July 24th

We spent the 24th of July with Aly's family first swimming, then eating, and capping it off with a few fireworks. Over the last few years we really haven't done any fireworks so it was fun to see Isabelle and Gracie's reaction. I guess we have sheltered Isabelle a little too much because she is four and has never held a sparkler! After a little trepidation on her part, she finally held the sparkler and wanted more and more of them. It was a good day and the kids were way to tired by 10:00. Isabelle fell asleep on the lawn and Gracie followed soon after in the car, all in all I think they enjoyed themselves.


The only time that Gracie kept her hat on for more than five seconds, it is something we need to work on.


Daddy and the Girls. Even in the pool Isabelle is a poser.

Grandpa and the Girls

Gracie's first sparkler


Isabelle's first sparkler

Isabelle and Hannah playing with fire

Watching the lively $20.00 fireworks show!

Wet T Shirt Contest

The other day Isabelle checked off her list of things to do this summer "running through the sprinklers." Unfortunately she decided to run through them with her normal clothes on and not her swimming suit. While not a big deal, Isabelle had a white T shirt on and she could have easily won any wet T shirt contest she entered that day! Now only if we could get her Mom to do the same!

A little mischievous don't you think? (And if I am going to brag, look at the nice lawn!)

This is what being a kid is all about

Evidence that a white T shirt wasn't a good idea.

She isn't crying, she just got sprayed in the face with the sprinkler!

Here is our contest winner!

Tank top from Target: $6.00
Pants from Gymboree: $10.00
Getting them soaked while running through the sprinklers: Priceless

Magic Pajamas

The other night Isabelle had changed into her pajamas without me knowing and so when she came back in her room I decided to tease her a little bit about it. I asked "How did you get your pajamas on so quickly?" and Isabelle said "I'm magic" so to that I responded "Where did you get your magic from" and without missing a beat she said "Heavenly Father gave it to me."

I didn't know that he gave out magic but if Isabelle says so, I believe it!

Isabelle's Ear Piercing

The Zoo

Isabelle and her cousin Hadley at the Zoo.

Gracie with the Giraffe's.

Isabelle doing her best Zebra impersonation!

Why so serious?

Isabelle is so happy to be at the Zoo.......her good mood only lasted another hour!

Gracie loved the fan misters at the Zoo, here is her reaction.

Camping in Grandpa & Grandmas new RV

The Griswald's waving goodbye up at Wasatch Mountain State Park

Isabelle and Grandpa getting ready to watch a movie

Isabelle's favorite place to play in the motorhome....on the bunkbeds

Random Pictures

Bath time is Gracies favorite time, that is why she is so happy in this picture!

Gracie holding her favorite blanket Grandma Barker gave her when she was born. You can hold up two blankets and she will go for this one every time!

The Girls up at Zermatt Resort in Midway a couple of weeks ago.

Little Video of Gracie

Untitled from Eric on Vimeo.

Don't always assume

On Sunday it was Great Grandma Barker's birthday, July 13. After a quick trip to Church we headed up to see her with Grandma and Grandpa Barker. On the way Isabelle kept on asking when we were going to be there and that it was "Taking too long." After about the third time asking I realized that she thought we were going up to Grandma Barkers, and since that only takes 20 minutes or so, that is why she was so impatient. Once I clarified to her that we were going to see Great Grandma Barker and that is why it was taking so long, no more questions were asked. Sometimes as Parents we assume that our kids know where we are going, or what we are trying to say, I guess we need to do a better job!!

The reason I wanted to write this entry was because of this story. We stopped at the Store to get Grandma some flowers and so while Aly ran in, the kids and I sat in the car. Isabelle and I started talking about Grandma's and Grandpa's and I mentioned that she never knew her Great Grandpa Barker because he died right before she was born. Right after she says: "Dad, its ok I didn't know him because he will come alive again when we are all resurrected." Not too bad a statement for a four year old hugh? Maybe Aly and I aren't doing too bad after all, even though we forgot to explain exactly who were going to see, she at least knows about the resurrection!!

Isabelle's Ear Piercing

Well Isabelle has finally accomplished getting her ears pierced. I guess she was a little jealous of her cousins getting their ears pierced in the past few months and decided that Wednesday was the day. It didnt help that, as Isabelle stated: "All the girls in Camp Rock have their ears pierced so why can't I get mine done." So Daddy not willing to crush her dreams of being "like the cool kids" relented and it was too the mall where we met Mom to scope out the different earing shops.

Who would have known to get a small piece of metal inserted in an ear with a fake diamond daisy would cost $33.00? I love how they rope you in by advertising "Free Ear Piercing," when they should say "We take arms or legs to make your daughter look like the cool kids in Camp Rock!" Being that Isabelle's cousin Hannah heard the news that their was a piercing party at Claire's she came down to get hers done as well. The only problem was that their weren't two people working so if the girls wanted to get their ears pierced they would have to endure having them done one at a time.

Isabelle was first because it was her idea, and as you will see in the video and the pictures to follow, she was quite nervous. Well the girl marked her ears and then started on the right side, and it didn't go through!! The problem with it not going through was that Isabelle now had time to think that "Man, that really hurt, and I have to do it again on the same ear." So the right ear was done, the left ear went flawlessly (But Isabelle definitely gripped down a little harder on that one and closed her eyes). She let out a big sigh of relief but didn't cry..........until.......Mom decided to tell her that "Its ok if you cry" and the waterworks began!

All in all, I enjoyed the experience. It provided some great laughs and despite the fortune it took to make my little girl like "All the cool kids" I am glad she got it done. The cost of looking pretty only gets worse from here!!

Untitled from Eric on Vimeo.

SisTeRs!!!!

My Girls! This picture was taking back in January... I love this picture because Isabelle is the best big sister and always is making Gracie laugh!!