Fourth Fun

We had quite a fun and exciting 4th of July this year. It started with decorating Carter's Jeep the night before the 4th for the parade in downtown Ada. We had fun tying ribbons, streamers, and flags all over his Jeep. The parade starts with a "kid" section, where kids are encouraged to ride their bikes or any type of kid vehicle to kick off the festivities. Carter was very excited to join in on this tradition. Mia and I waited near the end of the parade route to see Carter and Dave (Carter drove, Dave ran behind). When they went by, Carter got a huge kick out of seeing us waving and taking pictures from the sidelines. He was so excited in fact that he forgot to watch where he was driving and almost took out some other parents taking pictures next to me. The rest of the parade was fun, Carter loved catching the flying candy, I think he took home more loot than at Halloween! After the parade we went home for lunch and a quick nap to recharge for the rest of the day's activities.


Here we are decorating the Jeep the night before the parade.




Carter and Dave are making their way up the parade route. It's a pretty long route for the kids!

Here he is concentrating on his driving, this was before he spotted me taking pictures.

Watching the rest of the parade

After Carter's nap, we headed out to Rockford where Meredith's parents live on Silver Lake. Carter had so much fun with all the other kids. He jumped on the trampoline, helped decorate and ride in the boat during the lake's boat parade, played in the water, and watched the fireworks at night. Carter was such a trooper despite the long day (and short nap) and Mia was wonderful too, for that matter. We were blessed with really good natured kids all day! The fireworks started 1.5 hours past his bedtime but he loved every second. This was his first real fireworks show and it was a great one!

Here is Carter trying on some 4th of July garb while we got ready for the boat parade.

Hanging out on the dock trying to catch some minnows.

Posing for the camera

The boat leaving the dock for the parade (Dave is in the green shirt and Carter is next to him)

Having fun on the water toys

Four Months

Mia just hit four months and she is finally starting to sleep all night! For the last few weeks she had a stubborn stuffed up nose which made sleeping extra hard for her. She was waking up 4 or more times a night. She also didn't want to eat much, she often only ate half as much as she normally would. But she is finally over the cold and seems to be eating and sleeping much better over the last week.

Here are the latest things she's been up to: rolling over, playing in her exersaucer, grabbing things and holding on, watching her older brother play (she loves watching him run around, we think she is wishing she could get up and play too), putting things in her mouth, drooling (buckets, like her big brother did), sitting in her bebe pod chair, and talking/cooing/squealing up a storm. She also does something that her older brother hardly EVER did during his first year of life - nap in a crib! We've been trying to make a conscious effort to put her in her crib when she starts falling asleep for a nap and she actually sleeps better this way. Carter never wanted to nap in his crib and when he did, it lasted maybe 45 minutes if we were lucky. Mia is a champ in the crib for nap time, we hope this only gets better as we do it more and more. Our daycare lady is extremely excited, she too remembers how hard it was to get Carter to sleep anywhere for his naps when he was a baby.

A roll over

Ta-Da!

Showing off her grabbing techniques

Carter and Mia also started taking baths together. Carter loves the company but Mia does not exactly love all the splashing and yelling that takes place. I suppose she'll get used to it!

She also needs to get used to the wildness that occurs during the "dry-off" stage.

Hanging out together

Uncle Josh's BBQ

Dave's brother, Josh, had family and friends over a few weekends ago for a barbeque. Carter especially loved going because Josh has a huge, two story treehouse in his backyard that is perfect to explore and play in. The minute we got there he was in the treehouse and we barely saw him all day. There were lots of other kids at the BBQ as well and they all had a blast together. The only hitch with the treehouse is that it is a grubby, dirty mess and the kids looked the same when they emerged. But they didn't notice or care and we plunked Carter in the tub the second we got home. Now that I think about it...despite the fact that he lived in the treehouse almost the entire time we were there, I don't think I got one picture of it. Next time!

Josh and Carter playing washers

Filthy!

Joining a motorcycle gang

Checking out Uncle Mark's bike

Mia could hardly contain her excitement during the day

Father's Day

Dave was up north for most of the week leading up to Father's Day, and when he arrived home, the kids were more than excited to see him (yes, even Mia cracked the biggest smile when she saw him). I shouldn't leave the dogs out, they also went bonkers when they saw him, barking and running around like he was gone for a million years. I think it is a pretty good indication of what a great Dad you are if your kids basically lose their minds with excitement when they see you pull in the driveway.

Grandpa Jernstadt also came over and we enjoyed a great day outside playing and a nice dinner in the evening.

Here are a few pictures from the day.

Carter helped open all the cards and presents

Mia wanted to look extra cute for Daddy and Grandpa