FYI

Just so you all know, I changed the way I've listed all of your blogs. I had last names before, but changed it to just first names. Maybe that will add some privacy from people doing online searches - maybe not. Either way, that's what I did. :) If any of you would rather not have your blog listed, just shoot me an email or leave a comment. I don't think I ever really ask permission before listing, so I'm happy to remove anyone. Or if I haven't listed you and you're feeling super left out of my award-winning blog (ala Angela's blog), let me know that too. :)

B-I-N-G-O!

July 4th

As Laura isn't feeling too well, I figured I better man-up and do some blogging myself. Luckily, this shouldn't be too difficult as Idaho Falls really knows how to put on a party, otherwise known as the Freedom Festival. On Friday, we spent the morning at the city parade which happens to pass by just 2 blocks from us. Jessica had a great time, especially with the view she had perched atop her grandpa.

The parades was...well, a parade - a few politicians, church groups, and high school cheerleaders, drama teams, and bands. Jessica had fun and when it got too hot, grandpa was nice enough to get some Hawaiian shaved ice, which Jessica devoured. This just happened to be a pretty funny picture with Jessica looking rather sassy.

I showed her this picture and she started laughing as she said, "I'm so messy!" Cute kid. Well after the parade, we headed back home and since it was still so hot, we let Jessica run around in the sprinklers which she absolutely loves.

We considered taking Jessica to the fireworks Friday night, but it was just too late for her after all the festivities of the day. It doesn't even get dark until 10pm and she was out cold by 7:30. Maybe next year. So we got a little firework to light off for her before bed. It was supposed to be a silent little guy, but we were surprised when the dang thing started screaming like a scared deacon. I have some video of it, but it seems to be a little too large for the blog. When we got back inside, Jessica was still a little shaken and this is the response I got to my dumb question.





That night, Laura and I headed down to the river with her brother Bobby and his wife Susan for the "biggest fireworks show west of the Mississippi" (or so they say). It was fun and I even got some video of the finale.





We all had a great weekend. Unfortunately, Jessica's cousin Alice had to leave on Saturday morning. After they left, Jessica just stayed by the window saying that she wanted Alice to come back. I tried consoling her by saying that this next week she'll be able to play with her cousins Emma and Tyler. Now she walks around the house looking for them. She'll be very excited to see them at our reunion next weekend in Reno.


Here's one last picture of Jessica and Alice. They had a great time together and Jessica loved actually being the "big kid." It was cute how she'd pull Alice around with her and how Alice would pick up some things Jessica would do. She'll be very missed.

Cousin Time

Michael has been a little frustrated at my lack of blogging lately - especially since I've had a decent amount to blog about. OK, maybe not "frustrated," but he's mentioned it. :)

Jessica has been in heaven lately. My brother, his wife, and their 15 month old daughter are in town visiting from Illinois. Jessica LOVES having her cousin Alice around! Usually she likes being around older kids, seeing what they can do and doing her best to mimic. But she has really grown into the whole "bigger kid" thing. She loves to drag Alice around and tell her what to do. Oh dear. They've gone swimming, both in the back yard and at the community pool, gone to the zoo, and much more. It's so fun to watch. I think Jessica will be a great big sister someday.

A day in the pool

Susan showing a ladybug to Jessica. So funny.

At the zoo

More to come...

2006-2007 Blurb Book

I was recently introduced to Blurb, a bookmaking website. I know I've mentioned them before, but basically they have free software you can download to create your own book. A friend of mine (thanks Amberlynn!) made an awesome family scrapbook/blog book with it. I got so excited I talked Michael into letting me do 2006 and 2007 to make us a book. Never mind that we already had a finished scrapbook from those years. I am SOOO happy with the final product! It's gorgeous! I don't think I got a single other thing accomplished during Jessica's naps for the past while, but it's worth it. Here is a sampling. Sorry for the lousy pictures. They don't do it justice.

Pictures

Two Binkies. Jessica thought she was HILLARIOUS!

Looking our the window with her toys. Silly girl. (Oh, and yes, even though she's wearing a diaper in this pict, we're still working on the potty training thing. We found out she does just as well in diapers as in regular underwear, so this seemed like a less messy approach. She's doing awesome, but still has some progress to make. I'm so very proud of her!)

Swinging at the park. She is no longer willing to use the baby swings. She LOVES the regular kind.

This is the look I got when I went to get her out of time out. Doesn't she look sorry? :)

Putting her own cup back on the counter. She is all about being independent lately. I think "No! I can do it!" is her new mantra.

Just playing in the laundry basket.

House-sitting

This past week we spent house-sitting/babysitting for some friends. They have three little kids just older than Jessica. She was in heaven! She loved going swimming everyday in their pool and always having someone to play with. Poor thing is going to be so bored now with just me around. :)

Kyle, Jessica, Kaitlin, and Annalise

She just loves to lounge in the sunshine! :)

Pool Day!

The three of us went to the pool last night. Jessica had a BLAST! She asks every two minutes to go back to the pool and swim in the "warm water" (the hot tub). Silly thing. She did an awesome job though. Definitely not a water wimp like her mommy. She would go all the way under and not be the least bit phased. There was a couple of times she even tried to jump off the edge when we weren't looking. I'm so glad she's brave.

A little blurry, but I love this one.

This shows just how brave my little bug is.