The time had come...

It finally came - the day I had been dreading for months now. It was time to take away Bailey's pacifier. I had been psyching myself up for weeks and set the date of August 2nd as the day they were going to go in the trash (kind of a random day, I know...but I knew Cory would be working late this week and he is kind of softie when it comes to Bailey-O...to put it nicely, I didn't want him around because I wouldn't have been surprised if he snuck one back to her in her bed).

I just knew this was going to be miserable. I had low expectations and prepared for the fact that Bailey would be screaming and crying for her pacifier at naps and at bedtime for three or four days. I was NOT looking forward to it...we even promised Bailey a brand new toy of her choice if she would throw away her chupies (pacifiers) and not be sad about it. Her ears perked right up that promise was made. ...she decided weeks ago that she wanted a pink computer when she threw away her chupies.

Monday came and we threw the chupies in the trash and went to Target and found her a pink computer that she LOVES. I was scared for her first nap without her chupie, but she only cried for about 20 minutes. That was the last and ONLY time she cried after giving up her pacifiers! Yay! They are gone and she really doesn't even ask for them! Apparently this whole event was much more tramatic for me than it was for her!

Bailey getting ready to dump those chupies in the garbage!

The big reward...this is the best toy ever! It is personalized, so when it turns on it says, "HI BAILEY!" She also gets email from mom, dad, and Riley on her computer. Love it!

First Day of 1st Grade!

After a whopping three weeks off for summer vacation, Ry went back to school today for her first day of 1st grade. It is going to be so weird having her gone all day. I will miss her...and little Bailey won't know what to do with herself! It is only noon on the first day and I have heard Bailey say, "We go get Riley now?" 500 times! I am sure she is having a great day...but only three more hours until we can go and pick her up!

The standard first day of school pictures:

Ry lined up with her class waiting to go into the school:

Oregon

We are hanging up the keys! Over the last three weeks the girls and I have traveled nearly 3300 miles in the car together! Just a week after getting back from New Mexico, we loaded up in the car with my sister and nephew and headed off for our annual trek to Oregon to visit my grandparents. Our first stop was in Hermiston. We visited Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Don, which was fun. They have a pool so the kids were in heaven!

Bailey had no fear of the water. She loved Grandma's pool!

Riley learned the fine art the cannon ball. She got to be pretty good at it!

Bailey would get so tired swimming that she would beg to get into bed - I had a hard time keeping her up later than 7:00 at night! (Yes, I know she still has the choopie...we will be working on that here in the next week or so).

Bailey got her fingernails painted for the first time at Grandma's house. She was pretty proud of her pink "dingernails".

Our next stop was at Grandpa Fred's house. We hit the beach, the Tillamook Cheese Factory, and had fun roasting hotdogs and making s'mores on Grandpa and Grandma's porch.

The 4-Generation Shot

Riley and Bailey watching the workers make cheese at the cheese factory.

The boat in front of the cheese factory - notice Bailey plugging her ears? There was an airplane flying by...

Bailey loved the beach. I couldn't ever get her to look up at the camera for a picture...all she wanted to do was dig.

...except for this picture - my sister was holding a piece of candy above the camera. Whatever works...

Ry before plunging into the really cold water at the beach.

Grandpa, Riley, and Brody getting ready to cook up some s'mores on the front porch.

Papa helping Bailey cook her lunch.

We had a great time visiting everyone. But after 14 straight hours of this:

we were all very happy to be home!

Bluth Reunion

Last week we headed down to New Mexico for the Bluth family reunion. Before heading to the campground where the reunion took place, we went to Cory's parents for a few days. Both of the girls were excited to go to the ranch, and Grandma had the pool and trampoline ready - thanks to countless reminders from the girls, I am sure. Cory got to spend three or four days helping out with work around the ranch...he was in heaven! Though he was busy working he saddled the horse for Ry to ride (Bailey said horses are "too scary") and took Ry out to check a water tank on the motorcycle. We watched Cory and Grandpa work some cows, and the girls got to feed the horses. It was great fun. Here is a video clip of Ry riding the horse:


After spending a few days at the ranch we went to the reunion, which was held at a campground in the mountains. There were tons of kids for the girls to play with and they both had a blast. One of the highlights of the trip for Ry was riding the plasma cars down the hill...see the video clip below. The kids also spent a lot of time at the park and doing different crafts. There was a pinata for the kids, basketball, horseshoes, and frisbee golf for the adults, lots of food, and good company.

Ry eating S'mores

Cory, his mom, his youngest sister, and the girls

Cory's family

Riley and Quinlan riding double on the plasma cars

Riley and her cousins, Clayton and David

Bailey climbing a tree - she was so proud of herself!

Riley's turn taking a smack at the pinata
This is all Bailey wanted to do...she stayed up too late and was so tired!
Bailey's "pretty bag" that she made - we had a tough time getting her to let it go.

Slip 'N Sliding

Summer finally showed up for a couple of days last week - Riley, Bailey, and their cousin Brody took full advantage and pulled out the slip n' slide. They had a blast!

PIG

Last weekend Cory's boss gave us a basketball hoop for the driveway. We have been wanting one for awhile, but had put off getting one...good thing! Riley was really excited - she has been wanting to practice her dribbling and shooting ever since her basketball season got over back in February. Cory and Ry were out "shooting hoops" (that is what Riley calls it) the other night, and Cory introduced her to the game PIG. Ry is hooked! She loves it and wants to play every night...it doesn't hurt that she has "beat" her dad at every game they have played!

The Belly Roll

Bailey has discovered a new talent...she does the best belly rolls in the world! We aren't exactly sure how and where this started, but every chance she gets she pulls up her shirt and makes her cute, chubby belly roll in waves. Take a look at the video...it is classic Bailey, and we love it!