7/28 & 7/29

We drove from PG to salt lake to attend Grandpa Howard's funeral. Shirley's brothers both drove out from california. Evie got to meet lots of family members. Here she is meeting her Aunt Debbie. Aunt Katie was excited to meet her too.

And of course Grandma Howard loved holdintg her newest great grandchild.

Ben's uncle Skip at Shirley's new house in Smithfield. she got moved in the same day as the funeral.

Abby, Tommy, Ben's aunt Vicky, and his mom Vicky.

Playing a game in the new house with Nancy, Victor, and Vicky.

Grandma VanSickle holding little Evangeline.

I didn't have my camera at the funeral or burial, because it was buried in our car, but it was a nice funeral, and I'm glad we could be there for Grandma Howard. We already miss Grandpa Howard, and things are so different wthout him there.

a late Christmas post

I know this is a late post, but I am just now finding the time to get my pictures downloaded from Christmas and our Utah trip. This first one is actually from christmas Eve. Kara insisted on making cookies for Santa at the last minute. Both girls loved getting to help. We had to wake the girls up early on Christmas morning, so things started out a little sluggish. But after a few minutes, they finally got excited.

They loved going through their stockings to see what Santa had put in there for them.

Kiersten got a fly boat with the wonder pets in it, and a set of handy manny tools. Every item in our livingroom has been getting "fixed" ever since.

Kara was thrilled to get new leapster games.

some unwrapping fun. I wanted to have them take turns unwrapping, but it didn't work out too well. If one was opening something, the other had to have something too.

We flew to Salt Lake Christmas evening. We got there around 10pm. Here are the girls happily opening some gifts from their Great Grandma Howard.

Katie gave me this fun new game.

Flying on christmas wasn't bad at all. We got right through security, no problem. We even left our diaper bag in the car, and the shuttle service was nice enough to get it and bring it to us at the airport. The girls were a little sad to leave behind all their fun new toys and things, but once we got to Utah, they were so distracted by all the family and fun that they forgot about all those new toys at home.

visit with the Howards!

We flew out to Salt lake late friday night to see Ben's grandparents. It was a fun weekend for all of us. The only bad part was when Grandpa Howard started shaking uncontrollably. We were all really worried, and he seemed scared, so Ben and Grandma took him to the hospital. It turned out that he had pneumonia. Luckily he recovered even faster than they thought he would, and he is home safe now. it was just a nerve wracking few hours waiting to hear if he was okay. I'm glad we were there to help Grandma make the decision that he needed to go, and for Ben to be able to take them there, and help her get around.

Before we left, the girls were helping me pack for the weekend. Kara wanted pictures of her funny faces she likes to do. So here are a couple of them. The dirty face makes them even sillier.

Then the girls decided to start trying on all of my shoes.

They both think it is so much fun. But Kara didn't think it was too fun we we got home and I made her clean up all the shoes.

Kara loves helping drag the suitcase. that's the main reason I always pack her own little bag with treats and games and toys. we could fit all that in our carry-on bag, but I want her to have something to carry around the airport.

More silly faces at the Howard's!

Kara spent a lot of time following Grandpa around and asking questions. Of course, I had to do a bit of interpreting for him. She was very concerned while he was in the hospital over night, and very excited to see him arrive home okay.

Grandma was thrilled that Kara wanted to put together this states puzzle she found. She said she likes to keep these types of learning toys around, but they don't get used too often.

Of course the girls got spoiled with snacks and drinks while we were there. Here is Kiersten enjoying a juice box.

It was really nice to just hang out, play games, and relax with them. It was just like old times when we lived in SLC, and would go over there every week. It was fun to have the girls interact with their great-grandpa more than they usually get to.

We wanted a picture of all of us together before we left for the airport. I wish we could visit more often!

(I know that shirt is way baggy on me, but I was just grabbing something comfy for traveling, and I forgot this had been a nursing shirt, so it got way stretched out. I had to be careful bending forward at the airport, he he he)