Flying solo

This weekend I am getting my 2008 Christmas present- a trip all by myself to visit my sister. I can't wait! I will fly alone, sleep in, go to the opera, see a movie, and whatever else we can think of. Thanks in advance to my friend Amber, the baby-sitter, and J for giving me the weekend off and taking good care of my girls.

Privileges

Does being the oldest come with special privileges?

L's new phrase is "Because I am the oldest." When she says this, she is indicating that she should get some special privilege because she was born first. It usually comes into play with little sister when they both want something or to do something at the same time.

The interesting thing is that when it is time to do something undesirable (get washed in the bath, go to bed, etc.) suddenly she wants little sister to go first.

Kids. You've got to love them!

The 4th!

This year we spent the 4th of July in Flag with J's work. It was great and a welcome change from the heat. Rain fell, we attended a parade,

went on a nature hike,

wore red, white and blue, and played with friends at two company picnics. All in all it was a great weekend to celebrate the birth of our country.

5 weeks

During the months of April-June the girls and I spent 5 weeks with our family in Utah. It was wonderful! We experienced snow, saw movies, went swimming, played outside, attended Matt and Jessica's wedding, and enjoyed the break from real life. Thanks to our parents who housed, fed, and tended for us and to our siblings and their kids who were great to hang out with. We also got to see some friends along the way and all in all had a great time. Unfortunately, we won't be back until Christmas, so hopefully the memories will keep us going until then.

Our own future bride walking with her Daddy

Cute cousins in beautiful dresses!

The beautiful bride and handsome groom. Congratulations again!

Ellie ready for the wedding.

Lauren with her hair in curls.

Bye bye binkie

Upon returning from a FAB wedding trip to Utah (report to come shortly) we decided it was time to take away this:

Our Ellie's most beloved, cherished, sought after, comforting, and reliable pacifier. I honestly thought it would be a nightmare and we'd pay for our crime for weeks.

But, amazingly, she has taken it quite well. I snipped of the end of it on Monday and told her it was broken. She cried for 10 minutes before her nap that day, but no tears at bed. She cried before nap for 5 minutes yesterday, and again no tears at bed. And today I put her down for her nap with only a whimper.

Seriously?

That is it?

We left the wounded binkie in her room, so if she ever wants it she can find it and realize, alas, that it is still broken.

Poor thing.

It is really for her own good.