Our neighbors just returned from India and as we requested they brought back these beautiful dresses for me and Shailee. We love having neighbors from India and learning about their culture and customs. They are wonderful neighbors. The other day as we were leaving their building Shailee commented, " It smells like Indians in here." I got a little nearvous and was thinking of what to say to her when she finished, "Indians smell good." I was glad it was an appreciation for their culture that pravoked her remark.

These are pictures of the babies hanging out with friends at our ward pioneer day celebration. We made homemade butter, milked a water filled glove, and square danced. We didn't get any pictures of that. Just Ethan and Shailee showing off their muscles and Hyrum and Isabelle conversing.

Our tomatoe plant is huge but he is not showing many signs of tomatoe production. Still we are keeping our hopes high and dreaming of homemade salsa and spaghetti sauce.

We go to the downtown Charleston library once a week. Here are Shailee and Hyrum sitting by a fountain and blocking the sun from their eyes. I think Shailee was trying to teach Hyrum how to shield his eyes.

Almost every time I'm out with the babies some passer bye will exclaim. "You've got your hands full." I don't think I care much for this phrase. Depending on the tone of voice they use I have felt that it means many different things. Such as...
"Oh, you poor thing, what a burden that must be."
"Wo lady, two is enough, better stop."
"You are crazy for having two young children and being out in public"
I usually just smile at them. I don't really know what they expect me to say. I sometimes feel insulted by this comment. But here is what I think I would like to say.
"Yes, full of blessings"
"Don't you wish you did too."
"I know and I'm having so much fun."
I have had my shares of grocery store tantrums and public meltdowns and whining etc. from the babies. But I would not trade my "burden" for anything. I'm almost living my dream life. If we could just have a little more of Cole around it would be perfect. I feel really blessed.
Anyway, the other day at the post office an elderly man passing by us said, "You need a couple more of those, I had eight and they're wonderful." "Yes they are" I replied. It felt really good to have someone glance at my situation and see the joy of it instead of the just the work. I could see that this man was a very happy person and he seemed quite normal and sane too. So it gave me confidence that it is ok for me to enjoy being a mother.

Shailee became a little stylist this week and cut her own hair. I had just stepped out of shower and she came to me proud that she got dressed all by herself. Then I noticed her hair, which looked like it had just been pulled back. "You did your hair too?" I asked. "I was just getting dressed and had the idea to cut it" she said. She didn't think she was being naughty. This was not planned but turned out ok in the end I just had to trim up the back. When she first showed me I just laughed and laughed. My independant girl...

Hope everyone had as much fun this 4th of July as we did. We are sure greatful for all our friends here who help us celebrate holidays and life in general. We were missing you Bridgette and co. As we were driving down 119 on the 4th Shailee asked, " Is Brayden really gone? I miss them." So anyway, it's good to see your blog and all the fun you're having in Tennessee. We are also missing Danya and Lily, hope all is well with you in your new home.

We spent the holiday with the Getcher and Davis families. Hiking, BBQing and parading around with Grandma Ritchies traditionl flags fashioned from newspaper and crepe paper, eating fun homemade yogurt pops in red, white, and blue, and watching the fireworks on the levee accompanied by the Charleston Symphony. It was wonderful even though we missed Cole who is ever the dedicated provider and was working so he could make time and a half at the hospital. We did get to eat red, white and blueberry pancakes with Cole in the morning.