Luke's Half a Decade Birthday Party

We had Luke's birthday party. The kids had lots of fun! When I asked Luke what his favorite part was he said the water balloon fight (which lasted all of 2 minutes). Poor James spent and hour and a half blowing them up but it was worth it to see their happy little faces!


When I asked what Luke wanted to have for his birthday party he said he wanted Dinosaurs and pizza, so that's what he got. This cake has simple instructions here is the how to video.

Our water feature made out of PVC pipes so easy. Took like a half an hour and less that $5 to make. We called it the dinosaur wash.


James was my awesome go to guy. He was such a great help!

This is a family favorite and it seriously took 15mins to make. Here is the recipe

Water pinata. Lesson learned: stab at the bag with the broom stick dont try and whack it. It wont break.

Presents

Roy

The wind wasn't cooperating

We Love Texas

Last Year I was cursing Texas, the chiggers and the heat just about did me in. This year we are loving it! I love the heat because that means we get to go swimming (and since I am not pregnant I don't want to throw up every time I walk outside) we love the Lake beach, we love the splash pads and water parks and we love hanging out with our friends!

This is the little water park in Lewisville perfect for kids Luke and Bella's age and cheap to get into

Royce being his sweet little self. He is so content hanging out and just being with our family.

There has been lots of reading going on. Luke has a goal to read 100 books (just simple books, like Bob books) and then he writes the title in his notebook. When gets to 100 mommy is going to take him to the Lego Land discovery center. He currently is at 9 and it has been 2 weeks. And when Bella learns her alphabet and sounds of the letters she gets to go. They are both very excited.

Our garden has been producing. Unfortunately the squash plants have all been destroyed between the vine borers and the dogs they didn't have a chance. We did have a surprise crop of Cantaloupe which grew from the compost we mixed in. We have gotten at least a dozen thus far and they are still growing like crazy.

Luke has discovered blocks and is enjoying creating all different types of structures. He gets sad when it is time to put them away so I sometimes take pictures of them for him to remember.

We went swimming with some friends and the kids were doing so good. Just from being in the water a couple times a week this summer both of them have learned to swim. There is a video of it at the bottom of this post. At the beginning of the summer Bella wouldn't even put her head under water. I didn't push any thing with either of them and they just figured it out! It make water activities so much more enjoyable knowing they are comfortable in the water.

Bella's new Ariel tulle dress. I made it in less than an hour and its a fun little dress up skirt.

Here are the instructions

Poor Royce doesn't have any clothes (He has 5 outfits that's it) and since it has been so warm and he seems to just spit up on everything I don't bother getting him dressed most of the time, so we have started calling him our little BamBam

Royce was cracking up at Bella swing, this is at Ray Roberts State Park.

They are swimming. This pool was about 10 feet deep. So awesome!

Luke loves learning and its a treat for him to have me teach him things he just loves it and has started within the past month or so reading these types of simple books.

Wall Stencil

So I really wanted to put this saying on my wall and just didnt have the money to get a vinyl lettering so I had to resort to other methods. I decided to make my own wall stencil. It took a total of about four hours to make and get up on the wall and I really like the way it turned out plus I was able to customize the paint which I couldn't have gotten with the vinyl

I started by printing out and taping together what I wanted

I got some freezer paper and taped it together so it would fit the words.

Then I traced the letters onto the paper (which is easy with freezer paper)

I then cut out the letters with a exacto knife (this was the most time consuming part, I think there is probably an easier way)

I taped and centered the lettering

(I had to make sure it was where I wanted because there is really no turning back!)

I sponged on the paint (I used a cotton ball). I used black and then radomly sponged on gold. I think it turned out nice and I saved the stencil so if I ever need it again I have it.

He is getting around!

He is getting around! I am not sure if he is just rolling or scooting but somehow whenever I leave the room (not while I'm in the room) he finds a way to get where he wants. I think he is going to be a very active child, his mind is constantly going and he is so interested in everything, should be fun :) I also caught him pushing up onto all fours yesterday (Uh oh, I'm in trouble now). My house is about 50% baby proof so I have some work to do. With Luke I anxiously awaited these mile stones now I can hardly believe they are already here! He also has another tooth (bottom right) that has cut through and we are sleeping through the night again, Yay!

I had left him on the blanket

The Awesomeness

Bella's new shoes, I bedazzled a pair of Luke's old flip-flop. Not so much to save money (even though I didn't mind that) but I am at a point where if I can avoid going to the store I do. Its just isn't fun anymore, not with three kids. We have cut back to grocery shopping just once a month. Unless there is something we absolutely can't do with out we just wait till the next shopping trip. It is actually very liberating not having to run to the store every week and it saves so much time, money and sanity.

Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A is amazing. If you dressed up like a cow they gave you a free meal, the kids and I cashed in (including Royce) and the kids loved it cause seriously what kid doesn't like dressing up! Chick-Fil-A is the only fast food restaurant we will eat at (unless we are in dire emergency). The restaurants are always clean, they have friendly service, and they always have a play place.

More Summer! 4th of July

One of the parks were watering the soccer field and we took the opportunity to have some fun!

We have been heading to the beach a couple times a week, the Luke and Bella just love it, and Royce just hangs out.

James and I started playing tennis a couple times a week early in the morning before he works, its fun (even though we are not very good).

The water park story time




4th of July!This was a really fun 4th of July, the kids really got into the festivities this year and we got to explain to them the meaning of the holiday. Our family is so grateful for all those who have sacrificed for our freedoms.
In the morning we went and played tennis and hung out at the park, we went our wards pancake breakfast and then to the 4th of July parade Downtown. The kids were so excited when the people in the floats started throwing candy, it was great!

We had some friends over that night with lots of yummy food and slip n slide fun

yes that's me getting pummeled by Luke at the bottom.

What would the 4th be without fireworks. James thoroughly enjoyed lighting off some little fire works and the kids got to use sparklers for the first time.

Miss Bella

Incredibly independent, sweet, shy, thoughtful, observant and very very creative with a large imagination. I love her to pieces. Bella's favorite things right now are Mermaids, Princesses, unicorns and everything pink and sparkly. The other morning Luke said he wanted to be a missionary when he grew up, Bella added "I do to! I want to be a Mermaid missionary". She loves to swim and has recently learned to put her face under water, she thinks she is breathing under water like Ariel and I haven't had the heart to tell her she is just holding her breathe. She also wants desperately to have long hair. After watching the Tangled movie she keeps telling me she wants me to brush her hair long, and I keep trying to explain that brushing doesn't make your hair longer. She loves getting her way and is very good at talking people into doing what she wants, especially her older brother and daddy. She is a beautiful singer and will randomly break out into song throughout the day, its like living in a live musical. We absolutely adore our girl!

Our bitter sweet (more sweet) relationship. I was doing my hair Sunday and Bella said "Your hair is cute mommy! I want mine to look just like your". Of course I agreed and quickly got to work on hers. After its was done she liked the braid but was a little upset I didn't "brush her hair long" like mine. lol

Bella and Grandpa George (Yes she is eating a crayon, I don't think she is over the oral fixation part of her development because she is constantly putting things in her mouth.)

Bella posing in the dress Nana Debbie made for her

Bella and James really do have a special relationship. It makes me so happy to know my daughter has such a wonderful man to look up to.

Bella also will randomly go up to people and tell them that she likes there purse or shoes, ect. It cracks me up every time.

Jackson's Baptism (Ohio Trip)

I got the chance to fly out to Ohio for my nephews baptism and of course Royce came with me. It was a lot of fun and a very touching occasion.

Aunt Shell and Charlotte meeting Royce for the first time. Of course he was a total ham the whole time we were there. People just like to surround him and admire his cuteness. Some how he worked my brother-in-law Lynn into rocking him to sleep each night. The kid has charisma.

Getting some love from Grandpa George and Nana Debbie

My goal

John Johnson house. Such a neat experience! I love this picture because these are actual step Joseph Smith stood on. We owe so much to him and those early pioneers. They sacrificed so much for us.

I was so greatful to be able to be part of Jackson's baptism. I am so happy for the decision he has made.
My sister and her sweet family

Royce melting the heart of my big brother Michael

The LDS historical site in Kirtland,Oh

Ham

That is an actual chair the Whitney's owned

Nail were very valuable in pioneer days so when they would move they would pull the nails from the walls and take them with them. They each had to be hand crafted by a blacksmith.

The gang

The silver container in the bassinet was a baby bottle. I kinda want one. So neat!

James has been wanting a new ironing board so I took a picture of this and asked him if this is what he had in mind.