Happy Fourth!

We started off our day by finally going biking on the greenbelt.  Oliver is such a ham!  He smiles almost every time you take out a camera.  It cracks me up.

We told our kids that today we were celebrating the birthday of our country.  So randomly throughout the day we would say, "Happy Birthday, America!"

I'm really bad at this...

....then I got more comfortable.

 We made it!  I love that Maycee's hand is on her hip.

Now looking.

He was our little cranker.

That afternoon we had a barbecue with our friends, the Brashers, and Krystal & Lexi.  We then introduced them to the awesomeness of the fireworks at Ann Morrison Park.

 

Matt did this awesome trick with Betty.  They call it "tick tock clock".  I wish I had gotten her face more clearly!  He expression was priceless.  After that, all of the kids were requesting them to be thrown around.

I LOVE going to the fireworks!

Happy Fourth of July!!!! We live in the most blessed country!

The Haircut

So.

Maycee finally did it.

Scissor were in her hand.  The real kind.  AND they found their way to her hair.

She didn't even cut off that much.  More than anything else she just feathered her hair around her face.  BUT I wanted her to learn something.  So I chopped her hair.  To be completely honest, the vain part of me didn't want to touch it.  I love her long hair!

But I did it.

Maycee's hair is now to her chin.

She hates it.

She wants her hair long.

I really think that she learned her lesson this time!

Let's keep our fingers crossed just in case.

The most exciting news!

MAYCEE CAN SWIM!!!!

I cannot even tell you how proud I am!!  On Wednesday at swimming lessons, Deanna said, "Kami, Maycee is swimming!"

I was a little busy watching Cooper, he was a little cranky, so I didn't even see at first.  As I watched her swim, my heart almost burst!  She is so awesome!!!

On July 2nd we celebrated Lexi's 1st birthday!  Happy Birthday, Lexi.  We partied all day in the water, but that afternoon we headed to the Meridian Pool and Maycee showed off her skills to Grandma Call.  She was SO proud.  She swam from me to Grandma, from Grandma to me.

AAAHHHHHHH!

I love proud Mommy moments!

And again,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEXI JO!!!!

YOU ARE ONE!

Just remember one thing...I am your favorite.

Happy People

Here we are.

Two happy people that are now the owners of 2.6 acres that just happen to be in the background of this picture.  Woot woot!  We did it.  Halfway there!  Now we need a house.

Daddy Daughter Date

Maycee loves her little get-aways with Mom and Dad.  I had to take a picture of Maycee & Stephen before they left.  Maycee dressed herself and then picked out Stephen's outfit. 

And the kiddos playing before they left.  Cooper was very upset that he did not get to go.  We're going to have to start up Cooper dates soon.

 

Smart Kid. Totally Boy.

Cooper is SO smart.  I can't even get enough of it.  A few weeks ago, he started telling me what the color of everything was.  I didn't even start that step.  I haven't even helped it along.  He now knows all of his colors pretty well.  It's rare when he gets one wrong.  He even knows white and black.

AND Cooper has learned to open the doors.  He's super proud of himself.  A week ago, Stephen and I were sitting on the couch watching a show, when we heard our bedroom door open.  Cooper was the only one in there.  He opened the door.  Then he shut the door.  He opened the door.  He shut the door.  This happened for 2 minutes before I finally went in there and laid down the law.

Funny kid.

Cooper also loves to beat on people.  And throw balls.  He is all boy.

Happy Birthday to ME!

So, my birthday started the night before.  Stephen leaned over in bed and said, "Are you ready for your first birthday present?...I took all day off of work tomorrow.  Happy Birthday!"

I was SO excited!  Stephen's never taken work off for my birthday before!

So our day started off with us going to do the one thing we have tried to do for years and have been unsuccessful.  Bike the greenbelt.  Because it is still 30 minutes from our house and we now have three children, it is quite an undertaking.  We packed up the car and drove downtown and parked at Ann Morrison Park.  As we started to unload the bikes, Stephen realized that he had forgotten the pack the piece of the bike trailer that attached to the bike.

So.

We struck out again.

Next time.  Hopefully.

So we let the kiddos roam the park.  I still enjoyed it.  My hubby took off work for me!

This kid was supposed to be sleeping.  He was too excited for my birthday too!

We decided to sneek down to put our feet in the Boise River.  Bbbrrrr.  At least that is what Maycee and Cooper and Stephen said.  I didn't even try it.  I didn't want to be cold on my birthday!

Still not sleeping.  I should have just taken him out.

Then we came home for naps.  I even got to sneak in a quick 30 minute sleep!  Cooper cuddles. :)

After naps Stephen "borrowed" our neighbors pool.  Krystal & Lexi came to join the fun!  Thank you to the Nash's for letting us borrow their pool!!

Oh my goodness!  Isn't this the cutest picture you've even seen!  Ollie & I are cuties!!

Since we were freezing our tails off at the pool we came home and got in a very warm bathtub.

That night Krystal stayed with our kiddos while we went on a date.  I love spending time with Stephen. I am so grateful that I was lucky enough to get him.

Thank you, Stephen, for the amazing birthday.

You win.