Independence Day

We got a few invites for things to do on July 4th.  We wanted to do a couple things, but ended up only being able to go to the Olson's house for a barbecue.  I made the mistake of not putting Dalia down for a nap.  She had been so cute and sweet all day that I just wanted her with me.  I made the girls some festive skirts with big pockets on them to wear for the day.  Dalia has been obsessed with pockets lately and always wants to put things in them, even when she doesn't have a pocket on her.  She will resort to putting things down her shirt or in her diaper.  She was thrilled when I showed her the skirt with the big pockets and couldn't wait to put it on!  Mina loved hers, too.  They both immediately filled the pockets up with little toys and coins.  Dalia loves to throw coins in the fountain at the mall, so anytime she finds one she keeps it with her and continually tells us, "I want to throw the coin in the water" until we take her to do it.
The girls helped me make some delicious fruit tarts to bring the the barbecue.  I let Mina decorate one all by herself and I'm sad I didn't take a picture of it.  All the families who came to the party brought delicious desserts. Because I didn't let Dalia take a nap, she ended up having a couple of meltdowns at our friends home, but after she ate and ate at dinner time she seemed to be fine.  All the food was so good.  The company was great and other than not being able to see any fireworks (they're illegal in the area), it was a great day.
A couple weeks ago I traced the girls on some big paper and had them color them in.  They had a blast doing it and I really enjoyed watching and helping them.  They make me smile and laugh so much.

The next day, since Dru had a four day weekend, we took the girls to the aquarium.  Mina had been begging to go.

Father's Day

I didn't take a picture of the girls and Dru on Father's Day, but I had taken this picture a few weeks prior while at the beach.  We framed it for him to give him on Father's Day.  We made him breakfast and brought it to him in bed.  The girls had also made him some giant cards to give to him.  We went to church and for dinner we made him his favorite childhood meal, his mom's tomatillos.  The girls love their Daddy so much and love each and every moment spent with him.  He is a great father, full of fun and wisdom.  I love my children's father so much and couldn't have asked for a better dad for them.

Visiting Great Grandma Jorgensen

One of the main reasons I've wanted to make it to Utah was to be able to meet Dru's Grandma Jorgensen.  She turned 97 this year.  We drove up to South Jordan and her home was right next to the Jordan River Temple.  It was beautiful.  We went up to her apartment and spent some time talking with her while we waited for Aunt Eva to arrive so we could get some dinner.  I loved that even though I had never met her, she knew my name and who I was.  The girls absolutely adored her and gave her hugs and kisses.  She was the sweetest lady I've ever met.  When Eva got there we headed downstairs to the cafeteria to get dinner.  Grandma let Mina ride in her lap while Dru pushed the chair.  It was really cute.  We had a lovely dinner and got a few pictures before we headed out for the night.  We spent the night at Aunt Eva's house, where the girls had a blast in her toy room.  The next morning we went back to Grandma's place to say goodbye and piled in the car to finish up our trip.  Here are a few picture.  Mina wouldn't stop being a goof, but we got a few good ones.

Visiting Great Grandma and Grandpa Duncan

After our third day at Disneyland we headed to Utah to see some grandparents.  Our first stop was in Delta to see my grandparents.  We got there pretty late, so we got to bed shortly after we arrived.  The next morning Grandpa took the girls and Dru out for a ride on his four wheeled toy.  Mina had gone by herself at first, but was a little scared so they came back shortly.  Then Dru and Dalia hopped in and they had a lot of fun.  Later on, we went down the street to friend's home where the girls and Dru got to ride a champion horse.  It was hard for the girls to wait their turn, but they absolutely loved it.  When they were getting the horse ready, Dalia was going crazy in anticipation.  She actually got to sit on the horse as they prepped it.  It was kind of funny.  Dalia is definitely our animal lover and isn't afraid of any animal so far.  It may have been most fun watching Dru on the horse, though.  The horse started running at one point and I was terrified.  Apparently this first little run was completely on accident.  But then he kept doing it on purpose because he thought it was fun.  I had a hard time watching because he doesn't have experience riding horses.  He survived and he enjoyed it.
Grandpa showed off all of his rocks and the girls had fun playing with the little ones he has in containers all over the house.  My grandpa hunts for rocks, polishes them up and makes things like jewelry and clocks.  His stuff is really neat.
Grandma made cookies with Mina later on and we got some really good pizza for dinner.  Grandma also gave me some sewing tips plus lots of fabric and patterns to take home.  We had to leave after lunch the next day and we really wish we could have spent more time with them.  I hope we can make it out there again soon.