Pioneer Day Fun

Almost a week late, here's what we did for Pioneer Day. 

Around 4 we loaded up the car (no small task now, with 2 kids!) and headed to my sister's house in Spanish Fork. We're always terrified to drive anywhere with Kenzie because she is so unpredictable, but she did really well. 

Once we got there the kids played and had lots of fun. Marley loves her cousins, and she was SO happy to see her family. They played in a super fun pool, and we had delicious burgers. 

After dinner, since Marley's lips were turning blue I decided it was time to get out of the pool. She got out of her swimsuit and back in her clothes, only to sneak back into the water maybe 20 minutes later. 

 Then Jackson decided he wanted back in the pool too, but his parents caught him quick enough to get his clothes off. He then realized something wasn't right, and started to take his diaper off. It was pretty hilarious, and I love Marley's face in the picture. 

She's like, "Are you guys seeing this?!" 

After we dried off for the 2nd time, we had yummy dessert, watched fireworks from the back porch, and then shot off some of our own. 

 The kids had a lot of fun watching fireworks, and didn't get too scared.

 I sure love this crazy crew of kids. They are so much fun!

Oh yeah, and this is what Kenzie did most of the night:

Thank heaven for the guest room upstairs, away from the noise. 

We had a great day spending time with family. Marley is at the point now where she remembers everyone's names, and just loves getting to see them. 

Glad we had a reason to get together.

Mackenzie: 4 Month Update

Time is sure flying with this cutie pie! Our sweet Kenzie is now 4 months old, and getting cuter and chubbier every day. She is now 15 pounds 8 ounces, and 25 inches long. 

At 4 months, Marley was only 14 pounds 13 ounces, but was longer at 25.75 inches. Marley was just 15 pounds 7 ounces at 6 months! Its interesting to compare the 2 girls, Marley weighed more at birth but had a hard time gaining weight in the beginning. At this stage Marley was a lot more active, so I can see why she probably weighed less. Read Marley's 4 month update HERE

Over this last month Mackenzie has started to really show more of her personality, and she makes us smile all the time.

She is starting to find her voice, and her fists!

She loves to squeal and squawk while she's in her crib, on the changing table, or playing on the floor. She also lights up when we come to pick her up in the morning or after naps. Mackenzie can also be heard sucking on her fists, especially in the mornings when she's broken out of her swaddle. 

This girl is a MAJOR people person, and loves catching the eye of anyone who will look at her. She lights up and will give you a big grin and sometimes a little chuckle. Because of this, she also does not like being left alone for very long. 

Mackenzie is starting to really enjoy playing with toys. She has an arch toy that she loves smacking around, and recently she inherited a saucer toy from her cousin that I can tell will be her favorite thing for awhile. 

Kenzie's love of toys has helped her start to enjoy tummy time more, which led to her FINALLY rolling over! Over the last few weeks I got her to enjoy tummy time by waving a rattle in front of her,  and I think that helped her build the strength to roll.   

 Here's how other things are going...

Mackenzie Likes

 Playing on the floor

Busting out of the swaddle

Spitting up...a lot less than before, but still always at the most inconvenient times.

Squealing and making her sister mad (Marley doesn't like the noise.)

Following Mommy or Daddy as the leave the room

Waking up early and just playing in the crib

Being outside
Throwing a wrench in her routine by occasionally sleeping in WAY late

 Sitting up all the way, or laying down all the way. There is no in between with her!

Being rocked to sleep, with her binky

Mackenzie Doesn't Like

Baths

Being in the car seat for very long

When her clothes are wet...from drool or spit up

Being in any one position for very long.

Wearing headbands
Laying down when she needs to burp
Holding the binky in her mouth by herself
Falling asleep in a room with light...its a BIG distraction

I feel like in the next few weeks she is going to change so much more, and surprise us all by rolling all over and scooting around. We sure love this baby girl! She has fit perfectly into our family, and we can't imagine life without her. 

Our 4th

We had a pretty low key 4th of July weekend. Because it was so hot, and because Kenzie is still so little, we decided to spend our time at home. Jason had the 3rd and 4th off from work so we were excited to spend extra time with him.

Friday night we grilled some burgers and spent time outside. Marley got to play with some sparklers, and we lit off a few flowers. It was the first time Marley has been with us to light fireworks. 

 This was her reaction...

She kept saying they were "loud" and I thought, "You have no idea what's coming tomorrow!" Luckily she warmed up to them later. 

The morning of the 4th we thought about maybe going to the parade down the street, but Marley decided to sleep in till almost 11. (I haven't needed an alarm clock for the last 2 years because that child always wakes up no later than 8.) So we missed it, but enjoyed the extra sleep a lot more. 

Here's how Kenzie enjoyed her first 4th of July...

 She wasn't phased by the noise at all, until it was time to sleep. She woke up 4 times in the night, and didn't fall asleep until after midnight. 
 

Jason's family came over for dinner and we celebrated Jason's birthday early by getting take out Olive Garden. (Very American!) Then we shot off our fireworks in front of the house with our neighbor friends. It was a great time, spent with great people!

Marley wasn't too sure about all the noise, but she enjoyed it more as the night went on. 

 She was quite the party animal, and stayed up REALLY late. We sat outside and watched all the fireworks our neighbors were shooting off. Every time one went up in the air, Marley would point to it and shout: "OVER THERE!"

 

Marley was so cute, decked out in all her glow sticks. She enjoyed getting to spend so much time outside, with her family, and eating yummy treats. I can tell this will be one of her favorite holidays, just like her mama. 

I love having a reason to celebrate our country every year. It is truly a blessing to live here, and we are always thankful to those who sacrifice so much for our freedom.