Fair Day

Aside from being sad when it was time to leave, we had a great time at the fair this year. We took the girls for the first time last summer, and they have been talking it up since then. Luckily, our visit this year did not disappoint.

They started out on the kiddie rides . . . boats, airplanes, teacups, carousel, etc. (We also went on the Ferris Wheel, but I decided it's not a good idea to put me and my non-belted-in children in something that goes so high up in the air.)

After making the rounds, Russ thought they'd be able to handle some of the intermediate rides (not quite ready for upside-down yet).

They (Kaylee) were nervous at first, but turned all smiles once things started up. I don't think they'll be going back to the baby rides next time. Somehow, teacups and carousels can't hold a candle to "Typhoons" and "Tornadoes".

Brenna got a taste of the easier rides this summer (her phrase of the evening was "I play too!")

. . . but she seemed to prefer the kettle corn and soda pop.

All's Well That Ends . . .

Well, Ashlyn wasn't too happy when she learned she had used up her final ride ticket at the county fair last night.

Brenna

These are just a few recent videos of our adorable Brenna. They will probably only be of interest to family members. She's at such a fun age right now, and I feel sad that so many of our relatives won't ever get to interact with her 1 1/2 year old self. Enjoy!

(P.S. Even if you're not related, you may want to at least glance at her awesome hair in the second video.)

Beach Day

Since moving to Delaware nearly five years ago, we have come to love our summer trips down to the beach. Russ is nearing the end of his PhD program here, so he's been working, working, and working. But he decided an excursion to the beach was a worthy excuse for missing a day.

We played in the waves.

We played in the sand.

We slept on the way home.

(Ashlyn actually fell asleep while talking on the phone.)

Or not.

We all had a wonderful day.

Though some of us were less thorough in our sunscreen application than others.

Movie Parties

My family (meaning the family I grew up in) LOVES movie parties. These parties generally involve costumes, games, activities, and food all based on the chosen movie. Over the years we've done parties based on

George of the Jungle

Arsenic & Old Lace

The Princess Bride

Napoleon Dynamite

The Incredibles

Holes

Bolt

Toy Story 2

A Christmas Carol

Finding Nemo

(and I'm sure there are others that I just can't think of right now)

My little family in Delaware has also done parties based on Monsters, Inc. and Curious George when we've had family in town.

Here are some sample photos:

Napoleon Dynamite: Russ as Kip

The Incredibles: Create-Your-Own-Superhero

Curious George: Yellow Hats for Everyone

Toy Story 2: Cowboy Photo Shoot

Bolt: Perform tasks while tethered to someone else.

Anyway, when my parents were visiting last week we decided to do a Tangled movie party.

We started by searching for magic flowers. Then playing hide-and-seek.

We also tried our hands at Rapunzel's favorite pastime - painting.

Ashlyn's Artwork

Kaylee's Artwork

(which looks remarkably like the real Rapunzel's lantern painting)

And of course we had to make a few Rapunzel wigs.

We also ate tangled spaghetti for dinner and we un-tangled pull-n-peel licorice while we watched. Fun times. Fun movie. Fun memories.

Fabulous Fourth

My attempts at taking a nice picture of all three girls in their patriotic attire failed miserably on both Sunday and Monday. But we enjoyed a very nice Independence Day, in spite of this fact. :)

We even painted our toenails for the occasion.

My parents came out from Utah for a week-long visit. We LOVE visitors!!!

Monday morning we went to the church for a yummy pancake breakfast.

We stopped at Rita's on the way home from the church, then enjoyed a quiet afternoon at home while all the kiddos napped.

That night Kaylee and Ashlyn headed off for a baseball game and fireworks with Daddy and Grandpa.

Hooray for holidays! And hooray for such a wonderful country to celebrate!

Blueberry Girls

The blueberries at our favorite orchard/farm ripened a little early this season, so the girls and I went picking!

The harvesters

The taste-tester

All done!

The fruits of our labors.

Two days later, Kaylee finished off the last of our 3 1/2 lbs. of berries.

So, I guess we'll be going back some time soon!