One of the kids goals this summer was to catch something... anything in their little bug container. While pulling weeds yesterday I noticed a ladybug close by so I called to Ainsley. She didn't want to actually pick it up and put in the jar so she called over Walker who hymned and hawed about touching it as well.

Walker came up with the idea to put the container over the top of the ladybug... low and behold it crawled up in the jar and he quickly put the lid on it. Thrilled with their discovery and executed plan they ran to the deck where I took this picture.

Not even 2 seconds after the picture was taken Walker dropped the container and out crawled the ladybug and down in between the deck boards it went!

Took the kiddos to the park yesterday and met up with Alta, Raquelle and Baby Korbin. The kids had a good time and when we left they were all sweaty and tuckered out.

The visual story of tooth #2... which needed a little bit of Daddy help.

Sorry to make you all panic... we were just switching blog servers and it took a bit longer to switch than expected... or I would have given you a heads up.

Not much to report for the week. The summer movie last week was a cute one... Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. We (parents) opted for no popcorn treat this time (trying to instill that it's a treat to just go to the show)...big mistake I think that is what keeps Walker sitting still when we go. He was up and down off his chair 47 times, which makes for a not relaxing time for the parents.

Kiddos have swimming lessons coming up in the next couple weeks and Miss Pumpkin needed a new swimsuit... she got her first two piecer! Looks pretty darn cute on her I'll get some pictures when she's at the pool.

We've been going on bike outings lately getting Ainsley use to stopping, steering and all that jazz before we attempt the no training wheels thing. Were going to shoot for next week... will keep you updated.

Ainsley's got another really loose tooth (bottom front again)...should be any day now.

We actually started school supply shopping... Yikes! Ainsley opted for all pink this year... surprised? It was weird buying her a lunch tote this year... hard to believe she'll be gone all day... didn't think this day would come so soon.

Whew... guess I had lots to say after all. Will leave you will a couple cute pictures.

Took the kiddos this weekend to see this...

I had heard so many mixed reviews which actually turned out to be a good thing. We went to the show with no expectations... no built up hype and we LOVED it! It is different... not like any other Disney movie but I loved the messages in the movie! For those of you who haven't seen it... we highly recommend, just go with an open mind!

The kids got to wash their bikes this weekend as we washed the car... I think their exact words were, "This is the best day ever!"

We finished up the other flower bed this weekend. Hard to believe it went from this

to this...

It sure opens up the house... puts a new fresh look on it and it is so much more manageable for us. Here's a close up of what we did on this flower bed and the new retaining wall.

We just have the flower bed by the house to finish up and the beds down the side of the house. They have all been "demoed" just need to decide on the new plants, regrade the dirt, get the fabric down and then the bark it.

We've had quite the number of unwanted guests in the garden... mostly birds and a couple squirrels. They tend to be just checking things out or getting from one place to the other. In any case it irritates the kids... so Ainsley came up with this scary scarecrow!

We had a great 4th of July and a productive weekend as well.

We started out the morning at the parade...

It's always so hard for the kids to wait... especially when the parade is never on time. But after the first scooping up of the candy they forget all about the waiting. As usual the candy... hummers... and firetrucks bring the most smiles!

We actually still had fireworks from last year... so we got a small package of all kid friendly non lighting ones... you know the pops and confetti kind. The kids like these the best since they can do them all by themselves! Our neighbors always have a huge firework show so we watched those until it was time for the "biggest show in Idaho" love that we have such great seats right in our own front yard! Afterwards we put the tired kiddos to bed and then Stewart and I crawled out on the roof and watched the neighbors firework show finale which lasted until almost 1am!

Rest of the weekend was spent taking out yet another tree... and it's very large root ball and then getting the retaining wall ready to be replaced. Quite the weekend warriors we are!

One more favorite picture...

The camping trip was really fun! The kids weren't quite as freaked out as they tend to be in our own backyard which was a nice change of pace. No pictures of the weekend though... forgot the camera at home... it was nice though to live in the moment and not worry about catching every little cute thing!

Walker wanted to go on a "Safari" aka a hike on the nature trail... he was the tour guide, always leading in front! We saw a couple of deer but the kids were most impressed with the Beaver Dams and Beaver house.

The hillside by the campsite had dandelions that had gone to seed and Walker commented, "Look at all those wishes!"

We had picked an awesome campsite... the tent stayed in the shade most of the day! We played a lot of card games... crazy 8's, war and a new favorite slap jack! Stewart and I got a lot of reading done... it was a nice and relaxing first camping trip of the year.

Walker has been sporting a new summer haircut... a short buzz. He's also been trying really hard to stay in the lines when coloring. He was so happy to show me his masterpiece today!

Heading to the parade tomorrow... kids are super excited to catch all that candy!

The tooth fairy did come the other night and left a shiny gold $1 coin in Ainsley's little tooth pillow. She was excited and at 6:20 am she was yelling, "Mommy & Daddy the tooth fairy came!!"

We've been busy the past few days working on a few projects... taking out the ugly stain glass window by the front door, a new mailbox set in the sidewalk and re-landscaping the front yard... one flower bed at a time that is... so much to cut down... clear out and dig up! The landscaping before was great but just to demanding on our time and attention... so we are opting for a more fresher... low maintenance look. We've got one bed done and had good reviews from the neighbor... that's always a good sign!

Walker was so excited to help Daddy with the big power tools!

Yesterday we put the sprinkler on and the kids had a blast getting all soaking wet.

This weekend we are heading out camping... we will see how relaxing it was on Monday. The kids are back into screaming at every little bug that comes 10 feet from them!

Added a few more pictures in photo area.

Today was the day... notice anything different??

Here's the story:

She had just gotten out of the bath... sent her into her room to get dressed. As I'm in the middle of washing Walker's hair and draining the bathtub she yells, "I lost my tooth!" me saying "You did... let's see!"

She starts sobbing, "I can't find it!" So I frantically plug up the draining bathtub thinking that it was in the tub. Rinse Walker's hair... pull him out of the tub and run in her room to get the story. Got down on the floor and felt around until we found it! She is so excited... came out easily... no blood... just tooth. I can't believe how small they are when they are out.