Ally has so much to say lately. She just coos and smiles all the day long. She’s getting cuter and chubbier everyday. The kids love to get her ‘talking’ and she loves when they come play with her. She doesn’t like to be alone, which is lucky since she’s so cute we can hardly set her down.

 Katie had a fabulous time at playgroup in the Market Street Water Fountains. She is so happy in the water. She’s been such a pleasure lately. Just joyful and fun. She loves being a big sister and being able to do big girl things on her own, like buckle her carseat, pull on her shorts, and get her own dishes at mealtimes.

 Matty had an excellent last game this weekend. He hit two really excellent hits to right field and played really well at first base, stopping and even catching a few. Like his coach said, “You kids learned a lot this season. You ran to the bases in the right order, learned to hold a bat, and throw a ball. Its been a big season.” He was very proud of the trophy he received at the team party after the game. Before Phil took this picture he had to say, “Quit kissing the trophy and smile!” Today before church matty said he’d rather sit home and stare at his trophy. I told him that was like worshipping idols and that wouldn’t be okay to do instead of go to church. He made a sign for us to hold up at the game that said, “Go Matty! Yay! You can do it! GO!” He wrote it in pencil on a piece of computer paper and taped two pencils to the bottom to hold up the sign with. I asked if we should make a sign for his team too and he said no. Just for him. I guess teamwork is what they learn next year in t-ball.

 We enjoyed a weekend sneak peek at Grandma and Grandpa Cherry. They came from San Antonio and met baby Ally for the first time. The kids enjoyed spending time with their grandparents and we loved being with our favorite couple missionaries.

 Good news! Uncle Boni gets to come home from Mexico! He finally got through all the government red tape and papers processed. We should have him here by the 4th of July, I think. Yippee! I’d be he can’t wait to see these two cuties.

 We had so much fun when Aunt Jodi and the Simmons boys came to visit. The kids had a blast playing all day every day with each other. We made fun excursions, but had the most fun playing in the water wherever we could to keep cool. It was super hot. Jodi and I were totally trashed by the end of each day- the kids wore us out, but we had a great time just being together. Thank you, Jodi, for braving the trek alone and coming to visit. We miss you already!!

 The shirt says it all. That’s our baby Allyson!

 Katie has no trouble entertaining herself. She is a very busy little girl. As is evidenced by the above pictures she usually keeps busy making big messes. The first picture- while I was ushering out guests from a baby shower I hosted she helped “clean up” the left over chocolate dipped strawberries by sucking all the chocolate off them and putting them back on the table. The other picture is of her covered in toothpaste. What it doesn’t show is the bathroom sink, countertop, toilet, and walls that were also covered. I didn’t get a picture of the lovely mess she made by crumbling an entire bar of deoderant all over her body and the bathroom floor. That was interesting to clean up. She is amazingly stealthy and speedy in her mess making so its always a little exciting to come around the corner to see what she’s been up to in her free time.

I’ve discovered two things that unite my otherwise feuding two oldest children- the vacuum, and their baby sister. When I vacuumed this morning they both ran to hide in Matty’s room and played together peacefully packing a backpack full of weapons and supplies to attack the “Ghost Pirates” (vacuum). It was a truly golden moment to see them emerge from Matty’s room happy and unified - even if they were armed and coming at me. And Baby Allyson, the amazing unifier. They both adore and will protect Miss Ally. Nothing gets Matty out of a moody funk and Katie from a wild tantrum like one of Ally’s smiles. Grandpa Cherry commented this weekend on her peaceful spirit. We think she has an unusually high midichlorian count and she’s come to bring balance to the force. I’ll let you decide who is the ‘dark side’. (In case you ever wondered, you can find out your midichlorian count in relation to jedi greats at this site. Too funny!)

 I always shoot such close up shots that miss Ally looks chubby, but for perspective  here is a full body shot. The dress she’s wearing is a preemie dress. She’s our sweet little bit.