Fireworks

Anxiously waiting for it to get dark enough to watch fireworks. I know it looks dark and by this picture we're probably just getting ready to start.

YEAH!!!!! FIREWORKS!!!!!!

Dan's hanging out with the kids while I get to light a few.

SPARKLERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jonah was really nervous to hold a sparkler and when it got down to the end he started freaking out and saying that it burned him. We rushed his hand in a bowl of cool water and he just sat there soaking his hand the rest of the night. We're not really sure that he did burn his hand though because there was no mark at all, not even a little red spot. So we think that as the sparkler worn down it might have been hot and it just really scared him.

4th of July fun

These pictures are in no particular order. We went to Grandma's annual 4th of July party. There was sponge races. A ring toss to get tootsie pops.

A pie eating contest. Jonah did not actually participate in the contest but after watching everyone eat their pie this way he decided to also.

Megan did participate in the contest for the first time.

This was Catherine's first year participating also.

A waterballoon toss.

A three legged race.

Jonah and his grandpa. He absolutely loves his grandpa and gets so excited whenever we go to grandpa's house.

We had to include Nytis in the pictures.

And the giant water slide. These pictures were supposed to be first.

Love this picture with the braids going wild.

We also watched fireworks at Dan's brother's house that night. Fourth of July was a lot of fun.

Two wheels

Dan finally took Catherine's training wheels off and worked with her to practice riding without them.

And within the hour she was able to ride on her own and now questions us everyday to take her out to practice more. She loves it.

Birthday's this year

Nytis just turned one and loved eating cake for the first time. He's so cute. He's crawling and growling all over the place. He also loves his dad, actually prefers him to me. I think it's cute. Jonah turned 3 and is a very loving little kid. He loves to have "I Love You" fights with me and he yells it at me in a very angry voice, but smiling and a twinkle in his eye. He's all boy with wrestling and playing with cars and trains and dinosaurs.

Megan and Catherine wanted a combined birthday party this year so they had a "Super Mario Party." They are getting so grown up. Catherine loves to help take care of her siblings and Megan is still very cuddly. They all had fun birthdays.

Yes Mom, I'd be happy too

Since this is also, sort of, my scrapbook/journal for the family I wanted to write down about Megan last night. After dinner I asked her to get her jammies on and she immediately started upstairs and said, "yes mommy, I'd be happy too" in her cute little voice. Then when she returned she told me that is how she was going to answer all night, so I said, "Ok, will you go clean up the mess you and your friends made today?" "Yes mommy, I'd be happy too." All night, that is how she responded, all happy and cute, so I let her stay up to watch the Olympics with me and everyone else got put to bed all grumpy. This morning, she has continued with her happy ways. When I asked her to get dressed, "Yes mommy, I'd be happy to" and then she did forget (probably got distracted). But then I reminded her and she said, "Oh yeah, yes mommy, I'd be happy to" and she went up stairs. When I went upstairs to take care of something, I asked her if she was dressed yet and she said, "No, someone dumped all my toys (legos) and I'm cleaning them up." I guess I can't complain, even if she's not dressed. She cleaning her room happily.
The best part is, Catherine is catching on, somewhat hestitantly, but still catching on. She wants to be agreeable as long as it's on her terms, which I've told her helps a little, but if she's going to act like Megan, it's got to be when I ask her to do something, not just when it's something she's willing to do. She seems to put conditions on her happily helping, but at least it's a start. I can't complain.

One guess

Can you guess what my boy's favorite character is right now. It's kinda hard, I know. Two year old boy + cars = little boy in heaven.

King Nytis

This is the crown that Catherine made Nytis so he could be King. So very cute.