Derrick's Two!

Happy birthday Derrick! I can't believe that you are two already. This is the first birthday that grandparents have been able to celebrate with us, so we had two separate parties for our families. Derrick understood the whole present thing a ton better this year, and was enthusiastic about all of his gifts. Grandparents spoiled him above and beyond what they have done in the past, and he enjoyed every minute of his time in the limelight. Without further ado here are some of the pictures and video taken of the celebrating. These are just a small portion of all of the pictures and video. After all was said and done, we took pictures, Uncle Tim and Aunt Jenelle took pictures, all grandparents took pictures, and Grandma Waite took actual video with a camcorder. So everything is documented extremely well :)

The presents at Grandpa and Grandpa George'sThe presents at Grandpa and Grandma Waite's.The cakes. Yummy!

Playing with presents.

Parade "Flutes"

Tonight for FHE we went to look at the 24th of July parade floats or 'flutes' as Mary was calling them. There were over 75 floats all displayed indoor in an expo center, which was wonderful and made even better because of the air conditioning. The theme for all of the floats had to do with "Now and Then". My personal favorite was labeled "Turning Trials Into Treats: Now and Then". I can't explain it very well, so I will let the pictures I took do the talking. Other floats of interest were the BSA 100th anniversary float and a hilarious "Trekking: Now and Then" float, depicting and family in a minivan driving to Nauvoo for a family trip, and a pioneer family in a covered wagon headed to Salt Lake. It was neat to see the floats up close and personal. I hope we can turn this into a family tradition, if we are still in the area in the future.

Turning Trials Into Treats.

Seagulls collecting crickets to make cricket cookies.The cricket cookies. It has eyes and bits of cricket in it. Haha!

All of the crickets being chased by a seagull with a net.

This picture explains itself. How funny!
Danny and Derrick next to the BSA 100 years of scouting float.
1960's scouting uniform.

One of the very first scouting uniforms.
Closeup of the 100 and first scouting uniform.

Trout Farm Fishing

We went to the local trout farm last night and let Mary and Derrick go fishing. It was amusing. Mary didn't want to get close to the fish when they were caught and flailing around. She did think it was funny the way the fish jumped for food. Derrick liked holding the fishing rod and looking at the fish in the bucket. Both liked throwing the fish food. Allen just sat in his car seat the entire time and slept. The best part of the entire activity was eating the fish, of course. YUM!

Derrick caught a fish!
Mary taking a peak at the fish. Derrick looking and talking to the fish.
Grandpa, Mary and Daddy fishing.

Mary catching her first fish with Grandpa. Listen carefully, and at the end you will hear Mary exclaim EWE!

Allen's Baby Blessing

This last Sunday, the 4th of July, we blessed Allen. It was enjoyable to have family around to be able to participate and witness the blessing. After church was over we all met back at Danny's parents for delicious food and mingling. We were also took current pictures of the family, and the family with extended family. The only way it could have been better was if all of our family members and good friends could have been there. We miss you Chris, Alicia, Nick, Carrie and Kambrya! Everyone is doing what they need to be doing, so I can't complain :) Anyhow, here are pics of everyone. Enjoy!Darcie's family from left to right: Uncle Trevor, Grandpa George, Grandma George, Me, Allen, Danny, Derrick, Uncle Tyson, Mary and Aunt Natalie.Danny's family from left to right: Me, Mary, Danny, Allen, Grandpa Waite, Derrick, Grandma Waite, Uncle Tim, Aunt Jenelle.

Silly Mary and Derrick under the picnic tables.

Random Mary Quote

Sarah, you inspired me. Telling all of the funny things Ian says, made me think about Mary. Furthermore, I also have been a blogging slacker. I have a ton of things I could blog, even with pictures and all, but haven't. So, I'm just quickly writing about what Mary asked me tonight.

Me: "Mary hand me those books so I can put them on the shelf."
Mary: "I tooted. Can you smell my stinky stink?"

Adorable Allen

We caught some of Allen's smiles and giggles with the camera today. He has been smiling and laughing like this for at least two weeks, I just haven't had a camera on hand when he is being adorable. He is such a happy little guy, and we are so glad to have him in our family!

Nauvoo and Carthage

To say the least, visiting Nauvoo and Carthage was an amazing experience. Heidi and Kari, you are right - you need more than a day to do everything. However, a day was all the time we had, so we made the most of it. I was most grateful that Danny and I were able to attend a session at the Nauvoo Temple. Again, it was amazing and I won't forget the feelings felt. Well, because I'm being lazy all of the pictures we took are out of order and kind of hodge-podged together, but I want to post them - so here are a few.This is a silly picture of Mary looking down the well at the Lucy Mack-Smith House. When the house was being restored, the addition that was on the back of the house was demolished. This original well and pathway was found.All of us standing next to a replica of a river barge, which would have transported the covered wagons across the Mississippi River.Mary loved petting the horses. Derrick was a little more apprehensive. Not surprising, considering the horses head is about as big as Derrick's entire body.Derrick and an original sun stone from the first Nauvoo Temple. Danny and I outside the temple. Standing for this picture brought back happy memories of our wedding day at the Logan Temple.

This is such a cheesy picture of Mary, that I just couldn't resist posting it. In the background it a map of Nauvoo, and how it once was.

Mary asked me to take this pictures of her "trying to be like Jesus".

Two very important men (at least to me ;) and one cute little girl.

Danny, Allen and I standing outside the window Joseph Smith fell from when he was martyred.
Last but not least, this adorable picture of Derrick asleep in the car while driving to Nauvoo. He fell asleep clutching the pieces of his new puzzle book grandma and grandpa gave him. So cute!