Jackson Pollucks in training

Clara has decided that Jackson Polluck is her favorite artist, and has been begging me to try a painting like his, using random things to fling paint onto the canvas. It was harder than we thought it would be! They had a good time, and I think they turned out pretty cool!

Clara's

Savannah's

Myrtle Beach

In August I took the girls to visit my family. Jason had to work, so it felt like a lot of work to me, but we had a good time. The girls all loved the pool. Caroline didn't think much of it, but she enjoyed the water. She was focused on practicing her standing up.

 

Clara and her cousin Sarah had a lot of fun together. Clara even spent her first night away from home, sleeping at Sarah's house.

We went to the local amusement park, where we stayed for hours and hours. The weather wasn't too hot/humid (wow!), and Savannah was just tall enough to ride lots of the rides. She liked the swings, the best. Clara was too tall to ride them, so she watched with me. She kept saying, "Savannah looks so proud of herself!" She did think it was so fun. Her cousin Tate was so sweet to her. He's 5, but he went around with her and held her hand. So gentlemanly.

We spent time at my sister's house on the waterway, too, which we love. The water is freshwater, and so fun. Savannah became a little daredevil and loved being tossed up in the air by her aunt Ashley. 

Clara has ridden jet skis before, but this time my dad was more adventurous with her and actually got them knocked off a few times. Apparently she thought he was doing it on purpose. She was having a fun time, but then finally asked if he'd stop throwing them off. I'm surprised she liked it so much! I love the view from the house. Isn't it beautiful? Notice the rider-less jet ski?

July

I can never get pictures to upload to our blog, so it's been a while. But by some miracle, it's been working today! 

We played outside a lot, at the neighbors' play sets and around town. Caroline was around 2 1/2 months old and just starting to smile. She would watch the girls swing towards her on the swing, and she would just smile and laugh. So fun to watch.

 I love going to Coopers Rock. I think it's the most beautiful place around.

For the ward Fourth of July party the girls made flags to put on their bikes for the parade. Savannah was the very last one in the parade, and was pushing herself along as fast as she could. Needless to say she never caught up, but told everyone very happily that she was at the end of the parade. 

Jason started his transitional year...doesn't he look handsome? Residency, here we come!

Smiles

At almost 8 weeks, Caroline loves it when I come to get her out of bed. She smiles at me like I'm the most fantastic thing she's ever seen. It makes my day!

Newborn pictures

The big weekend: part 2

Caroline's blessing was really nice. Paul, both grandpas, Tom, and our friends Steve and Jake were in the circle with Jason. I'd like to point out the random kids playing in the background. Clara wanted to go play with them and became increasingly unwilling to be in the pictures.

Ashley and Savannah.

Jason's family.

 

My family.

We are so glad Paul came out to visit. We always love to see him, and as a bonus he brings us honey from his bees that he keeps on his balcony. The taste of the honey changes depending on where the bees travel. This honey tastes a little minty, which is different, but yummy. The girls love their gigantic Cadbury candy bars he brought them.

The big weekend: part 1

This weekend was jammed full of excitement and activity. Uncle Paul flew in on Friday from London for Jason's graduation and Caroline's baby blessing. He hadn't seen the sun in months, so we played outside all afternoon. The girls climbed all over him and wanted to play games on his phone.

 

I love it when babies fall asleep all squishy like this. This was probably the longest Caroline had been outside.

Sunday morning was Jason's graduation! We are all so proud of Jason! It seems like the 4 years have flown by and crawled by at the same time. We couldn't have done it without support from our parents and the Lord. The ceremony was only supposed to be from 9:00-10:30, but it went until 11:15! We had church at 1:00, when Caroline was going to be blessed, so we ate a quick lunch at the reception and then raced home.

Jason's parents and grandmother flew in, and my parents and sister Ashley and her husband Tom came up, too. It was a full house, but so much fun! Clara and Savannah were in heaven, with so many people to play with. Jason's mom came a few days early to help with the baby, which was a big help. Grandmothers are wonderful, aren't they?

Clara and Savannah attacked Jason after the ceremony. They love his "funny hat" and his robe.