4th of July

Since my mom left on the 3rd, Independence Day was our first day all on our own. Although we were a little daunted, we didn't let that stop us from celebrating! Luckily Daryn and Reagan had a plethora of patriotic outfits between them, so we were really able to get in a festive mood all week without being hindered by potty accidents or spit-ups. Fourth of July Eve:

Reagan helped me make a cherry pie.

Thursday dawned bright and early and hot. After breakfast we headed over to the Layton parade and only experienced a slight delay when we realized we did not know how to unfold our new double stroller. Reagan waited patiently in the parking lot while we figured it out.

 Other than the seemingly never-ending fire engines and their sirens at the beginning, Reagan was a big fan of the parade and floats- especially the ones that threw treats!

 Daryn managed to sleep through it all. Shocker.

 We ate lunch at a little burger place right on the parade route, where I'm embarrassed to admit that Lance and I were both so zoned out that we didn't even hear our baby's cries and Reagan telling us she was going potty in her chair for a couple minutes until we snapped to and rushed home to take care of business. I don't want to talk about it. After naps all around, we were off to Park City to spend the afternoon with Lance's parents.

Lance and Reagan swam

 

And Daryn, you guessed it.... napped. 

 And spent some quality time with her grandparents

 And napped some more.

 She's just so snuggly!

After a yummy dinner and some relaxing, it was time to hurry home

For fireworks!

 Unfortunately, things had changed since last year, and Reagan was now terrified of anything that made any kind of noise, which left...sparklers. Maybe next year the pendulum will swing back. Too bad I wasted the money on the fun ones.

 Ironically, she loved the big fireworks show! Go figure. She didn't even wear the earmuffs for the majority of it.

 One last hurrah- Daryn's red, white, and blue dress she wore on Sunday.

What a great holiday. As we taught Reagan to say, "We love America!"!

Goodbye to Grandma

 After coming to stay with us on June 8th (the day before Daryn came home; that worked out well), and staying for almost a month, it was finally time for my mom to leave on the 3rd. Several hours before her flight, I realized we had practically no pictures from the entire time she was here. She wouldn't sit still long enough for me to take any- she was so busy cooking and cleaning and playing with Reagan! Besides, it's not like we were going out and doing anything fun. So I made sure to snap some of her and the girls before she left.

Reagan had SUCH a blast playing with her grandma every day. They were totally best buds. Between that and Lance's mom being here for a couple weeks before, when Daryn was born, Reagan has been pretty spoiled with Grandma time. Now she just gets me... hopefully she's not too disappointed!

 

 I don't know if we could have made it though the last month without my mom's help. Daryn had so many doctors appointments, and couldn't really leave the house otherwise, and Reagan also had places to be, so it got pretty tricky juggling both girls. We are so grateful Mom was willing to come stay with us and take care of us!

Now on to learning how to be a family of four on our own! A day and a half in, we're all still alive, so I count that a success. 

The Smiths Come to Town

Since Sharon and Andrew were in state for Andrew's family reunion, they decided they could tear themselves away from their busy schedule and come visit us for a day. Daryn was so happy when she heard the news, she let Grandma capture her smile on film for the first time!

Reagan was busy the morning of, giving Aunt Sharon directions to our house.

"No, no, it's your SECOND right."

 After lunch and a nap, the girls were ready to hit the pool! (There wasn't much else to do in the middle of our 100+ degree weather).

 Halle was not a big fan of the water, but Reagan and Eve had a splashy war. I think it ended in a draw.

 We tried for a picture of Grandma with all her non-Larsen-named descendents (who all happen to be girls), but had a hard time getting a good one between Eve picking her nose,

Grandma's Gumby arm,

 And mine and Daryn's ridiculous faces.

We had a wonderful visit with them, complete with Chinese food and post-birthday chocolate cake and ice cream, but soon it was time to go. And just in time, for we were all exhausted:

Daryn turns 1 month!

Today marks one month since this angel joined our family, and two weeks since we brought her home. The past two weeks have been so tiring but so incredible. I can't believe this sweet little darling is ours. I am in awe of her every day. Nighttime is another story...Just kidding. Mostly.

Some pictures from the past couple days.

She is still growing well. This evening she weighed 5 1/2 lbs- up 8 oz since Monday! Someday soon she'll be a little chunker, I'm sure. Until then, I'm trying to get in as many itty-bitty snuggles as I can.

Reagan is 2!

Reagan turned 2 years old on Friday! She's been looking forward to her birthday all week and kept asking about it. Finally, the big day was here!

 

 And what a day it was. With Grandma's help, we had a day chock full of celebrations!

 First things first. Reagan came downstairs to find a surprise from Mommy and Daddy...

 Her first bike! A Strider balance bike.

 It was a huge hit and she asks to ride it all the time- though she's still learning.

 Then it was time for a few other presents that had been sent early and were waiting.

 Other than the bike, the hit of the morning was definitely the Minnie Mouse-mobile from Uncle Stuart (who had dropped by the day before) and family!

 Yummy french toast breakfast courtesy of Grandma!

 Daryn even got all dolled up for the occasion.

 After a morning at home playing with her new toys, and a nap, we headed over to the park- Daryn's first outing other than the doctors! And I use the word "outing" loosely, because she stayed in her carseat the whole time.

After park we grabbed some pizza for dinner and hurried home to get ready for Reagan's party! Lance came home with flowers and balloons for Reagan, and then the fun really got started. We wanted to throw a party for Reagan with some of her closest friends, mostly because I worry that she will get jealous of all the attention that Daryn gets. I didn't want Reagan to feel left out, so we made a big deal of her special day with a Minnie Mouse themed party.

 Unfortunately, since Daryn can't be around a lot of people or any kids, we had to keep the party outside. Luckily our friends were kind enough to go with it.

 Singing happy birthday and blowing out the candles.

 Yum!

After cake and ice cream it was time for presents, and boy, did she get spoiled. 

  

After the sugar rush wore off and she finally crashed, we were worn out! It was an exhausting, busy, wonderful day celebrating the sweetest, happiest, silliest little girl we know.