A "Super" Idea

Ever since Max on "Max and Ruby" pretended to be Super Bunny, Jena has been obsessed with also pretending to be a Super Hero.  I figured at least I could make or buy her a cape to run around in.  After searching the internet for ideas, I came across a site that gave the idea of using an old skirt to make a super hero cape that doesn't have a tie around the neck, therefore helping to reduce the possibility of a choking hazard.  I found a silky skirt that I haven't worn since high school and started cutting.  About about an hour later, this is what I came up with.  I think it turned out adorable.  Sure there are a few things that I would tweak a little the next time I make one, but the girls love it and I am very pleased.

Jena watching Max and Ruby in her cape.

Taylor investigating the situation.

Our little Super Jena!

The Taylor Tornado

We thought Jena had a lot of energy, but little Taylor has an unlimited supply and a mind of her own.  Lately she climbs as high as she can, which means she ends up on top of Mommy's desk or on top of the dinning room table.  She empties out clothes hampers or dumps out the toys from their baskets so she can sit in them.  She drags anything around the house, even if it is too big or heavy.  She loves to go to the edge of the hill in our backyard and look down wondering how she could get down there.  Keep your drinks, phones, pens and computers out of reach or she claims them as her own.  She's faster then you think too.  She bolts the other direction when she sees mommy or daddy coming after her.  Luckily, she does need her sleep and is pretty scheduled, so mommy and daddy finally get relief from constant vigilance.  What a funny girl!?!

She only likes the real ones, and yes, she does know the difference.

Daddy's, Mommy's, Jena's, no, they're all mine!

The Ruby Mountains

Ryan, Jeffrey and James had an exciting backpacking trip in the Ruby Mountains.  They visited many of the lakes and caught a good number of fish.  They even braved going into the water, even though there was still some snow on the ground... yes snow, even in the middle of July.  They enjoyed smores around the camp fire as Ryan played his traveling guitar.  They also met up with two cousins, Chris and Kevin, who came from Reno.  They loved their trip and are already planning their next boys adventure.

5 Hansom Men

This is the life!

Braving the waters in boats.

Hiking, Hiking, Hiking!

Parental Advice From A Three Year Old

While Daddy went off backpacking with Jeffrey and James, Mommy and the girls played at Grandma and Grandpa home. We did our usual things like swimming in the pool, sewing up a few projects, eating delicious food, playing in the glass house, jamming to rock band, and of course shopping at the mall. The funniest story plays out at the mall, but to preface the story Jena lately likes to tell everyone even if they are only talking loudly that they shouldn't yell. So Grandma, Jennifer, Jeanette, Jena, Taylor and I were all in the dressing room of a store trying to get Jena to try on a few outfits. The lady in the dressing room next to us was also trying to get her child to try on something, but it seemed she was not getting cooperation from her child. After hearing this mother get agitated with her child, Jena exclaimed (quite loudly) "No yelling, we not suppose to yell." Then there was complete silence.

Yep, watch out world here comes another outspoken and particular girl! Now that she can say almost anything, she might just say everything!

Jena loves the swimming pool!

Taylor liked drinking the water as long as she had a firm grasp on mommy.

Jonny, Jeanne and Jena rockin' out!

Our littlest cutie!

Thank you Grandparents for a wonderful time. We love you so much!

Ready to Go Hiking!?!

For the last few days Ryan has been gathering his gear for his upcoming backpacking trip.  Jena watched with excitement and figured she better get her stuff ready too.  Filling her bag with her favorite animals and claiming daddy's hat as her own, she decided she was ready to go.  Who really needs anything else besides some friends and something to protect your head?  What a cute girl!

Parks, Parks, Parks!

Mommy and the girls have had a few fun summer days just playing.  We played at the mall and went to two different neighborhood parks.  Shopping doesn't always go well with these two little girls, so mommy usually has to bribe them with a visit to the children's playground or a stop off at Jamba Juice for a special drink.  They were so good at the mall the other day that I guess the bribes are beginning to work quite well.  Mommy was also feeling like we spend most of our time indoors that we should probably get out more.  Two parks later and my little girls have slept well ever since.  I guess I need to work on wearing them out!  ha ha!  I love being a mommy of these crazy girls and at least now we are all tired at the end of the day.

Climbing, climbing, climbing!

Riding the Wiggle Racer

How did Jena get this thing to work?!?

Forth of July in Sunny San Diego

We had a great time in San Diego over the 4th of July weekend. We enjoyed playing on the beach, shopping at the malls, riding the merry-go-round at the zoo, eating lots of delicious food, feeding the ducks, visiting Great Grandma and of course watching the fireworks on the forth. We love Grandma Sue and Grandpa Rod and can't wait for the next trip to San Diego.

Jena and Papa at the beach

Grandma and Tay in Del Mar

The Family with Great Grandma

Feeding the ducks

Our two little sweethearts

Daddy and Jena

We love our grandparents!

Patriotic Piggies

Last year, I found this cute patriotic idea in a Family Fun magazine.  First, you paint half of your toes red and the other half blue.  Then you decorate the red toes with stripes and the blue toes with stars.  Today, when Taylor was sleeping, Jena and mommy gave it a try.  Jena absolutely loved it.  Oh course, we had to do the big blue toe and the star a couple of times, but she was so cute and excited about doing a special activity with mommy, especially since our toes were matching.  We are definitely going to keep this idea for many future Forth of Julys.  

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty!

Jena and the kitties have an interesting relationship.  Daisy runs at the sight or sound of the little girls and Tiger will stay close to Jena long enough to see her true intentions, whether they define her as a friend or foe.  To encourage a better friendship, Daddy figured Jena should start feeding the kitties and then they would appreciate her more.  Mommy was quite skeptical because this is the child who when she was younger would sneak dry cat food and has tried wet cat food more times than mommy would like to admit.  Last night, after successfully feeding the cats with the help of daddy, she ran to me and said, "Mommy, I did it.  I dump it in and, and it stinky so we don't bite it."  It might take some more time to see if this relationship enhancer works, but at least Jena's decided that cat food is really for the cats.