Eewwwh!

So Anna and Lainie were outside playing this morning while I was inside cleaning. All the sudden my back door opens and they run in talking so loud and so fast I can't understand them. "A big hairy bug is outside mom, come see." So I proceed to follow them to the side of my house and see this HUGE tarantula hanging out in my lawn. I realize that tarantulas aren't dangerous, but they're big and unsightly, not to mention the fact that I HATE spiders. So, I went over to my neighbor's house who rescues me from time to time and he came over and relocated it. Thanks Ken! I should be used to the creatures of the desert by now-we've lived here for over 5 years, but this is the first tarantula at our house. We have had our share of scorpions and one rattlesnake though. Remind me again, why do I live here?

Pioneer Day

Today is a Utah state holiday called Pioneer Day. It's a day when the Pioneers who crossed the plains to settle Utah are celebrated and honored. I definately have an appreciation for all those who traveled cross country with handcarts through the snow. They went through a lot just to avoid being persecuted by others. Personally though, I have zero pioneer heritage and am not a through and through Utahan, so for me it means I can't mail anything or go to the bank. But, I can certainly have some fun with my girls. This morning we headed up to Enterprise, Utah. A teeny-tiny town of 1500 people about 35 minutes north of St. George. This town is the epitome of small town USA. So many cool old buildings, everyone knows everyone. A very friendly place to live. A friend of mine moved up there awhile ago and we decided to have a go at the Enterprise Pioneer Day Parade and see her and her family while there. Let me just say that I was totally impressed with their parade! It was so fun for all the kids and they collected gobs of candy.

Nice Cool Day...

So nice and breezy outside today. While Ava was napping the girls and I went outside to the playset and had a little fun on this nice cool day.

No Power

There was a fire here in Southern Utah which took the power out of over 100,000 homes. We were without power from 4:30pm-1:30 am on Monday. It all turned out just fine, but during it, we were dying of heat. No A/C in the summer is not fun. It was around 90 degrees in our house. We opted to cool ourselves with wet towels and wear as little as possible. Here is a picture of my baby with red cheeks as she's drooling some milk out of her mouth.

Dirty Girls

My girls got soooo dirty today! Beyond dirty! They all looked like orphans. Paul was cleaning out the garage getting rid of old car parts, boxes...junk really. Well the girls just thought it was great. They made little houses out of the boxes and had a grand old time. Their bath water was brown after we were done! Yuck!

Kite Fishing

We bought the girls little cheap kites awhile ago and discovered them again when Paul was cleaning the garage. Upon raising Lainie's kite, the line broke. Lainie was bummed but daddy came to the rescue with an idea that both Anna and Lainie wanted to do. He attached the lines from their fishing poles to the kites instead. They loved reeling them in and casting them up again.

Mmm...CAKE!

A few of our little girl eating her cake. She made such a mess. But it was certainly entertaining.

One Year Old

My little sweetheart turned 1 today. Can't believe it's already been a year. Time goes by quickly doesn't it?

Home Sweet Home

After a 6 wk long trip to the PNW we are finally back home! I can't tell you how much I've missed sleeping in my own bed and having Ava sleep in her own bed! Thanks again Jess for letting us stay with you so long. You are a pal.

4th of July

We had a long, full day on the 4th. We started off the day with a big breakfast from Grandma. Thanks Grandma! Then we headed to the beach to play in the sand awhile. Then there was a huge 4th of July lunch. So much food! Then we went to town where we rode go carts, bought some fireworks, (by fireworks, I mean pops.) went to the arcade, ate some ice cream, shopped and walked around. We went back to take some pictures, break a pinata, change clothes and grab some blankets. Then we headed to the boardwalk for the big fireworks show. I love Long Beach!

At the Beach

On the 2nd of July we headed over to Long Beach, Wa where the annual Peeples reunion is held. (My mom's side.) We've been going for years and years...as long as I can remember. I absolutely love it there, and my kids went crazy....endless miles of sand and water. Anna spent a lot of time jumping and running from waves. Lainie didn't like the waves..."too scary" but she did enjoy playing in the wet sand. Ava loved eating the sand and touching the water. She is pictured here with her Aunt DD who so willingly carried her around for me while I snapped a few shots.