Family Photos September 2013

We had family photos taken, and I love how they turned out. Photos are all by Steven Palmer at 3 Seasons Photography.

Independence Day Weekend in California

Matt had Thursday, July 4th off this year, so he worked 30 hours Monday through Wednesday, and on Thursday morning we took off as early as we could manage (which isn't nearly as early as we could've left without two little ones). The girls did pretty great for the five hour car trip to Matt's parents' house in California.

on the road

Charlotte and Grandpa
Happy Fourth!

We loved the weather and the backyard!

Check out that huge, orange dragonfly and the beautiful water lily.

Charlotte and Daddy 

Elise loves going to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Grandma and Charlotte 

trying a carrot right out of the garden

Now, that's a fun way to get kids to eat more vegetables!

Elise pulling up carrots with Grandpa

She loved the cherry tomatoes.

Charlotte enjoyed the peas

Grandpa and Charlotte napping

Grandma and Elise playing

I loved watching these two together.

A friend of Matt's parents let us use her pool while she was out of town. It was so nice!

Elise, of course, loved the diving board.

We also had some fun in the kiddie pool in the backyard.

Elise loved playing with the apples that had fallen from the trees.

We also ate way too much delicious, homemade cherry pineapple ice cream.
So yummy!

saying goodbye

Bad traffic on the way home, 20mph on the freeway, was a little rough on everyone, but we made it!

This was such a fun little weekend trip. It was so nice just to visit and relax together. Thanks, Patti and Craig, for having us!

Between Trips to California

We were lucky enough to get to visit Matt's parents in May and again in July. I have some pictures from the time in between, but there's no one theme or event, so I'll just post them in chronological order. Here's our June!

Charlotte thinks sunglasses are great. She smiles so big when I put them on her.

I love her to the moon and back.

crocodile stance

my sister's kids at our place = movie time
(pretty much the only way to keep this many kids entertained in this small of a space)

enjoying nature

with nature bracelets

tape, sticky side out

Just add nature!

the mad scientist after her nap

I love how much they love each other.

always happy in the bathtub

time for a bedtime story

Elise's "duck helmet" (actually the top to our humidifier)

I love Charlotte in a hat. Too bad she won't leave them on.

I love these beautiful girls.

clapping

painting

Daddy snuggles

addicted to cheese

found a great hole, and her finger fits perfectly

concentrating hard on the pincer grasp

working on aim

so close

push ups

all day

I have a little too much fun putting them in matching dresses for church.

I am in love with this cute face.

And I love that my girls suck their thumbs. She is such a sweet, sweet baby.

More BouceU. Can you find Elise? Hint: Look up.

Hudson and Charlotte on the Rody horses

She figured out how to pull up in her crib!

my little buttercup

Elise and a friend get together for "school," where they learn about a subject. This was Bones Day.

"Smile, Elise!"

"Smile, Mom!"

All the cool kids eat breakfast wearing sunglasses.

kiddie pool fun

splashing

Charlotte dressing up at the Arizona Museum for Youth

Elise loves to play dress up!

Elise is "skating." This was her idea.

Yay, you made it to the end!