BBQ at the Browne's

We leave Iowa in 2 weeks so we had a big BBQ with the Brownes before we left. The kids had so much fun jumping on the tramp, chasing the cats, and just exploring the area. Orie and Rebecca had a little gift for all of the guys. You can't see what they say, but they found quotes for all of them about chiropractic. For those of you that don't know Orie is a medical doctor so they tease each other every once in awhile. Bri's quote said, " What you Chiropractors do is really powerful." -Arnold Schwarzeneggar. We all had a good laugh and a wonderful time.

Jocelyn would just sit on the tramp and laugh. She was having such a great time.

I don't think Lexie slowed down the whole time we were there. She crashed pretty fast when we got home.

The many Adventures

Lexie does such a good job at riding her bike. She is pretty fast and finally learned how to use her breaks.

Jocelyn wants to be safe.

Jocelyn was trying so hard to reach the pedals. She was so focused. She just scoots her body to make it move.

They just decided to plop down in the water and play with the rocks. It was almost bath time so I didn't fight them at all. As you can see with most my pics I would rather them have fun them battle keeping them out.

Summer Fun

Denny had this great idea that he could put the kids in the back of the dump trucks and put them down then hill. It keeps them entertained forever and it is really funny to see their faces. As you can see Dave had an idea of him going down in the wagon. Him and Brian both went from the top and did it pretty well. The guys keep us as much entertained as the kids do.

My two cute girls just enjoying nice weather. Jocelyn loves the dump truck so much that she might need to get one for Christmas or birthday.

Our little "biff"

Jocelyn about a week ago decided that she would superman off of our back porch. She landed straight on her face and mostly got her nose. We took her to the emergency room to make sure that her nose wasn't broken. It wasn't and she is recovering really quickly. They put a little gown on her that had doggies and she would just keep pointing at them through her tears. When we were finished Brian asked her if she wanted icecream and she just started clapping. Even though she had a big fall she still always has her bright smile.

The girls were pretending that the box was a boat. They got spoons and other utensils from my drawer and used them as oars. It was so cute, so I just sat back and watched them together.

Sisterly Love

When Lexie lays down on the floor Jocelyn always tries to lay as close as she can to her. She always wants to do everything that Lexie is doing. Lexie doesn't always appreciate it, but Jocelyn loves following her around.

Jocelyn at her best

What happens when Jocelyn and Kenna get together? Well the can find many fun things to do, but this night was a very enjoyable one for them. I am sure Kenna looked at Jocelyn and said in some form or another, "do you see what my Aunt Marianne has on her porch?" Jocelyn gets a smile on her face and nods. They go right over there and dig in. How could they resist DIRT!
But they decide they need something more. Jocelyn takes off to get her bowl that has a little bit of oatmeal left in it.
Kenna fills it with dirt, and soon they are trying to feed each other. They discover quickly that it doesn't taste very good, but they still continue playing.
Here is the finished product of a great evening.
All I have to say is they are just so darn cute. We just sat back for about half an hour as they enjoyed their time together. I guess it isn't just boys that like to get dirty.

Kids Gym

Right now I am training for a triathlon and Lexie doesn't like me going to the gym. I have to bribe her by letting her go to "her" gym once a week so I can go to "my" gym a couple times a week. I also have to bribe her with donuts, park visits, picnics, and the list could go on and on. The weather is getting better though so I have been able to train more outside with the kidarooz bike trailer/stroller. That really helps because they are pretty good when we go outside. Bri was able to come with us the last time we went so I have a bunch of pics of how much fun they had. Jocelyn doesn't know how she feels about the ball pit so we have to convince her that it isn't to bad.
Lexie and her friend Kyison we running the whole time so you might be able to tell how sweaty they are.
They were swaying back and forth and I caught the picture at the perfect moment.
Bri sent Jocelyn down the slide on her own. She wasn't a big fan.

Like Mother Like Daughter

This first picture is of me when I was 4 years old. I was always playing in the dirt, and I remember that it was so much fun. I figure that I could spend so much time trying to keep my kids clean, or I could just let them enjoy. Jocelyn sat in a pile of mud the other day, and then after went right to the puddle to play with rocks. She was a mess, but she had a huge smile on her face.This is Jocelyn after we came inside. We got her all bundled in a warm blanket and let her have some goldfish.
Her hair was also crazy this day because she didn't want me to take out the hair things. I got about 7 out and the last 2 were still in.
Holden couldn't resist either. He thought if she can do it, I should be able too. Plus, look at how happy she looks. The clothes came completely clean also.

Just the other night I was thinking about how grateful I am for my wonderful daughters. I always have so much fun with them each day. They make me laugh all the time, and amaze me by there charm. Even though I love having fun with them I also am always happy when they go to bed at night. I do need relief sometimes. I had to take a picture of each of them because they played so hard the other day and crashed so fast. We are so thankful for good weather. I really wanted everyone to see that for Jocelyn she doesn't cuddle with a baby doll or stuffed animal. Instead she needs one binkie in her mouth and the other in her hand. I don't know how I am going to ever break her of the habit. Lexie just gave it up by 9 months so that was easy. My Aunt Janis used to always say that her kids were so cute sleeping, and I fully understand the statement now.

Fun with Chalk

All of the kids love it when we have a nice day to go outside. I know that I love for them to get out because we are sick of being inside all the time. All the kids were decorating my porch very nicely one afternoon so I had to get it on camera. We love all our cute neighbors.

Fun with Macks

Wendy had to work last night and Brian and Denny had to be at a race to adjust people so the kids came over to hang out before church. They always have so much fun together. Dallin and Lexie were playing house and this was where there bed was. Lexie found her hamper and wanted to hide from the camera.
Jocelyn and Kenna were playing peek-a-boo. Jocelyn is always so excited about the camera. She is also only half way dressed before church. Today when I was getting Jocelyn dressed before church she was holding her toothbrush and I was putting on her tights. After I finished I didn't know where her toothbrush went but I didn't think much about it. She sat with me most of church and at the end she went over to see Denny and Wendy. Denny brought her back to us and asked if she had a toy in her tights. Well I guess I found out where the toothbrush was! I can't believe she sat with me the whole time and I never noticed.

All four cute little kids. I got them to stay like this for about 10 seconds, so it was a quick picture.

Patient Kids

These are Jocelyn's cute little pigtails. I forgot to get a picture of the back of her head, but she sure did look cute. Lexie has always hated getting her hair done. We had to put it on her chore chart to be nice when we did it so she could earn some money for it. We always need to put a movie in also to keep her distracted. She tells me it hurts before I even touch her head. I could get mad, or I can think about how my mom did it because I know that I wasn't a pleasant child when I was younger and my mom wanted to do my hair. Lexie is actually being so good now and Wendy found a site that has cute hairdos so this was my first time trying this one. She was really patient with me, and I think it turned out pretty cute. This is the second day with it in so it is a little messy.

Bath Time

Jocelyn loves her bath time. She is so cute because she always leans on one side to get her head wet and then proceedes to the next side. She thinks she can do it by herself without the help of mommy. I think that she enjoys it better without Lexie because she can have more freedom. When she sees a camera now she always has a big grin and says "cheese." (Well that is what she is trying to say anyway) She is just growing up way to fast.