This is a little overdue but...better late than never, right? To celebrate the 24th of July and to help teach Grant a little bit about it, we tried to do a "Pioneer" activity everyday of the week starting with Family Home Evening on Sunday. I wish I took more pictures of everything we did but alas, I am a slacker. His favorite was the "trek" (walking back and forth across our back patio) we went on for our FHE lesson. He had so much fun loading up his red wagon with things we would need. He kept saying, "And we need this...and this..." And of course, the activity would not have been complete if we didn't sing "Pioneer children sang as they walked, and walked and walked and walked..." like a million times. Other highlights of the week included making butter! Who needs to go to the gym? Just shake a baby food jar filled with whipping cream for a while and you will end up with some toned arms (not to mention some butter you can be proud of). Maybe I could make an exercise video! :-)

Gracie had fun rolling the jar around for a bit.
Grant, well- he made me shake it most of the time. And of course, I had to sing the pioneer song.
One of the days, we had to wade through an icy river! BRRRR! We filled the tub up with cold water, added ice and a cowboy hat and viola! I cannot imagine enduring everything the pioneers had to go through. Bug and I couldn't even handle the cold water for 1 minute!
One day, he will kill me for snapping photos of him wearing his jammies and roos but until that day, I am gonna keep snappin' the photos!!!!

Grant wanted to take pictures the other day. Here is his photo gallery!
He really didn't do too bad.
He told me that he needs his own camera and he even prayed for one that night. Guess I better dig out the old one!
Gracie Girl is always lifting up her legs like this and usually has a hold of them and is pulling them up by her ears. The blasted tray is in the way, isn't it sis?!? Good job, Bug!

Birthday Time

While we were in UT we celebrated the kids birthday's early. We enjoyed a bbq with family and close friends that we consider family. It was a great evening.
I cannot believe how fast these two have grown. I still remember the day that they were each born. Words cannot express the love I have for them. I am so thankful for the things they teach me and I am so proud of both of them. Bug and Butterfly, you are my world! Happy Birthday you two!

Round and Round She Goes

Grace LOVES to turn around and around in circles. We are sad to say that she is not an ambiturner. We are pretty sure that she could entertain herself this way for hours on end. She also enjoys giving her bird mouth to mouth. :-) In the second part of the video you will see Grace's signing skills. She signs "dog" like it is her job. She also says, "dog, dog, dog, dog." We are probably the only ones who would pick up on that though. Poor Grant gets his dog stolen all the time. Luckily, he is a great sport! We bought Grace her own 'girl' dog (Frenchy from Fancy Nancy) but she could care less. Enjoy!

Surgery Anyone?

We have been on a bit of a hiatus lately...but we are back! We enjoyed a fun week in UT (pix to come later) where we had early birthday parties for Adam, Grant and Grace and also did a bunch of other fun activities. Then we came home to prepare for both kids to have surgery. Blah! Gracie had her tonsils and adenoids out and spent some time in the PICU. Can I just say that the PICU is the worst?!?! I feel so bad for the people who have to spend a lot of time there. My heart goes out to you. Luckily Grace didn't have to be there too long--I don't know how many more nights I could have gone without sleep. :-) Anyway, Grace was having trouble breathing last night and was running a fever so I took her in to the doctor today and sure enough, she has pneumonia again. Hopefully the antibiotic will start to work for her soon. Through it all, she still finds a way to smile (and yell at her brother)!

Grant had to have a same day surgery on Friday and can I just say that I NEVER want him to be put under anesthesia again!!!! He had a really hard time coming out of it and when he did-- boy was he mean! It took me and 2 nurses to get him in the car and within 5 seconds he was out of his seatbelt... crying, screaming, hitting and throwing things. I was the only one with him because my mom and Adam were at the hospital with Grace. I just kept praying that I could get him home somehow. Then...a miracle! I was eventually able to get him to at least sit down long enough to get home(if I admit that he was not wearing a seatbelt...or pants or underwear... on the way,will anyone turn me in to the authorities?). Then once we were home he was throwing stuff at the door and tried to break through our glass door. Boy was I glad when he started to chill out. Poor kid! Now he is doing just fine though. He is in a little bit of pain but he just "shakes it off!"

So needless to say, it has been a crazy week. However, we have felt the prayers that have been offered in our behalf. I'll try to post some pictures from our adventures in Utah. And can I just say that prices in UT ROCK!!!! CA food is so overpriced!

"i have a voice"

I really enjoyed the video below and thought you might as well. We are so thankful for our little angel. What a blessing she has been in our lives. Gracie, you are beautiful inside and out and we know that you can achieve anything you put your mind to.

What Fun!

I finally got around to putting some pictures together from my parents' visit. Also, over Memorial Day weekend Adam, Grant, Grace and I were able to stay at a friends apartment on Nob Hill (he only uses occasionally). It was SOOOOO much fun! Grant didn't want to come home and he keeps saying he wants to go back and live in the apartment. We do too, buddy!