Thursday, August 9, 2012

Home Sweat-y Home

After three weeks of fun with family, we returned home.  I was a bit nervous to actually be going it on my own with three children and a newborn, but we have survived!  I even ventured to the library and to the store with all four kids!   Back in AZ, we only had three weeks until school began again.  We swam as much as possible, played with friends, tumbled, and went on a few outings.  The girls had a summer "Challenge Chart" of goals to complete in categories like reading, memorization, and cooking.  They worked hard to finish before school began.
Curly last swim meet
We gave the girls a tumbling mat for their bday s- hours of fun!
Every night we take Lou to the bathroom before we go to bed.  It is almost impossible to wake her up and hilarious to watch her stagger or sometimes just stand in one spot and sway as she tried to navigate herself to the bathroom.  She usually can't make it back into bed on her own and when she does she flops over as soon as she reaches the top of the ladder.
Lou's legs
 The weeks before school began we took a day trip to the Sedona area to go hiking and enjoy the scenery.  Why hadn't we gone there before?!?  It was very beautiful AND 20 degrees cooler.   We hike about 2 miles to a creek and enjoyed a picnic lunch in the shade.  Even with the change in temperature, it was still in the low 90s and we were very hot by the time we finished - especially the backpack toting adults.
Ready to go
Time for lunch
  
Fisher rigged up a cradle for baby boy
Wading in the creek
 
Cool Ocotilla and the view isn't bad either
Too much hiking for Berry
Cathedral rock
Cooling off with a slushee
Finally, a few shots from around the house - 
Sweet smiles
Father and Son snooze
A rare scene for Lou
Berry's first pigtails
Ice cream cone leftovers
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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Play Sprint!

I would have titled it a play marathon, but our time was so short - it was more like a sprint!  (Olympics on the brain)  We spent a few days in Utah and packed in A LOT of fun with family!

K-Rae helped me drive to Utah and we stopped for an afternoon visit with  Woodbury grandparents and cousin Elyse before heading to Oma's house.  In the two short days we were there we toured Bryce and Jenny's new house, visited the "Days of 47" parade floats (very impressive), had a picnic in the very cool Daybreak park, played in the fun and creative children's section of the Church History Museum, rode the "train" (trax) and had lunch at the new and impressive City Creek Center.   Phew!  We had a blast!

Sweet Oma/Lore helped us make the long drive home and stayed for a short visit before flying back.  We were so grateful to have her here.
Sharing a popsicle with cousin Nels
Lainey's cousin Tammy with their float
Jenny and Baby Boy
Spinning - Whee!
Wren and Berry
Berry loves to swing -a pretty view too
Fishing on Nephi's boat
 
Learning some Latin dance
Cute cousins waiting for Trax
City Creek Center
The fountain show
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Sunday, August 5, 2012

A week in Idaho

What do you do in Idaho for a week?  Well - here are a few things...
Smile at cute baby boys
1 month old
Float the River
 Lou said her favorite part of the float was when Grandma fell into the water trying to catch the raft and pull it ashore.
Meet up with old friends - The Turley's
Snuggle with Auntie
 K-Rae moved back to the west from DC just in time to spend some time with us!
Go shopping !
Freeze while eating  Millhollow  Frozen Yogurt - yum
Have fun with Auntie
Play trios with sisters
Go out for lunch
Give Grandma Hugs
Watch magic shows
Discover worms!
Realize the joys of rain!
As you can see, we had a wonderful time in Idaho!
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Fabulous Five

And I am not referring to the Olympic gold-winning US team.  Our one and only Lou turned five! 
I can't ever catch a picture without a silly face
 We celebrated her birthday in Idaho.   Rexburg is a great place to be in the summer!  It's beautiful and there is so much to do.  Lou chose to go to the splash park to play and Artic Circle for her birthday dinner.   She also asked for a blue butterfly cake (which didn't quite turn out blue, but she didn't care).

Lou is excited about everything!  She can't talk without moving and she has a lot to say (so she is always moving).  She likes to use her "outside voice" and loves to eat her fruits, veggies, and treats.  Her smile is contagious.  We love our sweet Lou!
Birthday display

On the Carousel with Aunt JG
Splash Park Party!
 
Eating Cotton Candy like birds
Happy Birthday Lou!
    
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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

12 Years

My wonderful friend Jill took the initiative to organize a get together with our highschool gang.  We all met up at LLL Ranch with our families for a weekend of fun.

The amazing thing about my friends is that we stayed friends in college and are still in contact.  My highschool "guy" friends are hilarious and we stayed up way too late laughing until our sides hurt.  I also love and admire the spouses of my friends and so enjoyed catching up with everyone.

 
 
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