Machir Family Reunion

July 12th was the Machir Family reunion.  We spent the day at Aunt Chloris' house.  It was about 95 degrees that afternoon so we spent a lot of our time in the pool.  Here is a picture of Ellie and Lainey on a giant floating spider!

For a few weeks leading up to the event we worked to psych Ellie up to jump off the diving board.  She had never done this before.  At first Daddy had to be right underneath to make sure she didn't go under. 

After only a few leaps to Daddy she was ready to do it on her own.  She spent the rest of the day jumping off and swimming to the side on her own.  I know she jumped well over a hundred times.

Lainey had a fun time in the pool too.  Especially when she was playing with PopPop!

Thanks to Chloris and Lu for having us all to your house.  I know it's a lot of work.  We appreciate you being willing to host!

The Littlest Artist

One of the presents Ellie received for her birthday was an art easel.  She has been making good use of it for sure.  Today we got out the real paint to use--water colors weren't cutting it on this big paper!  I'm pretty sure we're going to have to start buying the rolls of art paper by the case!

Her first masterpiece..."Mommy, Ellie, Daddy & Lainey"!  

I'm sure it will be worth millions one day!

Ellie's Birthday

As all of you know, July 4th is Ellie's birthday.  She decided to celebrate her 4th birthday with a Princess Party.  As you can see she looked the part.  She dressed as Cinderella, had a fancy hairdo, and wore lots of jewels!  All the Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles were in attendance...Shane and Maria even joined in via webcam for a while! 

Yummy, this icing is fit for a Princess!!

After much deliberation the week before the party Ellie decided she wanted a pink princess castle cake.  She and I spent the afternoon of her birthday eve baking and decorating it together.

Ellie received lots of great gifts!  Thank you everyone!  Here is the Princess on her new Disney Princess bike!

Swim Lessons

Ellie has been taking swimming lessons the past couple weeks.  She definitely won the award for most improved.  The first few days she sat on the steps and cried because she was sooooooo cold!!  I really couldn't blame her...it was in the low 60's and cloudy!  By the end of week one she was telling the other girls to hold on to the side and practice kicking while the instructor had them out in the water individually.  

She is doing great now--swimming with her face in the water and even using her arms some!!

Here she is in her new rainbow suit that she picked out all by herself at Target!

Lainey on the sidelines eating some breakfast.  She was a trooper considering we had to wake her up early everyday and she wasn't allowed in the water.