izzy and libby pose for a picture as they peek out our bedroom window

grandma and katie push the girls in strollers through the city

when we finally arrived at palmer gulch, libby got acquainted with the big bear

while in route, we girls stop to take some pictures at "carhenge"

it's an american classic! :)

am i really so tall? i look so tall in this picture! tall and pregnant!

libby poses with various loved ones around the campfire one night. see the beautiful view of the mountains from our cabin.

cheers! say libby and katie

the buffalo roam, quite close to us...

and if you speak to them, the donkeys think you'll feed them

libby points someone out to tara, and in the background uncle mason dusts his jeep before we head out on a little journey -- a journey that would start in a few minutes and we would spend around 10 hours buckled into our seats that day... too many for a little girl and a pregnant mama.

these girls are all tuckered out

the whole gang

kevin and libby feed the fish at the hatchery in spearfish

the view from inside a tunnel

granddad's jeep as he leads us through

Sprinkles on Top

This day we ran through the sprinklers, all three of us. It was so refreshing!

Lauritzen Gardens

One nice hot day two pregnant ladies decided to take their kids to a beautiful garden for lunch and a little stroll. Here are some pics from our outing. Don't worry, Libby didn't get too soaked or injured from the sprinkler, despite the effect the picture gives. And sorry about the double images of Libby and Hudson. I couldn't get Blogger to let me delete either one of those pictures! We couldn't get one where they were both "posed" but Hudson's decision to pause for a drink really reflects good decision making skills on his part. It was hot out!

needless to say, the circus can really wear a girl out.

Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth

Well, several weeks ago we went to the circus, which Libby refers to as "my favorite." She has many favorites these days, but she does mention the circus frequently and would love to go back. Why wouldn't she? We had a great time with Grandpa Larry and Aunts Wendy and Emily, watching amazing stunts, seeing ferocious tigers and enormous elephants perform beautifully, and of course enjoying circus treats such as pizza and funnel cake (and all of this from our amazing seats in the second row of the center section!). What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

First Play-Day at the Park

It's been SO long since I've posted and I have a lot of catching up to do. June was an incredibly busy month, but I managed to have time to take some photos along the way. Over the next few days I'll try to keep updating, but July isn't looking to offer me much more free time, so be patient! :)

Below are 2 pictures from our first weekly Play-Day with friends from church. Libby and I enjoyed the big comfy swing and had a great time picnicking and playing with the other moms and children.

Bathing Beauty

Libby continues to be emboldened around water. "Floating" on her back has been taken to a new level. Now, she likes to rinse her shampoo out under the running water, "like Katie does it". Katie is our hairdresser, and yes, she does rinse Libby's shampoo out under a faucet of running water, not by simply pouring water from a cup as some unsophisticated mothers might.
You can see the caution in her eyes, but it does not stop her. Needless to say, mama is a bit nervous about her upcoming swimming lessons and the lack of fear that she possesses while at the pool!

It Ain't Easy, Lookin' This Good

Libby plays dress-up and wears one of mama's skirts. She looks good in it! Here's to looking good!

You gotta love that big cheesy smile.

Latest Trip to the Museum

The children's museum has been remodeled and the new version is even more grand than the original. We went with friends Brittany and Hudson a couple of weeks ago. Hudson is 16 months and he and Libby played pretty independently, and I didn't get any pics of the 2 of them - bummah. Next time. But you can see from the pics below that Libby had lots of fun. There's a new firetruck themed area (she's driving below) as well as a water "park" equipped with squirters and floaty toys (lots of fun) and a new 2-story play house, decked out with all the essentials.

start 'er up! we've got a fire at the mall!
(she actually told me the fire was at the mall)


grandpa larry can attest, libby is a born driver. it's not hard to tell she's thrilled to be behind the wheel. a couple nights ago she managed to get grandpa to give her a personal tour of his jeep and daddy's car, and libby was quick to buckle up (in the driver's seat) and ask him for the keys!


here she practices putting the fire out on this house.

navigating her way through the corn rows

here is the new really fun play house entrance. libby heads in next to an older boy who was in the midst of a game of modern day "cops and robbers". Over-protective mama didn't appreciate the broom guns my little one was exposed to, but she seemed to survive just fine. She found herself a baby that she carried around with her the rest of the day, even bathing her in the fountain area. (you can probably tell her pants are wet in the corn picture because baby was pretty much soaked)

she's such a nurturer, caring for her little one in the second floor bedrooms

here she gives a grin as she sits at the dining table, with some food or something in hand for her little one.

chit chat, chit chat

Libby: Baby Jane, I'm sorry I not hold you all the time. Baby Jane, I'm sorry I not hold you all the time. (x5 in a very sweet and regretful voice) ... Baby Jane, I'm sorry I can't hold you all the time. ... I have bear.

Libby: I see the church!
Daddy: No, that's not the church. That's "Transgenomic Ltd.".
Mama and Daddy: (carrying on with our previous conversation)
Libby: What is it? What is it? What is it? .... (x100)
Mama: Libby, they do scientific research.
Libby: oh. (completely satisfied)
Daddy: chuckles at
Libby: Daddy, why you laugh?

Libby: looking at a honeymoon picture of mama and daddy in Honduras. Mom, let's go swimming there!