Fourth part 1

This year we made the annual pilgrimage back to Orem, for a Shaw fourth of July. We (basically me) decided we needed some more fun stuff to do before the fireworks start at night time. So this year, we got a bounce house with a water slide! It was great fun and the kids enjoyed it for most of the morning. It was a good way to get out lots of anticipatory energy.

The kids mostly just liked the water slide portion. 

The bouncing was limited to preparing to go down the slide.

Our girls had so much fun with the bounce house, but more fun playing with their cousins.

They both had fun moments with the slide, but different reactions to the whole thing (Allie - more cautious, Hadley - a little tornado).

It was even better because we got to sit in the shade and relax instead!

Miles was a little unsure of the slide, but he really loved the popsicles afterward!

They also liked the tattoos they got to put all over themselves (watch out for our little firecracker).

4th of July

Oh Independence day, how we love you!  This year was a blast because we (Rachel) decided that we needed to be in Utah for the celebration because Mesa just didn't cut it last year.  It was so fun to get together with a bunch of our cousins and celebrate!  

To start off, we went swimming and then Aubrey did all these girls' hair in matching fashion.  

As we were setting up the dinner, these two cousins decided that the flags were good swords and were fighting each other. 

 I think I counted at least 7 snow cones for this kiddo, not including the ones he stole from unsuspecting people.  But, it was the 4th of July, and you can have as many as you want!  

 I think I have this picture of every year we have been there with these two girls.  We might have to make it a tradition.

 After dinner, we have the flag ceremony and these kids took their jobs seriously.  I also have to note how much Allie has taken to patriotism, wanting to know more and show her pride.  Makes my heart jump for joy.

There were lots of parachutes which almost always followed with this scene.

Hadley wasn't so sure about the loud noise, but got used to it by the end.

 We of course had to do the traditional sparkler shots....

Until you fail as a mom and your son touches a hot sparker.  Sorry bud!  He was fine and didn't even have a blister, but Mike just happened to be taking a picture at that exact moment... awesome.

Kaylee is a girl after my own heart- not wanting to spill your snow cone but still wanting to cover her ears.  Genius.

How I love this day!

Ice, Ice, Baby # 4

The Meldrum Family is proud to present.... 

Meldrum # 4! 

Coming to a home near hear December 16, 2015!

Look how excited everyone is, it's like they want another little friend to play with or something (Miles not pictured does not mean he is not excited, but his enthusiasm wore him out and he had to take a nap).

Braids for Days!

Allie learned how to braid hair, and this is her first real braid she did on herself.  Now she is braiding any hair she can find.  Hadley has mastered the twist and between the two girls, we could run a salon!

Miles with his constant head bonk.  It is rare if he does not have something on his head.

Butterfly in the sky...

We have been hatching a science project for the past few weeks, and today the time had arrived for our dreams to take flight. We have been growing lovely butterflies. They came as tiny caterpillars in the mail, and we carefully watched them grow into a chrysalis  (the hardest part was to not shake the jar they came in, which proved to be a very tempting challenge for some of our little scientists). Eventually we moved them into a bigger cage for hatching from the cacoon. After they came out we got to watch them for a few days as they learned how to fly in our cage, but sometimes when you really love something you have to let it go.

There were many tiny hands ready to help jail break the family. 

We had to do it carefully so it could last at least ten minutes.

The butterflies were a little slow going at first, and they got to hold them for a second.

But then just like that, they fluttered away. All that was left was a smile on three little faces.

Hadley wanted to make sure they got close to the flowers.

It was a great science lesson for the whole family and lots of fun each day to see them growing.