July 24 - July 30

*Again, lots of pictures, very few words.

(We had a GREAT time...

but it's late & I'm exhausted so I have very little to say right now.)

This week: Iowa City & Sioux Falls

Sunday. IC

Church with my family. It was great to see their new church.

Monday. IC

IC Public Library=amazing children's area!

Grandma Sasha & Emily having a puppet show.

It was SO hot outside... splashing around in the fountain was perfect.

Noah stayed cool in the shade.

Uncle David happened to walk by.

Wednesday.

Pete and I went bowling after lunch :)

In the evening Pete, David & I went to see Transformers 3 and then out for a late night breakfast at Perkins

Thursday.

We went to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.

:)

That night we unpacked my American Girl dolls and Emily LOVED them.

Friday morning Sara, Carmela, Kate, Emily & Max came for a visit.

It was SO great to meet Carmela & Max and see my friends!!

After lunch we drove to Sioux Falls.

Saturday we went to a wading pool.

Cousins! <3 (Tate, Emily, Ausin--above; Maci & Noah--below)

Noah wasn't happy in the water, but liked the edge of the pool!

{I love this photo of Em & Tate}

Saturday night we stayed home with all the kiddos. We had a great time!

Our Life: July Week 3

July 17-23

*There are WAY more than 7-10 pictures this week... 25 I think...

but I'm SO far behind blogging and sorting photos after our month long vacation that I don't have time to pare these down.... so... sorry, and enjoy!

Sunday.

I took a couple pictures of Em after church today...

...so then she wanted to take a few of me...

...and Peter :) "say cheeeeeese!"

Monday.

Emily's second dance recital :)

little miss attitude ;)

...when it was time to change from tap shoes to ballet, Em was the first one ready so she went to 'help' her teacher with her shoes. After class the teacher, Ms. Pat, told me she does that every week and that Em's so helpful she'd like to take her home! {yikes} ;)

her pliés may not be beautiful yet...

...but they're at LEAST as good as her classmates!

(Ha... I probably shouldn't say this, but I think the little one on the right looks like she's about to do something else!)

The teacher invites us to bring treats for the girls, so I made fruit kabobs.

Tuesday.

Noah turned four months old on Sunday.

He's growing so quickly!!

My handsome little guy. :)

very thoughtful...

We love you baby boy!

Wednesday.

Noah's first "solid" foods!

He had his 4 month well baby check on Monday, and the doctor said we could start him already. Tonight we gave it a whirl... he seemed a bit confused. :)

the obligatory messy face photo

Noah woke up from his morning nap crying...

(usually... I kid you not...

he wakes up giggling or at least happily babbling--

happiest baby EVER!)

so his big sister asked if she could join him and cheer him up. :)

Thursday.

Emily & I went for a swim @ Leneé's

Em had a play date @ Jocelyn's in the evening

Pete & I (and Noah) went out for dinner @ SuperMex and then came home and packed

Friday.

We flew to Iowa!

(Well, Omaha, NE to be precise, where my parents picked us up and drove us to Iowa City to start our summer vacation in the midwest.)

Our Life: July Week 2

July 10-16

Sunday. 7.10

Today we checked out of the hotel, dropped Pete off in downtown San Diego and then I drove back to Long Beach with the kids. We went straight to Cami's first birthday party. Our house was a hot mess and it was a bit of a stressful evening, but we survived.

Monday. 7.11

Happy 7th Anniversary to us!

7 years ago we were married.

11 years ago we first met.

2 kids later... love you more than ever babe.

Tuesday. 7.12

Pete worked long hours at home.

Noah tried to eat his bunny.

Wednesday. 7.13

Emily had a play date with Jocelyn.

Pete worked more long hours at home.

These are some of his busiest days (...and nights) for work.

Thursday. 7.14

Em and I went to see Kathy.

Noah enjoyed sitting in his Bumbo seat.

I visited with a couple friends late tonight after the kids were in bed, while Pete worked.

Friday. 7.15.

Chiropractor (last appointment for awhile!)

Farewell BBQ @Andersons

Noah's wearing his daddy's old outfit.

It was cute to see him in it but he did NOT like it--I tried to snap a few pictures but even with his sister distracting him, these were the only ones when he wasn't crying.

Saturday. 7.16

Garage sale @ Andersons.

A semi-successful mini photo-shoot with Noah (that Emma decided to join in on).

Love. these. kids.

Technically, he's still in his 3rd month... until tomorrow... but the month by month stickers just arrived today, so I decided to get a few quick photos at '3 months'. :)

Isn't he adorable?!?