Happy Pioneer Day

In Utah there is a big celebration on the 24th of July. I'd venture to say, that it is as big of a deal as the 4th of July is. There are fireworks and carnivals/fairs all over the valley on that day. We decided to get the kids some sparklers and a few fireworks to light off here. They had a blast. By the way, the 2 cuties that remarkably resemble Troy-those are his kids that are visiting from Washington....well it started as a visit, then we just learned that their whole family is moving back to Utah-YAHOOOO! We're really excited to be able to see them more and spend time with them during the holidays, their birthdays, etc.

With no further ado, I bring you the A. family activities/celebrations during the 24th of July!

Now, really...where have you seen 3 faces cuter than that??

I got to eat a vanilla ice cream cone and they put it in a cup for me so it was easier! I made a mess and it was ALL over my face!

Ohhhh, look at those fireworks!
Look, I even got it on my nose!
I'll hold it, but I'm not sure yet if I want to actually look at it!


Here's Miss Bailey showing off her sparklers!
Ohhhh...can I get this thing lit?

This is SOOO much fun!

I love the sparklers, Mama!


Braden likes his sparklers, too!

...and of course, so does Bailey!

Can you tell they were looking at Baba on my left?

A night of lots of fun for these 3 kids!

Play Date with Lia and Emily

The day before we left for California, we had a fun play date at the place with the bouncy houses. I love this place! I got to play with Lia and my new friend, Emily.

Here we are at the table with Emily's Mama.

We got a little tired from all the jumping and running!

We had lots of fun playing with the napkins. You can see me in the background helping Mama blow her nose!


I had so much fun playing with my friends! They are so nice!

The Beach in Monterey

We had so much fun at the beach with Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Leanna and my cousin Taya. I loved looking at the little critters we found in the water and had lots of fun...

Baba was looking for some little hermit crabs, or sea stars for me to look at.

I'm just having fun with Aunt Leanna and Taya...

Look, Aunt Leanna found a little hermit crab, he didn't want to come out of his shell, he was hiding!

There he is!
The pretty ocean!






Hi, Mama! I'm walking with Aunt Leanna!

There is my cousin, Taya...she's looking at the water!

We are all looking for something fun...


I like this rock, it fits me just right!


Yeah, I definitely like the beach

Yummies from Grandma

Hi Everybody! I'm in California and I'm visiting my Grandma and Grandpa A. and I am having SOO much fun! Today Grandma gave me some pickles to eat because I love them so much. They have 4 doggies here, lots of bunny rabbits out back and a kitty. I am having a lot of fun on vacation and I am getting to meet a lot of my family that I had never met before. I'm excited because today we are having a BIG party and ALL our family is coming so I will meet even more people! And, tomorrow we're going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and to the ocean! I can't wait! Maybe mama will have some time to share more of our vacation with you! Here I am with my pickles at my Grandma & Grandpa's house!

I love that smile!

Yup, I'm a smiley girl!

I love to drink from my cup, cause I'm a big girl now!

But, Mama...

It has 2 purposes!

...flashlight...

...and telephone!

I need to call my Lao Lao!

Where's Sarah? "Here I am", she said!

" Hmm...let's see, I think I'll call Lao Lao"
"Hi, Lao Lao! Yup, uh-huh, Love you! Bye bye!"
I love to talk to my Lao Lao!

Play Date FUN!

Another FUN play date with the little ones from China! This time we had more than just Sarah and Lia! Lindsey and Sunny also joined us with their parents. The girls had a blast and we had a nice time chatting and getting to know one another even better! We went to an historic farm and saw some animals and played on the tractors.

Susie is holding her cutie, Lia

Sarah loved the sheep! She was telling me ALL about them!

Little Miss Lia thought riding in the Jeep was HILARIOUS! And, introducing...SUNNY as our driver!
Sarah loved going for a ride...and she wanted everyone to wear their seatbelts!


Again, Little Lia was having a blast. And, this time driving is little Miss Lindsey!

Doesn't Lia have the cutest smile?


Look at me!!! I am driving!


This is so much fun!

Sarah climbed up with the girls to the treehouse and started screaming, "PEEK-A-BOO, MAMA!!"
Sunny & Sarah enjoying the little creek and cooling off in the water a little bit.