My new favorite picture

These are daisies in my front garden. Nothing says summer like daisies.

Finally I get to hold the baby!!

Yeah!! I finally get a pic with Ivy! Isn't she a doll?
You don't understand. I'm always taking pics of the kids. I have tons of Owen, Alysa, Maxito, Ry and my babies. But I have almost NONE of me holding them. NONE. Very sad for me.

So I'm happy to have at least one of me holding Baby Ivy. And she's sleeping so sweet.

I wish mom were here so I could send this to her; she would love it too.

So thanks to Ivy for sleeping so sweetly whilst I captured this pic of the two of us.

4th of July Breakfast in Arlington

Arlington holds a breakfast on the 4th of July and since we've been living here, it has become a family tradition to attend. It's so much fun and we've been very lucky to have nice weather this year!
After breakfast there are two auctions for lots of things (we bought a go cart our first year). In the afternoon, there are two parades: Kiddie Parade (the kids have been in it for two years and both years won awards) and then the Grand Parade. Both are great fun to attend. However this year we missed the Grand Parade because Jen took the baby to the hospital for a check on her head and we didn't want to go anywhere until we all knew she was okay (which she was: disaster averted).

Then after the parade is the famous Stilly Duck Dash where you gamble (oooo! We're not in Utah anymore!) to see if your duck will be the first at the finish line in the river. They dump about 1,000 ducks (not sure of the number) into the Stilliguamish River and they float down river about a mile to the main park where we all are waiting with our ticket numbers. Each duck has a corresponding number on it and if our duck is first, we win! But so far, our ducks have been not first. They might even be floating out to sea by now (not true; there are lots of 'duck wranglers' on the river to make sure all the ducks make it back to shore).

After the Duck Dash, are the fireworks. We don't usually stay for those because here in Washington where the Rez can sell whatever sort of illegal firework you'd like to light, we can go home and watch stuff in our own yard. Every time I see those giant things shooting into the sky from the basketball court, I marvel that we're not being arrested.

And that is our 4th of July and it is a great day.

Having fun with Owen

How much fun do I have with Owen?? Guess how much I love 3 yr olds. They think the weirdest things are the bestest things to do. Like taping fake nails to his toenails. Mind you, they came off within an hour but he was willing and able and excited to have them on his toes.

This is a great job.

Welcome Baby Ivy!!!

Beautiful beautiful Girl!! We are so glad you're finally here!