretty great show.  I love how great our neighbors are.

Lighting snakes, and waiting for it to get dark.

Lighting sparklers.

Nate was not a fan of any sort of "bang" and spent the entire night with his fingers in his ears.

Owen preferred to watch the fireworks on the go from his trike.

Kate slept in my neighbor's arms for a good part of the fireworks.

And then the real show began...

We had a great fireworks show with some great friends.  I really love where we live.  I love that each of our kids has at least one good friend on our street.  We truly are blessed!