Happy 4th of July

We celebrated the 4th in Vermont a couple days early because some of the husbands had to travel back to work on the 4th.

These little critters turned into this deliciousness:

I've never had lobster before today and it was fantastic. Thanks, Uncle Bobby! The next morning the little girls asked where the lobsters went... eye contact was averted and giggles were suppressed.

Zoey and her cousin Maya received matching cowgirl hats from Tia.

the one with some random reunion pictures

what do you get...

...when you try to take a cute picture of Zoey with 4 of her cousins?

This, times 35.

We miss you, boys.

kids say the darnest things...

My nephew, Jeffrey, to me: Hey! You're in my way!
Me: Um, can you say that in a nicer way?
Jeffrey: Hey! You're in my way, please!

baby boys...

Baby boy #4 for Lara; grand baby #13 for the Mouritsens:

Welcome, Wyatt Clark Hedlund!

some California highlights...

The biggest highlights for Zoey were meeting Garrett, Jeffrey, and Carson,

Garrett and Zoey

seeing Jilian, Jaimee, and Maya again,

Maya and Jilian

Maya and Jaimee


Carson and Zoey (Can't you see she loved every single second of being loved?)


Jaimee and Jeffrey

being loved by Grandma and Grandpa Mouritsen,

Garrett and Grandma

Grandpa and Zoey

and meeting Uncle Mark.

Again, can't you see how thrilled she is?

Some highlights for me me were, of course, spending time with my family (especially my sisters, though there are no pictures of that!),

Jeffrey and Dalene

seeing Zoey enjoy this amazing thing called sunshine,

Zoey on her first official bike ride

Uncle Craig and Zoey

First official wagon ride


Zoey's cousins were so good to her!

eating grass - yes, I even let her get a little dirty

seeing dear, dear friends,

Cindy Hotz Peachey and Dalene


Zoey and Annalee - Cindy's daughter


Dalene and Jenni Jespersen Frisby

and, clearly, eating yummy food from the best donuts (almost daily) to In 'n' Out Burger (twice) to Togo's (thrice).


We miss you, California!

cousin maya...

Dear Maya,

Thank you for letting me come to visit you. It was so exciting to meet you! I loved sleeping in your crib (the little I did sleep) and using all your new baby gear. Thank you for sharing! I am sorry for waking you up with all my crying (this teething thing is no fun at all) and for always wanting all the attention (I'm not used to having to share my mommy). I can't wait until you are big enough to play with me!

Love, Zoey

surprise visit...

Dear Jaimee, Jilian,

Joslyn, Jenica,

Uncle Stuart,

and Aunt Maren,

Thank you for letting me come to Missouri with my mommy to SURPRISE you! All the singing, playing, snuggling, and fighting over me resulted in one happy baby. I love you and miss you already.

Love, Zoey

welcome, baby Holmes...

Maya Dalene Holmes

Congratulations, Rob & Melissa! We love you so much!

keeping austin weird...

5 sisters;

1 sister-in-law;

1 new sister adopted;

1 mother, 1 grandmother, 1 aunt;

0 husbands (except rare Rob-sightings);

41 pairs of earrings, 19 bracelets, 3 necklaces, and 120 magnets made;

2 babies loved on;

4 pairs of pants peed in (not the babies');

3 yummy meals out;

2 yummy meals in;

1 rap created (1,000 White Women, These is My Words);

5 beds slept in (plus the couch);

235 pictures taken;

1 necklace bought;

0 scorpions spotted;

1 tarantula crossing;

4 days of no sleep, beautiful weather, lots of talking, and loads of fun.

Thank you, Jenifer, for hosting the first annual sisters' weekend!

(Oh, and 1 daddy totally missed!)