Fourth of July

We roadtripped from Michigan to Chicago to spend a retro 4th of July. (When I was growing up, we would spend the entire month of July at my grandparents' house in Chicago, so we always spent the 4th there, going to the town parade, fireworks, etc.) Emma and her cousins had as much fun as we used to have!

We started the day with the town parade. At the beginning of the parade, the town lets anyone who wants to march (particularly kids on decorated bikes and dogs). Emma saw the crowd and wanted to jump right in, so Grandpa accompanied her.

Returning from their brush with fame.

Emma, bag in hand, waiting to collect loot thrown from the parade floats.

Enjoying her spoils.

Cousin Jordan enjoying a different kind of treat.

Baby Maddie was not at all impressed with the parade. (Notice how she is all bundled up--I don't think it was even 70 degrees out!)

After the parade, we enjoy a little fun in Mumma and Poppa's backyard.

Chase plays ball with Poppa.

Kallee and Jordan

Aunt Brittany always texting, ever texting.

The 4th of July is also Grandpa's birthday! (Though technically he was born in Canada :). Here he celebrates with all of his grandchildren, minue Madeline, who is probably sleeping.

Emma dancing and entertaining us before the fireworks begin.

Uncle Tyler is always good for a laugh.

Aunt Brittany and Madeline, who was awake before the show but fell asleep when all the ruckus started.

Emma, who has slept through many a Texas thunderstorm, turns out not to be a fan of fireworks.

Thank you Mumma and Poppa for hosting us, and to Grandma and Grandpa for driving us around!

A Visit to Michigan

A couple of weeks ago we (the girls and I--poor Dave had to work) were lucky enough to go visit Grandma and Papa in Michigan. My little brother is leaving on his mission next week, so we were able to gather the entire family (all siblings plus 4 grandkids) to accompany him through the LDS temple and just spend time together. Highlights of the trip also include a 4th of July roadtrip to Chicago to see my grandparents. We had a *wonderful* time--Emma especially enjoyed time playing with her cousins. Warning: LOTS of pictures below!

Maddie passed out on Grandma's couch.

Chase (18 months) is such a busy kid that we had to document it when he actually took a nap!

Would you like to drive in a van for 5 hours with this crew? Add to this a baby, a dog, a grandpa driving, and a 19-year-old in the front seat who took the wobbly picture. And the second car with 5 more people!

Emma keeps asking if we can go back to Mumma's house and get donuts. Mumma (my grandma) has the best donuts in the world, and spoils us rotten with them!

My nephew Jordan taking a turn down the slide.

Emma and her cousin Chase would follow Uncle Tyler around all day long. They will sure miss him when he heads to Brazil!

Emma has heard Taylor Swift's "Love Story" so often on the radio in the car that she can sing along to it. Here, Aunt Brittany is introducing her to the video.

How do YOU beat the heat?

Maddie likes to take a nap in her swing, complete with her white-trash government issue not-quite-buttoned up onesie. Don't you wish you could get away with it?

Emma Sings: The ABC Song

Madeline--2 months

Madeline turned 2 months old this weekend, and we visited the doctor yesterday. Here are her 2 month stats:

Head 14.5 inches 2nd percentile
Height 22.75 inches 65th percentile
Weight 9 lbs 9th percentile

*Maddie learned how to smile a couple of weeks ago, and is keen to smiling broadly. We have yet to catch this on camera, though.
*Maddie's head continues to be freakishly strong. She likes to look around and will only rest her head on my shoulder if she is really tired.
*Maddie recognizes her big sister and stares at her in wonder whenever Emma is around.
*Madeline is starting to play with her toys. She kicks at and tries to hit the stuffed animals and rattles above her play gym.
*Maddie is enthralled with her swing. She will swing and stare at the mobile for hours.
*She continues to be an excellent sleeper. She wakes up once a night, though about half the time she will sleep through it!
*Maddie likes to be held facing out so she can see everything that is going on.
*We sing a special song to Madeline, and she perks up whenever she hears it. "Gonna give her hugs all day, Miss Maddie Lou. Gonna give her kisses too, Miss Maddie Lou. Oh Miss Maddie, Miss Maddie Lou. Oh, Miss Maddie, Miss Maddie Lou." It is sung to the tune of "Eliza Jane," and older song Emma learned this past spring in her music class.
*Maddie actually likes tummy time and won't cry until it has been several minutes. (Her head is strong, but she's still a newbie, after all).

Memorial Day Visit

In May we were lucky enough to be visited by Dave's family. At first it was only supposed to be Grandmacita (Dave's mom), but Grandpoppy was invited by an organization to speak in the Dallas area, and of course they couldn't leave Uncle Matt behind! Though it was a quick visit, much fun was had by all. Here are some pictures:

Emma, Madeline, and Grandmacita

Matt and Emma at a playground at the Dallas Arboretum

Emma playing in the fountains at the Arboretum. (Excuse the nudity--I knew she's have a conniption if her shirt got wet.)

Emma and Matt peeking out the window of a model frontier home in Texas Town, at the Arboretum

Emma and Madeline with Grandpoppy

First Bath

On Thursday, May 21st, Madeline took her first bath, and also her first bath with Emma. (I remember the exact date because it was the morning that Grandmacita came to visit--you have to be clean when your grandma comes!) Madeline loved the water. She was totally entranced, in quiet contemplation. She didn't mind at all when Emma splashed her. The only problem is that whatever part of her is out of the water gets really cold, really fast--usually her arms. Within 3 minutes of being in the tub they turn blue, so we take fast baths!