Our journey to Minnesota...

We made it with most of our belongings and all of our sanity. WE forgot a few things in Boise but the movers got everything... including dirty dishes. We left Boise about 7:30pm on the 24th and arrived in Yellowstone about 1am. We didn't have time to see Yellowstone so we headed to our next destination Mt Rushmore. We made time to visit and it was very inspiring. I've seen the image on TV but seeing it in person is really cool.

As you walk closer there is a path lined with all of the states flags. I really love the patriotic feel as it leads you.

You can get pretty close too. We stayed up on the lookout and I tried to get Abbey in the picture with the Presidents.

Zoo

We went to the Boise zoo today with Grandma, Papa, Uncle Chris, Aunt Shawn, Stephen, Rowen, and baby Sydney. I'm not sure what Sophia's favorite animal was but she loved running through the prairie dog tunnels.

Here's cousin Stephen getting her on the big tiger.
Abbey really loved the birds. Grandmas holding her while they're looking at one with a funky beak.

I saw this photo and I think I totally look like a mom. Hoodie, check. Sunglasses on head, check. Child being sprayed by water while I pose for a photo, check. It's the only photo with me in it so I had to include it in this post.

Here's cousin Rowen ridin the tiger. I think this cute little pose sums up her personality.

The penguins were my favorite part. The real ones were a million times cuter than this one, but Abbey looks like she's dancing with it.

My brother Chris and his daughter.

Friends

Sean 100% boy, but he's a cool boy :) He's about 3 weeks older than Sophia.

Ava is so smart and funny. These girls take some of the cutest pictures together. Sophia is about 6 1/2 months older.

Rowen is Sophias cousin and she just turned 1 in July. I predict she'll be taller than Sophia in about 2 years.

Birthday Girls

I seem to be a week late with posting everything lately. Last Sunday we celebrated the girls birthdays together. It was a really nice day and we were still riding the high of Ben being home... not that we're not still excited but it was extra special to have Ben and family and close friends all celebrating. Sophia wanted Abbey to have an orange flower cake so here's my interperetation (there's one flower missing because I forgot to take a picture before giving the flower away). Sophia wanted a blue Superman cake and again here's my interpretation.

Abbey actually fell asleep before presents and cake. I saved her cake and took pictures the next day though :) She found her presents on the floor the next morning and started opening them while I was cooking her breakfast. She's a very curious girl.


It has been a lot of fun to watch the girls grow and change this last year. I was really worried how Sophia would take to sharing and having a baby around but she has been wonderful. She had her moments of jealousy and wanting to be held but always very minor. Now that Abbey is mobile they interact and I love to watch them. Abbey loves to try and keep up with Sophia whether it's jumping or chasing after her. Sophia will share food or make sure Abbey doesn't get into the garbage. They'll play in the bath or with the water hose but also scream at each other and smack at each other. Sophia can be a bossy boots and Abbey doesn't take it. I love both of their personalities and hearts. Similar yet different. I love our little family so much it's incredible.

This weekend has been full of memories for me. Normally thats a good thing but this weekend had been tough because Ben's not here. He'll be back in 4 days but it still seems so far away. I've been going through all of our photos because I'm trying to get a "sisters" photo book together. I know I'm blessed with an awesome family and life and it shows through in the pictures!

When I first met Ben of course I thought he was cute (great eyes and smile) and he was really genuine and had confidence. I shortly realized that he is a really nice/good person. I really hoped we'd remain friends because I liked his personality a lot (oh and he was nice to look at too).

Well almost 6 years later i still love his personality and looks. He has made me a better person and a wife and a mom. I have missed being without him for the last almost 2 months. I can't wait to see him and get and give a huge hug and kiss. I can't wait to hear Sophia and Abbey laugh while they play with him. I will never let us be apart this long again.

Happy Girls

Here are the girls on the swings at the park. Their smiles are great.

Park

There's a cool park that I've been hearing about named Settlers Park. We went there on Sunday and it's a really cool place. There are giant musical instruments, fake rocks to climb, a water feature and of course lots of playground equipment.

Sophia climbed the rock part way up and got scared. I went up behind her and encouraged her all the way to the top and then helped her find her footing down.