Wish upon a Starr

Here are the excited kids, anxiously waiting for the parade to start. We wanted to get into the holiday this year. The night before, at grandma's house, all us girls painted our toenails and fingernails with red, white, and blue. Matthew so badly wanted his painted, I told him only girls could. So, instead of toenails, we colored his hair. He wasn't too sure if he liked it at first, but once everyone else wanted their hair spray colored too, he thought it was pretty great!! We also got 4th of July tattoos for their cheeks. I loved it all!!

The parade was fun. We sat in front of grandpa's shop, comes in very handy for situations like this!! For the crowd that sat in this area, a good chunk of it were fellow Maeser3rd-ians. So, we had good company all around us. The jets were back, however I missed getting a picture because I was too busy hiding my camera from the kid with the water gun on the float. But it was amazing, absolutely amazing. Words can not describe the feelings when they flew over. WOW! I'm just so glad they brought them back!



Sweet Madalynn enjoying the parade and candy chasing.



These horses were also pretty amazing. I picked the picture with the man in it so you could see just how big they were. There was a total of 6, all black and big and powerful looking. It was impressive. I loved these horses!!


Allison and Matthew waving and enjoying the parade.

I think the 4th of July is turning into one of my favorite holidays!!

After the parade we went to the lake. With how high the water is this year, the beaches were fantastic!! No stepping on lake-weed, or sticks, it was pretty smooth and soft. Very nice. Allison and Matthew LOVED it, Madalynn not so much. About 15 minutes before it was time to go home, Madalynn decided that she liked playing in the sand. Allison and Matthew also went for a ride on Mansfield's boat, Allison even went wake boarding with Uncle Wyatt. I'll try to get pictures from Aunt Michele and see if I can remember to get them up on the blog.

It was a great day for the lake. It started out pretty cloudy, and we were worried we would get rained on, but the clouds just made it perfect. It didn't get terribly hot. It was a great day. And boy did the kids sleep well that night.

Allison playing in the water.



Matthew getting back from the boat ride. Can you tell he had a good time?!



Maddy playing in the sand, and loving it!!



Grandpa playing with his grandbabies, maybe I should say water babies.

I had a huge cake order that I was working on. I had to con my mother and sister into coming and helping me out. (Thanks again!!) Well the kids were to busy playing with their cousin Chloe that they didn't get their naps. We turned on a movie to help settle them down, and before we knew it Matthew was out. With two comfortable couches, on either side of him, that would have made for a better resting spot then here. He fell asleep in between them instead.

I have heard of stories like this from Kevin's mother, about Kevin. So, I am guessing this "gift" of sleeping any where is genetic. Cute boy!!

We always enjoy our trips out to visit with Kevin's family. Our late night talks, our games of croquet, which I have found out I HATE ;) , our silly hat exchange with the game of "Dalmuti". It always makes for a great weekend!!

There was a new park put up in Alpine that we went to. It was great!! A splash park that the kids LOVED!! Beautiful tennis courts were I got to play with my niece Emilee, bare foot, and we both have blisters on the bottom of our feet to prove it. It had 3 different play parks. Poor Kevin got stuck pushing Madalynn on the swings for a good chunk of the time that we were there. It was just awesome!!

Here are the pics of the kids playing at the splash park. However, I only got pics of the kids at the splash park. Nothing else of the weekend. So sad!!

This is, L-R: Allison, Bryson, Emilee, Matthew, and Blake.

Allison


The boys.



It was great, we all loved it! Later we got to go check out grandma and grandpa's new house. Play some croquet, then the boys went off to play a round of golf. Another fantastic weekend!! Thanks everyone!!

Matthew finally turned 4!!!!! He thought this day would never come. Each day he would wake up asking if he was 4 yet. You can't tell from the look on his face, but he really is excited about it!



My kids, so far, have LOVED books. I love seeing them opening the books and instead of throwing it off to the side, like they do with clothes, they read them. Forget about the other presents, I'm reading!



Get your thinking caps on, we are going to play a little game. It's called the guessing game. How many of you can guess what is in that present he is unwrapping right now? I know it will be hard, but try your best!



Another book!!!!! Even Madalynn is getting in on the reading.



Matthew wanted rootbeer floats for his dessert (we were going to be having cake at grandma's house in just a couple of days anyway). So here he is blowing out the candles. Well, first here he is mesmerized by the fire. Then the blowing out of the candles.



Good form!!!



Yay!!! He was able to blow out all 4 of the candles, way to go!!!

Allison had crazy hair day at school, so we decided on the "Pippi Longstocking" look. Worked wonderfully, and she looked fantastic!!



Later that night, I got a spa treatment. (kids playing with my hair, which I love!!! They also have caught on that it pays off to start "spa day" after dinner, cause I usually let them stay up past bed time. I can't help it, it puts me into a trance) We'll Allison wanted to give me crazy hair and well, she did. Have to admit, I'm a bit impressed with the creativity.

Front view:



Back view: And in case you where wondering, those are straws in my hair. ???????



Me and the proud stylist.

Allison's school program was this last week, and was incredibly cute!!! I can't believe that Allison's first year of Elementary School is already over, well in a week it's over. She was so cute, and did such a good job. She was front and center, but we couldn't capture a smile out of her. She smiled, but we were not quick enough. She must be shy like her mother.

This picture I thought was hilarious.



Her part was with the bells. Very concentrated, very serious.



Almost got the smile.



"This land is your land, this land is my land......."



Dad and Matthew in the back corner standing to see Allison.



Madalynn just as happy as can be.

I was in the process of folding the kids clothes one evening. Maddy started helping me, which I love, but she saw a few pieces that she had to put on. They were so "fantastic" she couldn't resist the urge. Here is her lovely "ensemble":



Isn't it lovely?!!



Wardrobe malfunction being fixed.



A mama bear who wants to get her kisses in on the model who apparently is a bit embarrassed of those kisses, already. (Wiping tear away, sniff, sniff)

Allison was in a crafty mood one morning and decided to turn Matthew into a pirate. A scurvy pirate at that!! It was super cute, and Matthew was so excited to be the pirate. Even down to the hook (if you look closely, it's a flowery hook, but a still a hook). He's got a treasure map in his other hand, a fancy bandana on top of his head. Isn't this the cutest pirate you ever did see?!!

Maddie is such a big helper for Lady. She doesn't want Lady to miss out on any of the food. So she sits there and points. Point and points, making sure Lady sees it all. Occasionally she says "eat, eat", but mostly just points. Occasionally she will also eat the dry dog food. Blah!! Gross!! At least it has more nutrition then paper, right?