Father's Day with family

Father's Day this year was smack dab between Harper's birthday party and Ellie's actual birth day.  So we went all out and celebrated big with my family since my brothers were in town.  We went to church and then headed to Frisco to have brunch with Mark and Kathryn.  Then, after the kids had naps, Gary and Kristi and the girls came over for swimming and dinner.   We decided to celebrate Cody's birthday and Father's day later in the week so he could have his own special day.  When we did celebrate it the next Wednesday, we had lunch at Taco Cabana and opened gifts that night.  Harper had picked out some new work gloves and some new stuff for his smoker for his Father's Day present.  Then he also got a new Yeti rambler/koozie for his birthday with some cash inside.  It's always nice to have some cash!  I think he was happy!

I'm not sure if these two know it yet, but they have the best dad in the world.  He is a daily example of how to be Christ like.  He loves these two girls and would do anything for them.  He teaches them to be strong and confident and honest and fun and free.  He shows them love by being a wonderful husband.  He is a helper, an encourager, creative, hard working, and an all around master of all.  This guy is the best and we love him so much! 

I am so thankful that my brothers got to come in town.  They work a lot and it's nice to get to spend a whole weekend hanging out and enjoying each other.  When my mom and Mark were over, we all just hung out and talked.  I had gotten a cold the day before Harper's party and it had gotten really bad that day, so I had to stop at a doctor's office on my way.  I was sick, Kristen was pregnant, and they were nice and cooked breakfast for all of us.  

After brunch, the kids took quick naps and then we headed out to the pool.  It was storming but there had been a break in the weather so they kids wanted to swim.  It sprinkled on them but they didn't care.  At first, it was just kids, but then Taylor, Carleigh, Eric, Gary, and Brian got in with them.  They showed us how they could all swim and jump in off the side and then Gary taught them how to ride on his back while he swam under water.  They had a great time and I love that our family has so much fun together.  

After swimming, we came in and had some dinner.  Brian made burgers and we all sat around and talked for an hour.  We opened presents after dinner.  Taylor's graduation and birthday, Cody's birthday, and Gary's fathers day.  Taylor goes to Arkansas in 2 months so she got some stuff for college and Gary got a new UA polo.  

All the kids had so much fun playing with Paige.  They all held her and wanted to give her kisses.  She did pretty well over there and slept in Ellie's bed.  Soon Ellie will be here and they'll have to switch off!  Grayson got some football NFL stickers and had fun giving out teams to everyone.  Reese played around with toys and Harper wrote letters to everyone on her new Frozen paper.  I think Eric made a joke to her and she gave him a pretty sassy look.  It was a great day and we were super excited for Ellie the next day!

Harper is 4 years old!

Harper turned 4 years old this month.  Seriously, how does time fly so fast?  She is so big now, not a toddler anymore but a preschooler and almost a big kid.  She is such an amazing kid and we love getting to be her parents.  She definitely keeps us on our toes!

Harper weighs 34 1/2 pounds and is 38 inches tall.  She is about average at 40% for both.  She is in 4T clothes, but can still wear 3T pretty easily.  She wears an 8 1/2 shoe size and is close to having normal width feet now.  Still no nap, but she normally sleeps from about 8pm to 7am.  She is still allergic to soy and tomato, which just means that she eats pretty healthy.  She has done a great job of knowing what she can and can't eat, she doesn't get too sad if she can't have something (unless its' REALLY good) and she knows how to tell people when she's not with us.  She still only drinks water, and most days still fights that.  She loves dessert best, then snacks.  She is pretty tired of breakfast and lunch because I have very little creativity for those two meals.  But anything with bread will usually work.  She still likes to say only half of a word, which is funny and cute.  Like "tatoes" or "member".  She is a little bit of a "leader" aka "bossy".  She tells most people how to do stuff or what they are doing wrong.  She is opinionated about how things should go and what she wants to do herself.  Part of that is that she likes to be in charge and part of that is that she is a great listener and learner and does a great job of knowing what to do.  

This girl loves being a girl.  She likes to dress up and look fancy.  She likes to coordinate and pick outfits, shoes, bows, etc.  She likes shopping, getting her nails done, and doing any thing with mom.  She is such a great mommy to Paige too.  She is always helping and loving on her sister and getting her anything she needs.  Along with that, she loves playing with Dad so much!  Cody and Harper sit and play card games, board, games, play on the iPad, watch funny videos, catch, soccer, jump on the trampoline, ride the four wheeler, and just hang out on the patio.   She loves summer because she gets to swim and play outside and do all her favorite things.  She will love growing up in the country because she will get to run around outside as much as she wants.  She loved dance this year and is going to try gymnastics in the fall.  She loves school type things, bible studies, etc.  She loves to learn about God and tell everyone she meets about what she is learning.  She remembers stories and lessons and she has truly started to understand that God loves her and died so that she would be forgiven.  It's amazing to see what God has shown her and how He has already spoken to her little heart.  

Harper loves to color and write.  She is constantly making "gift cards" for her friends and family.  She loves stickers and journals and being crafty.  She loves to play with her princess toys where they can all be friends.  She has the best imaginary stories about what all is going on in "princess world" today.    This kid is a crazy nut most days.  She loves to be silly, sing loud, and dance around the house.  She is always laughing at herself and telling me all about it.  She is a talker - all day everyday.  She likes to talk to herself or tell anyone who will listen about her day.  She is usually smiling and happy.  She has moments, like being told to do something she doesn't want to do.  Or when she is nervous or shy. Or when she's in trouble, she really hates that.  But she is usually such a happy, sweet girl.  

Happy 4 years, Harper Elizabeth!  We love you so!