Butterflies!

Grandma Shanna & Grandpa John sent the kids butterfly cages & larvae! (They were a little creepy as little worms). However, we did watch them grow and turn into cocoons and hatch into butterflies! I wish I had taken photos at every step... the kids spent a week or two watching them in their cages and then we had the big release! I put a lot of pictures because the kids were just so interested and Ryan SO Excited! They didn't want to fly away either since they didn't know they could!

Jammin'

I keep making plans hoping the baby will come because I have them... no suck luck! Yesterday I did this!

I LOVE freezer jam!!! YUM YUM YUM!

Money Makers

While in Utah the kids had another Lemonade stand! Braden put signs up and down the street and danced on the corner and pointed to try and get business. The girls would yell and wave their arms as cars went by. Most of the customers were people visiting the temple directly across the street. We could see all the brides and even a few came over and bought lemonade and asked permission to get pictures with the kids while they drank up. The kids made about $24 to share among them! 

So I thought it would be fun to use the money and go see a movie in the theater!! Toy Story 3 was a fun popcorn & candy experience ~ It was Kaitlin's and Ryan's first time in a real theater! Ryan moved around some but overall watched the movie. It was a good one! Two thumbs up from us all!

Organizing

THIS is the kind of stuff I do while *nesting* when pregnant... we are still waiting for Baby Girl to arrive! The heat is finally making me slow down some since my feet are swelling.
I'm not complaining though! I love the sun!!

Grandpa Larry Nielsen

Grandpa Larry was an excellent Grandpa to Jake. We took a quick trip to Utah last weekend for his funeral. He is greatly missed!!!! This picture is from last years Avila Family Reunion where Grandpa Larry made the most excellent BBQ ribs ever! Grandpa Larry has made us all want to be better people: parents, spouses, and friends.We are comforted in our faith that Families are Forever and look forward to our reunion with Grandpa Larry.

We went to the Beach

We are super lucky to have a lake nearby. It isn't the cleanest lake but it provides sand and water and was not crowded on this particular sunny Saturday!

Bubby stirring the mud.

He is a little scared because a ladybug landed on his head.
 

His favorite thing was jumping off the side of the dock.

Kait giving us a pose or two.

Jake enjoying a good book.

and me... there's the belly in case you haven't seen it. It is even bigger now. Just promise to ignore the stupid bunching maternity pants and the large thighs...!!! Jake did take the picture from his seat which isn't the best angle either.

I have to admit we didn't stick around too long. I get too scared the kids are going to drown and we forgot to bring life jackets- I actually thought it was going to be too cold to swim. I don't know why I thought that- everyone knows that it is never too cold for kids!!

Kait.....

......found the camera. At least they are cute pictures! She also tried to take a video but the memory card was full after a few seconds! Guess I better add the camera to the list of things I hide at night so she doesn't get into them.

 

The Zoo

One of Jake's projects at work is the windows on the new addition/entrance to the Woodland Park Zoo! He was given two free zoo passes and so for Kaitlin's 6th birthday we took a trip to the zoo with Michael, Heidi, Amelia, John, & Melissa. It was perfect weather for it too. The animals were out (I'll try not to bore anyone with too many animal pictures!) and the kids really enjoyed it!

 

Lunch time!

Ryan's favorite thing was riding the carousel - he is still talking about going back to the zoo to ride it again.