5K

A few weeks ago Dave and I ran a 5K. Dave got 1st place in his division and I got 2nd in mine.... it was a small group of people, 60 or so, but hey we'll take it! Me, Dave, and our friend Derrick... showing off our awesome medals! ;)
This next picture of our family just cracks me up... we have a great backdrop: the restrooms, my face is cherry red, Dave is squinting one of his eyes (due to his eye surgery), and both of our children are chowing down on their apples! Ha Ha... Too great!

May in Utah

Dave had a clerkship in Utah this past May, which allowed us to visit with family for a whole month! Poor Dave worked 12-14 hour days.... while I enjoyed beautiful Utah with the fam.

Waterfall

Susie and Grandma Dorothy walking to a waterfall in Provo:We were super lucky to arrive in Utah just in time to see Dave's brother Scott and his family (even though it was for just a few short hours)!

Below is Scott, Dorothy, and Dave:Our little family:Cute Siena just lovin' all the beanie babies at Grandma's house:

Cousin Time
We had lots of fun play dates with cousins. Here we are at my Joy of a sister, Sadie's house. Pearl, Susie, Sofie, and Sadie swinging in the backyard:Lennon trying out the climbing wall.... my brave boy!

Kisses from Susie Boo:

Susie and Pearl (and bunny):

Lennon LOVED this little car: Working in the Garden

Susie showing off her beloved Dora-the-Explorer watering can:Planting lettuce with Bestemor.... a highlight of the trip! Susie LOVED working in the garden with my mom! Susie watering the newly planted lettuce: Tulip Festival

We went to the tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point and it was just breath-takingly beautiful!Sadie and Ava:Everyone wants to be by Bestemor:

We had to drag the kids away from this fountain. They LOVED it...Daddy's Home!

With Dave's loooonnnggg hours at the hospital we hardly saw him! The kids didn't see him some days, because he would leave to work before they woke up and get home after they were in bed. But, when we did see him... the kids got SO excited and would run right to him (as would I)! :)

GRANDpa John and GRANDma Effie

We had a Mother's Day lunch with Dorothy, Grandpa John, and Grandma Effie. It is always such a treat to be with them!

Below is Effie and Susie reading Where the Wild Things Are (one of Susie's favorite's!). Effie is an AMAZING storyteller! Dave and Grandpa John... handsom fellas!:

Susie and Grandma Effie:

Making Cookies with Bestemor
Susie and Bestemor made sugar cookies together. Oh so yummy!

Susie was a better taste-tester than baker....More sprinkles anyone???.....
Let's go Fly a Kite
Lennon chased some ducks, while Susie and Bestemor had a go at kite flying:

The kite flying was going quite well until... the kite dived into the lovely duck pond. Oops!

Lennon was obsessed with this stroller at my parents house! He would push it, climb on it, put toys on it.... he just couldn't get enough! lol!

Robbie Lennon found a great pal in Bestemor:
Birthday Lunch with the Ladies

The amazing women in my family (and all the cute kids too) took me out to lunch for a early birthday celebration. Good food, good company, good times... This picture just makes me chuckle! Sadie with Ava wearing a clown's hat:

Thanks you Utahns!!!! Love from Chicago!

Happy Father's Day!

Dave is such a wonderful Dad! Susie and Lennon absolutely adore him! They get so excited when he walks through the door after work. We love you, Dave!!! Happy Father's day!!!Lennon made this Father's Day gift for Dave (in Nursery) today:Susie made this #1 Fan flag for Dave at pre-school (she was SOOO proud of it!):

This is a short video of Susie singing a Father's Day song. She sang it in church today:

Swim Lessons for Susie

Susie took some swim lessons while we were staying in Utah last month. She LOVED it!!! It was a real basic course, but it has given her more confidence in the water.

Susie with her Swim Instructor, Corinne:Susie learning to submerge her face under the water (with her class):

Susie's favorite... jumping into the water!:

This last picture was taken after her last swim lesson. She told me that she was sitting like a princess! Her knees together and legs tucked to one side... she cracks me up!!! Our precious little princess!

Lunch with Good Ol' Friends and Silent Spring

While in Utah, I met up with two of my good friends for lunch.... Jami and Trish (with cutie-pie son Laird, and baby girl baking in the oven). I danced with these two girls in High school and college. I have so many fun memories with these two... memories that are fond and memories that would make me pee-my-pants laughing. Always so good to see them... Thanks for the lunch ladies!!!

Jami, Trish, Laird, me, and Susie:

Also.... Jami is now the Artistic Director for the Dance Department at my High School and had asked me to choreograph a piece for this years concert. The concert theme was THINK GREEN. My piece was inspired by the book Silent Spring by ecologist Rachel Carson... which, simply put, was written to warn the public of the long-term affects of misusing pesticides. I enjoyed every moment of the creative process and with working with the dancers and Jami! The concert was wonderful (even without my piece... wink, wink)! I'm so proud of you James!!! Thanks so much for the opportunity! I LOVED it!

Moab

We went camping to beautiful Moab, Utah last month with my side of the family. It was a biking- hiking- lizard hunting-marshmallow roasting-kite flying good time!

Lennon was a natural hiker:

Such a cute cute boy!... These cousins couldn't get enough of their surroundings. So much to explore!
My brother Steve, Kite Flying while riding his bike... Colorado River... Malia, Aaron Jr., and Susie:
Dave (and Steve) leaping into the FrEeZiNg cold water:
Lennon after he walk/fell into the (freezing) water:
Arches National Park:

Hiking to Delicate Arch:My parents both helped carry the grandkids up and down the hike (they have Viking-blood in them!).

Grandpa and Lennon and Bestemor with Isaac: Susie hiking around and Lennon sharing his sucker with me on our hike: I had never been to the Delicate Arch before... so, when I came around the cliff and saw it for the first time in person it took my breath away! So awesome!
My cute parents:
All the cute cousins (minus baby Evan): The Family: