4th of July

Okay so here are the 4th of July pictures from this year. We went to a wonderful concert in the park with our friends Julie Steinberg (as Rachel likes to call her "My Julie") and Marilyn Mapes. We had a couple of friends in the concert so it was very exciting to watch. Rachel made sure to sing along as they sang the Star Spangled Banner, it is one of her favorite songs. She knows all of the words, she should she has heard the song about a million times with all the hockey and baseball games that she has been to, she even hold her hand on her heart and stays quiet! It's so cute!! After we went to the Ringers house and the Jacksons joined us as we all went over to watch the fireworks on the top of a hill. We then came back for root beer floats and sparklers for the kids. We had a wonderful 4th of July. God Bless America!!

Utah in June

So this summer we were lucky enough to go back home in June, even though Mark actually had a summer job working for the Normal Cornbelters professional baseball team. We spent a lot of time with the family. We were able to go the the Salt Lake Temple and do baptisms with Leslie. It was a wonderful experience and it was the first time that Mark and Leslie had ever been to the Temple together. Rachel jumped on the "jumpaline" with Papa Ron and played with play-doh with Ron and Kim. (It does make more sense to call it a Jumpaline, we are jumping. Who's idea was it to call it a Trampoline? That doesn't even make sense, we're not Tramping on it). We were able to go to Aspen's 6th Birthday (we missed being at 2-5). Went to the Gateway with Leslie and Jeremy and took the kids to see Toy Story 3, then we let them play in the fountain. And of course we worked on the house...a never ending job as a home owner. Even if you don't live in your home! It was a great time and we were so blessed to see everyone!

Fire Station Bloomington, IL

It was so nice to know the fire captain in Bloomington, Bro. Leman, what a great guy! We were able to go to the station and see ALL of the fire trucks! Rachel loved it and had the best time. We could hardly get her to leave with us! She wanted to drive every truck. She even convinced Mark to put on this rather attractive plastic fireman's hat. She loves her Daddy and she is such a Daddy's girl!

Children's Museum-Bloomington

Rachel loves to play at the children's museum with her friends. She loves driving the tractor and smashing her face in this giant...thing that you put your face/hand/body into and leave your impression. This cute little girl with Rachel is Chloe, her friend from Bloomington. I came across these pictures and wanted to post them, because I meant to months ago. We sure do miss them!

Harlem Globe Trotters

We were lucky enough to get tickets to the Harlem Globe Trotters in Bloomington. We had such a great time. Rachel loved watching the "basketball guys" do tricks and dunk the ball. She's really loves sports, so it always makes it fun to take her to something like this!

Rachel's 2nd Birthday

Here is another picture of Rachel and Mark from her birthday when she got her free balloon at Toys R Us. She has such a great day. We had pancakes for breakfast, upon request of course and went swimming the rest of the day.

Rachel's 2nd Birthday

Here are some pictures from Rachel's 2nd Birthday. We had a great party in the park with lost of friends. I made her an Elmo cake to dig into and Elmo cupcakes for her friends. We also went to dinner as a family on her birthday, she loved her ice cream!