Papa & Bev's Wedding

The kids got all dressed up for Papa Ken & Bev's wedding this past weekend in Skamokawa. They were so hyped up, it was difficult getting the kids to settle down for a picture, so these are the best we could do.

Tor did very well sitting in the John Deere wagon as he was pulled down the aisle by cousin Meagan, and he was promptly pulled out by Daddy to watch the proceedings. The girls walked down the aisle with cousin Karlie, holding their flower baskets and dropping petals on the floor. The girls got to stand up front with the wedding party, and Jillian managed to stand still the whole time, but Bridget got a little tired and ended up in Bev's sister Martha's lap.

All of the kids came alive for the reception, spending almost the entire time on the dance floor. Tor showed off some of his bouncing and swaying moves to the music, Jillian found lots of people to practice her partner dancing, and Bridget enjoyed wrestling with Karlie on the floor.

Fascination and Slip-n-Slide

 When the boys are here it seems Tor is taking lessons on what boys do.  He will stand and just stare at them for quite awhile.  Kyle is here regularly but it always takes awhile before Tor will get close to him.

What was I thinking?  I got this rhythm drum set (really for the girls) but Tor always makes sure he makes lots of noise every time he comes.  He's got the wrong ends of the drumsticks but I think they make more noise his way.

It was a really warm day that was perfect for the slip-n-slide.  Jillian loved sliding down all different ways but for Bridget, riding with Tierney was the only way she would go.  Tierney always gets lots of exercise with these two.

Here is Jillian going very fast but she still manages to look at the camera.

Adam's B-day Party

Applebee's was the site of Adam's 10th birthday party. The kids had a great time sitting next to Adam while they ate, and then enjoyed playing in his backyard in the afternoon.

Go 4th Celebration

It was quite a day for the kids on Independence Day. First, we went to the parade where we met Greta and Adam, Papa Ken and Bev, and Jesse and Paula and Parker and Jace. Next, we toured the Lake, eating corn dogs and fries and elephant ears, playing in a couple bouncy houses, and getting faces painted. After a short nap at home, we headed up to the Paul's for BBQ dinner, a 5-minute swim in a very cold pool, some horsey rides, and very big and loud fireworks (Tor did not like the big bangs, so Daddy took him inside). Jillian and Bridget stayed outside, though, and enjoyed the show.

Fun Visitors and Riding

It wasn't near as hot today but the girls still wanted to play outside early and were excited to have Ava and Harper there.  They tried the helicopter for awhile but Jillian and Bridget wanted to teeter-totter faster than the pilots liked.  Then they went to the jeep, pulled Tor around in the wagon, and played at the play fort.

For a break from playing outside, Tierney got out the Moon Dough set and they crafted pizza and toppings.  Ava and Harper hadn't played with moon dough before so that was a novelty.  Bridget made me a small pizza and when I pretended to eat it, Harper kept giving me worried looks.  I had to say, "Just pretending."  

When Bridget was napping, Jillian suggested a lawn tractor ride-their first this year.  Tierney took them around the loop past Aunt Robin's and Aunt Julie's homes, actually Jillian did all the steering.  Tor took the ride too but after the first loop he really didn't want to stay on the lawn tractor, not sure about it.  Then we hooked up the trailer and Jillian rode the loop on that.  

New Pool

The circular blue inflatable pool we had was just too small for all 3 kids, so we got a new one that was much bigger ... 10 feet by 6 feet! The timing was just right with it getting pretty hot, so the kids have already spent hours in the water. They are always asking if today is a day they can swim.

First Dentist Visit

Jillian and Bridget both went to the dentist for the first time together. They got to see Daddy's high school buddy Dr. Steven Pond II. We had been talking all about the dentist and how much fun it was and how the dentist would say they have beautiful teeth, so they were excited to go.

Jillian went first, and did a great job following directions. None of the checks or cleaning bothered her at all. The hygienest was very nice and friendly, which helped, and the girls had brought some stuffed animals for company. It looked so easy that Bridget was even asking when it was her turn. Bridget also followed all of the directions well, though she was pretty squirmy from getting tired. Dr. Pond said that Bridget's teeth had good spacing, but Jillian's teeth were already crowded, meaning possible orthodontia in her future. At the end, the girls received a token to the prize machine, so they left very happy.

P.S. Jillian had to return a couple days later for some preventative work on some tooth "pitting", as well as sealing of her 6-year molars. Jillian was kind of excited to go, bringing her big white bunny with her, but that went away quickly with all of the things (shield, water pick, suction, mirror and water drill) put into her mouth. Her gag reflex kicked in a couple times, the shield was constantly irritating ... and once the tears sprung up, the visit was over. We did manage to get the pitting fixex, but we'll have to try sealing next year.