Josh's birthday

On Saturday, we celebrated Josh's birthday with dinner at our house with his family. That morning the girls and I headed to the fair again to watch Mich and Matt compete in the round robin. Then, we came home and baked Josh's cake. He requested a white cake with raspberry filling so that's what we made. I also put a layer of whipped cream in it too. I covered it with a chocolate ganache which is just a fancy word for chocolate and cream heated together. MJ decorated it with Raspberry Almonds from M&M's Premiums. They are quite yummy. We also made homemade vanilla and chocolate ice cream. It's my grandma's recipe and definitely worth the effort. It brings back memories of home. After he opened his presents, Emma walked around "reading" his card that Mackenzie wrote for him. She just kept talking and showing everyone. I think he enjoyed his day and we had fun celebrating with him.  

I know it's been awhile, but until Wednesday I hadn't even taken any pictures of the girls lately. Last weekend I drove over to Twin Falls to photograph a 70th birthday party. It was a lot of fun. Stephanie was the party planner and I stayed with her and her folks that evening. We had a great time visiting. I felt as if I was at home and my own mom was taking care of me. It was kind of nice. The girls stayed here with Josh and they had a nice weekend together. Every time I talked to MJ she said they were having so much fun. It was good for all three of them to have the time together and for me to get a little break. This week I have been working on processing the pictures from the party and finishing a freelance story. The real fun was on Wednesday when we spent the day at the county fair. The girls had a great time. We went to watch Mich and Matt show their steers and take in all the sites of the fair. Emma enjoyed the animals from a distance. Although once she saw her friend Austin get really close to the chickens, she decided maybe they would be okay to look at closer up. MJ was in her element. She had been asking for weeks when it was fair time. She was so excited to have a new horse shirt from G'ma and G'dad in Kansas to wear too. In the afternoon I brought Emma home for speech and Mackenzie stayed with Carla. She said she had so much fun helping while I was gone. Emma found a new friend (Matt's friend Joel). She really took a liking to him. It was a long, hot day, but it brought back many memories for me and my days showing at the fair. 

Payette County Fair

Payette County Fair

Fun in the backyard

It seems it's been awhile since I blogged. I really haven't taken many pictures and nothing too exciting has been happening, but we're all doing well. The girls love spending time outside in the playhouse, running through sprinklers or playing in the pool. It's fun to see how happy they are just playing in the water. 

We're still trying to get settled. I still have so many things to hang on the wall, but after patching so many holes and painting every wall, I hesitate to put more holes in it unless I'm sure that's where I want something. We got our office organized last weekend, so it's been so nice having a place to work again. Josh and I both know where to find what we're looking for now! 

We had our friends Lisa and Christi over yesterday with their kids and everyone had a blast playing. It was great catching up with them. Emma also had her first speech therapy session yesterday. It went well, so we're excited to see her progress. I sent in Mackenzie's registration for preschool this week too. I know it's time, she's definitely excited to go, but I think that first day of school is going to be a little hard on Mom. I can't believe I'll have a child in school now! I had a doctor's appt. on Tuesday and things are fine with the baby. I'm at 12 weeks now. The heartbeat sounded strong. Please continue to pray we have another healthy baby.

Mackenzie's room

The first photo is of Mackenzie saying goodbye to the old house. Last Friday night I got the last of our stuff out and cleaned everything. Mackenzie colored a picture and on Saturday morning we did a final walk-through to say goodbye. I am glad we moved when we did, but it was rather fast and unexpected so the girls had little time to prepare. MJ was a little sad the first night thinking she wasn't going to see her house anymore. She seems good now and is very happy to have her new room.

We enjoyed our first breakfast al fresco last Sunday morning. It was Emma's idea. I got her cereal ready and she pointed outside. We had eaten out there Saturday night for a family BBQ too. It was nice and peaceful. I can tell we're going to enjoy our patio just like enjoyed the deck. 

Mackenzie also got to bring a new kitten home with us from the other house so that has helped. It was one of the barn kitties that was really tame, so she came home with us on Saturday a.m. MJ named her Metallica because she looks like Mark and Carla's cat named Metallica. The kitten has adjusted very well and is becoming friendlier all the time. 

We're still getting settled, but are so happy to be in our new home. Hopefully I'll have more photos soon once I get more stuff put away. 

Summer has gone by so fast, but we still have some warm, fun days to enjoy. We have the county and state fairs coming up plus a day at the water park. The girls are looking forward to all that.