3rd Annual Mancation

Kelley went on his solo trip down to San Francisco again. I will post the pictures but I don't have much narration because I wasn't there - haha. One thing I will say is that his gift to me is that next year it will be a FAMILY TRIP rather than a solo trip. I'll hold him to that!

Beautiful San Francisco. Neat monuments.

Kelley traditionally keeps score during every game he attends.

Classic Kelley face enjoying an evening game.

Kelley got the WORST sunburn during the afternoon game! He somehow thought he'd be OK but he came home lobster red. Poor guy - it had to have hurt like crazy!

In-N-Out Burger. Need I say more? 

(Fortunately I got my fill on my girl-getaway so I wasn't so jealous this time!)

He indulged in some garlic fries at the ball park. Yep, glad there was a day before reuniting to get that  out of his system!

As we clarified on his trip: No, Kelley cannot quit his day job for this job.

HOMECOMING

The girls were extremely excited to see him! Of course they loved the little gifts he brought for them - a ball & bat for Seoul and an airplane for Sydney.

We missed Kelley SO much! I'm glad he was able to have some time to himself to get a break from the hard work that he does. Plus he got to catch up with his cousin Ryan.

Of course I'm excited to go on a family trip next year... to see all the fun things that I only get to see pictures of!

Fun time at the Fair!

The girls were excited to be in the parade this year. Well, Seoul was while Sydney was just tired. The girls stayed up until 10:00 the night before talking and giggling! We walked in the Kiddie Capers parade with our play group. It was fun to decorate Seoul's bike and hear her say repeatedly, "You are so good at decorating, Mom!" She insisted on tying her Dalmation Puppy to the front so he could join in the festivities of the day. Seoul was a champ and rode her bike the entire way. Unfortunately she couldn't figure out how to throw candy and ride simultaneously so I threw the candy while Seoul just asked to eat it. My mom pushed Sydney in the stroller. Sydney just zoned most of the time, poor girl.

Seeing the animals was a hit this year because both girls loved them! Sydney is really into animals and their sounds so she was pretty excited. Seoul was courageous and petted a llama! Some pigs got away from their owners and came toward us, and it didn't phase Seoul too much. Totally surprising. Oh, and Seoul started asking which animals were girls and which were boys. Weird? I think so.

We met up with the cousins who were at the rides. Of course Seoul wanted to go on some, although the idea was more fun than doing it... at first. She surprised me by loving all the rides even though she had to go by herself. The first was the slide. She tried going with Ella but then got scared at the top. Next she wanted to go on the motorcycles but got scared when it was her turn. I put her on even though she was crying, and I'm pretty sure every mom there thought I was so mean. However, as soon as it started going she LOVED it. Just look at that face!

BEFORE

DURING

NEXT!

I took the opportunity to go on a ride, and was happy that Seoul enjoyed it.

She enjoyed it so much she went on it again with Ella!

Sydney had fun making her tongue blue! It was a hot day so she went with Grandma inside the pavilion to get out of the sun.

Our traditional ice cream cone. The girls enjoyed having their own, although I thought I'd share with Sydney. Boy was I mistaken! She wouldn't give up a bite! Seoul was a sweetie and said, "Here Mom, you can have some of mine since you don't have your own ice cream."

It was a long, super hot day but so much fun! The girls are at a great age to enjoy so many things and I love sharing new experiences with them.

Pinkalicious

Seoul LOVES this book:

So one day Kelley suggested they make Pinkalicious cupcakes for FHE dessert - strawberry cake with colored rainbow party chip frosting. Seoul was SO excited! She even set up the Pinkalicious book on my recipe stand to the cupcake pictures so she would remember what they look like. Sydney made her contribution by licking the beaters!

[August 2012]

We love to see the Temple!

One day for FHE we went to the Temple Visitor's Center. It was really neat with all the activities. Seoul couldn't stop hugging the statue of the Christ and Sydney was fascinated with the marks on his feet. I love the feeling on the Temple grounds. It is so beautiful!

How grateful I am that Kelley & I were able to be married there. That I am worthy to go inside this House of the Lord. I really am so happy to have the blessings of the Gospel in our life. It's heart-warming to hear the girls talk about the Temple and sing the song "I Love to See the Temple."

[pictures from August 2012]