Four.Six Months

 4.6 Months

• This was another whirlwind of a month, but we can't complain when it is full of people and fun. We had our friends, the Wynn's, come and visit us. They use to live here, but moved to Utah over a year ago. We went to the river with them. It was a hot day, so it felt goo to get in the water. Then that night, we had a few friends from the ward come over for dinner. You loved running around with little Sam. We ended the night going to the drive in to watch the new Space Jam movie. I have to mention that we have had many big days and late nights this summer, and you have won the title of best sleeper. Many days, you will sleep in until 8-9am. You have been so flexible with everything. 
• After our friends left, we took off for CDA for our yearly Silverwood trip. We stayed in a hotel the night before so we could go swimming in the hot tub (you all time favorite). before Silverwood, we were able to do some back-to-school shopping. Silverwood was really fun. You loved all the rides. The highlight was that you went on the Thunder rollercoaster with me. I asked if you wanted to go (you had just barely reached the height requirement). After seeing Maggie freak out over the other ride, you were super chilled about going. Everyone on the ride was surprised to see this 4 year old just happily get on a scary rollercoaster. The ride took off and you were bounced all over the place. When we stopped, you weren't scared or sad, you simply looked at me and said, "I didn't like that." I couldn't believe it. You were a rock star. 
• Your best friends Lainey and Gus's mom was about to have a baby, so we decided to throw a baby shower/birthday party for the twins. It was a mermaid and shark theme. We set up an awesome slip-n-slide out in the pasture, and the Stones brought over kiddie pools to put at the bottom of the slide. It was a big hit. We played a few relay type games, ate cake, and ended with a piñata for all the kids your age. 
• We took off that weekend for Oregon. I was looking forward to this trip. We haven't made it out to Oregon in a year, so it felt good to be back at Grandma's house. That Saturday, you got some girl/grandma time while Grandpa took Sam, Dad, and I out yard sale-ing. After lunch, we picked up Lainey and Auntie Annie and Uncle Joe and headed out to the beach. It was cold there, so we definitely did not go in the water. But we had fun collecting shells, flying the kite, and playing in the sand. We finished the day eating calm chowder and bread sticks at Mo's. On Sunday, we went to church, where you saw Sonora for the first time. Oh boy, you girls were so talkative and excited all during sacrament. They cam over to grandma's house that afternoon, where we got to celebrate Annie's and Brooklyn's birthdays. Monday, we played around the house. In the afternoon, we went back to Lainey's house to go swimming in their pool. Grandma took you younger kids home for some quiet time before bed. Tuesday was our last day before going home. You really loved playing in the sand box with your cousins, going down the zip line, and eating blackberries. 
• When we got back, Grandma and Grandpa Matthews came for a visit. We stayed home for most of their visit because they really wanted to just be with you guys. Grandma played lots of board games with you guys. Us girls snuck out for a quick girls date to Creme. We even snuck down to the river for dinner and dad teaching you guys how to skip a rock. During their visit, we had friends, the Barbers, stop by for one night. They have a girl name Rose that you loved playing with so much. You girls would ran all over outside, play barbies and dress up. 
• We were sad for Grandma and Grandpa to leave, but we had only one more week before school started. The pool was closed so we had mostly a chill week. You kids played a lot of legos, listen to a lot of audio books (you favorite right now it Dragon Master). We made a trip to Lewiston where we got to go to Gynmastic 360. 
• This whole month, you have been asking how many more days until school starts. Well, school finally started for you. You are going to Noah's ark for PreK with Miss Stephanie. You are so excited. You already have four friends in there. This is going to be a great year for you.

Four.Five Years

4.5 Years

•  We made a goal at the beginning of the summer for you to learn to float on your back. You went through a few rough patches (a lot of tears about trying), but something clicked this month. I think you finally realized that you could stand in the shallow end so it wasn't as scary to try anymore. Well, you did it. You floated on your back for 30 seconds. We celebrated by getting you a double scoop ice cream cone. 
• We went camping at Winchester this month. We brought the bikes so you kids could ride around the loop. You did really well, but there was a slight down and up which was hard for you to peddle on your own so we helped you through those parts. The next morning we went fishing and kayaking around the lake. The best part was watching you guys jump off the dock. You were scared to goo off the main part of the lake but didn't mind jumping into the weeds. 
• We have had a few visitors this month. The first one was the Shippen family. You loved hanging out with the big girls. You got them to paint rocks with you and read books. We took them on a little tour around town and then made our way to Pine bar for cliff jumping. You jumped off a three foot cliff and loved it. Right after they left, Uncle Josh's family came to visit. The highlight with them was going rafting down the Salmon. You kids were get excited for all the little rapids, jumping off the side of the boat, and pulling over to play in the sand. 
• We had one whole weekend as just our family this month. We were suppose to go to Silverwood, but it had to get postponed due to fires up there. Instead, we spent Saturday going on a fun railroad hike. There was a long tunnel that we hiked  through. When we were in the middle, we could turn off our lights and be in total darkness. You fell pretty hard and your forehead hit right on the metal track. You had a goose head the rest of the weekend. We then headed to a lake past Winchester. It was fun, but we definitely like Winchester better. We ended the night at the pool for the ward Pioneer Day party. I don't think I saw you at all. You took off to the pool and played with Cecily the whole time. That Sunday, we went backpacking as a family for the first time. Dad got you your own pack this summer, and you were a rock star. You never complained about carrying it. Dad told a Mowgli the dog story while we hiked, and there were plenty of huckleberries to eat along the way. Jo and I did not make it the whole night, but you had a great time with dad and the big kids.
• We ended this month with a visit from Auntie Rachel, Caleb and Owen. Even though those boys are older than you, you liked playing with them. The favorite thing was the play structure. You loved having others that wanted to swing with you. We took them out on the raft also. We spent the whole day at Schocumchuck. You met a new friend there that loved playing in the sand. It was been a busy, but really fun month.