We are back in Phoenix to have our 3rd baby (in two days!), but first, here's a quick catch up on the end of our Washington trip:
Eli got the neatest kite for his birthday from Great Grandma and Grandpa Dailey. It had been in the family for over 40 years, and was the best quality kite I have ever seen. It went up 1000 feet in the air! My dad had to use the drill to real it back in- thank heavens for his quick thinking or we might have been winding for hours. :) Eli was in love with it. We flew it every time the wind picked up!
Side note, check out the beautiful country I grew up in!
Later that week, we were invited to a tea party at Great Grandma Celesta's house. The kids were to come dressed up and ready for a good time. Check it out: Grandma Celesta doesn't take her tea parties lightly....
We had Itallian Sodas instead of tea, and every kind of good food you could possibly imagine. Wishing we were back there now, enjoying it all again!
After the tea party, Grandpa John let the kids ride horses. Alayna loved it. Every time cousin Ruby circled her back around asking if she wanted to get off, she would just say, "Again." And around and around they went. I love that my kids are getting the chance to ride horses. :)
We love Grandpa John!
In late June, the entire family gathered to attend the temple together with Sam, hear his farewell talk, and spend some time together for the last time (we'd all be together) for two years. It was so much fun. The kids loved holding baby Mercy.
Of course, any chance to get the whole family together is a chance for a new picture. Essie did not like this idea.
Love my family!
The fourth of July started out with a ward breakfast and games:
And was followed by more kite flying:
A few awkward, dirty faced selfies on the way to dinner #1..
And ended with dinner #2 back at my parents, followed by sparklers and fireworks:
While we were in Washington, we participated in their summer reading program. Every week they had a new big show or activity. Eli's favorite was the clown and the magic show. One week, they got to see firetrucks, ambulances, and police vehicles up close. Super fun!
Alayna said as the police man helped her off the motorcycle: "Thank you fireman!"
Followed of course by playing at the park :)
Later that week, we sent Uncle Sam off on a 2 year mission!
But not without a lot of hugs goodbye:
By then, we were wrapping up our time in Washington. But not without a last goodbye party in Farmington with lots of extended family!
Goodbye country roads!
We stopped in Salt Lake for a day to rest and catch up with some of our close friends from our years living in UT. What a fun night!
The kids were so exhausted from all of the traveling, they actually slept for several hours in the car
(miracle! ESPECIALLY for Eli- who never sleeps, and tells you so regularly. ;))
Alayna had thrown up once early that morning, we think because she ate too fast, because she wasn't sick the rest of the trip. Still, she insisted that she needed the garbage bucket to stick her head in. Every time she fell asleep with her head in the garbage, I'd try to discretely remove it, and she would grab it, pull it back over her face, and go back to sleep. I finally gave up. Too funny. Especially since she was never sick again.
Once we made it back home, we stayed busy with all kinds of activities.
Family night out to the Diamondbacks game was a highlight, although the kids liked the fireworks better than the game:
And finally, sailing with Grandpa was a good time had by all!
Now we head into August- the month where we found out yesterday Otto's crazy day/night ER schedule for the month, where we have a new baby via Csection, start prepping for our three month trek across the US, and start flying out to interviews for residency. Stay tuned- it's about to get even more exciting!