4th of July- by day and night

Ryan and Eden enjoying sparklers

Wyatt

Talmage doing what he does best: Chillin

Ben's Butt and Kesley

Wyatt

Rock Climbing for the first time!

So, this was our 3rd 4th of July up here on the Ridge but we have actually never been here to celebrate it. This year, with Ben's job nearing an end, we have decided to lay low and just stick around here. I'm glad we stuck around for the 4th because the Home owner's association puts an event that is free and fun for the kids. We spent the HOT day at the celebration and the night at a neighbor's home for an AMAZING firework show. One great perk to living in the Northwest? No drought and Indian Reservations close by. No drought= no firework restrictions. No firework restrictions= AWESOME home firework shows. Reservations near by= access to illegal fireworks. NICE! We saw at least 6 different HUGE firework shows within mile of our home. It was so cool. A perfect night of eating, chatting and small explosives!

Let Summer Begin!

Wyatt , August and Ty hanging out on Shamu

3 buddies

Wy-man

Kesley- Bear

T- dog

Edy-boo

The weekend of the 4th of July could not have been nicer. The 4th of July in the NW is always a little iffy, but not this year. It has been projected to be a hot, dry summer and the weathermen are not disappointing. A bunch of women from the ward got together to cool off at Crossroads Water Park in Bellevue. It was a perfect day! The kids had a blast running around while all of us women talked about...well about things women talk about!

Kesley Graduates! ...Preschool that is!

Miss Jen giving Kes her necklace and certificate

Wyatt with a mouse on his head

Can you find Ben and Co. in the picture?

Yeah, I would have that face too if a clown was that close to me!

Kesley's preschool had a big Barbecue/Graduation for all the students and their families on June 23rd. It was a beautiful day. The food was great, they had a (freaky!) clown that did magic tricks and then a small graduation ceremony. Kesley loves to put her hands by her mouth when she is being shy or embarrassed, so that is how most of the pics turned out. Kesley just loved preschool and was excited EVERY day, the whole year, when it was preschool day. She is such a social butterfly. She loves discovering new things, using her creative mind, and of course, playing with all her girlfriends. She is excited for Kindergarten. I can't believe I will have 2 kids in school this year! I'm getting so old!

Eden Turns 3!

Edie turns 3!

Eden and her Ladies!

Eden and Melia

Talmage digging the cupcakes!

Some Sibling Love

Kesley, Eden, Wyatt, Sage, Issy playing Hot Potato

Okay, I am SERIOUSLY behind on my journaling but I'm trying to catch up! We celebrated Eden's birthday by having a casual little party at our house with 3 of her favorite buddies; Issy, Sage, and Melia. We played "Pin the Diaper on the Baby", hot potato, musical chairs, painted water colors and just played. The girls were just so cute and giggly. We got her a kitchen this year with wood food and nicer pots and pans then we had previously.

So, here is my ode to Eden. You are my most affectionate, cuddly child. You have a smile that totally lights up the room. You love to tell me and Dad that you love us and you give us kisses all the time. You love to hurt ( I mean play) with Talmage. You love to have mom and dad snuggle you at night to go to sleep. You adore Kesley and Wyatt. You have the highest pitched scream on the planet, and you can throw one of the longest tantrums that has ever been recorded. You are emotionally intense. You love deeply and get hurt deeply. It will be interesting to see how/if this plays out later in your life. You are a spitting image of your dad, and he LOVES that about you! You are becoming quite the chatterbox which I love. I love you. You add such an energetic dynamic to our family! Happy Birthday Edie Boo!