4th of July

We went down to Scofield for the 4th of July weekend.  It was a busy weekend, but we had a good time.  I forgot to take my camera, but here are a few shots from the parade.  Cecily and Derrick rode in the fire engine and had a ton of fun throwing candy at people.  

Derrick's parents are almost finished with the little place they are building in Scofield, and it will be nice to be able to visit there more often.  It is so beautiful there.  We slept in tents on their deck.  We were trying to make it a nice little camping trip for Cecily.  She came home from preschool one day after talking about the subject, and she said, "Mom, I want to go fishing at the lake and sleep in a tent.  And we have to buy 3 things at the store.  Chocolate, Marshmallows and Graham Crackers.  No, we need to buy 4 things at the store.  Chocolate, Marshmallows, Graham Crackers and FIRE!"  So we made s'mores, which she LOVED.  As far as fishing goes, we bought her a pink and purple fishing pole.  But since neither Derrick nor I have ever gone fishing, we just took her down to the water and let her pretend to fish.  Personally, I think Derrick had more fun with that.  He pretty much stole Cecily's fishing pole and played around with it himself!  I guess I need to get him to start a new fishing hobby!

The girls really enjoyed the firework show over the lake.  But my favorite thing was spending 45 minutes trying to get a bee out of our tent!  

Yes, we are still here.

I know, it IS about time I write a new post.  This is what we've been up to in the last few months:

Ainsley is totally growing up.  She finally started walking in May, at fourteen and a half months old.   She is getting taller, but still looks too small to be walking around.  I don't know if I have mentioned before, but this girl has got attitude.  She is a feisty little thing.  But funny.  "No, No!" is one of her favorite phrases, but she is really good about saying, "Thank you."

Cecily and Ainsley still get along very well.  They are always giving each other kisses and hugs, and Ainsley tries to imitate everything Cec says and does.  Here they are just chilling on the deck.  We are finally working on getting our landscaping done.  Hopefully, by the end of the week, we will be done with this phase and I will post some photos of the yard.

Ainsley isn't exactly the clean eater that Cecily was at her age.

I think Dad looks pretty proud.

We spent a week in Vegas over Mother's Day.  I am so happy to be the mommy of these little girls!

Cecily graduated from her first few months at gymnastics/preschool. 

We took a quick trip to Lake Powell with the Allen's last weekend.  It was a great little getaway.

Here's Nate Allan showing off his wake surfing moves.

This is his wife, Shar.  

Here's Ainsley trying to grab the camera.

Yep, Derrick can wake surf, too.

Oh, and I got up on the surfboard too.  But you'll just have to believe it from this cropped picture.  I promise, I am doing you a favor by not posting the lower half of my hot bod.

The girls had a great time hanging out on the boat and swimming in the lake.  Cecily took a ride on the tube, which she thought was really fun.

We stopped for a walk and view of the dam on the way home.

Happy Father's Day to the best daddy!!

Cecily just started taking a dance class.  I know it doesn't look like it from these photos, but she REALLY loves it!  Cecily really does not enjoy posing for pictures.

Well, that's about it.  Now that I have FINALLY written a post, I can promise that I will not wait so long until the next one!

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

This is what we woke up to this morning.

As beautiful as it is, I have to ask it yet again.  SPRING!! WHERE THE CRAP ARE YOU???

The Birthday Party

We had a family birthday party for Ainsley on Sunday.

Here are the girls in their "party dresses."  For Cecily, party dresses are a MUST!

The girls hanging out before the guests came.

Pink and purple were the colors of choice.

Cec helped Daddy put balloons all over the house.

The Birthday girl.

Cecily working the pinata.  

I've decided that my talent does not lie in cake decorating.  I have good intentions, but what I imagine in my head is DEFINITELY not how the finished product looks!

CAKE TIME!

Applauding the latest horrid rendition of the Happy Birthday song.  My family likes to compete for the worst sounding version of the song.  It sounds lovely, I tell ya!
Blowing out the candle.

The first taste...

Grandma and Papa Tornow

I think the kids were the most excited to get a taste of the pink mess...

Auntie Jana (my cool sis who came even though she felt like crud--THANKS!)

It may look "interesting," but it was YUMMY!  Strawberry cake from scratch with homemade strawberry filling and cream cheese frosting.

Ainsley's enjoying it, and being quite neat about it as well.

Cousin Amelia, the Irish dancer
Come on, do you REALLY think a 1-year-old can use a fork?

Ooooh!  This is fun!

Let's get a little messy!

Let's get EVERYONE a little messy!
Did I mention this was fun?

All cleaned up and pretty again!  Time to go bug cousin Andrew!

Present time!

Now I'm pooped!  Time for bed!