21

Katie got her own hard-back copy of the Book of Mormon for her birthday (so she doesn't have to steal mine off the nightstand) and each night, she works hard to read about one verse. She's also figuring out the other tasks associated with reading, like following the lines of words from left to right, then top to bottom, chapters, and page numbers. It's a lot to take in when you think about it. At the grocery store tonight, Katie looked up at the aisle marker and said, "Mom, look! We're on page 21!"

Rainbow Bright

Last night the girls and I went outside to water the garden, harvest our strawberries and peas, and play outside as the evening cooled off. Our activities got cut off early by some lightening, thunder and rain sprinkles. So, we sat under the patio and watched the storm. I enjoyed it more than the girls, but it was a phenomenon to them too. We came inside for jammies as Dad came home and announced that we needed to go outside to see something. Straight south of us was a HUGE and bright RAINBOW! I don't know that I've ever seen a complete rainbow crossing the entire sky before! It even had a reflection rainbow to the west. It was amazing and beautiful. Katie is still talking about it today and added it to her birthday wish list-she'd like a rainbow for her birthday! I'm so glad that we live in a world where our loving Father in Heaven showers us with such amazing gifts!

"Oh! I stink!"

Amanda has pretty much gotten the hang of taking care of her own toileting needs. She occasionally has accidents, but for the most part, when we're at home, she trots off to the bathroom when she needs to. This morning, she did just that. I walked by the bathroom to offer assistance, which she didn't need. As I walked away, I heard her say with great expressiveness, "Oh! I stink!" I laughed to myself and went back to the bathroom and asked her to repeat what she'd said. "I stink. I need some of that spray so Daddy won't think I stink!" she said pointing to the air freshener! She's got a pretty good handle on the whole thing, don't ya think? :)

PS--She's way too cute to be that stinky!

Happy Birthday, America!

Bo, Raimi, Ellie
We partied all weekend long to celebrate the creation of our great nation. Saturday found us in Salt Lake for a mini Larson reunion at Granite High, the Alma Mater of Grandma N and her siblings. Katie and Amanda loved playing with their second cousins from Las Vegas (Mia, Luke, and Ella) and Ellie got to meet her second cousin, Bo, who is almost a month younger but looks a few months older (he's a big boy!) Mia, Bo, Raimi, Ella, Ellie, Mandy
It was hot but we were grateful for a little shade and some cold drinks.

Despite the heat, a little cold, and being 3 days out from a ton of immunizations, Ellie always seems to have a smile for Mommy!
Katie loved playing with the older kids, especially Mia. Mandy played a mean game of Skip-Bo. We had a picnic, concert, family catching up, and an awesome firework show. We got home after 1 am. It was a killer night!
Monday morning, Independence Day, Brett, and Grandma N took the older girls to the 6 am hot air balloon launch. The weather conditions mandated that the balloons couldn't fly, but they inflated for show anyway. Don't the girls look so tired? Hah!
The new balloon this year was Darth Vader. (Cooh Perr)
Ellie (and by default, myself) merited a break, so we stayed home for a nap.

We decided to let the crowd sit in the heat of the parade, and we went to the water park. While half the town was at the parade, we jumped right on the slides with almost no lines!Grandma N and Amanda on Cave In.
Daddy and Katie on Cave In.
Mom and Katie on Tube Run.
Dad and Mandy on Tube Run.
Ellie had her first time on the slides, and she did great! It was overcast, and not really crowded for a holiday so we had a great time.
We topped the day off with an early birthday dinner for Katie at Brick Oven (now that's lovin' from the Oven!) complete with free root beer and birthday sundae!