4th of July

We had a busy day... and a hot one too!  We slept in a bit after an early morning bathroom break.  Then headed over to the park for the local HS sports booster Pancake Breakfast.  We got to see some of Cole and my old coaches which was nice.  Sierra scarfed down her pancakes and sausages... and then had some of mine!  We played at the park playground a bit and took at turn at the petting zoo before heading back home.  While we were at the park Uncle Chris and Aunt Rita arrived... and uncle Chris so willingly gave Sierra a shoulder ride home despite the drops of sweat it produce in the already hot morning sun.  (This is such a fond memory I have from my uncle growing up... and I have memories of Cole giving his niece shoulder rides when we were first dating!)

We sat around to cool off and have some water at the house before heading off for the small town 4th of July parade.  Sierra was excited about the police car, fire truck, horses, children dressed up, etc. that passed on by... and probably even more excited about all the candy that was thrown out her way!  We then wondered down to the park and spent the next couple of hours waiting in lines and letting Sierra play on the bouncy equipment, doing some finger painting, eating festival food, and visiting with folks we don't see often.  It was so nice for Sierra to get to experience a small town feel with the festivities!

Things kept on heating up in the afternoon so we headed back to Grandma and Papas for a cold shower to reset us.  Then it was time for more Bar-B-Q and fun with cousins.  Sierra played some tag and hide and seek with her cousins and there was a lot of laughter to be had... for Sierra and all those around as well!  As things settled down and family left Sierra headed to the rodeo with her Auntie Aim and Grandma Lulu.  Papa and I cleaned things up and got caught up on other things (such as blogging!)

Fireworks... oh the fireworks!  Sierra was awfully tired but determined not to miss these!  I don't know if she remembered them from last year or not but she knew they were going to be a big deal.  As we walked down to the end of the street she kept saying oh I hope I see a pink one.  And sure enough right from the get go there were several pink ones.  She was in awe... mouth open wide watching!  It was almost as much fun to watch her as it was the fireworks! 

And of course this blog wouldn't be complete without reflecting on our life and what the 4th means for us.  The 4th... about twelve years ago was the start of something much bigger for Cole and I.  And now was the beginning block of a 12 year friendship, 7 year marriage, a pup and two children!  It is also the main cause and purpose for Cole's job as he currently serves our country.  The defense and preservation of our safety and our country is what has called him now three times over to so bravely, boldly, and selflessly spend time in places that most of us cannot fathom.  To my wonderful husband, those that serve with and around him, those that have gone before him and will come after him I am grateful.  We live in one of the greatest nations of all time... May God Bless America and guide those that lead us as we try to steer back on track!

"Pop Out"

Sierra is trying to learn new games... such as tag and Hide 'n' Go Seek.  It is really funny to watch.  While Grandma Lulu was visiting last week they played several rounds of Hide 'n' Go Seek.  But Sierra really doesn't get it yet!  After starting a game of "Garrett"... aka  Tag You're It... with Zach in the house tonight someone suggested that they play Hide N Seek instead as it was a full house! 

Sierra was super excited and all over it.  Zach counted first and Sierra went running down the hall and hid in a bedroom.  When Zach went to find her she would holler out, "I'm hiding!"  as her voice gave her away.  But then even funnier was the fact that when Zach entered the bedroom she was hiding with her head under the bed but the rest of her body sticking right out! 

Then they switched turns and Sierra counted.  They played several rounds... but the funniest round had to be when Sierra really couldn't find Zach.  She started asking other people where he was... and as they tried to give clues Zach tried to beat Sierra to a new hiding spot.  He had started off down one hallway in a bedroom.  As Sierra was getting clues in the living room Zach made a b-line for the back porch.  As Sierra caught on to him being in that direction Zach ducked down under the kitchen table to pass through.  The two  kris crossed as Sierra ran past the table and Zach went crawling under neath behind the chairs.  When Sierra realized she'd been tricked again she went running back towards the living room shouting "Pop-Out! Pop-Out! Zach Pop-Out!"  It created a great deal of laughter in the house!  Great free entertainment right there =)

GARRET

Sierra had a blast the last day and a half playing with "my cousins" as she calls EJ, Max, and Zachary... who are actually my cousins.  This evening she was having an extra good time with Zach after dinner as they began to play in the cooler house.  (It was a hot day out!)  Zach chased her and tagged her... saying "tag, you're it!"  Then Sierra mistakenly followed in playing tagging Zach and saying, "GARRETT!"  I guess that's what she thought she heard! 

Poor Nana

The several days of travel spent in the car in the last week have allowed for Sierra to watch a Disney movie on occasion.  The movie of choice was Peter Pan... also known to Sierra as the Tinker Bell movie.  For those of you that haven't seen the Disney cartoon of Peter Pan in a while... it's a great one!  However, there are many things that I didn't remember from in... one of them being that the one to look after the children (their Nana) was a dog.  I worried a bit about Hook being a little scary for her and how Sierra would do watching it on her own while I was driving.  Surprisingly Hook didn't bother her too much... but there were tears in the back seat as "poor Nana" was sent outside.  (this scene is at the beginning of the movie and thus we watched it on two occasions throughout our travels.)  Each time... this is approx. what I heard from the back seat:

Sniffles, whimpering voice... Poor Nana!  She's outside all by herself and that's so sad.  They gave her some water which is a little bit happy but she doesn't even have any food!  That makes me really sad.  Oh poor Nana, Poor Nana....  

Each time I tried to remind Sierra that Nana was a dog and would be okay, just like Bongo stays outside some times.  Then we would talk about the end of the movie and that it didn't change.  That way she could know that Nana was going to get to go back inside.

A lesson on being Brave

My dear friend, Courtney, and her daughter, Davery, joined Sierra, Papa Steve and me for a weekend at the cabin and some fishing.  This was our second summer to take the girls out for this adventure.  They both started off a little nervous of the movement on the boat but quickly settled in and were eager to hold their pink and purple princess rods.  We got a later start getting on the lake as getting the girls ready in the morning (after a late night to bed) was a slower process.  The first hour and a half or so we were completely skunked.... not even a nibble.  There was debate amongst us adults as to whether or not it was time to call it quits.  Between my prego belly and smaller bladders it was time to head to the dock for at least a potty break.  During this break I decided to trade out a couple poles for the lead lined pole and the beer can rig that were still in the truck.  Long story short we set back out for one last attempt.

AND it worked!  On our very next pass around the lake Courtney caught a fish.  Then... another... the "KING FISH" as Papa Steve calls them.  Court caught a large brown trout!  Yippee!  Well... then Papa Steve pulled out his portable scale to see just how big the fish was.  The fish wiggled... and ripped off the scales hook.  Then the fish began to bleed... a lot!  Davery moved back in the boat.  Sierra began to cry.  They were quite concerned about the poor fish, the blood, and whether or not it would be okay.  After the fish weighed in at 2 lbs. Papa quickly got the fish put back in the water off the stringer... out of site. 

Then the girls were sooo sweet.  They moved to the back bench of the boat and sat down together.  Davery took Sierra's hand as she sat a bit weepy and told her it would be okay... "We just have to be Brave!  Really Brave!"  Sierra started to wipe her tears and said, "okay... it's really really hard but I will try."  Then Davery proceeded to ask Papa Steve if we could eat the King Fish!  So funny their train of thought.  It was so sweet to see them comforting each other and helping each other through the circumstances.  (Last years trip they thought Papa was being the doctor and taking the hooks out of the fish... and we didn't let them see them cleaned... or dare feed them to them.) 

Papa did grill the fish that night and the girls tried some.  They also learned a  lesson in patience and perseverance.  We had some great discussions about not quitting.  All in all it was a nice time with some comical moments as well as each girl lost their hat at some point of time as they went flying off into the water!  Hopefully it will be a tradition we can carry on in the coming years making many more memories!

 Getting ready

 Out on the boat

 The girls looking on as the first fish is pulled into the boat

 Papa weighing the King Fish

A concerned look as she observes and ponders the fate of the King Fish

On the Road Again

Sierra and I have spent several days traveling around to catch up with great friends and enjoy new experiences.  In all she was a great traveler... although she has learned to ask, "Are we almost there?"  There were many wonderful conversations, good food, and more funny stories to come.  For now here is a picture update:

Fisherman's Warf with the Mateers

Watching an otter eat

Swimming with Kelly

Sierra and the Capell's

Katie, Sierra, and Kelly (her "fairy" godmother)

Playing the piano

night time story time with Papa Steve

tea party before fishing

Getting started out on the late

The end of the trips catch!

Sierra cooling off with her cousins (Max and Zach)

More California Fun

Today was a slower day around here... full of leisurely activities.  Sierra started off the morning by helping to water the flowers and discovering snails!  Then she spent time wandering up and down the street taking the baby dolls for a walk with grandma.  We had a picnic lunch out in the shade followed by some "tag... you're it!"  Then there was cookie baking, lots of playing, some guacamole, yummy dinner... and then horse back riding.  It was another great day =)