Life is good!!!!

There are certain things I would like to document before I forget so here it goes...

Kylee took her first steps on June 30th (one day before she hit her 11 month mark). She has done a it a few times since then, but we are still a few months out from actually walking.

We had a FANTASTIC Independence day with my husband's family. They had a big reunion, and i twas so well planned. Katie had a blast,I hardly saw her because there were so many fun things to do. I'm kicking myself right now because I completely forgot the camera but they had a fun bouncy house, fishing (for prizes), snow cones, face painting (Katie refused that one), a cute javelinthrow with water noodles, and a balloon table where Jeff's cousins made balloon characters for the kids. What did Katie ask for? Not a dog, or a flower, or a giraffe, but a SWORD!! Not kidding! At least she requested it to be pink. She is the perfect mix of girly and tomboyish,I think. She is not prissy or afraid to get dirty and play hard, but she still LOVES the color pink and girly things like make-up, nail polish, princess stuff, and dresses.

We were going to watch the firework show in Pleasant Grove with Jeff's extended family, but Kylee was so tired. We decided to go home, buy a few small fireworks and hope that others in the neighborhood had some my kiddos could watch. SMART IDEA!!! I swear, we had a better show in our front yard than we would have in PG. It sure beat waiting 2 hours in the sun to save seats, forcing Kylee to stay up until at least 10:30... and walking a mile anytime Katie needed to use the bathroom. We made the right choice. Our neighbors across the street even shared their sparklers with my kiddos

There was nothing cuter than seeing the excitement in my girls' eyes as they watched the fireworks. They both were so happy. Kylee got SO excited she even took a few unprompted steps (which is HUGE because usually getting her to take steps has required a lot of coaxing).

I LOVE Independence Day!! Seriously one of my many favorite holidays. Well... I love basically all holidays, especially with kids. They make things so much more fun.

Katie is becoming the best little helper. I left the dishwasher open and got side tracked with other things. That sweet girl emptied everything she could, leaving only the dishes she couldn't reach. LOVE HER!!! She is going to make a wonderful mother and wife someday.

Katie and Kylee playing together in her crib

Playing with hair bows

I would also like to point out that I do try and make Katie's hair nice but... it lasts maybe 30 minutes, and then it's over. She loves to play hard... and I don't necessarily want to discourage that. How irritating is it when girls whine they need to be careful not to mess their hair up.

Not my kid... let them have fun and get dirty I say

With the wildfires (I know at one point Utah had at least 10 wildfires going on), the smoke, the ash, and the heat I haven't really wanted to spend a lot of time outside. Yesterday we had the first rain storm we've had in a long time and... we took advantage. We PLAYED in it!!! I remember doing it as a kid, and loving it. My little ones both had a blast and I'm glad Katie convinced me to let her out to "collect rain drops" and then splash in puddles.

Also I wanted to break out Kylee's rain coat and hat that were given to us by the Meltons in our ward (and I'd say 98% of my girls' clothes have come from them as hand-me-downs, it has been SUCH a blessing to not have to buy the girls clothes or shoes). I haven't had the chance break it out and I want to use it before she grows out of it. She looked pretty darn cute, I gotta say

Rain, rain... WE LOVE YOU!!!!

The rainstorm was concluded by a pretty amazing rainbow (sorry the pictures do not do it justice). I'm actually glad Katie got out of bed, found it and showed it to her momma. I love rainy days, I love the smells and... just everything about the rain, especially in a drought. We're grateful for any moisture we get.