Bea and Nora Came to Visit!

In July Bea and her sweet daughter Nora came to visit!  We were so excited to have them fly out to spend a few days with us- we never get enough time together when we're in Utah, and the last time they headed our way was in 2011!  

We filled up our days with lots of fun- our first stop was Nauvoo, IL for some pioneer heritage. 

We spent the day dressing up like pioneers and eating fudge and touring Old Nauvoo, and in the evening Jason drove the three hours (bless his selfless heart) to meet us so that Bea and I could attend the temple while he took care of the kids.  

It was a wonderful experience, and so bright when we got out!

 And in the evening we went to the pageant- our hard earned seats were still not quite enough to hold the attention of the tired kids at the end of the busy day. 

 Noah was the first to drop off, and the rest of the kids followed as soon as we put them in the cars for the drive home.  Except that Bea and I were laughing so loud that we woke everyone back up.  Oops!

 Our next few days were filled with Laney snuggles, 

pool time, 

and dress ups.  Leah and Emma sure liked having another sister around! 

 And Nora was such a sweet sport with all of the fun we had planned.

Plus they were here for our annual block party!  Bea is so exotic- as soon as anyone hears her Hungarian accent they want to know all about her!

But the best part of our visit may have been recreating these pictures from our last visit at my house together.  

Indiana 2011- I think Leah took this picture- 

Iowa 2019- Emma insisted on having a grumpy baby face- 

 Indiana 2011- 

 Iowa 2019- photo taken by Noah!  I especially love Leah and Adam in the background.

Bea is my super special friend.  We've seen each other through a lot over the last 15 years and there are lots of adventures yet to come! She's just like a sister to me, and I was so happy to have her here for a few days.  We laughed, we ate, we worked out, we napped, and we can't until we get to do it again!

Summer Lovin'

Leah's making a lot of fun memories this summer, but I think she's going to remember this one most of all. 

 I'm pretty sure her childhood just flashed before my eyes. 

Summer of Laney

 So many of the pictures I've taken this summer are of this little fluff nugget.

 We have to remind ourselves that she's still a puppy- just six months old!- and still needs lots of sleep and lots of training. 

 She definitely gets plenty of love around here. 

And plenty of attention, which she handles quite well.  Good grief she's so cute!

 Leah gave her a scooter ride in her backpack one day.  She wasn't a fan of that. 

She's been chewing on everything lately- LEGOS, suction cups, Nerf darts, stuffed animals, and has even lost her first two teeth (that we've found).  She's growing up, and much to the disappointment of the kids it turns out there is no dog tooth fairy.

She hid her face in Leah's armpit one day when we were trying to cut her bangs out of her eyes.  She is one hairy little chia pet! 

 And she loves her new water bottle (so does Noah, even though I keep telling him not to drink out of it). 

  She's found a great hiding spot in the living room, and I've found here there several times when there has been too much noise and poking hands in the house for her liking.  

 Fast asleep and so adorable!

For only being in our home and family for three and a half months, we sure have gotten used to having this sweet pup around.  Yes, she drives us crazy when she tries to eat soap out of the shower or barks at the doorbell (we've taken her onto the porch a few times and laughed as she comes scrambling back into the house and barks with confusion), and she's yet to be out of her crate in the house when she's home alone.  But we've had a lot of people in and out of our house this summer, and we've watched her extra carefully to make sure that she doesn't bite.  She is definitely house trained and has even started ringing the bell to go outside.  And most important, she fills the position of pup perfectly- she offers the kids opportunities for responsibility, consequences, and most of all, lots and lots of love.  We love our little Laney Bear!

Summer Fun- Party of 14

Our second visitors for the summer were the Baileys, who were kind enough to squeeze a few days out of their family vacation to spend time with us in Iowa!  

Best of all, the kids all remembered each other perfectly from the time we spent together at their house over our spring break.  

So we all just picked up where we left off with lots of games and lots of fun!

.

 Juliet tried so hard to earn Laney's love!

 The boys went right back to their board game marathon.

 Matthew gave Laney a good dose of love, too!

And eventually she warmed up to him!

 Poor Neil, not so much.  Laney had zero interest in making friends with him, but he didn't give up!

 

 There were yard games and night games with the kids and even later night board games with the adults, 

  and I think we talked about going to the pool or the beach or the playground, 

 but at the end of the day we all just wanted the same thing- 

 to catch up and enjoy each other's company!

And snuggle the pup, of course. 

 Did I say this at spring break?  Adam is surely not going to be taller than Isaac for long!

  This pictures warms my heart and cracks me up- 14 smiling faces and one dog that couldn't stop giving Neil the side eye. 

  Until next time sweet friends!  Thank you for making our summer extra memorable!