Happy Birthday Daddy and Happy Independence Day America!

 For one of Jeremy's birthday gifts, I ran another 5k with him and my Dad.  I was feeling sluggish this morning so I told Jeremy to run ahead.  Dad stayed with me and we had a nice jog together.  Jeremy finished a few minutes ahead of us.  Puna and the girls came to cheer for us at the finish line.  It was great to participate as a family.

Puna and Papa gave us a trampoline!  The kids loved playing on it all evening.

 I made Jeremy his favorite Tres Leches cake again this year.  I love that he has a 4th of July birthday.  I can easily decorate with yummy red and blue berries.

Lily loved singing "Happy Birthday" to her Daddy.  Jeremy blew out the candles so fast I couldn't snap the pic in time. 

 Lily wanted to help Daddy open his presents.  Daddy was excited about all his new books, a puzzle, a game, and new running shoes.

We invited our friends the Floyds over for dinner and fireworks.  Lily and Sarah had fun snuggling on the trampoline.

The girls liked the fireworks for about 10 minutes and then they were done....but we had about 30 more minutes of things to light.  Lily really liked the sparklers this year.  Sarah spent most of the night hiding under her blanket.  Annie just wanted to be in Puna's lap.  It was a beautiful night for fireworks.  God bless America!  Happy birthday Jeremy - we love you!

Building our Shed

 End of day one: Jeremy and Papa had very dirty feet, legs, and clothes from moving our burn pile and leveling the ground to prepare the foundation.  Lumber and supplies were purchased, foundation framework was completed and the floor was put on.  Long, hard day!

 End of day two: Walls put up and some siding put on.  Took it a little easy today since it was Jeremy's birthday.  But a very long, hot day.

Days three and four: trusses for roof built, window installed, siding finished, roof boards put on.  Thank goodness for a little bit of clouds - and some light rain to cool things off.

The girls loved going outside to "help" Daddy and Papa.  Jeremy and Papa Wanner worked really hard to get as much done as they could together.  Papa even did all the shingles by himself before they left for Washington early Monday morning.

 Here is how things look so far.  We still need to finish the roof, add a loft inside for additional vertical storage, build and hang the doors, add an entrance ramp, add the trim, and paint.  We can't wait to have it all finished.  Thanks for all of your help and experience Dad!

Sunday Shenanigans 07/01/2012

 I didn't forget to do the Shenanigans last week.  Our computer was in the shop being repaired so this week is a two-fer.  Now that the weather is warmer we have been enjoying picnic lunches outside.  One day the sun was so hot we moved the picnic into the shade of the garage.  The girls had a ball and ate better than usual.

 Our ward is having a pioneer handcart trek this July.  To help get the girls ready we have been hiking in the mountains with them every week.  Lily can go 2+ miles all on her own!  We've also been camping out in the backyard every Friday night to get the used to sleeping in a tent.  The kids love it - Mommy and Daddy are the ones not sleeping so well.

 Annie the Adventurous got herself wedged between the table and the sofa.  And being the great mother I am, I snapped a picture before helping her out.

 We took the girls to a city park so they could enjoy the wonderful splash park.  And they wanted to spend the whole afternoon on the swings instead.  They were rosy cheeked and very tired after playing hard at the park.

 I am still playing with my new wheat grinder.  I couldn't believe the difference in height of loaves from fresh wheat compared to store flour.  And the taste is phenomenal.  The whole family is enjoying our yummy bread.

 Last Sunday the house got up to 81 degrees.  We don't have an A/C unit since most of the year it is very pleasant here.  Thankfully we have a basement.  I cooked Sunday dinner and then set up a picnic downstairs to help us escape the heat.  As you can see, Annie was not happy about having to sit still to eat on a blanket.  She kept walking through our plates and when we'd confine her she would cry.  After dinner Lily rode her horsey.  Annie figured the horse was thirsty and tried to share her sippy cup.

 We make the girls earn their keep from time to time.  They helped me scrub both bathtubs and toilets and did a pretty good job between the two of them.  I only had to spot clean a couple of places.

 The highlight of this past week was a Princess Party held at our church.  The young women in the ward did a fundraiser - drop off your little princess, pay $5, and the princesses get to have two whole hours of magical fun.  There was a nail salon, hair salon, make up station, story time, they made crowns, danced at a royal ball....it was basically Lily's idea of paradise.  They YW made a decent amount of money from the fundraiser and all the little girls had a wonderful time.

We are sure enjoying our beautiful southern Idaho summer! Until next week....