Picture Overload--Summer Vacation

For our big vacation this summer, we went to Utah. Chad's Grandma and Grandpa Birrell got off their mission, so we wanted to see them, and most of our family still hadn't gotten a chance to see Madeline yet, so we packed up the kids and away we went.
First we went to Salt Lake to visit everyone up there. We had a great barbecue with the family and Madeline got to meet her closest cousin (actually first cousin once removed) who is a week younger than her. Unfortunately I dropped the ball in the picture department and didn't take any pictures of them together! In fact, I didn't take a single picture in Salt Lake because my camera died and I kept forgetting to charge it! The Sunbeam teacher in Great Grandma and Grandpa's ward was the highlight of Kailey's trip. I've never seen a child come out of primary with so much loot before, and she keeps asking when she is going to get to go back to that ward and have another adventure.
In Cedar City, we did a lot of fun stuff. Annie came up from St George and Hillary came over and Kailey had a ton of fun swimming and playing with her cousins. I also got to see my handsome little nephew Carter, who I hadn't gotten a chance to see yet. He is a month and a half older than Maddie and I'm sure they will have a blast together when they get older. It was a wonderful trip and we had a blast seeing everyone and can't wait to go back again for Jamie's wedding!
Playing at Gram's house

Taking a nap with Carter

Hanging out with Grammy and Grampy



While we were in Cedar, we went to the Greenshow one night. Kailey had a blast watching the dancing and running around on the grass.
Daddy and Kailey


Enjoying a yummy raspberry tart


Kailey had a ton of fun making cookies with her Nana


Such Beautiful Girls







Having a snack and hanging out with cousins







While we were there, I was lucky enough to get to go to my friend Jen's baby shower. We've been friends since middle school and we were roommates at BYU. She lives in Texas and our trips to Utah just happened to coincide! Next time we see each other, we'll both have babies!

Fourth of July Celebrations

For our holiday weekend we decided to take a mini trip to Fresno and Yosemite. Chad was super excited to go back to his mission and see some of the places he went, and I was super excited to go to Yosemite since I've never been. We drove up on Thursday and spent the day driving around Fresno and visiting some of the old places Chad went. It was so fun watching how excited he got when he passed a place that he'd lived or a place he remembered going to frequently. Our girls were both so good and cooperated well in the car. It was tough getting Kailey to sleep that night in our hotel room. She was so excited to be in a new place and to share a room with her whole family! We were all exhausted by the time she went to bed, and of course she was up bright and early and ready to play again.
We had a blast in Yosemite. They had lit some controlled fires and some were right next to the road, so driving into Yosemite Valley it was hazy and everything glowed orange. When we got out of the car, there was ash falling down. It was crazy. Kailey especially loved the Indian Village and the movie we watched about Yosemite at the visitors center. We even went on a hike! Thank goodness for our Moby Wrap. Maddie stayed in that the entire time and slept her way through the park. Since our kids were so little, we had to stick to the small hikes this time, but we are already planning a trip in the future to do the bigger hikes.
Saturday was our relaxing day. We drove home and spent the rest of the day hanging out around town and at home. Kailey loved throwing the pop-its we got her, and we all enjoyed a nice long nap.
The fires in Yosemite. It's through the car window, so the picture isn't the greatest.

Hiking




Kailey in the Indian Village

Our Fourth of July Girls

Bowling

Last week was the last day of school for the spring term and there was a big bowling party to celebrate. Kailey had a blast bowling and playing with her friends and was so excited that her daddy got to come too.
Bowling with Daddy

Yes, Sabrina was here too since Natalie has the same teacher!

Doing it all by herself



Sabrina and Kailey's favorite place to play--underneath tables

Maddie surprised me by sleeping the entire time we were there! Here she is, right before we left the house.

Six Weeks Old!

Kailey the Bug Catcher

Yesterday Kailey came running up to me while I was feeding Maddie with wide frantic eyes telling me there was a bug by the stairs. I went over to look, Maddie in arms, and saw one of our regular buggy visitors--a silverfish. Yuck. I told Kailey that I would get it once Maddie was done eating and sat back down on the couch. I watched Kailey walk into the bathroom and pretty soon she came out with a giant wad of toilet paper. When I asked what she was planning on doing with that, she informed me she was going to catch the "fish". I laughed then sat back to observe. She walked right up to the "fish" and leaned down and inspected it for a moment, then brought the wad of toilet paper closer and closer to it. She got about an inch away, screamed, threw the toilet paper in the air and ran away. I ended up eradicating the silverfish myself once I had the chance since I was informed that bugs are too scary for little girls to catch themselves.

Sister Love

Kailey absolutely adores her little sister. She loves to help with baths and diaper changes and is constantly asking to hold her.

Madeline May

Here is the newest addition to our family. Another beautiful baby girl born May 16. She was 7 pounds 8 ounces and 19 and 1/2 inches long.