I know that blogging is not meant to be this way, but for some reason, at this point, it seems easier for me to do one big post, than to do them individually. So...here's a big summary of the highlights of our summer:
Thatcher Weddings
June was the month of weddings for the Thatchers. First Katie & Cody, and then Alex and Tiffanie. Both couples were married in the Logan Temple, and both days were absolutely wonderful! It has been so fun to see them so full of love and so happily married.
As a side note, I somehow convinced Katie and Cody to let me do the flowers for their reception. Luckily, my friend, Hayley is a professional florist, so she offered to help me. She gets all the credit, because she did all the hard parts and taught me how to do everything else. But they turned out beautifully, and we were all pleased (how can you go wrong with Gerber Daisies?). I would love to develop that talent more in the future!
Camping with our NeighborsWe went on a camping adventure with the Ormes up to Mill Hollow reservoir, not knowing if we'd get a spot. We felt lucky to get a beautiful site close to the reservoir. The scenery was SO beautiful! We had a very fun time, except from 11pm - 7am. We got VERY little sleep, but somehow survived the night and the next day!
The girls helped Daddy put up the tent (this is always the funnest part!)
But then they wanted to hang out in the car rather than in the tents
Fishing was a blast (even though we didn't catch anything)
Look at this girl...happy as can be, even though she cried half the night!
Our New Bunny, Ashley
Uncle Aaron said we could get another bunny from him, so as we drove to his house to get the
male bunny he had already picked out for us, we asked the girls what they want to call it. They thought for a moment, then Gracie said, "Ashley" in a very confident tone. Millie agreed and as far as they were concerned, it was decided! We tried to tell them that it's a male bunny and that Ashley is a girl name, but they insisted that they want a girl bunny named Ashley. After trying for awhile to convince them otherwise, we finally let it go.
Then later that night, it dawned on me that it wouldn't matter either way! They can have their way with this bunny. It can be a male "girl" named Ashley, and no one will know the difference. I started laughing at my discovery! We've been trying to have less "battles" and "power struggles," so it was good for me to realize that here was yet another example of when it really doesn't matter if they get their way. After all, it is
their bunny, so they should get to name it!
It's been so fun to have another bunny! We love it when friends come over to see the bunnies and Millie and Gracie get practice sharing them with others. We also got a bunny leash to try to take them on walks or to the park, but so far, the bunnies have been able to sneak out of their leash.
Fourth of July We LOVE this time of year! We try to hit every parade we can, and we never tire of watching fireworks. The girls really enjoyed riding their bikes in two parades
(we crashed Josh and Elena's little neighborhood parade so we could see their new place), but they couldn't understand why these parades don't have candy.
Gracie was so cute riding her big wheel! She is a very independent spirit, so even though she is still learning to ride, she refused to have dad push her. Thank goodness he is a patient man! She came in very last in both parades, but she was completely oblivious to this. In her eyes, it was a success because she did it ALL by herself!
Millie rode near the front and tried hard to avoid running in to other children on their bikes.
Claire was so happy to just be hanging out on a blanket with her cousin, Eila.
Couldn't be 4th of July without the traditional flag cake at Grandma & Grandpa Yorgason's
Cabin and Bear Lake
We spent a few days in Logan Canyon at a family cabin with Mark, Em and boys. It was SO beautiful and peaceful. No cell phone connection and no TV. The kids played outside by a small stream, chased butterflies, threw rocks, and explored. Paul got to fish with Mark. The kids got to know their cousins better. We had a game night with the Stauffers. It was very relaxing and fun!
We especially loved our day at Bear Lake. We cruised around in Mark & Em's motor boat, and played on the beach all day long.
Thatcher Family ReunionWe had another great reunion at Thatcher Manor with all the cousins. It was a country theme, so the kids decorated cowboy hats, we all did some square dancing, there was a root beer drinking contest, a tug-o-war, and then the usual movie, slip 'n slide, and camping outside in the yard. We were horrible at taking pictures, so this one will have to do!
Park Playdates
I got the idea from a friend of mine to organize a series of park play dates all summer long. We go to a different park each week, and there has been a fun group there every time. This has helped me to get us out of the house, get to know more of the local parks, and help the girls become more comfortable with physical challenges. Plus, it's always fun to be with friends!
Grace was so afraid of this bridge, that she insisted on sitting and scooting along it. I think she inherited my fear of heights. Poor girl! Okay, think positive, Jen: "she is cautious!"
Millie loves new physical challenges and finding fun "tricks" to do on the bars
And luckily, Claire has been content just watching!
Thanksgiving PointFor her birthday, we all gave Grandma Yorgason a "grandparent's pass" to Thanksgiving Point. We are excited to be spending a lot more time there this year with her. Lauren's cousin birthday party was there, so we had an excuse to spend the day there with grandma.
We had a fun time in the water gardens...
going on a bear hunt and actually finding a bear...
The girls LOVED the pony rides! They begged to go again! Glad they've conquered this fear!
This Is The Place MonumentThe Fairbanks family reunion is held here every year. We love how kid-friendly the park is and it's always fun to see cousins from the Yates side there!
Millie in the petting zoo
Grace and cousin Lauren. Grace is proudly holding a praying mantis that we found, which she was way more interested in than all the goats and lambs she could have pet.
They have a fun new addition this year to the park--cute kid-sized homes and buildings for them to play in.
Swimming!
Instead of taking swimming lessons this year, we opted to do a lot of swimming at the pool and in our backyard (hey, might as well take advantage of the fact that this is STILL exciting to them). We've had many fun days out in the backyard with our friends.
Hannah mailed us these goggles from South Dakota, and they have been well worth her money in postage. Here's Grace in one of my favorite photos of the entire summer:
It's always a party when we meet up with Abby in the backyard to play! There's something about the spontaneity of it all that makes it really fun!
Ward CampoutWe camped out at the Young's cabin up near Morgan, and it was absolutely beautiful! The cabin was amazing, with a huge yard that included swings, a river, a stream, a bridge that led to a nature walk, volleyball, and a 3-hole golf course. It rained hard right during dinner, but then the weather cleared up for the rest of the evening. We were smart enough to know not to sleep in a tent, but we were able to be there in the evening and come back in the morning. There was a great turnout from the neighborhood and a good time had by all.
Millie loved this tire swing!
Happy girl! Easy baby!
Dorito face!
Wake-up, Make-up, & Dress-upsIf I had to summarize our lives right now, it wouldn't be too far off to name it with those three words. The whole concept that "make-up is for mommies but you can use a little lipstick when you are playing dress-ups" is just not sinking in. Maybe that's because they dress up every day, and they try to apply make-up MANY times a day.
Some mornings, the "bed head" is picture worthy...and this was one of those mornings.
Grace still lets me do her hair most of the time, although she dictates how she wants it, and she usually pulls the clips out within an hour of getting them in. Ponytails stay in the longest, so I try to do those a lot.
Millie is learning to do her own hair (and then sneaking some make-up on too). Here are some flowers I've been making. She prefers three at a time. I consider it a good thing if they at least match her outfit. Hey, you have to pick your battles!
And on this particular day, she tested all the lotions as well. Notice, she has her purse, filled with her lipsticks that she has claimed from my drawers.
And here we have the blue eyeshadow caked on, even across the top of the nose
Grace decided she was up for getting a makeover
So happy to be like a mommy!
Here's a beautiful Halloween dress that Hannah sent for the girls. We all decided to try it on! We couldn't catch a picture of Grace before she ripped it off.
But I somehow fit into it. The girls were
stunned! So was I!
Here's what mommy looks like with short, curly hair. We used the wig to dress up as the "mommy" for some role plays during a Family Home Evening lesson
Millie liked being the mommy, but Grace just wanted to be "Gracie" the whole time.
Claire is Growing SO QuicklyThis sweet girl is so much fun to have around! We don't take nearly enough pictures of her to capture all her stages, and just how adorable she is. But here are a few pics we got.
This was when she used to love sitting in the saucer with all the fun toys. Now that she is sitting and crawling, she feels a little confined in the saucer. She wants to explore the entire house.
She was a very early eater--started solids at 4 months, and by 7 months, she didn't want anything to do with pureed baby food. She prefers finger food that she gets to pick up eat herself, so we do our best to get her full on nutritious food, but it's not always easy.
"Laire-Laire" (nick-named affectionately by Grace) loves to be a big girl and do what her sisters are doing.
Usually when she is being held by her sisters, they end up leaning her back to lay on them. They love this position. She doesn't!
Claire discovers spaghetti and loves it!
Recent Art Projects
It's hard to throw these things away, but it's even harder to keep them! So I try to capture a few of the best ones, and then I send them on their way in the recycling can, usually with the reminder that "it's the process, not the final outcome that matters!"
Gracie has a unique style of coloring that we have come to appreciate. She rarely colors anything but princesses these days.
Millie decided that her dolly needed a skirt (in case you didn't know, Millie wears a skirt EVERY day!). I was skeptical about a paper skirt, but she showed me how to make it, and then she colored the design. It turned out really cute, and she was very pleased with her work!
Fruit loop art
Bad picture, but a very fun craft. Millie crushed up the fruit loops to make colored glitter. Then she drew a shape with glue and sprinkled the glitter on.
rainbows made my Millie and Daddy
The girls started out painting on paper, and it ended up all over their arms. This was a cast that Gracie gave herself for her "broken arm."
Chalk painting has been our daily backyard art project this summer. The girls love to get the chalk wet and use paint brushes, dipped in water to paint over their drawings.
They usually end up getting soaked and covered with the chalk, but they can play out there for a long time by themselves. I figure that's what childhood is about: discovery, creativity, and freedom! On days like this, I remind myself the words to a song, "Let them be little." This helps me enjoy their little activity instead of worrying about the mess I'll have to clean up.
