Chicago

Jason and I had our 10 year anniversary in July and to celebrate we went to Chicago this last week. It was awesome! It was really nice to have some time alone. I am very grateful for good family and friends who were willing to take good care of our kids!

We stayed in downtown and enjoyed walking by the river, going on a river cruise and watching fireworks, seeing Buckingham fountain, eating some great food, going to the Lincoln Park Zoo (which is free, by the way), the aquarium, and a Cubs game (we sat on the first row, right next to the Cubs dugout; I personally didn't care where we sat, but Jason did, and I have to admit it was pretty cool to be close enough to see the blades of grass on the field).

This eyeball was the first thing we saw when we got off of the train in Chicago. I guess every city should have an eyeball like this.


We used the subway and buses to get around Chicago and I was surprised at how old and rundown the subway stations really were.

Cub Scouts

Jarren started Cub Scouts in August. I think he looks so cute in his uniform. He has already planted some herbs and made a wood boat.

Boating

Our family went to Idaho over the 24th of July (Utah's state holiday). We went boating with Jason's aunt and uncle and we had so much fun! The last time we took the kids out on a boat was when Maya was about 6 months old, so needless to say, it has been a long time. The looks on their faces while on the boat was absolutely priceless. Jason got to go water skiing, Jarren and Maya were pulled behind the boat on a tube, and Karli and Kate thought it was great to be in the boat when other people were getting pulled behind it. Maya wasn't afraid about much of anything, Jarren was a little bit more timid.

This last picture makes me laugh. The kids are smiling, but they can't open their eyes because the sun is so bright.

Little Monkey

I turned my back for a minute last night and when I turned back around this is what I saw.

Halle, at 10 months old, has figured out how to climb part way up our slide. When she would get a little bit higher up the slide, she would then slide down on her tummy. I guess she's just trying to keep up with the big kids.

Jarren's Baptism

Jarren was baptized last week. It was such a special day. Jason's brother came from California and Jason's grandparents came from Idaho to be here for the baptism, which meant a lot to us.

We are so proud of you Jarren, we know this is an important step in your life.

Dora

All of the girls were so excited to get to meet Dora and Boots. And Jarren was excited about Spongebob Squarepants. Jarren was hoping that Spongebob would be in water, otherwise he thought he might dry up. Quite the thinker, I must say!



I love how Jarren and Maya's arms are linked. So cute!

Happy 8th Birthday Jarren!

My little Jarren is now 8. Seriously, where has the time gone! We had a few days of festivities for his birthday. His real birthday, his friend party, and his family party. He was so happy with everything, he got the origami book and Diary of a Wimpy Kid book he had really wanted. Jarren has had a lot of fun building with paper now and his actually really good with it.

The friend party even had a little dancing, which Jarren was excited about.

And I was pretty proud of the sport cupcakes I made. They were a lot of fun to make, and they tasted pretty yummy too.