Happy Independence Day!

We had a great time with Alex's in-laws from Florida this past week! Wow! The kids already are asking when Aunt Michelle will be coming back to visit them. John's also been asking when we can go get more fireworks from the firework tents. We aren't planning on doing anymore this year (due to Jack Jack's due date being so close to the 24th of July).

The kids really enjoyed all the fireworks they got to see...well, everyone except Bekah. She didn't get to experience the excitement of the ward party. She and Mommy went home early...both girls were cranky and ready for bed. So, when she got to see the family fireworks with the Jensen's, she was more than willing to stay behind everyone else.

Can you see her? Thanks to Heather for this picture! Hope you all had a great 4th of July!

Kelsey's 3rd Happy Tu-Tu

June 18th Marked Kelsey's third birthday. For some of us there were days where we didn't think she would make it this long. But lets face it, she's our princess and the whole thought of "I brought you into this world, I can take you out of it" is illegal.

First I have to tell you that Kelsey was the most excited about her "horsey" cake. She had found this in Linda's cake book and for 2 to 3 months prior to her birthday would sneek a glimps of "her cake" at every available opportunity, and when friends would come to visit she was sure to go in to the house, get her book, and show everyone around "her horsey cake". Linda really did a great job on the cake given the difficulty she was having with the materials.

Kelsey wanted a swimming party. Luckily for us we happen to have a swimming pool readily available to us. Sorry, no shots of the swimming. I was in the water and the camera mysteriously doesn't work when I'm in frame....go figure.

The pinacle of the evening, as it is with almost every birthday celebration, was the presents. Kelsey was in love with each and every present she received. *note: if your particular gift is not pictured it is more than likely the fault of our beloved digital camera....or the camera operator.

The next day she couldn't wait to get dressed up in her new princess clothes. I have to prefface this by saying this picture makes me shake my head every time. John, in his infinite wisdom as brother, decided that he too....would play with Kelsey's birthday presents......ugh. Oh well...... can we say "BLACKMAIL?"

2009 Hill AFB Air Show

This past Saturday we went up to Hill AFB for their annual air show.  We have been in years past and, minus a little sun sickness and sun burns, have had a wonderful time.  This year was no exception.  So much so that we neglected to take pictures of most of what we did.  

 

John and I had a great time walking around the static displays.  He wanted to see anything that he could either get into or was shiny.  We walked through a few large cargo planes, checked out the bomb bays of a B2 bomber, and even got up close and personal with an AWACS.  

Kelsey and Bekah both had a great time.  I don't think Kelsey was as impressed with the goings on toward the end of the day when heat and sleepyness started taking their toll, but Bekah was gung ho to the end stating a "wow.." after every loud jet blasted by the crowd.

  

The highlight of this years show were the USAF Thunderbirds.  I have seen the Thunderbirds perform in past years and have to honestly say that I prefer seeing the Blue Angels.  However, this year I might have to change that.  Ok maybe not but it was the best show I've seen them do thus far: great tight formations, respectful and whimsical when needed, one spectacular show.

Military Intelligence is not just an oxymoron

Featured here is the eldest of the Tweed siblings. You can see that they acclime naturally to military life. Don't quote me on this but I think Philip's first words were "Semper Fi"...then the obligatory "Sir" and "Ma'am." We are proud of the work he does and delighted that he was featured for this video.

John's First Fishing Day

I didn't get any pictures as I was busy pulling trout out of the water myself. But, today was John's first fishing day. He had a blast and actually landed the first fish of the day. John was really excited to go fishing and even more excited when we went out last night to pick up a spiderman fishing pole for him. He spent most of the time casting into the water and reeling back in.

Though he got really excited when I started fishing and pulling out fish. I caught 3 rainbow trout and kept 1. John's trout didn't quite make it out of the pond, but he caught it none the less.

He's excited to go again. If anyone is interested in coming with us we have an extra rod you can use.

Seeing the sights with Grandma Sue

Next stop, Dunlap to see Grandma Sue. And boy did we do a lot of stuff! I think we ran everyone down to exhaustion because of what we wanted to see and do! Ah well...we had fun!

First stop, Nauvoo. It was the first time back since we'd started our adventure as the Colloton family, and we've increased our numbers. Does the following picture look familiar?

The last time we were here, we only had Mommy and Daddy touching the door to the temple. This time, we had three little hands with us! The kids loved being able to touch the temple and see where we started our Forever Family.

We toured a few of the sights in Nauvoo...not very many because the kids' attention span isn't much for the tours that aren't hands-on. At the ox wagon, the girls weren't much for touching the animals but they did join us for the ride in the wagon. John was a little leery of the big animals but at least he got closer than Kelsey did. Oh well. Maybe next time we'll get a horse carriage ride for Kelsey.

We stopped by the blacksmith shop for our Prairie Diamond rings. John claimed the horseshoe the senior missionary made for Grandma Sue. Silly John! Both he and Kelsey were very concerned if they lost track of their rings.

Next stop, Pioneer Activities for the kids. It has great activities for the kids to do...to show them some of the ways kids in the 1840s played. Bekah and Kelsey were great little moms as they made dinner, took care of the baby dolls, and even fed the sheep and horse.

John and Daddy played ring toss, climbing bear, tops, and stick pull...mostly boy games, of course. But John did want to ride the horse too...and show us all how he could spell his name on the chalkboard in the little schoolhouse.

We also saw the rope making, candle making, and bread making demonstrations in the Family Living Center...but the kids wanted to be up and doing rather than listening to what the missionaries had to say. They loved the cookies in the Scovil Bakery and the brick from the brickyard. All in all, Nauvoo was fun...and such nice weather too! Much better than the crowds and heat of summer.

We then took the kids (and Shawn) to Wildlife Prairie Park in Peoria! We saw bison, wolves, red tail hawks, great horned owls, bald eagles, foxes, bobcats, cougars, elk, cranes, cardinals...and several bus loads of grade schoolers...lots of native wildlife of Illinois.

We took the train around the loops and the kids had a blast on that! But I don't know who was more excited about all of the slides in the park: Shawn or John? Everyone had such a great time!

We had so much fun at Grandma Sue's house! We'll have to go back after Jack Jack arrives and gets big enough to enjoy some of the fun stuff in Peoria.

Visiting Great Grams

Grams was wonderful...is wonderful! Her food was amazing as ever and we loved just "hanging out" with her. The kids picked up some fun toys (Grams was well stocked with bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and crayons when we arrived!). I think the bubbles and the thunderstorm were the hit of her house with the kids...that and the unlimited supply of soda or apples.

The kids loved showing off their skills in the hotel's swimming pool. Grams was a great audience and kept thanking them for letting her come see them swim. They loved it!

I couldn't get many good pictures of John jumping off the side of the pool, but this was his favorite game. He's practicing kicking and doggy-paddling.

Bekah wouldn't have much to do with the pool. She get in at the top step and get back out again. She didn't want anyone to hold her or even sit in her floaty ring. She didn't get very wet but she did get lots of loves from Grams.

Kelsey is trying so hard to be big like John. She tried to do everything he did. She doesn't quite have the arm movements down but she's trying. We'll work on the swimming stuff in the clubhouse pool this summer. Maybe the next time we head for Illinois, the kids will be expert swimmers!

We were all sad to leave Sterling...but we're already thinking of when we can come back! We love you, Grams!