This year the 4th of July was so much fun! Toby's two brothers Jake and Jed came out with Jake's new wife Tierani. We decided to have a little bbq and pool party with some friends and then we would all go over to the the Ripon fireworks in the evening together. We had the Anderson's the Green's and the Ballard's over and everyone brought some really yummy food. Toby cooked some meet on his new bbq, it was really yummy!! We swam, ate and hung out for hours until it got darker outside and we decided to clean up and head over to the fireworks. The fireworks were awesome as usual and then we headed back to our house for a little after party were toby set off some of our fireworks and the kids did sparklers. This will have to be a tradition from now on because it was such a blast! We love having friends over and I was so glad everyone had a good time.

Brooklyn was already sticking her fingers in her ears even before it got dark. She hates loud noises. Nikell loves her friend Max, they always sit by each other so cute or walk holding hands. Love them!

Misty played freeze tag with the kids before it got dark enough for the firework show. They had so much fun!

Freedom

On the 4th of July Misty and I thought it would be fun to take the kids out and do a little photo shoot in front of a cool old barn in Escalon that has a flag painted on the outside. It sounded like it would be a great idea except for someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed, well, maybe two people did. Brooklyn and maybe me. Right before we walked out the door Brooklyn had a huge meltdown because she couldn't find her shoes. Nikell was already out in the car waiting patiently and Brooklyn, me and Tierani (who was visiting with Jake and Jed) were looking all over the house for her shoes. Finally I just said Brooklyn you can wear Nikell's shoes for the pictures and then take them off right after. Little miss Brookyn did not like that idea and started screaming and crying and then through her little flag she was holding right at me. Awesome! Needless to say I was so not in a good mood when we got to Escalon. Poor Misty pretty much made it happen and made the kids smile. Luckily the morning passed and the girls got naps so the afternoon and evening went much smoother. I am so grateful that little Nikell is as sweet as she is right now because if I had to deal with two kids like this all the time I don't know if I could do it. Brooklyn tests my patients every single day. I love her but sometimes I really don't know what to do with her.

Friends

We are so lucky to have met so many fun friends out here in CA. Brooklyn and Nikell have so many fun little friends to play with and they seriously love them all. The other day we were invited over to our good friends, the andersons house for lunch and to swim. It is so great to have moms to hang out with that are so cool and that I have so much fun with and not only that but our kids get along so well. We are so lucky!
From left to right the kids are...
Brooklyn, Dylen, Chloe, Nikell, Max, Tay and Ryan

Swim, Swim, Swim

The last two weeks the girls had their swim lessons with our city pool. We usually like to get them in the water as much as possible every summer so that they hopefully will learn faster. Barbara has them in some more sessions coming up but in between their private swim lessons we thought they would like to take some at our city pool. The girls were in the same class and for the most part loved it. For some reason the pool was super cold though so if it wasn't a really hot day they would shiver the entire time. Brooklyn and Nikell are both doing really well. Brooklyn is a little fish and can swim really well now. She can go to the deep part of our pool and swim back without any problems and it makes me feel so much better! It will be nice when Nikell can do the same! Nikell is a little more apprehensive and is just getting used to putting her face in the water. She does really well with Barbra though so I am looking forward to the next session next week with her!

Number Three

I just wanted to share the news that I am pregnant with our third little one. I am due on Jan 29, seems so far away! Up till now I haven't felt too bad. Yes, I feel really gross a lot of the time, mostly when I don't eat, but I really can't complain too much. I am a million times better then I was when I was pregnant with Brooklyn. I am very, very grateful for that! I went to my midwife today and heard the babies heart beat, something I LOVE! I am glad that soon I will be able to go off this progesterone pill I am taking so that I can stop itching all over! I seriously have made myself bleed itching so much, it is the worst!

The girls are so excited for the baby! Whenever Nikell is cuddling with me she says "oh sorry mom I smooshed the baby" lol, and then she follows up with "did I make it cry?" Brooklyn says in every prayer "please bless the baby in mommy's tummy that it will grow big and strong and stop making mommy sick." Toby is an amazing husband and takes care of me so well. Whenever I feel yucky he just takes over and gets the kids taken care of as well as me. He is the best at making eggs on the spot even if it's like 10:00 at night. I love my little family and am excited for this new little one to come!