27 pictures for you

Hello! Even though I haven't got my blog on lately, we are still here and doing great. By the way, do you know that Picassa can email photos directly to blogger? I just discovered that little trick, and it's saved me tons of time.

Last week I finally made the Rainbow cake I found on a friend's blog back in March, although I did just make a regular cake mix and put in food coloring rather than using sprite (seriously, that's the original recipe!)

It was just lovely! We made it for Family Night when we had company. The kids wanted to put balloons on top of the cake, so I popped some starbursts in the microwave for a few seconds, molded them into the shape of balloons, and added licorice for strings. Too bad they all got eaten before the picture was taken!

There has been a ton of construction going on behind us... and the developer is putting in a trail behind us. One of our neighbors was out working when he awesomely offered rides to the kids. They were in heaven!!

Baby Sunrise is starting to smile! He first smiled for Dad, then Cloudburst, THEN me. What's up with that?!? He is about 7 weeks now.

For the 4th of July, one of our great neighbors organized the first annual neighborhood parade and breakfast. She asked us to be the Grand Marshall of the parade! It was sooo cool to see the long line of kids on bikes, scooters, and 4-wheelers. During the breakfast, I sang "God Bless the USA" with Cloudburst, and Sunshine sang an adorable song by himself (What's more American that cornflakes, 4th of July and Uncle Sam? What's more American than baseball? I am, I am, I am!). There were games and face painting, and tons of food. A great start to the day!

Later that afternoon we had some good friends over for a good ol' BBQ. We had ribs, burgs, dogs, grilled pineapple, pasta salad, cookies, cake chips with homemade dips, and the most beautiful jello creation ever! The kids loved the fireworks show put on by the dads, and the mosquitoes really loved all of us being outside so late. Don't ask me why Tornado insisted on dressing like a ladybug.

Sunrise is starting to get some great facial expressions. Maybe he is starting to realize how crazy his family really is!

And we now have 2/3 bikeriders riding on 2-wheelers! Quite a few kids in the neighborhood have made the switch, so we decided last weekend was the time. On Sunday I got out the old small bike and right away Sunshine was off and running. He picked it up really fast and was riding up and down the street right away. Cloudburst took a little more time, but by Monday night she was cruising too. Tornado has switched back to his bigger bike without the training wheels, and Cloudburst will too, as soon as we fix her flat tire! Tornado just loved being able to ride in the street while they were learning.

Well tomorrow Nana and Papa arrive. Yes they were just here a few weeks ago... they came to help us when Sunrise was sick and already had tickets for this trip, so we get them back! The kids are very excited and we are looking forward to some hot weather with NO RAIN (cross your fingers)!