Weekend Fun

Busy weekend at the Hammar family household! Erika had her final swimming lesson and she did great! She's a little fish. All weekend, Newberg held its Old Fashioned Festival. On Thursday night, the girls and I were in the Children's Parade. We walked about 6 blocks waving and throwing candy to observers. Erika really liked throwing the candy, but Laurel wasn't sure why we were throwing all her candy out of the wagon. Every time a piece was thrown, she would look forlornly at it as another little kid would snatch it up! On Saturday morning, the big parade for the festival went right by our house. We invited some friends over for breakfast and to watch the parade. It was a lot of fun, but the girls didn't like the loud fire trucks and police vehicles so the spent most of the time on people's laps while the parade went by.

Erika's last swim class.

Attacking the teacher with water.

Watching the parade.

Laurel got a Tootsie Roll which she immediately smeared all over her white shirt.

Erika got to wear Daddy's ear muffs to watch the parade to keep the loud noises away. And, she got to spend time with our friend Amy!

The temperature rose to 95 this weekend so we finally got to set up the kiddie pool.

Laurel had to wash all of her Popsicle mess off her clothes and face in the water.

Loving the cold water.

Water babies.

Cute baby in a cute suit.

And finally, the girls drew a picture to put in the new baby's room.

Yep, their baby brother's room! This little guy is in for a big treat to have these two as big sisters!

Swimming, Bumper Boats and Bikes!

Erika started swim lessons last week and will continue through this week. She is doing a great job! We had a little scare the first day when she lost her footing and went under a couple times, but she has fully recovered and loves being in the water! She is the first one to volunteer whenever the teacher asks for one.....or even if the teacher doesn't ask. I think we have a little teacher's pet on our hands!

Getting to know their teacher.

Blowing bubbles in the water.

On Saturday, we attended Matt's company picnic at a family fun center about 30 minutes from our house. It was a lot of fun! The place had a climbing structure for little kids, a bunch of arcade games for younger kids (Erika and Laurel) and older kids (Matt). They also had a mini-golf course, ropes course, bumper cars and bumper boats outside. Matt and Erika rode on the bumper boats. She loved being on the boat, but did not like when the boat would randomly spray water out of the front end. She didn't mind getting wet from other boats, but she didn't like when her own boat would start spraying. Go figure!
So excited to ride the boats!

Matt kept her out of most of the water fight action so she wouldn't get too scared or soaked.

Driving while holding on to a squirmy little girl didn't look too fun.

In their own little section of the pond.

Laurel and I enjoyed watching from the sidelines. Funny enough, we got a little more wet than Matt and Erika!

And finally, on Sunday, we gave Erika her new bike! We bought a used one a couple days ago and Sarah picked it up for us. She came over to our house after church on Sunday and we let Erika ride it for a while. She is not a bike expert yet, but she'll get there!
Laurel doesn't know what is happening, but she's excited about it!

As is Erika.

Erika trying out her new bike. It is way cute....pink and purple complete with a fanny pack and horn.

Laurel got the tricycle now that Erika has a bigger bike.

Daddy helping her on the bike.

She's good at sitting on it, but doesn't want to pedal by herself yet.

Girls Only Vacation

Last week, Sarah and I drove the girls to Yakima to visit my grandparents and aunt and uncle. It was a really fun trip, and the girls were perfectly lovely traveling companions! Here are some highlights from our vacation.
*One quick story before the pictures.......Tonight, we were building with blocks and showing each other what we were making. At one point, Matt said, "Hey Erika, do you want to see what I made? Go look in the mirror!" Of course she had no clue what he was talking about so I said, "Daddy made you!" She thought about it for a second and then said, "What? Are you Jesus?" Too hilarious! I'm glad she is learning some of the things we are teaching her!


Laurel sharing Cheerios with Great-Grandpa.

Great-Grandpa was not a fan of the Cheerios, but I think he liked Laurel!

Feeding the ducks at the park.

Laurel looking at all the ducks. She was not afraid of them at all.

Erika loved running through the sprinkler.

Laurel enjoyed sunbathing with Aunt Sarah.

Laurel was done with the water.

Lunch with Great-Grandma!

Enjoying lunch outside on the patio set.

Laurel's favorite game was to get out of her chair through the arm of it.

Playing in the rocks after sprinkler time and lunch.

Laurel wondering if she should get in the water or not.

Erika loving her floaty disk. Not so much the life jacket with it.

Laurel.....not so much a water fan at first. But, right before we got out, I was able to convince her to swim with me.

She LOVES the water! Her smile was huge from the time so to in the pool until we pulled her out.

This was the best toy ever! We just sat Erika in it and she floated around and "swam" on her own.

Tired after all that swimming.

First Fireworks

The girls enjoyed watching and handling their first fireworks last night. We let them have Pop-Its and Sparklers (only Erika got to hold the sparkler) and they loved them! Here is documented proof.
First, we made Erika do her chores before she could have fun. She helped Matt paint the handrail and trim outside our new sliding patio door.

She loves painting!

Laurel just jumped on the trampoline during chore time.

Laurel took a low-key approach to throwing Pop-Its.

Lately, this is Laurel's favorite pose.....hands clasped behind her back. She walks and stands like this pretty much at all times.

Erika got into the throwing action.

Laurel really liked the empty box.

Erika and her friends watching some of the bigger fireworks being lit.

Laurel watched from the safety of the blanket.

And the grand finale, Erika playing with sparklers.