Nat started to take showers on her own this week. She was excited to gain this new independence and has been eager to shower on her own everyday. We even went to Target so she can pick out her own shampoo.

This evening while eating dinner, the kids and I were talking about ice cream sundae’s and possibly making them for dessert. They were reminiscing about the time we ordered a huge ice cream sundae at Johnny Rocket’s when we were in Reno. Then Tyler asks me “There’s no such thing as a ice cream Saturday right?”

While in LA for 4th of July, we took 2 days and went down to Legoland in Carlsbad. While this place is no comparison to Disneyland, the kids loved it! They especially enjoyed the waterpark and the hotel – even though we only stayed one night. The first thing Tyler said when we walked into our hotel room was “This is so awesome! Can we live here?”

We spent 4th of July evening at Grandma’s house in Alhambra. The kids played with glow sticks after dinner and watched the fireworks show from Almansor Park on the front lawn. Afterwards, they got to light fireworks too. Uncle Tommy and Auntie Kari got some cool wedding sparklers that were extra long.

A couple weekends ago, we had 12 family visitors from LA come and stay with us. The kids really enjoyed having a full house (of kids!). Luckily the weather was nice, so everyone got to go swimming.

In the evening, the kids got to make smores. It’s the first time we used our firepit since moving to the house.

This morning, Tyler woke up pretty early on his own and came to my bed to lounge and watch TV with me. I asked him why he woke up so early.

Tyler: Maybe its because Je Je was snoring. Or maybe its because I ran out of dreams.

Natalie had her birthday party this year at Build-A-Bear. It was her (and Tyler’s) first time there. Everyone had a blast picking their bears and dressing them.

Picking bears

Tyler kept getting squeezed to the end of the line

Dressing the bears

Tyler’s pick!

Giving the bears a bath

Walking to Pizza My Heart

Grandma and some of grand aunties came to visit this past weekend. Natalie had a great time hanging out with them and helped them peel on choy. She had no idea what they were talking about but enjoyed the company.

Nat & Lao Em

Natalie turned 7 today! She’s been so excited about her birthday, reminding me everyday for the last month almost! We celebrated with dinner at a restaurant of her choice – so she picked Sweet Tomatoes. On Saturday she’ll be having a party with her friends at Build-a-bear.

Uncle Chubber and Willy made this awesome cake for her!

This video clip unfortunately got cut off because the memory card was full!

These are some videos taken over Memorial weekend in LA

Enjoying ice cream from the ice cream truck

Kaiya slept over and had fun with Natalie

Sienna!

Eating fruit in the car ride home