Summer Travels

We recently (okay a month ago) got back from a whirlwind trip to Utah and Minnesota. We spent Father's Day week with Kristian's dad in Ogden and then a week with my family in Minnesota. Here are some brief highlights...I tried to limit myself this time to just a few in each category...my next post will probably be after we are settled in Oregon, as we leave in just a few short days...we will miss everyone so much here...so that is why I started with a few pictures of one of our favorite people in the world... *********************************************************************************** We haven't seen as much of Rachel this summer as we would like...she recently moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico and comes back on occasional weekends as she finishes up her phd. We love the time we do get to spend with her and will miss her dearly and hope she visits often! They love "their Rachel!" Finley always says..."see my Rachel...see my Rachel"

Avery and Rachel are making a kite...one of the MANY crafts and things Rachel has graciously entertained Avery with!

************************************************************************************* ON TO UTAH ************************************************************************************* So one of our first events in Utah was visiting with my good friend Lisa and her little girl Arlington...it was so great to see her and so gracious of her to travel to see us and put up with kind of a chaotic day...Thanks Lisa and Arli! We hope next time, things run a little smoother! And everyone is a little cheerier! Arli was the trooper that Finley often isn't with Avery...Avery always wants to hold Finley's hand...but usually she will have nothing to do with it. I think Arli was too overwhelmed by Avery that she just let her lead the way...she is such a little sweetie! I hope all these girls can be great friends someday!

Arli: UMMM...mom...these girls are a little on the weird side...how do I sneak out discreetly?

Lisa and I...still smilin after all these years...and kids...okay so we don't have THAT many...infact who am I kidding...I have NOTHING on my mom! (Nor will I ever!!!:)

************************************************************************************ Grandma and Grandpa M have a really great back yard that they recently finished up and we spent a part of almost everyday out there enjoying the weather...although it was absolutely freezing when we arrived it did warm up for several days and gave us a good taste of a Utah summer again. They have a great mountain view from the back yard...I really think the mountains in Utah are unparalleled!

Spinning helicopters are so fun!

Eating Creamies with the cousins...ahhh Utah!

************************************************************************************ We spent one day walking around a Dinosaur Museum that was pretty fun...all of Grandpa M's kids were there for the weekend and it was really fun to hang out with everyone! It's little glimpses like this that assure me they DO love each other:)

Grandpa and the kids get chased by a T-Rex...they look scared right...

Avery and cousin Trin havin some fun...

*********************************************************************************** On our last day in Ogden, we went to The Treehouse museum...it was amazing! Now we have a fun children's museum here, but it is nothing like this...there is so much for little minds to do...a big reading chair, a large floor map, an knights and castles section, a trip around the world area, a schoolhouse (my girls personal favorite), and so many other wonderful treasures. I think if we had this around where we live I would be there everyday or so...it is so much fun! This was the doctor's office area...so cute!

Avery exploring bacteria under a microscope...she loved this part...it might be something we have to consider in the near future...they sell little kids microscopes right?

Checkmate! Finley won hands down!

This was the tree in the middle of the whole place...you could go up the stairs and then take a fun slide down.

I think Avery could have stayed in the schoolhouse all day! She even taught a very insightful lesson about "R" and "P." Her student was quite engaged:)

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ON TO MINNESOTA ************************************************************************************ The flight was a little on the miserable side, but we arrived safely in Rochester and spent the week with all of my side of the family. Two of my brother's had babies within a month or so of each other and so we came out to celebrate their blessings. My brother Drew and his wife Stormi flew in from Hawaii with baby Kai and Tyler and Nikki (& baby Ella) hosted the whole thing in their new house. Aunt Kaci was there on her way to Pennsylvania (we thought...but that's a story still being written), Aaron came from school in Nebraska and Sarah came from school in Utah. Mom and Dad drove over from Pennsylvania and WALL-LA we were all together! I got to see Aunts and Uncles whom I haven't seen in years and all my extended family as we had a big family reunion in Iowa that same weekend. We loved hanging out with the family and seeing everyone and miss those little babies more now that we have spent some time with each of them...they are precious! *********************************************************************************** Grandma O, Mom, Fin, Aunt Nikki, and baby Ella took a trip to the park to have a little fun...I think Grandma had the most fun though...she basically took over all mom's usual duties! Hooray for Grandma's! Come on Grandma...it's easy!

Ella's first trip to the park and she's already climbing...watch out mom and dad!

********************************************************************************** Holding Baby Ella Cousin time...the girls loved it!

You couldn't wipe that grin off Fin's face for anything! **********************************************************************************

Holding Baby Kai... Kai: "UHHH is anybody gonna do anything about this?

Aunt Kaci helping the girls out...does it look like Kai is holding on for dear life?