What to do on a sunny afternoon when surrounded by boxes

Alison really wanted to do the stick pull, and Caitlyn was game enough to do it with her.

Then Megan wanted a turn. :)

The pageant told the story of Nauvoo (Megan appreciated that they underplayed Joseph and Hyrum's martyrdom). In the end, they built the temple, which was then eroded by time and the elements until...

The big Finale of the pageant (the girls really enjoyed it), when they lit up the real temple. For future reference: going during a weeknight is best. It was crowded, but not obscenely so. In all, even though it was late, it was a good experience. We're all glad we went.

Sweet Dreams

Sometimes, Sunday afternoons are just right for napping.

What to do on a gloomy rainy afternoon when you're surrounded by boxes

Cailtyn's "scene": There's a lamp, a teapot, a girl reading a book, a watermelon (mom made that) and a dog.

Megan's creation. She said she couldn't make people.

Alison smushed clay until she got in trouble for attempting to smush her sister's creations, and ended up taking a nap instead.

Look what I found

while packing up boxes in the storage room!



I'd forgotten we'd brought it from Arkansas. Sometimes, packing is a good thing.

It came in handy when Alison and Megan were bummed that Caitlyn got to go to the the swimming pool with a friend.

Our Vacation, Part 3

The last few days in Michigan were nice and relaxing (too bad I didn't get a picture of the girls swimming with Victor and Camilla.)

Alison and her friend Lena (who always needs cookies)

Dancing the Maypole dance at the Saline Celtic Festival (you can't tell how hot it is)


Being lazy at the park...

And playing in the river.

Megan took the "wading up to our necks" seriously (though she waded up to her head!)

Lazy Sunday

After church (outside in the heat)

Victor and his cheering section on his way to becoming King of Armpit.

Too much excitement for the little girls (time to go home!)

Visiting Indiana

We had a good evening/morning in Indiana. (Megan says it's hard to be the oldest cousin!)
Caitlyn played with Alia

Kristen played with Elena

Alison played with Tanner

And we got a picture for the calendar!

Mischief in Spokane

But this one is funnier:

Our Vacation, Part 2

We got back late Thursday night from our trip in Spokane where we saw tons of family and were incredibly lazy.

These are just a few of the pictures (well, ones of Alison and Kristen, anyway); when we actually get back to our house, I'll post more. (But don't hold me to it, we're moving at the end of the month!)

Kristen discovered her feet while we were in Spokane!

Grandma has an exersaucer that we discovered Kristen loved!

As did Alison!

We were at Mike and Marjorie's, and after dinner someone (probably Megan) suggested we go swimming. Alison was so excited, she took off her clothes and ran out to the pool, ready to go swimming! (We eventually got her in her swimsuit!)

(The hot tub was nicer, anyway!)

Cousins!

The whole reason to go to Spokane (this is just a few of the many!)

In the gondola at Riverfront park

Alison and Annie (Alison says, "Annie's my favorite!")

Jumping off the house... nothing like a bunch of cousins together to instigate craziness!

With Ford on the play set.

Okay, they're not cousins, but they're important, too!

Couer D'Alene lake

We spent a beautiful afternoon swimming in the lake -- the girls all had a great time!






Megan's rock fort (Caitlyn helped!):

Our Vacation, Part 1

We just got back from Canada today, and I thought I'd post the pictures tonight before we left for Spokane tomorrow!

From our day in Michigan, before we left for Canada.

O Canada!

We went to Canada to see the Meloches, old friends from grad school in Virginia. It was a good visit. We celebrated Canada Day

and had fun at a festival in Oshewa.

And we went to the Toronto Zoo...


There was a really cool splash park; Caitlyn had the most fun!

Happy Independence Day

At the beach at Point Peelee, a Candadian National Park. A good way to spend the 4th of July.