For my Dad...you asked for pictures...and now you shall receive them.

It's been hot here.  As in very warm.  Here the girls are (trying) to chill after church.  On this particular day the temps got to 116*.  

I caught Maggie drinking my water.  She still can't control the flow of a straw or sippy cup yet - when her mouth is full of liquid and she can't swallow fast enough she'll just open her mouth and let everything run out!

We had the opportunity to go to an Angels game - and sit literally right behind home plate!  William was one happy boy.

Look who decided to eat food all by herself!  She has always loved to eat, but until now has never put any food in her mouth on her own. 

Playing with the water table...another toy that has been much loved.

I came home one morning to this adorable scene.

Happy 4th of July!

We did something a little different this year.  We took the kids to Fort Tejon to see the various reenactments and the 31 cannon salute.  (The 31 cannon-fire salute signifies the 31 states that had joined the union around the mid 1800s.)  I was originally under the impression that the period was going to be the American Revolution, but the reenactments were from the Civil War period.  Oh well.  I don't think the littles realized the difference. 

The cannons they were using were impressively loud.  One was a replica, but the one shown is an original.  Maggie was so excited after every boom that she clapped and danced!

The Fort docents put on quite a few period games, tug of war being one.  They pulled with all their might but alas...the other side won.  William jumped right in to play the egg toss, but due to the incredible heat (it was pushing 100*) we decided not to risk the high possibility of him getting egg all over himself.  

There were sack races, pie eating contests, apple bobbing, as well as an old-fashioned baseball game!

 There was a little something for everyone.  We braved the laundry "station" and the kids dipped candles.  I say braved because there was a roaring fire just next to us where the kids could scrub laundry.  The fire was not for the laundry per se, but it did encourage us to continue on from this station.  Adding a fire to 100* heat was too much for me.

At night we watched fireworks.  It was an exhausting but fun day!

Happy 4th of July!

Look Who's One...almost a month late. Opps.

Our baby turned a year old Jun 9th.  I made a wonderful gluten free cake for her...but then splurged on the frosting - chocolate butter cream, baby.

  

I had a bit of a hard time getting the three of them to look for me, but this shot just cracks me up.  The day before J and I went to the home school convention at the Disney Hotel and J picked up the crowns for the kids.  Maggie wanted nothing to do with hers but was still completely enamored with Abby's. 

It is a little strange to think that it's been a whole year since she was born.  She is now cruising along the furniture, slowly and a bit unsure of herself, but determined.  She doesn't like being left behind when the older two run off so she has perfected the army crawl.  Man I wish she'd learn to either walk already or crawl the normal way - less wear and tear and her clothes!

She is finally sleeping the nights.  It took her till about two weeks after her 1st birthday to start, but that's okay.  She's on her own schedule.  Now that she's sleeping well I moved her into Abby's room and moved Abby into William's room.  I had her and Abby together, but that didn't turn out so well.  Abby had joined Maggie in her bed and had literally shoved all the blankets and stuffed animals in the bed with them.  Maggie was screaming for her own space.  So until she gets a little bigger and can defend herself a bit more with an overly loving big sister, she will have the girls room all to herself.  Which is just fine with Abby.  She's so excited to join William in his room.