Trip to Kansas, part 1

I didn't forget about the blog, but my app for my phone isn't working, so I have been having trouble doing updates. I have lots of pictures from our trip, so it may take me a while together caught up. We enjoyed getting to go back to Kansas to see everyone, and thoroughly enjoyed all the help and good food and great memories. It was a much needed vacation. 

Here are some pictures from our first couple days. 

She was so excited to be on the airplane!

I have craved orange juice and paints/peanut butter ever since I was pregnant...but I'm kind of wondering if it started before then. I always get OJ when I fly, so it may be just some weird craving combination.

Chilling at the airport.

Notice Papa Steve's giant elephant ear, and Emma's new doll carrier.

The day after we got there we had a great thunderstorm with a true downpour. I was in heaven! I was driving they rush hour traffic in construction, but I didn't even care. We got completely soaked going to our car from the grocery store. 

Moving cars with Grandma Connie. Emma always loves it when she can get away with not being in a car seat.

Playing Alphabet Go Fish with Aunt Faith. We both enjoyed the extra help/company. 

Emma set the table.

We got to go with Aunt Faith for a dress fitting. Emma was so excited to be in the store with all the pretty dresses. 

See Emma's face? Weddings are so much fun!

Kansas trip, part 2

Faith had a couple of showers, but I only got (good) pictures of one. We also threw her a small bachelorette party. We definitely got in lots of parties!

Emma loved being the present helper. 

Trying on my veil.

At the bachelorette party, we made wedding dresses out of toilet paper. 

Grandma Joy did Emma. Emma didn't keep hers on for long. 

Kim did Aunt Faith

Erin did Tory

All done!

Emma swimming, part 2

Emma has figured out how to doggie paddle. She keeps getting braver in the pool, and is doing really good. Today we got to swim with Holly and Eliza, her daughter who is a lifeguard at the pool. It was nice to have some extra hands, and I got to take a video...12 actually. But unfortunately I pushed play at the wrong times, so I got several videos of my feet and the concrete. So you only get one. :( I should be fired. But here it is.

Emma can swim, or has a couple times, from the wall to back where those people are. She does pretty good on her back.

Floating doesn't last long when you are 4.

Just letting the sun dry her off like Ms. Holly

4th of July

Tuesday I let Emma pick parade or fire works, and thankfully she picked the parade. We had a blast watching all the different people, animals and vehicles. I'm pretty sure Emma's favorite part was the candy. Mine was the decorated llamas. We tried to go shopping, and then out to Smashburger for lunch. Then we came back to base to swim, where we met up with some friends and had homemade pizza and ice cream.

Good thing she brought her bag!

Getting candy

Horses

Wells Fargo stagecoach

Baton twirlers 

Patriotic llamas

One more

High school marching band...only one trumpet!

Little kids racing cars

Getting tired...ready for candy

Little ponies?

Smashburger hat

Hot days

I didn't realize it was supposed to be so hot today, and for a couple days. But we ended up going for a walk anyway with Michelle and Raelynn. It was hot. Emma drank her whole big water cup, and at all her granola. Then we had to stop by chapel for a potty break. I did a little work, and then we came home for some quiet time and to talk to Daddy. Then we met Michelle and Raelynn at the pool, and decided to go out for dinner. To avoid the base traffic all heading off base, we went up to Grass Valley. We found a yummy Mexican place, and then happened upon the farmers market while looking for the chocolate store. :) We had fun, but we are all tired girls!

Tired, hot girls 

Emma is turning into Sid from Toy Story

Content and coloring at dinner. Some friends from chapel happened to be sitting behind us...it's a small world!

Raelynn loved Emma's taco!

Emma got an ice cream cone at the chocolate store..which I ended up with. She really just wanted a balloon. She asked for a dinosaur.

Holding hands on the way home

Emma is watching you

Sorry for not posting earlier...my app on my phone keeps crashing, so I am hoping it works on my iPad. Emma has discovered tape, and has been taping up her drawings, pictures and anything else...until today when I hid the tape. But she took her graduation pictures and taped them up in random places in the house. 

My bedroom door

The dryer

The bathroom door, which you discover as you shut the door.

Summer days

We are enjoying our summer days....swimming, watching movies, playing games, etc. but I will admit we are having trouble nailing down a good routine...we have even been sleeping in! So right now we just try to take one day at a time. Our summer feels pretty short, with only a week or two on either side of our trips (to KS and the chapel family retreat.)...but we are trying to have fun. Emma is doing great at swimming. Tonight she started swimming on her back by herself! I was so proud of her. And a little surprised...now I have to keep an better eye on her because she will just let go of her noodle and start swimming. (The next time someone goes with us I will try to get a video.)

These pictures are just from random things we did this week...working out, Hearts Apart Pool Party, walk, play at home. 

"This is my happy face." (Arnold)

she made earrings out of play dough and tape.

Kid ate her whole hamburger at the pool party. And was excited to be able to eat chips and cake, although she didn't finish either.

I came down from my shower to find that Emma was outside with Deliliah. Emma had herself all set up while Delilah was enjoying the fresh air.

The CE Key Spouses held a reintegration and sign making dinner thing. We went to eat and Emma drew pictures for Daddy.

Chef Emma making me some concoction 

Pink ice cream 

She was telling me what kinds of mint ice cream she has.

Out for a Saturday morning walk

Watching Bambi