trying to catch up

It has been forever since I last updated my blog and I feel like I have been severly lacking!
I still don't have much time since it is 12 AM but I thought I would take a few minutes to five everyone a brief overview of our busy July.

First of all- we had a great 4th of July, unfortunately the batteries in my camera died so I have no pictures! We walked down to State street that morning and watched the Murray city parade- not too bad of a parade although Jake complained that it was all advertisements and politicians.
Later that day we went to Jake's parents house and had dinner and then on to the Sandy City parade. My nephew James was in this parade with the West Jordan High School marching band. After the parade we headed over to Jordan High School where we met up with more of Jake's family for fireworks.

Next up was a trip to Idaho- The tile around our shower started to fall off the wall and after two estimates the landlord decided it would all have to be replaced. Because we would not have a bathroom for the week the girls and I headed up to Idaho to stay with my family while Jake headed to his parents for the week. It was nice to be able to visit my family for the week since I didn't think I would be able to make it up there this summer. This also gave Jake some time to spend with his parents before they left on their mission, which brings us to one of our next big July items.

July 13th Jake's parents spoke in church in preparation for their mission to the Little Rock Arkansas mission. After a week in the MTC they were back home for the weekend so the 20th we all said goodbye and they left the next tuesday for their year in the mission field.

July 26th was Juliana's 3rd birthday- here is a picture of her with her cake
and then the 31st was Christena's 9th birthday- her is a picture of her with her cake
she wanted a fashion cake, so this is her purse cake.

And here is a picture of my kitchen after I was done making and frosting both cakes for the family birthday party on the 27th.

It was lots of fun, and a lot easier for me to just celebrate both girls birthdays on the same day. My sister Doreen and my birthdays are only a week apart and we always had seperate birthday stuff. I don't know how my mom did it.

Here is Juliana opening one of her presents.

she got a ball from Michele and Steve and kids. It was wrapped really well so she needed a little extra help to get it open.

And here Christena is opening her present from Jake and me.
She was very excited to get her own digital camera. Now maybe she will quit using mine!

Sorry for just the quick overview of our month- now that it is halfway through August I hope this month might be a little bit slower!