June flew by! We didn't have much time to recover from our trip because we were going all month long. We started the month out finally celebrating Eliza's birthday with friends.
The kids have been so excited to have some of their Crossley cousins come to our house for the first time. They traveled in an RV and our kids are now convinced that that is the only way to travel. They went on many rides with the cousins. Chet and Austin took them all fishing several mornings. There weren't many fish caught but everyone had muddy shoes so I guess something was accomplished.
Eliza was excited to let Tanner borrow her new fishing pole (Chet's birthday present to her)
We are so grateful for wonderful neighbors that let our kids fish to their heart's desires.
Spencer found a caterpillar attached to a leaf in a J hook. It was only a few hours later that we were able to see it go into a chrysalis. We always seem to miss it so we've decided our cousins are a lucky charm.
We went to the library one day and got to learn about all kinds of different animals. Mariah got to hold a snake for everyone to touch. Chet was disappointed that he didn't get to carry around the bigger snake. But I accidentally won us an aquaponics system...now we'll see whether we can keep the fish and plants alive.
We had another wonderful weekend with the cousins. Little Tanner is so good at looking after Vivi and helping her when she's sad. Our Kirksville cousins came up for the afternoon one Sunday.
Vivi looking fabulous. Aunt Heather came to visit too and we were so happy to have her back in her U.S. home.
The girls went with me to bring a meal to a friend and we saw a brand new baby fawn across the street. It held so still and the girls were really good about not petting it.
Mariah started Violin lessons! She has been dreaming of this day since she was three years old. And I must say, starting an eleven year old on an instrument is much easier than a three year old.
We spent two weekends helping the cousins move to their new house. We are really excited for all the memories that will be made there. I hung out with the youngest five while the big kids helped move things into the new house. We used popsicles as bribery to keep the littles happy about being left. Then Aunt Lisa read them stories and they didn't even feel like they missed out on anything.
The second weekend the kids were rewarded for all their hard work by playing on the awesome blow up water slide. I am shocked that the only injury sustained was Austin's jammed finger. He was having so much fun that he didn't even tell me about it until that night, but it was pretty bruised and swollen the next day.
Vivi kept herself busy all day at the new house and finally around 4pm fell asleep watching us set up a bunk bed. She has figured out how to take her clothes off so we have a lot of diaper time at our house.
The next day we celebrated Father's day. Tanner had mentioned almost buying a huge key lime pie from Costco when he picked Heather up at the airport so I decided to make that for him for dessert. The kids made him some really sweet cards, and even though he was on call, Tanner went to church and didn't get a single phone call. Not a bad fathers' day gift.
We had swim lessons each weekday for two weeks and the kids mostly had fun (it's always hit and miss for Eliza) and learned a lot. Vivi felt a little left out and insisted most days on wearing her swimsuit and goggles, even though she couldn't get in the pool.
She had a high fever for a few days and woke one night feverish. I put her in bed with me and after a few minutes she whispered, "I need my goggles". I tried to pacify her but she climbed out of bed and went looking for them. She wouldn't rest until I got them out of her crib and then she fell asleep with them in her hands.
Just a little obsessed
We spent our time in the car during lessons and Vivi enjoyed pushing as many buttons (mine and the car's) as she could and snitching gum. She finally got her time in the pool when we went to a birthday party one night after dinner. It didn't disappoint.
We celebrated Josie's 1st birthday (a month early we found out, whoops) and she really enjoyed her treat.
We're pretty big fans of this goofy dog...now if we can just keep her from trying to kill the chickens...and not run out the door...and follow a command other than sit...all in good time.
We have loved having Aunt Heather with us. The girls love brushing her hair during scripture study and she even watched the kids so Tanner and I could go on a date one night. We tried tennis, and let's just say it's going to be while before that will be considered a workout for us. Sorry Tanner, I'll work on my backhand...and my serve...and everything else.
Spencer and Adrianna spent a Sunday with us one weekend and Chet and Spencer made some rice krispie treats. Mariah loved spending time with Adrianna, she makes her feel so special. I'm grateful for these older cousins and the love they show to my children.
Mariah had to have some baby teeth removed and she was really nervous. She spent time praying and thinking about the procedure and how things were going to go and how she would stay calm throughout. She asked Tanner to give her a blessing that morning. She did so amazing. When the dentist told her that she was the best patient they'd had all day Mariah responded with, "Well I would hope so!". It was 9 am so maybe thats why she said what she did. She said that the gas made her super talkative and the dental team thought she was so funny. I'm grateful it was a positive experience for her. Definitely an answer to prayers.
Grandma and Grandpa Crossley, Natalie, and Kathleen spent the night at our house at the end of the month and we had a great morning with them. We have loved all the family time we have had this month. It was busy and there wasn't much relaxing but it was all worth it. We have loved the memories made this month.
