July 2013 part 3

During the July 24th holiday, our city of Spanish Fork celebrates Fiesta Days! Since we didn't attend any of the festivities in 2012 we decided to check it out in 2013.  Jaina was so tired and fell asleep on the walk from the car to the carnival, which made it a little easier to handle everything because of the heat in the middle of July.

Mara & Xander on a spinning ride. I'm glad that these two enjoy doing things together because there was no way Pat would do that type of ride, and I wasn't able to because of being pregnant.

After the carnival, we went over to get some Shave Ice and enjoyed the fan/mister.

Pat & Mara decided on Blue. 

Xander and I went with Red! 

Jaina wasn't too skilled to have her own so we all shared with her. But because we were all taking pictures of our tongues she had to show hers too. 

Whenever there are holidays or events going on we usually invite Mana. She was so happy to come to the carnival and have some shave ice with us.  We sure LOVE her! 

A snapshot of Jaina while we were at Seven Peaks. She LOVES the waterslides, but only with daddy.

It's so fun to be able to hang with friends!  Here are some pictures of us with the Greer's. 

We planted Zucchini and kept getting HUGE ones!  Mara's was almost too heavy for her to hold!

Can you see the pen for comparison??  

We also planted Strawberries!  But didn't realize that the first season doesn't yield much. But the girls still enjoyed the few we were able to pick.

There was one night when Jaina was so so tired, but wouldn't admit it. So I let her watch Toy Story on our iPod.  She barely got 5 minutes into it before she was OUT.  It made me laugh.

Then dad decided to take advantage of the sleeping child and cuddle with her before putting her to bed. 

At the end of July we went up to the Seven Peaks in Salt Lake with Morri (& family), Lana (& family), & Gwen (& family).  After the swimming, we went to the Tracy Aviary! It was so fun to be there with family.

Mara & Addi

Xander and the big Condor 

Everyone was amazed at the peacocks and their call!!  It sounded like Kevin from UP! 

Me, trying to get a good selfie with my girl, and dad had to come in an photobomb!! 

Here's a better one. 

Mara, Addi, & Jaina wishing they were birds!

On the very last day of July, Mara lost tooth #8. She is getting to be a pro at this tooth thing!

July 2013 part 2 Cabin Time

We love going to our cabin during the summer, and we love it even more when we can take family and friends up with us. We had Morri & Liza w/ kids, Gwen w/ boys, and Noah join us this time.

 

On our hike down the road.

 

We were able to go swimming, because that's what you do in the summer!

 

Me and Jaina. One of the few pregnant pictures of me.

 
 

Drying off.  Jaina was wanting to be a big girl and copy her sister and cousins. But the next thing I knew, she had taken her swimsuit completely off and was lying on her towel naked!  It was pretty funny but tough to get her dressed again!

 

After swimming, you run through sprinklers!

 

Jaina was using a stick that she found as a wand, and was giving me, Liza and Gwen fairy wings.

 

Instagram collage!

 

Morri brought his bebe guns and the kids had a great time shooting with them.

 

The traditional picture on the stairs of the cabin.

 

 

There is a nest in the corner, underneath the upper deck. We were watching the birds come to the nest to feed the babies, when the mama bird got spooked and flew away really fast and one of the babies fell out as a result. So in swoops Pat, the bird lover, to the rescue. He was able to put the bird back into the nest and save the day!

 

What's a cabin trip without T-Cees? 

Gotta love the small town feel!

July 2013 part 1

July started with some great news, on the 1st we found out we were to have our 3rd girl!!

Xander & I really thought that the baby was a boy, so it took a bit for us to get our heads wrapped around the idea of another girl. But needless to say, we got excited for her to come.

 

On the 4th of July we went over to the lawn in front of the Provo Temple for our annual watching of the Stadium of Fire Fireworks.

This girl just LOVES all these boys and is SO happy when they play with her.

 

Our nephew Jacob was soon to go out on his mission, so we made sure to have some family time with him. We ate dinner then the boys played Super Smash Bros. 

 

Jaina got a new dress from Grandma and she LOVED it!

 

Jaina also had a big month. She finally started potty training. It only took her a few weeks to get it down, even with going to the pool. We are so proud of her!

 

Got to go to Seven Peaks with more cousins! We love play time with them.

Jaina, Mara, Olivia, Addi, Aubrey & Maddox

 

The day Jacob went to the MTC we got together as a family for breakfast so we could say our goodbyes.

 

I love the days when the kids get out the train and work together to make something fun!!!

 

Grandma Poulton was in town getting her new room at Roger & Tammy's house ready, and as always, she took 'her girls' out for lunch. It was great to have Amber there too!

 

We live near some very large and cool windmills. So one day on our way home, dad decided to take a detour to see them closer.  It was very cool!

 

July 15th, we took a hike to The Grotto that is located in Payson Canyon.  It was really easy and fun to be out in nature. I am proud of myself that I was able to do it being 5 months pregnant.

The boys hiked up a little further to the top.

 

Xander and Mara did swim lessons again this year. They both learned so much and are getting more confident in the water. We were able to take pictures on the last day.

Here's Xander going off the diving board (one of his favorite things)

 

Mara & Xander ended up being on the diving board at the same time.  Mara is still really reserved and nervous, so she was never able to jump, but did try a few times. I hope that her confidence will grow in the coming years and she'll be able to overcome her fears.

 

My diving boy

 

Mara coming off of the waterslide.

 

Had to sneak a cute pic of Jaina in.

 

For Karri's birthday we went to get pedicures.

I love being able to have girl time with my mom and sister.

 

Afterwards, we took Karri to Build-A-Bear so she could get her own animal. It was so fun for the kids to help her pick out her bear, River.

 

 

The annual picture of Karri and the nieces & nephews

 

After Sunday dinner at Mana's, there were water balloon games and fun with the hose.

It's the best thing to do in the summer.

 

The girls got so wet that they changed into some of Papa's old shirts that Mana still had.

 

Then to do the 'circle of fireworks'. Jaina didn't like the sound,but she'll get over that soon.