Isaac's Party

We had a small friend's party for Isaac this year, which sadly took place two weeks after his actual birthday, but hey, who's counting. I took Isaac to the local carniceria to pick out a pinata. He chose the Mickey Mouse one, so we went with that theme for his party. I was glad, and couldn't help but wonder how many more years he would think a Mickey party was cool.

This pinata was completely indestrucible. After each kid took two turns, I took the stick and whaled on it for all I was worth (If my brother Jake had been there, he would have been shouting "No wild swings, Hilli!" as he did at Christmas every year when we were kids.) But alas, even I was no match for this pinata. I finally had to just tear it open at the seams, and even that took considerable effort.

The kids also got to decorate Mickey Mouse sugar cookies. Don't they look so cute with their little Mickey ears?

Then it was time for cake and ice cream. I made the cake the night before, and although it was very simple, I thought it turned out pretty cute. I have no idea what Isaac wished for, since he doesn't vocalize his wishes like Sareny does.

I think it is safe to say that Isaac had a great birthday!

Family Time

Keith had July 3rd off for the Fourth of July, which fell on Saturday this year. He came up with the idea of taking the kids' plasma cars down to the church to ride around. (I guess there are some perks to being a ward clerk...like keys.)

We had lots of fun playing around in the gym.

These cars are sturdy enough for adults to ride them.

I just love Isaac's simpering little smile.

Finley got her turn.

Sareny wanted to look like Matilda, so she tied a blue ribbon in her hair.

We also played soccer and basketball for a while with a ball someone left behind.

We stayed and played until we just couldn't take the heat anymore...we turned the AC on when we got there, but it was still pretty hot. So we finished the outing off with a stop at QT for some refreshing drinks. We had a great day!

My Finney girl turns 1!

My little Finley turned 1 on July 2nd. We had a combined Birthday party with Isaac, but they each got their own cake.

When we sang Happy Birthday, she joined right in.

It was completely adorable and pretty hilarious. She sings pretty loud!

Daddy helped her open her present, and she actually got the hang of it.

A tickle-me Cookie Monster!

Time for cake, and another round of Happy Birthday.

Getting some help from her big sissy.

She didn't actually make much of a mess out of her cake--just a couple of dainty licks for her.

And, since I neglected to mention this a couple of months ago, Finley is walking! She took off at 10 months and never looked back. I think she's just trying to keep up with her brother and sister! We love our little girl!

Isaac turns 3!

We've left the terrible two's behind--bring on the three's!
We had a family birthday party for Isaac and Finley on Finley's birthday, which is 4 days after his. Here is my birthday boy and girl with their mommy.

We had Panda Express for dinner, of course, which is Isaac's favorite. Then he opened his presents.
A "shooter gun" from Sareny.

And a giant box from mommy and daddy...I had been waiting all day for this to be delivered and had finally decided it wouldn't get here in time for his party. We checked the porch one more time just before opening gifts, and it was there! I was so glad.
Inside was his very own plasma car!

I love my sweet little boy!

These kiddos make my heart melt like a popsicle on the Fourth of July

I have always loved the Fourth of July. When I was younger it was my very favorite holiday--yes even better than Christmas. Maybe that's because it meant my birthday was just weeks away. But more likely it's because it was time we spent with family--cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. To me, the Fourth of July will always remind me of small-town parades in Fillmore and scurrying to gather up salt-water taffy. It's the day long picnic and games in the little park by my grandma's house in Scipio. My very favorite activity was the races.

Every year, I would line up with the other kids in my age group and race to the finish line, hoping to collect the prize of a couple quarters. My heart would race with anticipation and a little fear. I was so worried I wouldn't finish first, but at least as I remember it, I usually did. I thought about the races year round, waiting and waiting for July to come.

Now I live in a gigantic city with none of the small town charm and innocence from my childhood. One day soon, I hope, my own children will get to experience the Fourth of July the way I remember it. But for now, we are able to enjoy barbeques with good friends and a decent fireworks show that's just down the road. I still make my kids a new patriotic outfit, just like my mom did for us. Sorry Isaac, I just thought homemade shorts might be a little nerdy. :(

It was difficult to get a decent picture of the kids in their patriotic finery, since one kid was grouchy and one kept wandering away...this is the best we could do.

The End

Day 4
The Texas State Capitol is absolutely beautiful. Especially when compared to the office building that poses as Arizona's capitol.

We tried to do a guided tour, but we couldn't hear a word the lady was saying, so we just toured on our own.

This was inside the legislators room--it has an actual name, but I don't know what it is. I'm sure John and Keith are duly appalled right now.

The Vegas style lighting in this room made us feel right at home.

Portraits of each Texas governor line the four stories in the rotunda.

Each door (there are more than 400 of them) has three hinges weighing 4 pounds each.
Everywhere you looked there were beautiful details and intricate woodwork.
This building was originally the Texas Land Department, but is currently the Capitol Visitor's Center.

After leaving the capitol we lunched at the Pita Pit, which is apparently a chain I had never heard of before, but that I would love to visit again. Then to the University Co-op where we loaded up on all things Longhorn. After a brief rest at the dorms, we went out for some Texas Barbeque. The valet at our hotel had recommended Stubb's as his second favorite BBQ in Austin (his first choice was just too far away). It was delicious!

I can't believe how much we managed to fit into this trip. I think we really wore the kids out. I love how Isaac was so tired he fell asleep with a cracker in his hand.
Or it may have been the other way around, since we were pretty exhausted too.