"Twister's Comin" and Hen-zilla

We went to Homestead Farm on Tuesday, and when we got there, it was surprisingly cool and breezy.  But breezy became windy as a (thankfully brief) storm blew in.  We were in the peach orchard when the first drops came down, and if I didn't know better, I'd think Jay had been watching a lot of doomsday tv.  He ran between the trees screaming "WE HAVE TO FIND SHELTER!!!  

We eventually did hide out in the store, but then it cleared up enough for us to wander around the animal pens and have a picnic.  Joining us on our adventure was: my friend Akiko and her girls, Michael Huguely (spending the morning with us while his mom was in NYC), and our faithful sitter Jeni, who found all the good peaches.

Everything's coming up roses now.

Our farm animal tour was fun, including the cutest goat I'd ever seen--it was pitch black.  For me to say a goat was even remotely cute is bizarre--I don't care for them at all.  They have weird pupils.  Really!!

The highlight was this over-plumed chicken.  Emma dubbed her "Henzilla!" 

Bonding

On Sunday, our good friends the Lattins had us over to dinner.  Even though they haven't lived here for many years (3/4?--I've blocked it out) we have stayed in touch & visited each other from time to time.  So our kids think of  "Dr. Grant" and "Miss Ako" as members of our "heart family" (people we capital-L love, but aren't related to).  But since their kids are smaller, we have to work on the reverse.  Mia and I mostly communicate with giggles and smiles, and I am "Annette-o-san" (which, Nate learned, is a sign of respect).  So Nate's been stepping up his game so Mia will warm up to him (jealous, dear?).  Just recently he graduated to "Natosan"--we're so proud!!   

Note the highly-coveted beverage cooler.  My kids were entranced.

Meg is such a cutie!  We like her mom too.

The Curls Are No More!!

Sooooo...  I made a CRITICAL error last Friday.  I was combing Cachie's hair, and noticed just how long it was.  "Fun to put in a ponytail," I thought.  And it was.  So cute!!  But the err occurred when I took pictures AND showed it to a few friends and my husband.  The haircut occurred within 24 hours.

Here's a few BEFORE...

And after.

DC Adventures

      

Secret Spots in DC: Library of Congress (beautiful paintings and architecture) and Supreme Court's Spiral Staircase (v. cool).

Crab Carnage!!  Great dinner at the Bethesda Crab House.

My niece Megan is adorable, even when she's covered in crab juice.

Oren, Amy & Jacob Gatten (Layton UT)

The Hinckleys (Columbus IN) and Nate's folks (Kaysville UT)

Ka-Blooey/Happy Bday USA

We had a great spot to watch the fireworks--thanks to my nephews & b-i-l Nate who endured the rain that afternoon.  Our neighbors were the best--2 dudes high as kites--who particularly enjoyed tripping on the glow necklaces Sheri brought for everyone.  I may have twirled mine around a time or two just to entertain them ;) 

Some of us handled the late night better than others!

More Adventures

Almost the whole Gatten family was here for the 4th/E's baptism.  We had fun seeing the sites with them, swimming in their pool, jumping on their hotel beds, and watching the 4th of July fireworks on the National Mall.

Cache loves his Aunt Sheri!  But Aunt Sheri & Grandma DO NOT love the Metro.  They had to get seats & ride facing forward or else they'd get sick.  Nate's mom is just about to blow chunks.  Also, that's Nate, Cache and me with our cute nephew Colton--off to the Y is just a few short weeks!

Bringing Things Up To Speed

So I'm a little behind, but we've had some fun and exciting adventures lately that I can't bear to leave out.  First and foremost:  Emma was baptized on July 5th (Grandpa Gatten's birthday).  Lots of family & friends were there, and it was a very special day for her.  She was esp. excited about her cake: purple & pink flowers, her name was on it, AND it was 2 flavors.  Funny Story re: the cake--Michelle was so sweet to pick it up, along with all the other refreshments.  Long story short, she thought she paid for the cake...but didn't.  We totally ate stolen cake!  At church!!  (fyi: I've since made reparations to the bakery counter at Giant.) 

Shots: the proud grandparents, family, parents, & good friends, Ben & Jeni Johnson. 

Leaving Our Mark

As a few of you have seen, our backyard has undergone a bit of a facelift (long overdue!) and the final pieces are finally falling into place.  One morning as we were heading out, the cement truck pulled into our driveway to pour the concrete pad for our backyard basketball court.  I thought we were going to miss our chance, but our nice contractor got one corner ready so the kids could make hand prints.

Note my death grip on Cache and his cementy hands as I mark initials and the year!