The chocolate unibrow

Don't ask me how she got chocolate ice cream right between her brows. I was laughing so the picture is a little blurry.

The cure for the common cold

Vapor Rub anyone?? Click on the picture to enlarge & appreciate her handywork. I love the look on her face....she knew she was busted! Niiiiiiice!

4th of July

Coray reminded me the other day we didn't have any pictures from the 4th up yet. I'm a bit behind on the posts lately but we had a great time over at Dave & Skye's house. The girls were in heaven & Coray actually got to come too! Skye always has their house decorated for the holidays & the 4th is always so colorful & fun. I mean who doesn't love our red, white & blue colors? Throw in a good food, good friends & family & good fun & you can't go wrong. We did fireworks in the street later in the evening. Emma was scared of the noise & hung out by the front door once we started. Gracie was front & center on the curb loving all the colors & sounds.

What a wonderful country the United States is. How lucky we are to enjoy the freedoms that we do. How blessed we are to live here.

Playing with the cousins (and Grandpa)

It's been awhile but we finally got the girls together with their cousins (who Emma's been DYING to see). Monday was Parker's 9th birthday so we went over for some swimming, playing & eating....good times. They had a blast with the boys & we got to visit with Mike, Jessett, Kylie & baby Britain (they're cousins too, in a roundabout way).

Visiting with Nikkie

I can't say Nikkie is an "old" friend because dang it, we're not old! But she's definitely a long time friend. Last Friday, the 20th, Nikkie came to visit with her husband Jason & their five kids. Nikkie, Jason & I went to BYU together. Nikkie & I were roommates & Jason was in our ward...this was more than 15 years ago!! They got married the year we graduated - 1993! Crazy. So, I've got pictures! I scanned a couple of Nikkie & I when we were roommates....circa 1993. We decided this one was before we went to a dance or party.

This is BYU graduation (with Sallie) ~ 1993.
And here is 15 years & seven children later (five of them being hers)! Plus, it's after a couple hours at the pool with no makeup on. Not bad for a couple of....uh, college grads!

Emma's boyfriend

McKay Garrett (extended family & friend) had some business in the area last week & stayed with us for a few days. Emma declared him her boyfriend. Although, I will say she really doesn't get it, to her all boys who are her friends are her boyfriends. They're very literal at that age, aren't they? It was too cute. We were upstairs one night & it was close to bedtime. McKay was downstairs with Coray or something & I was trying to get the girls ready for bed. Emma was not helping me clean up & I told her that if she didn't then she would have to stay upstairs the rest of the evening. She looked at me with wide eyes & said "You mean I can't go see my boyfriend?" I had to laugh. Watch out Elizabeth, you've got some competition in the form of a beautiful, blue eyed, almost five year old!

It's all about the water now!

(Click the picture for a close up of the hair cuts!)
I feel bad for the girls that it's so hot now & with me working at home it gets boring for them. We ended up getting a little wading pool for the backyard so they could at least go outside & splash around (in the later afternoon when there's some shade in the backyard). We've been to our community pool a few times already too, which they love, but sometimes it's just nice to be able to let them play in the backyard. I've got them both enrolled in swim lessons starting at the end of the month, so that'll be fun too. Now that it's summertime & over 100 degrees every day, it's definitely all about the water!

Primary activity

I've been a little slow in keeping up lately. On June 7th, our ward primary (our church children's organization for those of you who are not LDS) had an activity day at a local park. The girls had a blast. They had water balloon popping relay contests, a "duck, duck, goose" activity that involved sponges filled with water (Emma got our Bishop good), tee-shirt painting, and Popsicles.

Redbox!

Am I the last person in the world to know about this place?! It's so cool, why didn't I think of something like this? I need to buy stock in it. I heard they're going to be making an IPO. They have one in our local Wal-Mart. What an awesome way to rent movies....rent online (or at the "box"), pick it up & only pay a $1 a night?! WOO HOO!!! We're going to be seeing some movies! http://www.redbox.com/

New doos & new floors (not related, just new stuff)

We decided that George "W" was going to buy us a new floor for the kitchen & hallway....so thanks for the tax relief check! We really hated the carpeting in the hallway because it was absolutely filthy despite our best efforts to not wear shoes in the house. So we decided on laminate and had the kitchen done as well, since it would've looked really silly if we hadn't done it. We went with Floor & Decor & were really pleased with their prices & the work they did. So here are some pictures of what it looks like finished. From the front door following the hallway/walkway around towards the downstairs bathroom, laundry room & garage. Right about where Frodo (our ceramic frog & family pet) is was where the carpeting began & followed all the way around to the left.
From the front door looking left into the kitchen (you can SORT OF see the girls hair cuts...I'll post more when I get a couple good ones. Click the picture to enlarge & see them better).



And from the living room looking towards the front door & kitchen.
So far, we're loving it!!!