Happy Birthday, Dad!

It's my step-dad Jim's birthday today. He's one of the best parts of my family, and we love him! He's retired (twice, I think), and he now works for the City of Yuma. He always has to be busy but also makes time to enjoy vacations with my mom. Thanks for being such a wonderful father to me! We love you, Dad!

Yummy Yogurt!

Brian got himself some yogurt as part of his breakfast the other day, but before he could take even one bite, I called him away to help me with something in the living room. Joshua seized the opportunity to try some yogurt himself (since, of course, he can already reach the tabletop!).

We came back into the kitchen minutes later to find this



with Kara innocently (but not really since she didn't say anything!!!) standing by.

Close Call

Hopefully I'm not the only one who has "I'm-such-a-horrible-parent" moments. You know, when you think, "I can't believe that just happened!" or "I can't believe what just almost happened!" I'm talking about dangerous things happening to my children... because I'm not watching them carefully enough. For example, babies falling off beds; or a small child licking a razor, eating lanolin, or tasting diaper rash cream.

Do you know what this is?


It's one of those little metal ends of a dressmaker's measuring tape. Yesterday Joshua managed to take it off, put it in his mouth, and choke on it. Luckily, it came back up.

12 months

He's actually 13 months now, but I wanted to post his 12-month pic. And here's Kara at that age too, just for fun.

Happy Birthday, Leah!

Yep, today's my birthday. It was a good day. My parents and in-laws and some friends gave me some awesome gifts, and Brian took me out to dinner while a friend (who graciously offered) watched the kiddos. Also, Joshua made my day by sleeping in until 7:15 this morning AND taking a 2-hour nap (it's usually just 1 hour). Thanks, all!

Independence Day

We had a tri-ward flag-raising, pancake breakfast, and parade the morning of July 4th. We all had a grand time, but it was HOT by the time it ended. Joshua liked wandering aimlessly around the parking lot, and Kara enjoyed keeping up with everyone in the parade. That evening we met up with some friends and watched fireworks from a mall parking lot. Happy belated 4th!

Watching the Rain

Joshua ate some black Play-doh

Kara ate a black crayon (at 19 months)

Fun in the Sun

We played in the sprinkler in some friends' backyard a few weeks ago.


Catching the water



Water balloons!



Sweet sibs

Coloring

...in the garage...
(Can you see Kara's name?)



and in the kitchen. They each completed their works of art by themselves.



Kara at 17 months: