Sarah's Blessing

Mike blessed Sally on July 11, at my parents' home.  There aren't many things I like more than hearing Mike give blessings to our children.

The blessing was beautiful, and then we enjoyed visiting with family.  We had this fruit blend and gingersnaps for dessert.

Danny, Brad, Grandpa Paul, Grandpa Jim, Loren, and Alex all participated.

George Crew:  Cami, Jessie & Danny, Grandpa Jim & Grandma Shaunna, and Brian

The Grandparents

Johnson Crew:  Victor, Gibbs, Georges, Grandma Orva & Grandpa Paul, Alex & Lindy, Allens, and David

This dress was handmade in Brazil.  Grandma Jody & Grandpa Ray got it while on their mission there.  And I got the blanket in Bethlehem when I was there as a BYU student.

No more pictures!

Serious Business

This is the face Elaine makes (all the time) when she's talking about something very serious or worry-some:  ("I can't find it!"  "Huwwy!  B'ore dinosaurs get you!" etc.) (Those are just leftover tears from a two-year-old moment.  She's not sad in the photo.)

Two!

On July 10, this little lady turned 2.  Hard to believe!  (Although, in many ways, she's been acting 2 for quite some time.)  She is a sweet squishy strong-willed fireball of a little girl.  I love her to pieces!  I love that she's still my "squishy fatness"; I love her sense of humor; I love that she runs everywhere; I love her little voice.  She's been speaking in full sentences for quite a while now, and her diction is incredible!  (On Sunday, her nursery teacher said she told him all about our trip to Utah--about driving for a long long time in the car and eating sandwiches at Grandma's house, among other things.)

Some of Elaine's favorites (and some of mine):

• "Huwwy!  Eat it b'ore dinosaur (or monster) get it!"
• "It's not working bery well."
• Reading books.  Her current favorites (it switches every few days) are the "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" books.
• Wearing her "gincess dress" and "ballet gippers" (princess dress & ballet slippers, of course).
• She says, "Please guse?" (Please may I be excused?) when she wants to get down from her high chair.
• She loves Niah and Gawwy (Mariah & Sally).
• She always says "Please" and "Gank you."

(She just woke up from her nap.  Here's the princess now, reading "Little Mommy," and watching "Click, Clack, Moo" so I can finish this post):

• She says, "Good nigh-night."
• She loves building towers.  (The other day, I found her building a huge tower out of rice milk and tofu boxes from the pantry.)
• She loves opening and closing doors.  She always does so very carefully, saying, "Notch gingers!" ("Watch fingers!")
• She loves shoes.
• She loves talking about "gimming" in the "waterball" (swimming in the waterfall/river) at Yosemite.

Those are just a few of the cute things about my Laney.  I could just sit and watch her all day.

Cousins Pace, Madeline, Gretchen

Cousins Liesel & Pace

Mike and I got her a set of duplos and some sidewalk chalk.  Two-year-old heaven.

Grandma Shirlene and Gramps gave her this cute bath baby, complete with a blanket made by Grandma.

And here are a few videos for your viewing pleasure:  (If anyone knows of an easy way to add videos to blogger, please let me know.  It takes forever to do it through blogger, directly into the post; Smilebox is the fastest way I've found.)

Fourth of July

On Saturday, the 3rd, we went to my aunt and uncle's house for a family barbecue.  (My parents and brothers were in Oregon for the 4th; we missed them.)  I was glad we were able to see some of my aunts, uncles, and cousins.

My cousin, Sarah, Aunt Sally, and my little Sarah-Sally.

(My aunt is one of the reasons we decided to name Sarah "Sarah" instead of just "Sally."  I asked Sally if she's glad she's just Sally, or if she wishes she were a Sarah-Sally.  She said there are times she would like to be able to use "Sarah.")

On the 4th, we went to the Georges' for dinner.  Danny and Jessie got to meet Sally, and we had a great time.  I love my in-laws!

On Monday, the 5th, Mike and Elaine again joined his family for the parade.  Mariah, Sally, and I opted to stay home; the crowds, noise, and guns make Mariah nervous, and I figured Sally didn't care.  That evening we all went to Grandma Shirlene and Gramp's house for another barbecue.  I'm sad I didn't take any pictures of them this trip.

Elaine, Mike, and Max (Danny & Jessie's)

Bath Time

Sally loves bath time.  There was one night in Utah when she was completely inconsolable.  (I still don't know what was wrong; she hadn't been that sad before, and she hasn't been since.)  I finally stuck her in the sink; she immediately calmed down.

Haircuts

I gave the girls haircuts the other day--quite the feat.  Mariah was pretty good for hers; Elaine was not!  I'm surprised it turned out as good as it did.  (I kept the scissors out for a couple of days to do some sneaky follow-up on both girls.)

Mariah before:

After:

Elaine before:

After:

Triplets

We went to dinner at one of Mike's classmate's house last week.  They have twins 2 weeks younger than Sarah.  I'm looking forward to the day when these babies are old enough to be playmates.

Little Mommy

My girls, especially Laney, love to take care of Sally.  Every time Elaine sees Sally, she says in a really sweet voice, "Hi, Gowwy!"  She often brings Sally toys and reads to her all the time.  She does amazingly well for a displaced 2-year-old.

These first few pictures were taken before our Utah trip, back in June:

Not much has changed, except Sally lost her hair, and Elaine lost her clothes.  These were taken a few days ago.