GIRLS being GIRLS

 Lauren and Nora are going to be great friends!  We LOVE having them close by so we can visit A LOT!

Lauren is my little helper, she loves to "babysit" and help hold Nora.  Now that Nora is a little bigger and doesn't like to be held, Lauren plays kitchen with her, jumps on the trampoline, and follows her around outside.  VERY SWEET AND HELPFUL.

These are a couple of picture from this summer!

 Visiting just before 4th of July.  Matching in Red, White and Blue

 Swimming at the beach.  Lauren wanted to hold Nora, with a little help.

 Playing in the sand together

TWINNERS!

Noah's Ark

 Our Annual Trip to Noah's Ark (AUG 18th) was pretty mellow this year.  Just Grandma and Papa, Our family of 4 and Melissa and Liam were able to join us.  It was all about the kids (Papa and Dan ran off to do some real rides) but we managed to get Jack on a couple of big kid rides too!

 The bumper boats

 Taking a Snooze- SUPER CUTE!

 The Log Ride: You can't see him, but in our row (2nd from the back) was me, JACK, Dan, and Papa Russ.  This is the classic up the big hill and down the huge hill ride.  Jack was pretty excited to go, but once we were going up he just asked to go down.  Our only response, "We'll go down in just a minute."  At the bottom, he was pretty close to tears but we just told him how proud we were that he was so brave, and they he gave himself a thumbs up and said "I DID IT!"  We asked him if he wanted to go again, and the answer was no. 

 Lunch break and hanging out.

After lunch, Jack really enjoyed the family tube rides and even went on the "Dark Night" which is a family ride inside a dark black tube.  We saw lots of stars! (little holes that let the littlest bit of sunlight in, it kept him happy.)

And Nora loved the swing.  That was the highlight of her day.

Nauvoo VACATION

AUGUST 3-5  While Dan was away in Seattle (for a friend's wedding) The kids and I took a trip to Nauvoo with my parents, Manda and Baby Easton.  I love going to Nauvoo- we love the temple (where Dan and I were married) and we've been there so many times that we've seen it all.  That way I don't feel stressed to go see everything- we just do what we want to, relax, and enjoy being together.

We saw the pageant (Nora and i walked most of it, she was so tired and hot so sadly we missed most of it) and our good friends the Larsen's.  

 Manda treated us to custard.  The kids loved the late night treat!

 The kids took a ride in a handcart, with Papa Russ. 

We got these tasty treats at the Fudge Factory!  The kids loved them, and I managed to sneak a couple bites of Nora's. 

Our standard picture in front of the temple before we headed home.

 And Jack wanting to go into the temple- sorry, you're too young.  When you're 12!  (And he always responds with "I don't want to be bigger!") 

 Not to forget- we saw the temple late at night with the lights on it, I got to go for a run all by myself, my dad, Manda and I ran together (that was super fun!) and we saw our friend Cami Larsen perform in the pageant and a little theater/production on the side.  It was fabulous- all of it!

We sure love going to Nauvoo. We missed our Dad, but I am sure he will make the trip with us next year!