Swimming

It has been fairly warm here lately, so we have tried to go swimming whe we can. Emma seems to enjoy it much more than she has in the past, which is nice. She starts swimming lessons after the 4th of July. 

This time she was not cooperating for a picture. 

Dinners with Friends

Since the wedding is over, we are trying to do all the things we usually do when we come to visit...like seeing friends. Last Tuesday we had dinner with Sarah Beck at Chipotle, sorry no picture. I have known Sarah for a very long time, she went to church with us and was in the trumpet section in high school with Steven and me. And Wednesday after dance class we went to dinner with Andy and Kristina, Andy was also in the trumpet section with us in school. I told Emma, all our friends play the trumpet. :) Emma enjoys meeting them all...although Wednesday we had a busy day running, swimming, and ballet...so by dinner time she was a little crazy. Hopefully we didn't scare them too much as they are expecting a baby girl in September. And thankfully Andy remembered to get a picture. Emma even cooperated for one. 

Kristina (baby Ava), Emma, me, Andy

Toy Store

So...one of our errands this morning was to stop by the Toy Store and pick up a map placemat, to see where Daddy is, we left ours at home. I told Emma before  we went in that she was not to touch anything, and what we were looking for. However, this toy store is like a kid's dream...two stories of toys, books, games.  They have lots of hands-on things to play with: doll houses, train sets, tool sets, etc. We walked all over looking and finally had to ask where the placemats were. On the way she found a train set. And, well....I just let her play. She hasn't had a lot of kid things to do here, and they did have a nice rocking chair for me to sit in. And they had story time not too much later, so we stayed for that, too. The theme of the books this week was Father's Day. :) Then they colored papers for Father's Day (maybe we can scan it?), and she found the princess castle. So...after two hours, we finally left, skipped our other errands and went home for lunch and a nap. We had fun...and got lots of birthday ideas. I think we might even go back. It's way more fun to go back here with a kid. :) 

Train set

Story time

Princess Castle

I'm eating you Daddy

We were waiting for Steven to Skype yesterday, but unknown to us his internet went down for a little. We did get to talk to him, but before that Emma tried calling him several times...and was playing. Can you see what she is doing on the iPad?

She graduated!

Day at the zoo

This morning Faith, Emma and I went to the zoo. The high today is supposed to be about 81...the rest of the week is in the 90s, so we wanted to go while it was nice out. And it was a very nice morning, Emma was even able to walk most of the way. She was very excited to see a baby orangutan, and there happened to be one outside swinging around. She also enjoyed the otters, gorilla and watching the bear climb a tree. The lions were sleeping right next to the glass, but she has watched enough nature shows to be scared of all the giant wild animals so close. She liked to look while we held her.  

Watching the baby orangutan 

With Aunt Faith

She was walking slow, so I thought I would take a picture....

Watching the Bears

Watching the bear climb the tree

Feeding the goats

Driving Aunt Faith around on the boat.

Summer fun

Yesterday Emma and I spent a lot of time in the sun. First we went to the park on our run, then we went to some garage sales after dropping Tory off at work. When we got home it was a little late for a nap, so we got out the little pool and some toys. Emma had great fun splashing around. She would be out there all day if I would let her. 

'Smile for Daddy!'

Post-wedding happenings

Well we are almost recovered from the wedding. Lots of naps and relaxing has been going on...for some of us. On Monday morning we went to Cracker Barrel with Grandma Connie and Papa Mike, then we rode the train and played at Gage Park. But after nap we were too tired to go anywhere, so we just stayed put. Grandma Joy and Papa Steve made homemade ice cream to keep up a summer tradition...and Emma very much enjoyed it.

After the wedding Emma wanted to keep wearing all her pretty things.

Whose kid is this? Seriously, she LOVES to clean. She said her favorite thing to clean is toilets. She must get this from Steven because cleaning toilets is my least favorite.