Vicki Visit

We made it back from our Iowa/Omaha trip and the house seemed so quiet. We were lucky Aunt Vicki came for a visit last week while Josh went to a conference in Denver.

Before he left he and Vicki took Abram and Stella to Lake Michigan.

We also headed to the park before the weather got so hot.

Stella took this picture of Vicki - which turned out so beautiful.

There was lots of swinging in the backyard.

And when it got too hot we hung out in the air-conditioning.

Don't worry, we didn't have a 4th child, that is just Stella's doll in the chair. The kids were playing 'horse race' and galloped throughout the house - keeping Isabel entertained.

We also went bowling - which was hilarious and fun.

Once papa left we got a little girly and painted our nails.

And ate treats.

Aunt Vicki treated the kids to pony rides at the zoo.

Stella hopped right on.

We lost the kids near the lion and monkey cages.

We found them again just in time for a train ride.

What a great day and great trip! We miss Aunt V!!!

Professor Livermore, I Presume

While we were in Omaha for two weeks Josh taught a class called, Molecular Ecology, at Lakeside Laboratory in Okoboji, Iowa. I called it science camp. I went through all his pictures and couldn't find a single one of him so I'm not sure he was even there - or by the looks of these pictures that it was really a 'class' but more of a fishing trip. His brother Nick was a student in the class and he assured me they really did learn a lot of cool things, but they did have a lot of fun as well.

The course taught the students how to identify the invasive species, Asian Carp, through sampling the water for DNA.

 I think somehow Nick must have misunderstood and he thought his grade was based on how large of Common Carp he could catch. I guess he got an A+

Isabel's Baptism

Isabel was Baptized while we were in Omaha so my grandpa could be present. We were lucky that everyone was willing to travel to us. We made it a weekend party.

Abram was overjoyed to have so many uncles and aunts to play with.

When my mom lived with us in Iowa City she became close friends with our friends so she had a nice reunion with Rachel and Caity (Isabel's god mothers).

We had the service outside at the home where my grandpa is. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful service.

Isabel did great.

Isabel with her god mothers Caity, Tina, and Rachel and Pastor Kim. Isabel is so lucky to have three kind, smart, beautiful women guiding her as she grows up.

Abram and Stella got some quality time with Uncle Nick, Aunt Lisa and Aunt Rachel - and Uncle Jon who seems to have escaped this picture.

The kids miss seeing Rachel and Caity. We were spoiled having dinner with them once a week while we were in Iowa City.

I love this picture of Caity braiding Stella's hair. I'm trying to learn how to braid but it always seems to fall out.

Isabel was done with pictures by this time but she still looks so cute!

It was great to have grandma and grandpa attend.

I didn't get anyone to look at me but I still like the picture.

I got a wonderful picture of Tina and Isabel. 

We were so thankful to have so many of our family and friends present for Isabel's special day!

Celebrations

We celebrated my birthday at the end of June with my favorite things: family and cake!

It was a beautiful and delicious cake.

On the Fourth of July Stella and I made a raspberry pie. I think pie tastes better if you make it in Minnie Mouse underwear.

We had a mini-fireworks display at our house before bedtime - it was a bit hit with the kids. 

I took Abram to a baseball game the night before that had fireworks after the game. Abram usually goes to bed by 8 and the game didn't start until 7 so I thought he would get pretty tired and cranky but it turns out he was a champ. We could only get tickets on the lawn and I swear we were at a 45 degree angle on slippery sleeping bag - he kept rolling down the hill but he didn't complain at all. I was begging him to leave by the 7th inning but he was adamant about watching the fireworks. The game lasted until 10 and then the fireworks started about 10:15. I was exhausted. The fireworks started and Abram leaned over and said, "Mama, these are Ahhmazing." Oh, sweet boy, so are you...so are you.

Omaha

We headed to Omaha for a few weeks while Josh taught a two week course at Lakeside Lab in Okoboji, IA. It was great to have a little vacation and spend time with family.

We kept pretty busy.

We went to a farmers market where we bought not fruit nor vegetable but spiderman balloon.

We had lots of fun visits with G-PA Clayton. 

We had picnics at Aunt V's house.

We went to Fun Plex and all the cool rides.

We were able to make it to the amazing Omaha Zoo.

There were lion cubs that were born on Isabel's birthday so I had to get her one :)

More time with GPA.

We had lots of time for family bonding - Isabel could have done with a little less bonding.

Girl power!

We stayed at Nana Deb's house but Aunt V and Uncle C live just across the street so we crashed their house plenty of times.

Thanks Nana for letting us take over your house, breakplay with your toys, and peewash your carpet.

My pictures are out of order but Stella got a tiger from the zoo which she later dismembered. Don't mess with Stella. 

Isabel had a great time.

We took a picture of the Suzanne's. Vicki Suzanne, Sara Suzanne, and Stella Suzanne.

There may have been a little ice cream eaten.

But I think more ended up on her face than in her belly.

We had a great time and can't wait to go back!