Kara is 2!

I can't believe Kara is 2!  It has gone so quickly!  She has brought so much joy to our family.  We had a great birthday party.  We take care of Misty and Anna on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.  They have become part of our family so we were glad that Kara's birthday landed on a Thursday!

A big part of the day was spent fishing for tadpoles. 

Kara immediately sat in the water to cool down.

One of Kara's favorite activities is painting herself with food.  So we decided to let everyone paint with pudding.

Of course Kara painted her arms, legs and face more than her paper.

Opening presents was very exciting.  Lily really wanted to help Kara with the ripping.  She was worried Kara wouldn't know how.  That definitely wasn't an issue.

For Kara's birthday she got some new-er books from Lily, $$ from Grandmas and Grandpas, a cute tutu dress, new jammies, and a Cabbag Patch Kid doll (I am the most proud of this.  I got it brand new at a garage sale for $1.  It talks and giggles and is the cutest thing ever!)

We made ice cream cone cupcakes that the girls (and Dan) got to decorate.

Kara thoroughly enjoyed the decorating.

Blowing out the candle...

With all her might...

And of course eating!

The doll was definitely the biggest hit.  She loves listening to it sing the ABC's and bobs her head to the music.

Later we all went on a walk with the talking dolls around the block.  A great way to end a birthday!

4th of July

For the 4th of July Dan and the girls headed Rexburg, ID.  I had to stay home and work so I enjoyed my own vacation of peace and quiet for a week!!  Here are some pictures of their trip:

They got to be in the Rexburg 4th of July parade!  Grandma and Grandpa own a "muscle car."  You'll notice that Lily was wrapped up in Grandma's jacket.  68 degrees was much too cold for that California girl!

There was plenty of good food...

company...

And plenty of...

entertainment and....

mischief!

 

 

 

While the family was gone, mom played:

I went and saw historical sites in the St. George area...one of my favorite things to do.

This is the last original home standing in the Harrisburg area.  It was built by LDS missionaries who were sent to settle the area.  So cool to learn new things!

I also enjoyed my first gluten free Pizza Hut pizza.  

I explored Leeds, Kanarraville, and New Harmony

Almost got stuck on a deserted road in New Harmony trying to find an old cemetery

Knocked on almost every door in Kanarraville looking to find the mayor to get a list of all who were buried in their cemetery.  Never found him but met a lot of awesome people.

Hope everyone's 4th of July was as entertaining as ours!

Yes.  It has been 6 months since I posted.  I don't think I've gone that long in posting for 5 years!  It has been a crazy 6 months.  But now Dan is officially a nurse and I officially got to quit my job.  So hopefully life will get back to normal!  Here is a highlight of things we've been up to:

 Dan graduated.  Hallelujah!  Here is is getting his nursing pin.

Grandma and Grandpa came for his graduation.

We went to Zion's National Park where the squirrels were a bit to friendly for my comfort level.

We went to see some petroglyphs.  Lily took it upon herself to help water the desert plants

We had a sleepover.  This will never happen again in the near future.  Too many girls in one bed means no sleep and too many grump girls the next day.

Our good friends the Kleiners let us hang with their family in Pine Valley.  We went on a hike on an actual Pioneer trail, enjoyed great food and of course great company.

Dan had to take his nursing test in Las Vegas so we all went on a mini vacation and stayed at Circus Circus.  Lily miniature golfed for the first time....

Rode in a helicopter for the first time...

And Kara enjoyed going around and around in a hot air balloon.

On the day we found out Dan passed his nursing test we went out to lunch with my Uncle Sherm and Aunt June.  They were visiting from ID.  We LOVE visiting with them!

Lily took swimming lessons and caught on quickly.  And, for the first time in her life she got over her fear of putting her face in the water.  Kara also took the first week of a two week course of swimming lessons.  She caught on quickly, too.

I took our girls and two girls in our ward to the salon for a "girl's day."  It was a blast!  Just some simple hair cuts, washes and using the dryer machine made for a successful day.  Also a guy who was getting his haircut the same time we were there paid for all the girl's to get their hair cut and washed!  It was a very fun day.  The above pix is Misty, Anna, and Lily.

Lily right before she got her haircut.