June in review

June can be summarized by two words: birthdays & wedding. That was our June. We celebrated Michael & Samuel's 1st birthday on June 9th (and June 11th). We celebrated with some friends and my brother- and sister-in-law and family. I made monkey cupcakes, which turned out pretty well.

The monkeys

The monkey birthday boys (Samuel (left))

The boys are so much fun at this age! They are both crawling very well and pulling themselves up. Michael will "cruise" along furniture and he climbed all the way up the stairs (with Daddy behind to catch him if he fell) last night. They love to "play catch" with a ball. Michael will clap on command and play "peek". Samuel will say "oooh, aaah" all the time and "da da da da" while he crawls. He also loves to say "ah ah ah" like he's laughing. Grandpa taught him that.

We traveled to Small Town where I grew up, on June 10th so I could go to a couple bridal showers for my brother's fiancee. I went to one on June 10th. Emma came with me, but K picked her up about 45 minutes after we arrived because it was bedtime. Later on that night, she came down with a fever so I ended up sleeping in bed with her. I didn't sleep much, though. I was in the kids' room (all 3 kids sleep together at Grandpa & Grandma's house). They are loud sleepers. Samuel snores!!

We had another birthday party for the boys on June 11th with my parents, grandparents, sister, her husband and baby and my brother and his fiancee. It was fun that they could be a part of the party. We had a dump truck party.

The dump trucks with brownie mix and pudding "dirt"

The birthday boys opening more presents (Michael (left))

We had a 2nd shower for my brother's fiancee on June 12th at the church where her family attends and where she grew up. It was fun to see/meet some people that know her well. It seems like a great church.

More birthdays...my niece celebrated her 5th birthday on June 7th. Wow! Where has the time gone? I had my birthday on June 19th and K celebrated his birthday on June 23rd. My sister had a birthday June 27th. Lots of birthdays this month.

And my brother got married on June 26th! It was a fun wedding! Emma was the flower girl and she did better than I expected. I'm a pessimist, I admit, but she was asking me about it and not really sounding like she wanted to do it just a few days before we went to Small Town. But, I think the whole reason she did well was the ring bearer. He was a bouncy, outgoing 4 year old and they got along really well. They did well at the rehearsal (held hands and walked down the aisle) and really well at the wedding. Emma did come and sit by K & me for a little while during the message and the vows. The boys were in the nursery. I'm so glad we could be a part of their special day. Congratulations, J & R! (Unfortunately, while I did bring my camera to the wedding, I forgot to take pictures.)

Now, on to July!