Road Trip

Nothing like a week of sickness to make you think, hmm, maybe I should update my blog. Besides, it's only been 7 MONTHS!!! Pathetic, but gettin' it done.

Last July-August we spent 10 days in the car on our first big road trip as a family. It was awesome! We traveled 2,132 miles and hit 6 states. It started as a trip to the Stoddard family reunion to Salmon, ID, but we thought we should make the most of it and hit Yellowstone and Jackson too. In almost twelve years of marriage, I had never been up to Salmon and really wanted the kids to see it. The pictures show some great highlights, but I have to mention the motorcycle couple. We took the "road less traveled" to Yellowstone, which had us following a couple on a motorcycle who wiped out right in front of us! We had to drive the girlfriend (who had a serious concussion and shared WAY too much) back to Dubois, ID (try and find that on a map!). After back-tracking over an hour the road turned to dirt for about 25 miles. Little scary, but we made it. It was a fantastic trip and I can't wait to do it again in another 12 years. :) Hopefully sooner!
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Summer Happenings

Well, I've put up four new posts in one day. Not the easiest way to blog, but I'm almost caught up now. Just wanted to post about a few more things that have been filling our summertime.

Elle had her dance recital in June. Her class danced to "Say a Little Prayer". She did great and looked so cute!











Our fruit trees gave us great apricots and plums this year!








Elle took her first set of swim lessons. She's so much braver in the water now!








The twins were in Summerlin's Patriotic Parade for the 4th of July. They were Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb. Man, they're going to hate these pics when they get older!












Fun trip to So Cal to see the Nielson's.









Playdates galore!








Fitting piano practice in between swimming everyday.

Carlsbad

The week after school got out, we headed down to Carlsbad for the Stoddard family camping tradition. Growing up, Bud's family went to Carlsbad every year with other families in their ward. The tradition's been interuppted with all of Bud's siblings out-of-state and Will and Carol on their mission, but we got to go this year and it was a blast. The Fontano's came all the way from Houston and the kids had the greatest time. Tuesday the boys headed up to LA for a Dodgers game, Wednesday we hit Disneyland (almost for FREE - thank you "Give a Day, Get a Day"!), Thursday we boogie boarded and my sister Kim and her family came to visit for a bit and enjoy some dutch oven cooking, and Friday we headed home. It was a whirlwind, but so awesome. Hopefully we'll be doing it more often.

San Francisco

My annual girls-trip with Megan and Dana was amazing this year. We headed to San Fran and had the most fabulous time despite the freezing cold weather (in May!). Ate great, walked a-lot, and reconnected with friends who have known eachother since Arizona! Love you gals!

Baptism

This is crazy late, but better late than never. After a very fun-filled Star Wars party (complete with a life-size talking Darth Vader) on April 9th, the boys got to be baptized on their actual birthday, Sat., the 10th. It was such a beautiful experience and we were so grateful to have so many dear friends and family there. Right before we left for their baptism, I walked down the stairs to see my little men dressed in their suits standing in front of me. Of course, I started crying and told them they looked like missionaries. Jake said, "We look like kid-anaries!" It was truly a wonderful day topped off with a Cafe-Rio catered lunch at our house after. Doesn't get much better than that!