Haley, An American Girl

When the Millers said they were coming, I knew a girls' outing to The American Girl Store and Cafe was a must. Haley had just celebrated a birthday and I thought that was double the reason to hit the cafe. First we took a brief look through the store! Each girl pointed to the dolls they owned and the dolls they want to own. I'll let Lynda leave a comment about Haley's reaction to the store. I think that for a brief moment she wasn't 15 years old anymore.

Ella has the doll of the year, Kanani! She likes to pose with her.

At the cafe with their dolls! Here, Ella is letting her doll, Elizabeth drink some lemonade.

 Haley and her doll Kit.

McKenna and her doll Julie.

Me and my doll....Sawyer!!!!!

 And, Lynda and her doll....Haley.

After we ordered, the waitress came to our table and apologized for the delay in our food getting to us. We hadn't noticed any abnormal length of time though. They offered us each a dessert on the house!

My dinner! Yum!

My free dessert....chocolate fondue....

 They call us The Two Bosses!

Haley's birthday treats! Brownie Lollipops! Yum!

They also brought each of the girls a goodie bag that included a shirt for their dolls, a balloon for their dolls, some stickers and a book. Amazing!

A very fun girls' outing!

After 8 years...

...and a couple of delays in the month of July....

The Millers FINALLY came to visit us!!

You wouldn't believe the number of photos I have loaded onto my computer to document their visit! Crazy, upwords of 650 images. So, I'll break it into manageable chunks. Or, maybe I'll just pick the best few....

Hayden being silly!

Sweet Sawyer

7 Months

Mr. Sand Man

He was so interested in the sand that I could not get him to look up at me for a picture.

Sitting Sawyer

Look who is sitting all on his own! He's been sitting up gradually since 6 months. He's a pro now at 7 months!

Rolling Around

The Things They Say

We were sitting in the movie theater watching ALL 1 MILLION previews before Cars 2. There was a preview for the next Spy Kids in 4D.

McKenna said: What's 4 D?

Ella said: It's like 3 D only 4, duh!

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy 4th!

Sawyer - 6.5 months

McKenna - 8.5 years

Ella - 6.5 years

Me - 29!

Each year for Independence Day we have a few families over for a BBQ and fireworks. By the time we all get together, the kids out number the adults by a long shot! We grill a ton of yummy food, play games in the yard and then walk down to the park to watch the city's fireworks program. It's a ton of fun and becoming one of our family's favorite traditions. The kids look forward to it almost as much as they look forward to Christmas.

This year we were also expecting family from Alabama for the 4th. Too bad for me, my uncle is a pretty important guy when it comes to the space program and their trip has been postponed. We are still awaiting their arrival!

Sawyer's first ride in the baby swing...

Daddy and Sawyer in the bounce house!

Ella and Selma! Can we say forced smile?

My two boys

Me and my girls!

Seth the cutie!



My First Garden

It's small and over crowded but I still like it. It's my first go at a vegetable garden. I planted marigolds around the perimeter to help keep unwanted visitors away. I drilled a ton of holes in the bottom for drainage. I also have a Topsy turvy plant that's doing well.

Cat Nap

Happy Boy!

Sawyer (6.5 months) was giggling....no...belly laughing....at his sister, Ella while she was rockin' to her air guitar!

The Zoo

Daddy's favorite family outing is the zoo. So, for Father's Day we took him on an all day adventure that included the zoo! It was Sawyer's first trip to the zoo as well.

My favorite exhibit at the zoo is the Russian Tundra exhibit...with the Grizzly Bears!

 Dr. Suess....

Kisses for Mommy!

He looks like he's been caught red handed!

Andy--I mean Woody-- from Toy Story