Temple Trip

A ward friend (Shara) & I decided to take our kids up to the temple one day & swap turns going inside (since our normal babysitting swap wasn't working out that month). We made the plans, rushed out one morning, & hit some slow traffic on our long commute, only to find...it was closed! Neither of us has heard in church (or maybe didn't pay close enough attention!) that it was being cleaned that day. Well, at least the Lord knew our intentions & we felt the peace there on the grounds. Plus, this was Sophie's first real visit to an actual temple, which was a special experience. She touched the walls, walked around, & got to see everything inside the visitor's center. No temple work done, but still a good, rewarding morning.

I love her goofy picture faces! She really wanted to go swimming in the fountain.

Sophie loved the statue of Jesus Christ & heard Him "talk" (the played message). We had a good discussion about Jesus with the sister missionary, & she got to see a short video.

Here's our "Junior Missionary" reading the scriptures & telling me ALL about it.

Random Pictures

I finally got these pictures off of my phone (thanks Justin!). SO, I thought I'd share some of the fun I've captured when I didn't have my camera handy.


Sophie's very first fire truck experience (around Sept. 08). We ran into some relaxing firemen at the library & they let her check it out.

We often stop at a nearby McDonald's Playplace while the car is getting an oil change or some repairs (which seems to be a lot lately!). Sophie decided she wanted her picture taken.

Our plane ride out to Reno. The poor girl conked out less then an hour before we landed.

Fall/Winter 08 fun with big sunglasses in the car

Here's Daddy & Sophie at the video games store. She was completely enamored by a large robot-type character. I love the face!

4th of July extras-Part3

I finally got these pics on here from our visit to the mini fair activities on the 4th. Sophie got to ride a pony & had a blast in the petting zoo area. She wouldn't let go of this rabbit, even when it was slipping out of her hands & dangling by the scruff! Oh, our animal lover!

The little singer/songwriter

Sophie loves to sing her own made up songs, which are usually very sweet. They are often about Charlie, sometimes about her Kitty & blanket, or just about random things around her that catch her interest, sometimes using hadn motions like in her Primary songs. This is a vidoeo I finally took of her singing one of her made up songs while we were at the beach house. Sometimes she'll play on our piano while she does this, but here she took the opportunity of using the Rock band drums. She wasn't as sweet sounding here, but just as funny!

July 4th extras

We just had to show off the crazy Joker face!

The whole group in front of our house

Happy Independence Day!

We had a wonderful 4th of July day! We started out watching a local parade with some friends, followed by the nearby fair booths where Sophie got a short pony ride & spent some time in a little petting zoo. She loved feeding the goat & sheep, as well as holding the poor rabbits...she never let go even when it was slipping through her fingers & dangling! Oh, our animal lover! (The love is just a little intense sometimes) :) After naps, we had a big group of friends over at our place for some yummy BBQ, socializing, swimming at the pool, fireworks in the street, & watching some late night big fireworks. We all met at the church building to park & then carpool to the stadium, but we ended up staying at the lot & having a great view of 2 different shows. I don't think Sophie has ever stayed up later than that, but I think she loved it all! What a fun-filled day!

Justin & Lauren

Sophie had a moment or 2 when the fireworks scared her. This popsicle made such a mess! We will soon post the pic of her face after she was done...she seriously looks like the Joker!

The kiddies watching our street show

You can kind of see our neighbors across the street got in on the action.

Hanging out front after the yummy BBQ dinner

The rest of the crew

Sophie's flag waving at the parade. It took her a while to figure out the whole thing (being her 1st parade)-even when they kept throwing out candy (we ate too much!), she was a little slow.

Our great spot

Oma & Kelli visit DC!

This last week, Oma & Kelli made a stop in DC while on their church history tour around the country. They had a free day, so Sophie & I went up to spend some time with them downtown. We went all around the American History museum, then took a peak at the White House, Capitol building, & Potomac river, as well as the Folklife Festival on the Mall. Then, Sophie & I stole my mom away to rest & see our new house while Kelli finished up some touring with her group. We were so glad that she could see our home & that we could spend some time with them while they were out here. Happy touring guys!

Sophie loved poiting things out in the museum, & spent some good time "reading" this message.

This is one of Sophie's pictures she took-not too shabby, eh? Perhaps we have a photographer in the making!

Here's a peak at the Folklife Festival-we love all the happenings in this city!

Looking at the ducks on the Potomac River.

We miss you Aunt Kelli!