The joys of toilet training...

Ethan is ready. I know he is. Somewhere deep inside he knows he is too. He has been out of diapers officially for two weeks now. He does really well going "Number 2" in the toilet but for some reason is struggling with wetting. He does really well one day and then pees everywhere the next. And by everywhere I mean just that. McDonalds restrooms (standing infront of the toilet), the hallway right infront of his bedroom (staring at the bathroom), kitchen floor, the basement. You name and it's wet it seems like.

Um very frustrated and trying hard not to show it when I have to change his clothes yet again. He is doing well though, really well I think. He wakes up every morning dry! And then walks in the hallway and let's loose!! Just another joy of parenthood I guess.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

FROM THE BARKERS

How adorable are my kids. I love them to death

and hope that they have the most wonderful Christmas ever!

And to sweet, adorable Ellie - who couldn't love you!

You are so sweet and give the most amazing hugs I have ever had!

Ethan - you are the light in our house. Always ready to laugh and play games.

That cheeser smile gets me every time.

Time?

Where did all the time go? I don't know - don't ask me!

We have been oh so busy, doing what though, I know not. Here are a few pictures of our happenings though!

Our Ward had a Christmas Breakfast in the beginning of September. Santa was there! Ellie was happy to get up there and let him know how she felt about him.

Ethan did not cry. Which really suprised me. He is getting much better with Santa and is ver excited for him to bring him "helicopters and trains!".

After the Christmas Party we went to Walmart. Santa was there too! So...we saw him again.

On Saturday, December 12th, we had a monster of a snow storm. Ethan was excited that we had to go and shovel the walk. Since Jacob was at work it was up to the three of us to get it done. Ethan had a blast!

Ellie looked the kid from the Christmas Story. I had to prop her up against the wall for this picture, otherwise she would just fall backwards!

And yes, it was her birthday, so I did let her eat the snow! She had a blast. It was also snowing the day she was born and the day we brought her home as well.

Ethan was a big helper with shoveling the snow. He worked his little tush off and then took a wonderful nap

What a cute girl in her puffy pink coat!


And this picture captures Ethan to a T, I think. All his character!

On Sunday we had a little party for our girl. She has grown up so fast that I can hardly believe it. And no, I don't believe in having my children wear clothes! Actually, she had just gotten done with her dinner so....

She thoroughly enjoyed all her presents

Tinkerbell is her favorite

She wasn't so sure about the cake at first. I like how no one is paying attention except me!


She enjoyed getting messy but she didn't really eat any of it.



And then she chilled with Great Grandpa Youngberg. Both of my kids love their Greats because they know who to go to for the good stuff. Like cookies and ice cream.


What a cute girl ( I mean Ellie!)



And of course - she loves the bunny that she got from her Great Grandma Pow. It plays the same song that Ethan's puppy used to play before puppy became "well loved".

Santa!

Ok, all you fellow mom's out there. I need to find a Santa!

Here in good old Brigham City they set up Christmas Village every year downtown. And last year I was in the hospital having Ellie when Santa came to visit all the kids. My parents took Ethan last year but this is the first year he REALLY knows what is going on. So I checked out the paper and Santa is only coming once. Saturday morning after Thanksgiving. Which is fine, we will be home but...Jacob has to work! Jacob has never been able to see Ethan go see Santa. He said that I could still take him because he wants Ethan to see him for sure wether or not he can be there. Jacob's work schedule is pretty packed - he is working about 60 hrs. a week so I hoping that there is some Santa out there that is available. If any of you guys know where Santa will be - even if they charge to see him - please let me know.

We are willing to travel to Salt Lake so that Jacob can see! I also heard that Santa comes to Mantua but I can't remember when or anything.

Please HELP!

Yesterday the whole family went to I Street in Salt Lake to see Jacob and his brother Phillip mountain bike. We haven't been able to see him ride in quite a while because it is hard for the kids to not run crazy outside!

It was nice though. Ethan thoroughly enjoyed being outside with his cute little cousins and surprisingly, Ellie was happy for two hours in the baby carrier on my back!

This is just one of the many jumps up on I Street. The guys spend alot of time and energy to make the jumps.

Now here are three cute little kids! All watching their Daddy's ride their bikes and doing some awesome jumps.

Here is Jacob taking just one of the many jumps that are up there.

He just got this new bike and this was only his second or third time riding it.

He got the bike because he agreed to get his wisdom teeth out for a research study and therefore get paid for it - that is how he is paying for his new bike!

All in all - everyone did really good. Nobody crashed, we got some good pictures, the kids were happy to play outside, and I got to be outdoors for a little while!

Ok, yes I noticed I spelled Barker wrong!! No comments, that includes you Mom! I'll fix it later.

Now, onto the reason for this post. I added comment moderation. I have had some really weird comments (like links for Viagra!). So from now on all comments have to be approved first. I really dont want to have to go private so no more comments from stupid people!!

Some Days...

I just wanna give up.

I am hoping that I am not the only stay at home MOTHER that feels this way. And I am hoping that by posting my woes other moms can feel some comfort knowing that the grass is definetly not greener on my side of the fence.

I LOVE my children. I would do anything for them. I am incredibly happy that Jacob works so stinking hard so that I don't have to. Some days I want to auction off my children to the highest bidder.

Ellie is so different than Ethan was at this age. Maybe it is because she is a girl, maybe because she is our second child, or maybe just because this is who she is - but she is one dramatic little baby! If something does not go exactly her way - she is screaming her little tush off untill it is made right. I know my mom is out there somewhere reading this and saying, "Not Ellie, she would never!" Yes, mom - she would!! There are days where I just have to ignore her crying because she is crying to just cry. I feel bad, but at the same time - I am NOT going to let her chew on the shoes!!!

And then there is Ethan. And by Ethan, I mean "Ethan the terrible". Ethan is one sweet little boy. He is very polite; always saying please and thank you. He is very courteous, always saying excuse me and I'm sorry. He is also a very good helper; he loves to take out the garbage and help vacuum and put the clean dishes away. He is all of those things - unless you are his mother. And then he is "Ethan the terrible" lately. He yells "NO!". He refuses to take naps and then when 6:00 rolls around he is so exhausted that he is a kicking, hitting, throwing, yelling, not listening machine.

My friend, Aimee, came over the other day and he was doing something he wasn't supposed to. I said stop like 20 times. As soon as Aimee says stop - he stops. What is this magic that others have over my children? Can I get some? Can I buy it?

I really with that STAPLES EASY BUTTON really worked.

My house is a mess. Someone was coming over and I litterally hid my dirty laundry, in my kitchen, under a big bath towel!

The bathrooms haven't been cleaned in almost a month. Yes, mold is starting to grow.

Forget about dusting. That hasn't been done since we bought the house in May.

Laundry is a never ending battle.

I didn't brush my teeth today.

My back is killing me from lifting either a 20lb. or 40lb. child all day long as they battle

over who get to play with what meaningless toy first, only to be forgotten about

minutes and thrown aside.

I have bills that need paid. I need to win the lottery.

Ethan says "Oh crap" every second he remembers he isn't supposed to say "Oh crap" and then immediately follows with "Don't say that!" Because that is what I say when he says it.

He is going through this weird phase where he gives everyone a

smack on the butt - we aren't in sports buddy!!

Ellie is crying because I took a DVD away from her - big crocodile tears.

I can't remember the last time I slept the entire night through - quite literally.

My grocery "want list" is about three pages long.

My house "To Do" list is about 12.

I haven't scrapbooked or sewn in almost a month.

I'm pretty sure that people think I'm a hermit because I feel like I never leave the house.

By the way, what does sunlight look like?

I want to start writing my history but I can't even brush

my teeth dialy let along write!

I wish my stomach was more "elastic" like it was in the olden days. The next web search

I do is going to be titled (Plastic Surgery for Moms).

My acne has gotten worse since I have had kids.

I wanna be done having kids.

I wanna have more kids.

I wish moms had paid vacation and sick leave.

My Grandparents are coming to visit next week and I am very excited.

I have all the words memorized to Rascall Flatts "Life is a Highway" from Cars and

the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme song - "It's the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!!

Come inside, it's fun inside! Roll Call!"

I want to go back to school and get my teaching degree. I don't have the money

or energy - not to mention the time to go back to school right now.

Ethan cracked the screen on my IPhone with a car.

I have "fished" poop out of the bath tub three times this month.

I love my kids.

(I really do)

I promise.

Alright, alright...so it took a little longer to get Ellie's EEG resuts. And then a little longer for me to get around to posting. She is fine. No seizure, she juast has to learn how to breathe!! Anyway, we have been really busy lately and my brain isn't functioning quite yet so Halloween pictures will have to come a little later. Rest assured that they are stinking cute though!

Ellie goes in for her EEG today at 1:00 p.m. We are really nervous but praying that everything will be ok. I'll post again later after her test.

Another Day at the Doctor's

I took Ethan back to the doctor's today. His breathing was not improving and I was worried about his oxygen levels. When we arrived Dr. Lish and his nurse Suzanne (who is also awesome!) were talking about Ellie being at the ER. So we talked about Ellie for a few minutes. He asked what had happened and I recapped the whole story. When I told him that she had been asleep he suggested that we get her an EEG. He said it was still most likely a Breath Holding Spell but he wanted to rule out a seizure all together. I agree! I would much rather be safe than sorry. I would rather pay out the wazoo in copays and deductibles than withold an important test that could possible discover a serious ailment. So they will be calling us for a date and time for her EEG. In the meantime, I have time to browse the many information highways to find out everything I can about seizures and an EEG!

When we finally got to Ethan he sent us over to the hospital to get chest x-ray, worried about pneumonia. I called my Grandma Youngberg who lives less than a block away from said hospital and dropped Ellie off. They are so good to play with the kids and I think they were happy to have some solo time with her without Ethan grabbing one of them away! I was glad that they were able to help because it took us nearly 1 1/2 hrs. at the hospital. Back at Dr. Lish's office he said it wasn't pneumonia but that he was swallowing alot of air.

We have heard this before and knew exactly what that meant - steroids. For those asthma newbies out there. Swallowing air isn't good. It basically means that because his lungs cannot absorb what he is breathing in - it is going into stomach. That creates pain and discomfort and in a two year old results in misbehavior. Steroids open up his bronchials and allow more air to be absorbed. The horrible thing about steroids is the side affects. Having had him on steroids before I knew this was coming but dreading it at the same time. Unlike his breathing treatments and inhaler (which are just inhaled steroids) they prescribe liquid steroids. Because they are liquid they get into his blood stream and therefore effect his brain and actions! So my at one time sweet little boy turns into a little terror. Doing everything but listen or be good. It's hard to be nice and understanding when your two year old throws something at your head or kicks you in the leg and then turns and runs - but it is just the medicine - not my boy. It is going to be a long week.

Oh...my children!!

Ethan is my favorite little boy. I love everything about him and everything he does (well...almost everything he does!). But lately he has been greatly trying my patience and sanity.

Here is a really good example.

We have fish. About 45 fish. Well, atleast we HAD about 45 fish. Now we have one.


Ethan loves to be a helper. Even though he is only two he has chores. Not real chores - just things for him to do every day so that he feels like he is helping. He takes the garbage out. He puts the dishes away, helps wash the laundy, and of course - puts his toys away every day. He actually does really well at these things and thoroughly enjoys them.


Well, about a month ago I convinced Jacob that getting our fish tank up and going would be a good thing for Ethan. We could teach about animals. How to feed them, take care of them, clean the tank. You know, a little learnig experience. He was doind good. I mean, as good as a two year old can do. We had to keep him from standing on the tank a few times and trying to keep him from pounding on the glass was, and is, just about impossible. But feeding the fish was his favorite thing to do. We were sure to keep the fish food up on the computer desk where he couldn't reach it. I knew he would feed them every chance he got if he was allowed to feed them whenever. For those of you who don't know fish very well - they aren't very smart. They will eat all the food you give them. They will eat themselves to death. Also, if you put too much food in the tank - you can actually make the water toxic.

Oh...my son.


Quiet had crept over the house. A rarity. Jacob asked, "Have you checked on Ethan?" Of course not, I thought he was with his Daddy!! We both look downstairs just in time to see Ethan dump an entire bottle of fish food into the tank. We both hurry downstairs and I start scooping it off the top of the water with the empty food jar. There was so much food in there that it was clumping on top because it couldn't dissolve into the water fast enough. Jacob went and got a bucket and started ciphoning the water and food out. He did a good 5 gallons of our 29 gallon tank. We put fresh water in and were hoping the filters would work their magic.

The next morning I went down to feed the fish, as always, at 8 a.m. About 12 hours since their feeding frenzy. The water was so cloudy that I couldn't see anything at all - but that's not normal for what just happened. I turn on the light - and guess what!! I see 45 fish dead on the bottom of the tank. Awesome. So I spent my morning scooping out dead fish fro the bottom of the tank, ciphoning out 13 gallons of water, cleaning out food filled filter cartridges, and cleaning the tank. It was a good morning.


One fish survived. Our plecostomus. You know those sucker fishes that clean the tank? Our lone survivor of 45 fish.


On a totally seperate note. We had family pictures taken not too long ago. Here are some of my favorites.





The whole Youngberg Family

Back: Jacob, Dad, Craig

Middle: Myslef, Mom, Melissa, Samantha

Front: Ellie, Ethan, Aiden

Cute Ellie girl and Grandpa Youngberg

Ellie with just a hint of her black eye

Daddy and a very tired little boy. Ethan was really good considering we took pictures for 2 1/2 hrs.


Two cute boys



Two more cute boys



Ethan and Ellie looking super cute!

My Ellie girl with a sweet little smile

Ethan: showing off his personality!

Sweet Ellie

Jacob and myself

Ethan, just chillin' before everyone arriaves

And then there is my little Ellie. Who is already such a little drama queen!! On Tuesday we took both kids to the Doctor's office. Which they both love by the way. Dr. Lish is an awesome doctor - you know that's true when the kids get excited to see him! Anyway, they both have bronchitis and Ellie has an ear infection - again! Because Ethan has asthma he get to have breathing treatments three times a day untill he gets better!

Poor Ethan with his oxygen mask at home. We have a little nebulizer at home (a mini air compressor) that turns his liquid medication into a mist that he breathes in. He doens't mind it so much because that means he gets to watch a show three times a day to help him sit still!

Anyway, on to my little drama queen. We put the kids to better early around 7:30 and Jacob and I were hanging out downstairs. All of a sudden we Ellie just start screaming. And I mean screaming. Not her I'm hungry scream or mama just put me down and walked away scream. This was her "I'm going to die unless you fix it scream". So I go up there and usually I can calm her right down and she will go back to sleep. But after a few minutes she is still screaming - so Jacob comes upstairs. He tries for several minutes and she is still screaming. And this whole time, from the second I picked her up, she is so very limp. She wouldn't hold her head up, grab for her blanket or anything. So I go and get her a bottle. Which she won't reach for. So Jacob starts feeding her and she calms down after a few drinks. But when Jacob takes the bottle away and she finally opens her eyes she stares blankly at the ceiling. She still won't repsond, still won't respond, so I finally say/yell "We are going to the hospital!!"

I told Jacob to get dressed because he was coming with me, while I grabbed my bag and called my parents to come over since Ethan was still asleep. But apparently, Jacob was way too slow getting dressed because I just left without him and made him drive his own car. I think I drove 55 my way there!! in a 30 limit by the way!! Oh well, I wouldn't have stopped had they tried to pull me over anyway!

I rush in there and they take us right back. Dr. Gardner was there, who we really like (he was the Dr. we saw when we took Ethan in to the ER with his RSV). He checks her over and asks us some questions and all through this it was like Ellie was just barely waking up. I was really worried that she had a seizure - but she hadn't had a fever. So he tells us the diagnosis. Breath Holding Spell. Apparently a lot of kids do it, just not normally in their sleep. It happens in their sleep, just not as often as when they are awake. Most of the time when it happens it is because a child is having a tantrum or something and cries so hard that they aren't taking breathes and nearly pass out or do sometimes. When it does happen in their sleep, it looks a lot like a siezure. He said the only way to tell is to wait 10-15 minutes, if they snap out of it after a few mintues, it was a Breath Holding Spell. If not, it was a seizure.

So we paid our co-pay and took her home.

She fell right asleep.

Slept all through the night.

Happy as a lark the next morning.

Whereas I went home and stayed up all night listening intently to see if I could hear her breathing! I was not happy!

Life has been crazy!!

We have some illness lately that has taken over my life a bit. Nothing serious, just constant ear infections and tonsilitis that we can't seem to get rid of. I feel like I live at the doctors office and I am personally paying for the new truck he was talking to me about buying at our last visit. I really our Dr. - he is awesome with the kids. Whatver Dr. Lish tells Ethan to do: Ethan does! That's how we got him to eat apples; Dr Lish said to eat apples and gave him at a recent appointment. Now he loves apples!!

Ellie got tubes in the last part of September. She hasn't had a problem with her ears but she has tonsilitis that isn't going away. One more week of trying to get better and then the tonsils come out!! For heavens sake - I just got the bill for the tubes!!

The tube in ethan's right ear fell out and he immediately got an ear infection. We are just waiting for him to get another - it's inevitable.

I did buy a new first aid tool that I amrather happy with and I think every parent should invest in. It's called Ear Check Monitor. It was rather pricey at $61.99. But our FSA covered it and it works wonderfully. I even took it in the doctors office to see what he thought and he said it would well worth the money for our ear infection prone family. It sends sound waves into the ear and reads the return wave - telling you if there is fluid in the ear. I would recommend it to anyone who has a child that gets ear infections.

We ordered ethan's Halloween costume this weeks. We gave him a couple of choices and he chose Spiderman. So thanks to the wonderful world of eBay, spiderman should be here sometime this week - and at a fraction of the cost of department store/professional costume website spiderman.

Ellie is going to be the cutesy little fairy ever! She has a tutu, tights, cute top, wings, flowers, and sparkly candy bag and all. Her cute best friend, Kaylee Fuller, is going to be a fairy too. I will have to post the pictures of the two of them together on Halloween.

This is the first year we are letting Ethan actually go trick-or-treating. I am kinda excited for him to go - o just really hope Jacob can get the night off. It makes me sad to think he might miss ethan's first time out.

Today is the real reason I am writing though. Of course, ot is fast Sunday today. And every time a woman, and occassionally a man, gets up and starts to cry, ethan turns to me and says, "matter, mama?". Well today he did just that. When I said that the lady was happy, he said, "Ethan happy too?". So when I asked him if he wanted to go up there his cute little face just lit up and he said yea mama!! So when she was done he joes out into the aisle and yelled "come on mama!!" as he ran up to the stage. When we got up there I helped him and he ever so quotely whispered it unto the microphone. I dot think anyone could hear him at all!! It was just the cutesy thing ever. An so, today, is the first timey little bore his testimony in sacrent meeting. I love it when the kids stand up so I am so happy that he was excited to do that. He is a sweet little boy!!

I have been so bad since having Ellie at updating this blog. I keep telling myself to do better but then it never happens. So this is me telling you that a good long post with pictures is on it's way!

If there are any other blog addicts out there; I apoligize. I thoroughly expect everyone I know to keep their blog up to date so that I have something new to read about every day. And yet, I am horrible at updating my mine! I really struggle.

So here is our update...

My in-laws, Dave and Denise bought this adorable dress for our little Ellie and I love it! You just can't find dresses like these. They bought it Playa Del Carmen and we, of course, wore it the first Sunday we could. It just so lightweight and easy to wear than ou can't help but loving it for a little summer dress. And the colors of the flowers are gorgeous so we had to have a photo-op at Grandma Youngberg's before we headed off to church.

She is getting to be such a big girl that I can't believe it! She is army crawling now and will rarely crawl for real. Actually, I think she would crawl if big brother wasn't always walking all over her! She expects to eat everything that we eat and if she doesn't get it she will definitely let you know. She is still so squirmy that even Grandma Barker has started calling her Squirmy Sue. I don't remember Ethan being this active!

She is a good little girl!

Ethan felt that if we were taking pictures of Ellie that he needed to be involved as well. So we included him in our little photo-op. He looks like such a grown up little boy in his little dress pants and vest. He thinks he is Ellie's mom too and keeps telling her what to do and to go time-out when she tries to eat paper!

Earlier this month we had the chance to ride the train! Not just some little kids train but the actual Union Pacific! They were having a special train safety day and you could free tickets to ride from the Depot in Brigham City to Crystal Hot Springs and back. When we got to Crystal Hot Spring they gave a little safetly talk for about 5 mintues and then we headed back into Brigham. I think the whole trip took about 30 minutes; which was long enough with all the kids packed into one little train car!

While we were waiting in line there was a freight train that kept going back and forth. The kids thought that was coolest thing seeing a train so up close. Ethan was glued to fence and kept yelling "train!"

This is Ethan and his cute little cousing Abby watching the train go back and forth. I love how cute the look! Looking up a the big train in awe!

This one makes me laugh every time I see it! He was so excited and he kept squishing his face up to the bars like he was trying to sqeeze through and get closer to the train. It just really shows his excitement.

The train cars that we rode on were really nice and very spacious. I thought there were going to be fairly cramped and uncomfortable. The cars were two stories tall and we chose to sit on the top because we thought the kids might be able to see more from up there. The seats were very comfortable and far more roomy than any airplane I have every been on. The seats on the bottom level even had foot rests that you could pull out! They were also unbelievably quiet. You had to be listening very closely to hear the train whistle blow which from the outside you can hear for miles around.

Ethan had a great time watching out the window and pointing out all the cows, horses, and wate that he saw. He loved sitting with his cousins, Grandma Barker, and Great Grandma Hansen. And Brooke and I were glad that Grandma's could come and help keep our kids thoroughly entertained and in control on our train ride.

Even now, almos a month later, we will be sitting and all of a sudden Ethan will just stop, look up at me or Jacob and say, "Train ride, today!?" We always just, "Maybe another day buddy!"

Ellie enjoyed the train as well. She liked looking out the windows for a little while but mostly she liked watching the other kids run around and the other moms try to get them to sit down and not yell. She was a good little girl the whole train ride even though it was far past her bedtime.

I just had to add my quick, happy story on here!

We were giving the kids a bath and Ethan normally pees right as he gets in. This time I asked him if he needed to use the toilet...and he did!!!

I know it's nowhere near being totally potty trained but I was so glad for a sign that he was atleast getting a step closer!

I know there are kids out there his age that are completely toilet trained but he just hasn't showed any sign of interest. We ask him and prompt him. There hasn't been anything - untill tonight!!!

45 minutes later - Ellie is asleep.

Oh, my children.

I am laying in the hallway between my two kids bedrooms writing this. Ellie is going through this phase where she insists on going to bed with a bottle. I say "no", she cries, and cries, and cries, and so on.

As she cries; Ethan stays awake - not used to having to fall asleep to the sound of a screaming baby.

So here I lay on the floor going back and forth from room to room trying to use my mind powers to get Ellie to stop crying and together Ethan to magically drift off to sleep.

It's not working - just in case you were wondering.

Jacob and I went and saw the new Harry Potter yesterday. We went to the 3:45 show. Not just because it was much less busy then but because that's when Grandma was available! It was good. I don't think I have ever seen a movie that fully lived up to the book - but it was good. I defintely will not be letting Ethan see it any time soon. A little too dark for him.

Jacob is getting so excited for his trip to Whistler on the 27th. Him and Phillip even have a date on Sunday to go over the details. Though I am excited for him, I am not so excited to be home by myself with two children for a while week. I'll have to buy me something pretty to help keep my sanity!

So if any of you are nearby and bored at the end of the month - think of me!

I can print!...I think.

I just wanted to let everyone out there know how mad I am at my printer. Somehow back in October of last year the software for the printer got removed from our computer. I couldn't find the CD and our computer was having a meltdown when I tried to download the software from HP.com. So being pregnant and ornery, I promptly gave up and have being using on older, not nearly as nice printer that my mom was going to get ride of. Finally last night after 2 hours of searching I found our nice all-in-one printer cables so I could try again.

I get online and it won't recognize the device. After five hours of on-line chat session with three different hp help support people my printer finally works! I can print! No more going to my mom's house when ever Ethan runs out of Mickey Mouse coloring pages! I pick my document to print and wait ever so patiently as a plain white page comes out my beautiful printer...that has no ink.

Hurry over to http://simplychicstitches.com and register as a member so that you can be automatically entered in our competition to win a free tote!

We are going to be at the Ogden Craft Show on

Saturday, July 25 from 10-8

so come and check us out.

It is at the Ogden Marriot. We will have all of product there but we will also be doing

custom vinyl orders there. You can order at the show and then take it home with you! No waiting or shipping!

So much!

Ellie is 6 months old...well back on June 12 anyway!

She is such a little sweetheart that I can barely stand it! She weighed in at a skinny 14 lb. 15 oz. and 27 inches tall. That makes her tall and skinny! She is still wearing 0-3 month clothes - which is sometimes nice because then I don't have to buy her new ones for a while!

I love her cute little rosy cheeks. I have to try really hard to resist pinching them all day long. She is the cutest girl i know!

I love these bows too - they have a color to go with every outfit you could possibly imagine.

Ethan's new favorite thing to do is help me feed Ellie. I have to watch him very carefully when she is eating her rice puffs. If I turn around for one second, Ethan has shoved 10 in her mouth and her little cheeks are full!

Ellie really doesn't mind Ethan feeding her until her shoves the spoon too far into her mouth. Then Mama takes over. Ethan makes an absolute mess but it is fun for the both of them. Ellie laughs at her big brother all the time and it is the sweetest sound.

Grandma Great and Papa Pow came up on their way through to Yellowstone. The stayed for the 4th and then went on their way. While they were here we took them fishing in Wellsville. It is so pretty there and is the perfect place for Ethan to go fishing. There are toys nearby when he gets tired of fishing. There is shade for me and Ellie. And we always catch something while we are there!

Ethan has started to ask to go fishing these days. We have been going once a week lately and he is still not tired of it. He likes to eat the fish too. He hasn't seen Jacob gut them yet but he does know that he is eating fish for dinner!

He loves his little "Cars" pole that we bought for him. He reels them in right and left on that little 1 1/2 foot pole. He is very proud of himself and always has to carry them around in the fishing net for a while.

We tie the fish to a pole where we fish and as soon as we catch one he spends to the rest of the day pulling the fish out of the water to see it. Poor fish!

Ellie enjoys fishing too! We bring a blanket and her toys and she watches all the fun go down. She loves it outside and we have to do everything in our power to keep her from eating the grass!

The 4th was so much fun with two little kids! Ethan loved seeing all his family and especially his great grandparents that we don't get to see too often. Him and Papa Pow became very good friends while they were here.

Ethan spent most of the holidays trying to ride his bike. He is still trying to learn how to use the pedals but we are working on it. We plan to buy him a "big boy" bike for Christmas or his birthday with some training wheels. For now Mama's old tricycle from the olden days will have to do!

And does that face say mischievous or what!


Ellie was very patriotic in her summer dress. She loved being passed around and adored by anyone who would hold her!

Grandma Youngberg bought some fireworks to add to our collection. These were some things where you pull on the string and a bunch of confetti would pop out everywhere. He loved them and would yell "POW!" as he pulled on the string.

Next we lit some that shot a parachuter up in the air. I swear that parachute went 30 feet in the air. They were so loud and he would just sit with Auntie Melissa and laugh and laugh.

Oh my goodness! If that face doesn't say how much he loved them,

then I don't know what does!



Him and Grandpa Great had a good time watching more parachutes on the other side of the house too. I don't know how looks like they are having more fun?

the fireworks were so fun. I was worried that Ellie would be scared but she played there and kicked at them all night long. I put cotton balls in her ears hoping that would help.



I love the 4th of July. It has always been my favorite holiday and it is just getting more and more fun as our little family grows.