Cousin Shaye...the crawler

This sweet little one is crawling...not just a little but a lot. Only 6.5 months old and moving, what?. Definitely crazy for a firstborn. In fact, she has now started to stand up and cruise in her crib. She's gonna keep her momma busy, like she wasn't before?? 

Sage moves, like a army crawl scoot, but not nearly fast enough for his kissing cousin. In these pics we weren't sure if someone was gonna get bit. But they sure were enjoying one another - laughing and talking up a storm. It will be fun to see them grow up together. I always wanted to be pregnant and have babies close to my sister and brother and we are lucky that we were able to. 

The County Fair

I admit I am a little behind in my blogging as I have been slightly distracted watching Ells 24/7 to make sure I catch her prior to an accident. Not sure its completely clicking upstairs for her quite yet but we have had some successes and obviously a few misses.

So a couple weekends ago we headed out to the county fair. Not really my cup of tea but a definitely an old stomping ground for D. Plus who doesn't enjoy a Pork Producers sandwich, right? I know tough to see but D was a 4H kid. I think he was just in for the winning but that's just me.

The Crew

How funny is that? I think he was talking to us. 

We survived and just prepped us for the State Fair which maybe we will tackle with help this year.

Thankful Thursday

So today I am tackling serious potty training with Ells. You know like undivided attention to her. In fact, I took one bloggers advice and shipped Shadd off to Grandma Darcy's and Sage has been spending some time with Frama. So Ells and I have spent the morning - drinking juice, Gatorade, 7up and eating snacks to get her to pee on the potty. So far 2 out of the 3 successes. Yeah! Any other mommies know how exciting this is. We are going hard core today because we have plans tomorrow but there is no going back. Of course, I will have tons of pictures of the ridiculousness of it all but I just thought I would give you a preface of the day prior to my thankful Thursday randoms (as it will be somewhat reflective).

1. Prayer - It really does work! I have lots of friends praying for me today and it is working!
2. Our building team - all the help and insight, couldn't do it without all of you!
3. Chick-Fil-A, especially cookies
4. Fountain drinks
5. Tuesday morning bible study
6. The power of a testimony
7. Pandora Radio - my newest addiction
8. A successful trip with all 3 to the mall - thanks to Sarah and the girls for all the extra help we survived.
9. Our families - willingness to answer and congratulate Ells when she calls to tell them she just went pee on the potty
10. My hubby's need for approval - like on his new running shoes! Love you!
11. Seeing progress at the house
12. New neighbors
13. The sacrifices some of our friends are making as they head out to the mission field.
14. God's spirit lives in me - Wow!
15. Rain, even in small doses
16. Friends - to meet us whenever and wherever
17. Internet (recipes that are packed away, music, games, etc)
18. Precious 1 on 1 time with Ells
19. Ability to run errands with my mom
20. Free library movies - as D says, " They even have good adult ones. We should just work are way through them." I guess thats how we will be spending our weekends well maybe after the Olympics.

On that note...who is excited about the Olympics. We are. If we had a house of our own. We would definitely be hosting a party. Well I guess maybe in 4 years we will.

Mini Golf - at least a start

So the week prior to Shadd's birthday we thought we would try some mini-golf. Not sure how the kiddos would handle the experience we thought we would start small & free. (Another small perk of living in the good ole hometown)

Yes. One family made a mini golf course in their backyard. Of course, we were even treated to a freezie pop after the round of free golf. What a perk, uh? P.S. Don't you love the name!

As usual D got a little too serious. The kids just thought it was pure fun. Not sure they really hit the balls with their clubs after a few holes. I mean why not just roll the ball, right?

The course wouldn't be complete without a covered bridge. And a toilet hole. Shadd thought it was funny, of course.  

All in all perfect end to the weekend and it was free. Even better!

He's graduated to the DUCK

Its official! Sage is way way too big for the infant tub and has moved on over to the famous duck tub! Cushion comfort in a quacking tub - life can't get much better!

Party Time - Angry Bird Style

We had a very special birthday party last weekend for a huge angry bird fan. Not going to lie - wasn't too thrilled about the idea of having a birthday party themed after this little game but now that I know what it is and how it is a kind of addictive little game - it was actually a lot of fun. Plus there are a ton of ideas out there on decorations, games, etc. 

Decorations were a little tougher this time as there is a helium shortage - a what? Yes. There is no helium available to some retailers due to a shortage. I usually rent a local tank and fill up balloons till my heart is content but this year we had to be innovative with our decorations. Big thanks to Party Animals site for these printable angry bird faces. 

Plus it was easy for gift ideas. We got him a wooden game that he can play and we have been setting up different challenges since the weekend! 

 We tried something new this year : Papa Murphy's pizzas. Once again trying to keep it simple. Of course, we had D's famous homemade ice cream and Grandma Darcy's beautiful cake.

Another fun treat was this little guy. Have you ever made a pinata? It was a blast and actually super easy and fun. I may have a full tutorial as I actually took pictures along the process.

 Plus, let's just say after watching these guys going at it, we will be making one every year! Of course, the video was taken on d's phone and since he is away it will just have to be posted later.

At Shadd's request - we made the black bird

Blakely is trying to figure out why this guy is here rather than her swing. UMMM.

Always a challenge blindfolded

The onlookers

Sibling Love

Now we just have to break it!

Look at Ells - crazy girl

Sage enjoying the action

The beautiful cake - Grandma Darcy never ceases to disappoint!

Another fun little project was the live angry bird game. Of course, it just happened to be super windy so we had to bring it inside but it was still a ton of fun. Plus mom and I had fun painting these little guys for a take home gift. 

Nothing like enlisting Frama's help, right?

Lets just say the birds got better with time and practice

Here it is in action. P.S. We are still playing it. Nothing like a few boxes and balloons.