Grandma and Kate

We took this at the Wet Park. Kate is Grandma's little buddy. She has actually cried when I have taken her away from my mom. Good thing my mom is coming back to Oregon with us. She may have to stay forever.

Wet Park

At a park in Bakersfield

Luke ran around the park playing "Wipeout"  Wipeout is a new show this summer that he's seen 1 time and is somewhat obsessed with.  He his own made up version wherever we are. In the show, people compete in a obstacle course meant to smack them around. It's actually kind of a funny show. Luke runs around, dives, falls and of course says, "aaaahhhh!" After completing the course he would raise his arms and do a little victory yell. 

Allie trying to get Uncle Neil wet (or I guess "more wet")

Still playing "Wipeout" in his own little world.

Grandma, Grandpa, Jill, Lucy and Cole

I just need sleep...

Normally, a post like this would talk about the lack of sleep that I am getting (which by the way I am not getting as Kate STILL does not sleep through the night) But this post is about Allie and Luke needing sleep. I had to take a picture of Grandma's clock because it represents the kids' bedtime every night at Grandma and Grandpa's. There is just so much fun to have in the day and so little time. On Sunday the kids crashed. Allie took a nap and we couldn't get her to wake up. We woke up Luke, but a few minutes later found him as pictured. Poor guy! Before we know it the kids will be hiding from us trying to catch a little sleep. 

1st Rollover

Kate rolled over for the first time today without any help! She went from her tummy to her back and is very happy about it. Hooray!

Sleep over

Allie and Luke got to go have a sleep over at Uncle Neil's. They got to make a fort to sleep in and watch a movie. Everyone got tired and went to bed, but Allie and Luke stayed up until 11:15 and finished the movie. (Of course Allie took a nap this afternoon from 3:00-8:00 pm) Uncle Neil and Aunt Jill are ALWAYS fun. We even got to go to church with them so that Gracie could bring them to Primary. 

Special treatment

So as I mentioned in a previous post, Allie and Luke woke up the morning we left with swollen faces from allergies. Grandma and Grandpa took them to Dr. Lu for some acupuncture treatment. (no needles involved!) They are taking some herbs and putting washcloths on their faces. It's helping a lot and I'm hoping that they will be better soon! Grandma is on a mission to make them better!

Buck Owens

Allie dancing with Gracie

Allie caught on very quickly.

Luke loved dancing with Peggy.

Dancing with Grandma

A trip to Bakersfield would not be complete without a visit to Buck Owens Crystal Palace. Yee haw!  Actually, my aunt is a really good dancer and we meet her there to watch her dance. The kids got to dance with her and loved the loud music and dancing. I guess we all have a little country twang in us. Everytime Peggy got up to dance Luke wanted to get up and dance with her. Jill, Andee, Gracie, Letti, Grandma, Mimi and Dale were there with us too. Oh yeah, Kate slept through the whole thing. She loves sleeping in Grandma's arms!

In-n-Out

It's family tradition to stop at In-n-Out on the way home from the airport. What a great way to say, "Welcome to CA!"  Allie thinks they are the best hamburgers and I have to agree. Grandma even spoiled Allie and Luke with a chocolate milkshake. Oh boy!

Waiting

W

What do you do when you're waiting at the airport for your flight? Take funny pictures!

Leaving on a Jet Plane--sometime

After a great .99 breakfast at Ikea, we're at the airport waiting for our (delayed) flight. We can't wait to get to CA to see everyone, but we already miss Michael.  The check in line was so long--but Allie and Luke were super helpful. Luke made friends with a boy in line and that kept him entertained. Allie and Luke woke up with swollen faces from allergies, so the Benadryl is making them drowsy. I'm so glad we're getting away form that nasty hay! Now we're just relaxing and waiting to get on that plane!

Can't you just see the excitement in Luke's face!

Swimming

The fun thing about family reunions is that you never ride in the same car twice with the same people. One this trip we had Mike and Annalise with us. 

Waiting at the park to go swimming.

14 kids + 14 squirt guns= FUN!

Family Reunion

So I'm here at the Mac store today. Allie is in "Apple Camp" and learning how to use iPhoto. Kate is asleep and Luke is playing a Star Wars Lego Game so I get some free time. Access to high speed internet is a rare treat for me so I thought I would update the blog. Hooray! (We just got a new Mac and LOVE it!) 

Here are some picture from the Melanson Family Reunion we had a couple of weeks ago. We were in charge this year. We camped in cabins which was fun. It was a week full of swimming, hiking, bike riding, game playing and a trip to the beach. All in all it was a good time. The best part was having Michael NOT be in school and having him around ALL the time. You won't see many pictures of Kate--she was not a "happy camper".  It was all a little overwhelming for her!

Here's the little spot we set up, complete with a wind barrier for Kate. She is really cute when her hair blows in the wind, but she does not like it! There's our family, Grandma & Grandpa, Annalise, & Aunt Jenny

Someone saw Luke draw an X in the sand and then start digging. They asked him what he was digging for an he said "Buried treasure! X marks the spot!"

Of course!!!

Michael and Allie having a snack. I love the toothless smile!

Luke discovered that it's even more fun to fly kites when you run around and try to tangle lines with someone. There were about 5 of us flying kites and he liked to run at you. He especially enjoyed harrassing Uncle Bob.

4 Months

A few weeks ago Kate had her 4 month check up. But as things seem to be going this summer, it is taking me until she is almost 5 months to post her stats! But the picture was at least from when she was 4 months old. So she is now 12 lbs 8 oz (25%) and 25.5" long (95%) and her head got up to 40%. It's funny how much her little body is so different from Allie's and Luke's. She's so little! At this age, Luke was a whopping 4 lbs heavier than Kate. Her hair is sticking around and getting longer and longer. She slept through the night last night-the first time in Oregon. Maybe we have finally reached that milestone. (Finally!) Anyway, she laughs, blow bubbles and makes a razz sound a lot. Luke loves it when she puts her toes in her mouth.  She is at a really fun age and we all enjoy playing with her. 

Twister Trouble

This last week we had a Melanson Family Reunion. Uncle Thomas taught Allie how to make a stop-motion movie using her digital camera and our computer. This is what they made with some of the cousins. Allie wanted to post it on the blog and is looking forward to making more movies. Thanks Thomas!