Sunday, July 17, 2011

4th of July Festivities

We started out our 4th of July activities with a MOMs club family dinner and parade...Yummy!
No 4th of July picnic is complete without a nice slice of watermelon...Aimee enjoyed hers!
These are our attempts to get a group shot of the little rascals!  We decided it was like herding cats....it just wasn't going to happen....so enjoy the tries!
Michael, Abbie, Jason, Aimee
Close....


Then we had a parade...Abbie won't ride a bike yet, so we thought it would be a good idea for her to push the stroller for Aimee...the plan didn't work...The stroller was too hard for her to steer...
It was a fun family evening!

On the morning of the 4th of July, we went to the church for a pancake breakfast and flag raising ceremony. 

Aimee was just happy running up and down the sidewalk!

So again...we had the same issue...No bike for Abbie and Aimee is too hard to steer....So sweet Susie let Aimee hitch a ride in her wagon next to her dolls!  Aimee thought it was super fun!
Abbie decided giving a bike a try might be worth it....Well, it was a good idea....but it didn't work!
This time Rilee was sweet enough to share her wagon with Abbie...they both thought it was great!
Little girl in a big wagon :)
Then Abbie hitched a ride with the Barney boys...now this is riding in style!!!  She was tickled pink!
Aimee getting lots of snuggles by Daddy!
Man, I love these two!
Later in the afternoon we went up to Newport Beach to the Kettley Family Home.  This is Michael's grandparent's home.  We LOVE going there and feel grateful they keep inviting us!
Aimee LOVES babies....if she sees one....she has to get a closer look.  Here she is giving baby Kyle a little lovin'!
Last year Abbie attempted to go down this slide and too much water got in her face.  It made her super nervous and she wouldn't try it anymore.  She kept saying, "When I'm 4 years old, I can do it!"  Well, we reminded her that she is now 4 and should try it again.  She was VERY hesitant but with her new star tube she gave it a try!  Abbie is now in LOVE with the slide!  She must have gone down it 50 times!  She even got brave and started jumping off the rock wall into the pool!  I love my adventurous girl!



Aimee and I hung at the side of the pool!
After swimming we had a fantastic BBQ!  Mike thought it would be yummy to try a really thick slice of onion on his burger....Look closely at the picture and you can see it!  Right after this shot....he had to take the onion off....way too much!
The Kettley's back yard garden area....Isn't it beautiful???  We love our friends and the fun times we spend together!
It was a totally fantastic day!!!

Enough Money

Before Abbie was born, Mike and I built her a bunny from Build A Bear.  Then before Aimee was born, we let Abbie help build Aimee a pink bear.  Ever since then, Abbie has been wanting to go back and build herself a bear.  We told her that Build A Bear is only for "special" occasions (like when a baby is born) but she didn't quite "get" it.  So, I told her that if she saved her money and worked hard, she could take her saved money and go to Build A Bear.  She has been super excited and has worked for a month or two to save all her money.  On the morning we wanted to go to Build A Bear, she did her last big job to earn her last dollar.  She had to have $20 before we could go.  Here she is holding the bear she chose!  It's an adorable rainbow heart bear.  
(Yes, this is a phase Abbie is going through....she won't look directly at the camera...she diverts her eyes....super annoying....but what can I do!) 

 Aimee wasn't sure she wanted to wear the Smurf hat!
 Getting ready to stuff the bear....
 Helping push the foot petal to fill her bear....
 Here she is getting ready to put the heart into her bear.  Before they do, they rub the heart on their head (so the bear will be smart), on their funny bone (so the bear will be have a sense of humor), on their heart (so the bear will love), on their tummy (so the bear will never be hungry), and then they kiss the heart and put it into the bear. 
 After it's stuffed...time for a bath and scrub....


 Time to name the bear and get her birth certificate...Abbie named her new bear Starcone. 
 Starcone is a much loved ballerina bear with cute purple and pink panties and daisy flowers in her hair. 
Abbie already has plans for her next $20....Starcone needs a Build A Bear bed, pajamas and slippers....oh boy!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Aimee's First Birthday

Sweet Aimee is 1 Year Old!

Classic Aimee face....

Aimee's cake....yummy!

Sisters...Love each other!
Getting ready for us to sing to her!
Wow....What is all this!?

Big sister, Abbie, helped her blow out her candle...



Taking her first taste....
Aimee's very own slice of heaven!
She wasn't digging in like I hoped she would...so I was encouraging her to take bigger bites and enjoy her cake!

Aimee wearing her birthday crown! 

All done being the princess!
Now she's getting her whole hand into it!






Yes, Aimee....we are taking lots of pictures and singing to you....Don't look so confused!!!
Present time!  This is the present from the Willis Family!  A building toy hippo (which she loves!)
Don and Lynn helped us celebrate and got Aimee a cool book and an adorable skirt and shirt outfit!
Nana and Papa knew just what Aimee wanted!  They got her a ball popper!  It gets TONS of use!  Even the big kids love it! 

Yep, it was the hit of the party!

Happy Birthday big girl!  We love you sooooo much!