4th of July

We traveled to Flagstaff, AZ for 4th of July. The weather was great, including rain storms each night. We went to a 4th of July parade in downtown, we went swimming, we spent the 4th with our best friends, had lots of spoiling and cuddles by Gamma, Papi, and Aunt Megan, our first experience with S'mores, and celebrated Leah's first 4th of July (mommy and Leah slept through the fireworks show)! 

The Grundstrom and Ellis kids (minus the Ellis baby who's due around Christmas!)

Enjoying the rain

Headed to the parade for our first 4th!

Every time she saw a car or truck, she would light up, point and scream, "Another one!"

All of the fire trucks, trucks, and tractors were too much to handle for this kid.

It makes me so happy that we can hang out together, with our growing families, in our old stomping grounds!

These two had so much fun together! Joshua, just remember, you have to answer to Mr. Ellis ;0)

Headed home with a wonderful backdrop in the rear-view mirror.

Box Entertainment

You know what they say, "Don't bother buying a toy, when they'll be just as happy with a box." My parents bought some furniture recently, and it came in two huge boxes. They brought the boxes over for the kids to play with. We made one of them into a house, and it is their new favorite place to play with their toys. Yeah, for free entertainment!

Leah Update

I've been meaning to get a Leah update out. We finally made it to the doctor's office last week for her two-month check-up. Our little girl is not so little compared to other girls her age...she seems to be taking after her brother in appearance and body type. She weighed in at 13 pounds, 8 ounces (75th percentile), and measured 23.5 inches (75th percentile), and her head was in the 90th percentile. The doctor was very impressed with her growth, as well as her strength and smiles. Andrew and I both agree that she seems to be ahead of where our other kids were at this point. She smiles constantly, and is such a happy baby for the most part. She is also pretty consistently sleeping 8-9 hours, which means I haven't really had to wake up during the night (this just may be my favorite milestone!). And, if all of that wasn't sweet enough, the girl is rolling over from her back to her tummy! This is rather impressive considering most kids don't do this for another couple of months. Who knows, maybe we'll have our first walker before 18 months...I'm not holding my breath ;0)

Poor Leah and her bald strip

Here's a video of our little girl rolling over...

Ooooooooklahoma

Last week, the kids and I took a trip to Oklahoma with Gamma Padilla and Aunt Megan. Much of my mom's extended family lives there, and it had been around twenty years since I last visited. We began the trip by teaching Joshua and Makayla some good 'ol Okie tunes... "I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee..." and "Ooooooklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain..." Then, came the nine-hour car ride. I'm pretty sure Joshua annoyed Megan the entire ride to Oklahoma, as well as the entire ride home. Leah cried off-and-on for most of the ride, while Gamma tried to keep her happy with the pacifier. Thankfully, at least one of the kids was easy, as Makayla was quiet, occasionally napped, and attentive to the movies. All in all, the car rides went pretty smoothly, which was a huge blessing!!!

Once there, the kids were spoiled, spoiled, and spoiled some more. They had a blast visiting the Science Museum, blowing bubbles, coloring, playing with new toys, running around open, green yards, staying up late, experiencing crazy rainstorms, seeing extended family, and living life in a RV trailer. Let's just say that Oklahoma life is very different from life here in New Mexico :0)

Here are some pics from our visit...

Everything is bigger in Texas...even their crosses!

Playing in the water at the museum...she could have stayed here for hours.

Building towers with Gamma

Mount Rushmore out of Legos

My kind of Lego creation!

Snuggles with Great-Grandma Rahe

Aunt Carol couldn't get enough of her :0)

More snuggles with Great-Grandpa Rahe

Makayla's new "eyebrow-up" look

If you're ever having a hard time finding Carol, she's with the kids!

Covered in bubbles from head-to-toe.

Joshua made a friend in Aunt Marilyn.

Pics Update

We like to color outside with the chalk

Home Depot was having a safety day, and Joshua was in awe. He saw fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, and even got to sit in this helicopter!

So sweet

Andrew surprised me with my far-away friends for a late 30th birthday present. What a wonderful gift!

We can't get enough of these smiles :0)

All smiles

While the first month or so is still a fun time with babies, it's always a little more fun when they start to interact with you. This week, Leah cracked her first smile, and she hasn't slowed down since! 

And, these goofballs, can't get enough of Leah's play mat and swing. At least someone is getting some entertainment from them because Leah does not want anything to do with them at this point. I don't know why we buy them new toys...

Sisters, Sisters

"Sisters, sisters. There were never such devoted sisters..." While these lyrics from "White Christmas" don't reflect Makayla's feelings toward Leah yet, she is starting to warm up to her baby sister. I finally have a picture to post of the two sisters together. And to clarify, Leah is just yawning, and not screaming in agony ;0)