Lewiston Parade

Lewiston had their Fourth of July parade on Monday, and the Highams were kind enough to invite us along for the festivities. Cambrie has never been to a small town parade before and wasn't quite sure what to make of it all. First of all everyone in the parade threw candy. Normally this causes kids to jump out of their seats and run into the road for that small piece of salt water taffy, but Cambrie just stood their like a statue. The candy would land right in front of her and she wouldn't make a move for it. Meanwhile, Bethany and Tate were crazy little monkeys and snatched up all the candy they could see. I don't know if Cambrie has been so well trained to stay out of the road that she was frozen by obedience, or if she just thought everyone was weird. If it wasn't for Alan being her candy coach, she would have come home with a completely empty sack. Her favorite parade entries was all of the royalty, and there were a lot of them. She waved at all the princesses and commented how pretty their dresses were. One float threw out otter pops. I was holding it for Cambrie but McKenzie won't leave anything alone that is within arms' reach. She had that Popsicle in her mouth so fast I didn't even know what was happening. She sucked on that Popsicle like it was her last meal, she loved it. Ah, my goofy daughter....The weather was perfect and the Highams staked out a great place to watch the parade. We had a fantastic time. I just need to train my daughter a little bit better that it's okay to run in the road and eat random candy that strangers give you...

Every day happenings

Day-to-day life here is pretty typical for a baby and a toddler. We spend time inside and time outside, just trying to survive each day and keep my sanity in check. But because Jeremy isn't around to witness it, this post is for him.

McKenzie spends a lot of time in an old exersaucer. This is the one that Ryan used when he was a baby and the elastic is starting to die. McKenzie sinks very low in the seat and can barely see above the edge. Cambrie spends her time pushing McKenzie in a stroller down the sidewalk, making mini strawberry pies, sliding down the big toy on the back porch, and popping poppers out front.We miss you and love you daddy!

Fireworks

This year we watched fireworks with the Highams in Logan at the USU Stadium. There was pre-show entertainment that we were a little too late for, but we saw some performances. The girls, Ruby, Bethany, and Cambrie danced to the music and made bracelets and necklaces with their glow sticks. When it got dark, all of us cozied up on some blankets and watched the fireworks together. I love seeing what the choreographers can do with music and fireworks. And of course I cried to, "Proud to be an American." I cry every time I hear that song. It makes me realize how proud I am to live in America. We are blessed with freedoms that no one else in the world is blessed with. It is a choice land prepared by our Heavenly Father, and as long as we remember Him we will continue to enjoy our freedom. I blame my super-sensitive patriotism on my parents. My dad made sure that we recognized what a great country we live in, and my mom has spent a lot of her life working in government to help the citizens take advantage of the blessings we have been given. Thanks mom and dad.

The fireworks were great and I'm just thrilled that we will be in Utah for the 24th and get to see another round of fireworks. There is just something cheerful about watching colors explode in the sky. Happy Fourth of July!

Playground party

While the girls and I live in Utah, we have decided to make the most of family opportunities. For four years we have not been able to have share in the little moments with our cousins; picnics, parades, fireworks, park playgroups. So we used the Fourth of July as the perfect starting point for cousin-oriented celebrations. Cambrie and her cousin, Ruby, share a birthday. Bethany is only one month older than they are so we had a party at the park to celebrate the girls turning three. They ran around like crazy pretending to be witches, ghosts, goblins, and princesses. They get along great and it is so nice that Cambrie has some friends while we are here.

Here are Bethany and Cambrie flying in their airplane. This is a classic shot of the girls eating birthday cupcakes. They are all a lot more interested in eating their treat than smiling for the camera. Every one of them would like the frosting off the cupcake and hand the soggy mess back to their mom before reaching for another one.My mom came and spent a lot of time playing with her granddaughters. McKenzie was just happy to be hanging out. She loved the swings.And here is the best picture I could get of the girls in their Fourth of July outfits. Cambrie just couldn't hold still long enough to sit down with her sister.

What a great day at the playground!

Moving fun

While Jeremy and I were packing up boxes full of everything we own, Cambrie kept right on playing. Of course, we had already packed most of her toys...so this is what she came up with.

Making new friends

On our walk to the YMCA the other day, Cambrie said to me, "Mom, I'm running out of friends." Yes, that is very true. We are some of the last ones out of here this summer and there aren't that many kids her age around anymore. I told her that when we move to Colorado we will make new friends. Cambrie responded by saying, "We need to make a new Hailey, Ashlyn, and Lucy." My first thought was how we are going to do that....LEGOS....paper and glue....wooden dolls? And I laughed to myself. But Cambrie's concern is a very valid one. We have been very blessed while we've been out here with tons of kids for Cambrie to play with. We had playgroups, date nights, YMCA child watch, even the neighbors in our apartment complex. I'm not sure what we'll find when we move. It's making choosing a new place to live difficult. There had better be friends for Cambrie wherever we end up...me too in fact. I have love, Loved, LOVED having so many friends here. We are all in the same situation in life. We all have student husbands going through the same student woes. We are all poor and living completely off of student loans and welfare. We all have young kids. We are all separated by our families and only have each other to rely on for birthday parties, holidays, and emergencies. I have no doubt that we will make new friends, but I'm dreading the loneliness that comes first. Maybe we will resort to making new friends out of building blocks and crayons for awhile.

Houston sprinklers

During the summer months Houston Park turns on its sprinklers for the kids to play in. It's freezing water but when it's blazing hot outside that is just fine. Cambrie and Aubrie played in the water together the other day. Aubrie's idea of playing in the spray included dipping her head right in front of the spout and rolling around in the puddles. Cambrie's idea of playing was running just along the outskirts of the spray. I don't even think she got wet. She claimed to be cold enough that she needed to warm up on the cement benches. Even though she go crazy in the sprinklers, we still had a good time. Thanks for playing with us Aubrie!