Progress!

That's Parker there, in the black shirt, sticking his face in the water!  Last year (and even mostly this year, too) when his instructor would ask him to put his face in the water, Parker would mull it over and then answer, "I don't want to do that."  He suddenly decided this session to put his face in (in the picture he's getting a diving ring).  I was so glad to see the swim lessons are paying off!

When Church Takes All You've Got

After a long day at church, where Cameron refused to nap, he just couldn't take it anymore.  Once we got home, he fell asleep while I undressed him!

Floats

This afternoon we continued our annual tradition of looking at the Pioneer Day floats in the air-conditioned expo center.  (Considering it's been over 100 degrees each day for a ridiculously long time around here, I can't imagine wanting to sit outside to see these floats during the parade!) Kenzie and Parker got in line for balloon toys this year - Kenzie has an orange puppy, and Parker was thrilled with his sword (complete with holster, even).

 I think Kenzie fits in with the martians on this float a little too well, what do you think?

Cameron was quiet the entire time.  He looked around completely enthralled.  Happy Pioneer Day!

Naughty

Yesterday Cameron discovered the plants!  I had forgotten about them, since they were in the corner behind the kitchen table.  Cameron was so happy to discover the dirt that he was cackling.  Even when I frowned at him, he couldn't hide his happiness.  (At least he wasn't eating it this time.  Usually when he's with me pulling weeds he starts trying to stuff dirt in his mouth!)  Such a busy kid. 

So Cute

I sure like this kid.  It's nice to have a buddy while Kenzie and Parker are busy at the park.  He will be running around with them all too soon!

Rose Crest Park

Last summer I tried to always visit a new park with the kids.  I still am trying this summer, although we don't venture too far from home due to Cameron's nap schedule. Today we went to Rose Crest Park in Herriman.  Kenzie and Parker were impressed with this play structure, and especially the steep slide in the back. 

 Static hair!

 I really couldn't tell if Cameron enjoyed the slide or not.  He had a pretty serious expression on his face the whole way down!

 It's going to be sad when Kenzie and Parker go to school in the fall - we've been having fun with our slow summer schedule!  I can't believe it's already halfway through summer!

Just in Time

Daddy lowered the crib mattress just in time for someone to learn to pull himself up!  (He's slightly proud of himself, too!)

Kenzie's Baptism

 McKenzie was baptized on Saturday, so we celebrated her birthday at the same time with the family.  (In case you're wondering if a cake is a traditional baptism thing - it's not, it's just her birthday cake!)

 Aren't they cute?

 Here we are, hanging out waiting for the room to be cleared from the ward before us.  (Parker was very interested in what was going on, and as we left to go home he asked Kenzie, "Now do you have to make good choices?"  I loved that!)

 Kenzie shared her baptism day with her good buddies Lilly and Kaya, who also have June birthdays.  There was a lot of discussion and speculation amongst them about who would get to be baptized first.  (It wound up being Kenzie - the benefits of having a last name starting with "A").

 Kenzie's grandparents came all the way from Oregon just to support her.  (Her other grandparents are busy with baptisms of their own out in Tahiti!  So I guess we'll let them off the hook this time.)

Afterwards, we had the whole family over for tacos and Kenzie's birthday.  (Note: this is definitely not the whole family singing.  We don't all fit in one general area, so we sing with whoever's close by! The rest were downstairs or outside!)

Kenzie got to open even more presents.  I like her reaction here - she was happy with everything, but especially this bracelet with little Eiffel Tower charms.

I always get a kick out of the big boys trying to start fires.   I can't say I'm ever too concerned about them doing it, since they don't have much luck!  It was a fun day, and a very tiring one.  Congrats, Kenzie, we're so proud of you!

Stadium of Fire

 I have always wanted to go to the Stadium of Fire (which advertises itself to be "The biggest stadium fireworks show in the country.").  When we lived in Provo we could sometimes see a bit of the fireworks from our apartment.  This year we bought tickets as my 30th birthday present.  It was very weird to be back at BYU, where we first met almost 11 years ago! 

Here we are, waiting for it to start.  We even splurged on $6 hot dogs.  (I'm such a high-roller for my birthday!)

 Way up there are the people parachuting down to the field to start the show!  I thought that was pretty neat.

 The last guy even carried in the flag.

A large dance routine featured these giant slinkies.  It really was amusing to watch.  I don't know where someone got that idea!  It was a long concert -there were several performers, ending with Kelly Clarkson.  Even though I'm not a huge Kelly Clarkson fan, I will say she had a very impressive voice and was happily dancing around the stage barefoot, which was cute. 

Fireworks are hard to capture with the camera, so I didn't bother trying, but here's a brief clip Chris took with his phone.  I don't think I've ever been that close to a huge fireworks show like that before.  It was so loud and bright!  It was a fun night - my parents baby-sat the kiddos and watched the fireworks from our yard. We were all so exhausted this morning (we didn't get home until 12:45am)!  Now that I'm 30 I guess I can't stay out late like I used to!

Busy, Busy Boy

 Here's Cameron waving while trying a push-up.  He is not too thrilled with baby food anymore.  He'll eat it still, but he's not happy if he doesn't get what we're eating, too!

 Here's what happened when he got one Oreo! (I promise I really feed him other things besides treats, too!)

Hooray for the gate to our stairs!  He is mobile, and does a funny army crawl.  He likes to bang on the air return vents and pull out the night light in the hall.  I'm going to be very busy for awhile trying to keep up with him!