We spent the 4th of July at home, since we were planning to go on the 5th to a bigger fireworks show at Pennell's. Samara was super excited about fireworks this year and wanted us to light off our own. Jeff got some for us and she was thrilled! She liked snappers and loved watching all the fireworks explode in the sky. Unfortunately, we found out she was sick overnight into the 5th, but it was just a quick bug and she was back to normal quickly. Kalum loved fireworks as well - not afraid at all! He threw down snappers and even stomped on them. He put his hands on his cheeks with an amazed "oh my, wow" look on his face when he first saw big ones in the night sky.
We celebrated Samara's 4th Birthday with a Disney's Frozen theme! We had snowflake covered cake, cake pops and snacks along with a pin-the nose on Olaf the snowman game and ice-painting activity for the kids. She loved having her family and four little friends there to celebrate with her and fun was had by all. In some ways it seems hard to believe she is four, but then I think about all the memories we have made so far and it feels like a full life the last four years. We have truly been blessed with a bright, spunky little girl and I so look forward to seeing what God has in store for her life. I hope that her boldness will stick with her as she grows up and that she will be a light and a leader to those around her.
We got to be part of Jeff's brother's wedding on July 18-19 weekend! Jeff was a Groomsman and the kids were the Flower Girl and Ring-bearer. We enjoyed seeing so many family and friends at the rehearsal dinner and the wedding festivities. Jeff had fun creating a speech for the rehearsal dinner to give Brian a hard time and the kids did so great in their roles! Samara wore the purple dress that Gemma made her and we found Kalum a suit with purple shirt and tie that matched well. While the singer was rehearsing the day of the ceremony, she let Samara sing on the microphone. She sang from Frozen and knew every single word! Mommy did have to keep snacks/treats handy through the wedding, but we made it through without disrupting anyone and the ceremony was beautiful. The kids danced away at the reception and they actually had to pause before doing the dinner prayer at the reception because Kalum was walking on the floor with a top hat and cane stealing the show. Samara loved dancing and playing with the other kids that were there. Kalum did get a little grouchy by the end of the reception and when I asked if he wanted to dance some more, he sat at the table with his watered down soda (looking like a mini-man at a bar) and said "drink!". Congrats to Uncle Brian and now AUNT Bree!
The Monday after the wedding we headed off for a family vacation to South Dakota! We rented a minivan and the kids were really excited to ride in it, even when we left at 5AM - it had a DVD player and Samara could open and close the side doors with the touch of a button. It was a long drive, but we broke it up with lots of stops. At Carhenge Kalum would say 'nother 'nother and at Dinosaur Park he said next! next! when he was ready to move on to see more. We stayed in Hot Springs and went to the Mammoth Site, Evans Plunge water park, played putt-putt, had picnics and some hiking, fished for trout and saw Wind Cave National Park. Evans Plunge was definitely a highlight for the kids and they both LOVED the water slides and could ride with a life jacket with Mom or Dad. The second part of the trip we stayed a little further North in Custer so that we could rent a pontoon boat on a lake and later see Custer National Park up to Mount Rushmore. We also went to Bear Country USA where we saw tons of bears, even baby bear cubs which were so entertaining. The way home was a long trip and we took the loop through Badlands National Park as part of that ride. We got to see some more wildlife and scenery that is definitely not Nebraskaland. It was a full, fun trip and our first real family vacation!
Samara's July Moments and Milestones:
- She knows the rules and she wants others to follow them as well! We went to watch fireworks at my parents house in Iron Horse. There was a group of teen, maybe tween, girls that she had never met. She told them that if they wanted to drink pop they shouldn't be putting it in their mouth and spitting it out. (which they were doing - who knows why) She continued that they should swallow it and not waste it. This was all said very matter of fact way and with arm motions to show her seriousness.
- Told Daddy, "You're my best hero" when kissing and hugging goodnight. That has to be one of the highest compliments to a daddy from a four year old girl.
- She swam every chance she got while on vacation. She wanted to go back to Evan's Plunge and the water slides. "The place where I sat on a mat and someone held me up so I didn't go underwater." Haha, her descriptions crack me up sometimes!
Kalum's July Moments and Milestones:
- Vocab updates - Early July - now in addition to very clear 2-3 word phrases, he is talking in not-so-distinguishable sentences. He babbles for a few seconds with different "words" and inflections, then looks at you for a response. Of course he gets a lot of "really" type responses because you have no idea what he just said. By Mid July he was giving three word commands "camera turn around" when he wanted to see the photos I took of him. "Mommy sit chair" when he wanted me to sit down so he could sit on my lap. Lots of talk of "monster coming" or chasing, but not sure what that is about. At least he is easily persuaded that there is no danger of monsters. Says "Tow Mater" and "Queen" from the Disney's Cars movie. He can say the last word in sentences in books he has heard before. Late July - whispered to me after I said something while putting him to bed, "sssshhh ki-et boice" Apparently I was not speaking quiet enough for bedtime. He now says "Kawum" for his name - getting so close! When he talks, Jeff looks at him and says, "Is there anything you can't say?!" He was even repeating the names at Mount Rushmore pretty well actually.
- Mid July - gobbled up cubed ham by the fistful. As soon as all the cubes on his plate were in his mouth, he was saying ham! ham!
- I tried the suit on him that he was going to wear to be the ring-bearer in Uncle Brian's wedding so I could see how much of a hem the pants needed. He loved when I said he looked so cute that he wanted to look in the mirror. Kept saying cute! cute! Finally I had to compromise and let him keep on the dress shoes and socks for the day until nap time.
- He loves to jump in the water, really just walks to the end of any water and leans in - he would jump in any water if you let him, pool, lake, river, water feature a the mini golf course. We'll have to watch him closely and keep a life jacket handy!
- July 29th - diagnosed with first ever ear infection - bummer. His fever showed up the last day of vacation, so he was not a happy passenger on the ride home. But, this was the first time he had been to the Dr. for a non-well baby checkup, so really he's been one healthy kid and we are so thankful! If you go anywhere near his ear he would say, "Don't touch. Ear hurts." They put him on amoxicillin and it seemed to be working after a couple days.
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