Fourth of July

We had a great Fourth this year. Ken was supposed to work but thanks to motion sickness on his helicopter ride he was able to enjoy it with us. This was the first year we have done anything. The first year Ken worked and the second year he was going to be on call (aka a 30 hour shift) the next day so we didn't go. This year we went and watched the Maumee fireworks on July 3rd. Then on the Fourth we (minus Ken who did have to work this night) went to Renae and Eric Mark's house for s'mores and a little fireworks.

Watching the fireworks on the fourth with the Phillips.

Chase is such a good baby now. I can't believe how he has gone from needing to be held 24/7 to being happy and content just sitting in his stroller, it still is so weird to me. With 3 other little kids to take care of at the Marks' home, I am so thankful Chase was happy on his own for the first little bit.

Jordan

Caden

Kailyn

Chase

Chase has been doing great with rice cereal. He is so ready for more choices but I just haven't had the time to get anything else for him yet. He is so cute when he eats. He has to grab your hand and pull it to him, helping you put the spoon in his mouth.

Sundays are always hard. Ken seems to always be working. Today he was actually able to go to sacrament with us but then had to leave for work. Always, a treat to have him there, if even just for a little bit. Today after church I had taken Chase's church clothes off when I changed his diaper. He was content on the floor so I figured I would just let him be while I got dinner on the table. Soon he was fussing and as soon as I was done I went in to grab him and this is what I found.

There are 2 amazing things about this picture.
1. He feel asleep with very minimal fussing, on the floor. Normally it is full out crying to get him to fall asleep.
2. He actually kind of rolled over (he was laying on his back). He has yet to fully roll over (not on accident). He can sit unassisted, stand when leaning against something, and is beginning to scoot to grab things but alas no rolling.

Caden

I love this kid. I just find him irresistibly cute. Kailyn and Jordan went to a birthday party, so I decided to spend a little one on one with Caden (technically Chase was with us too). I don't often get to just do things with Caden. I decided to take him to McDonald's--a real treat since the only time we ever go is if we are on vacation (you know how it is--looking for a good place to eat and let out the energy) Even on vacations, he never gets a kids meal. Of course he loved the trip to McDonald's, especially the ketchup.

No more training wheels

Kailyn and Jordan are both training wheel free. I had been trying to get Kailyn to try no training wheels but she was reluctant. Jordan than asked if she could try. Sure, why not? Jordan did great. Kailyn than decided she better step up, don't want your younger sister out doing you. Now everyday Jordan asks if she can go out and ride her bike. She loves it! Kailyn loves being able to ride with her friends Kaitlyn and Jenessa at walking group.

Jordan

Kailyn

Maumee Bay

After living here for 2 years, we (minus Ken as usual) finally made it out to Maumee Bay State Park with our friends from church. The kids loved it! I only wish we had gone earlier. I think we haven't been before because people scared me with the fact that sometimes the bacteria levels are too high to swim and that it is incredibly muddy. Well, the water was great and we had no mud problems. Our only complaint was that even with sunscreen all 3 big kids got burned. Poor Jordan even peeled. Yes, Jordan got her mom's fair, easily burned skin.

The kids loved the sandy beaches.

The water was a great temperature and was shallow for quite a ways out.