Where does the time go?

Well folks, we have been in WY for 3 weeks now!!!! 3 weeks!!!! The older I get (and I'm getting pretty old...just ask Andy) the faster time goes. I have a lot of picture catch-up to do so just sit back and enjoy :) We went to the zoo twice before we left for the sole purpose of seeing the new bears that have newly joined the zoo (1 polar and 3 grizzly). So the first time we went, 4 days before we left we saw the polar bear (yay!) and then unknowingly walked by the grizzly bears. When we figured it out, we were on the other side of the zoo and didn't want to walk back to where they were. The second attempt to see the grizzlies (2 days before we left) also failed as they were letting the polar bear have the run of the whole place and had the others inside, where there are no windows, and where no one can see them :( Guess I have something to look forward to when we get back. Hadley didn't care...she got to see her beloved monkeys so she was happy as usual. I got two pictures like the one below, one with Hadley looking and one with the orangutan looking. Oh well....I guess it's a good thing I don't take pictures for a living.

Then we went (for the first time ever) and saw the elephants do their "exercises." Hadley just thought they were dancing and loved it.

Joni loves cheese so these little cheese and cracker snacks are a hit. I know it's messy and unhealthy, but this one little squirt of cheese can keep this kid occupied for a good 30 minutes.

Before we left, Papa Kemper came down to take a load of our stuff to Milwaukee (which will come to WY later with Nana) so we could have more room. They are having a deep theological discussion.

So, here we are in WY. We drove through the night as Joni turned 1 and arrived just in time to hit up some awesome garage sales (with some awesome finds) with my mom, the Garage Sale Queen. We stayed in Cheyenne a couple days before heading up to Story. The circus happened to be in town and since Hadley had never been, we all went and she had a blast. Oma and Opa spoiled her a bit (and why shouldn't they really :)) and she had a pony ride.....

and got her face painted......and also walked away with some awesome circus souvenirs.

This is one of those previously mentioned garage sale finds.....it works and it was only $10!!!!

In Sheridan we had a little party for Joni's first birthday with my family. Since we are going to celebrate with a cake when Janet comes to visit, we got her a little cupcake to practice on.

She started out slow, like Hadley did....

and then dug right in.

She likes her chocolate.

Then we opened some presents....

and made sure we didn't leave anything behind.

Giving kisses to her new baby.

So, normally, the creek that runs through the camp is raging by now. After talking with the company who turns in on and off during the summer, we found out that due to flooding at the bottom, it may not be turned on for awhile. So we have taken this opportunity to turn over rocks and find worms (and eat sticks, if you zoom in on Joni).

...the bigger the better.

She sure loves her daddy.

Lookin cute in matchy matchy same outfits.

Despite being this old, I am shocked to see new (and fun) things that have been added in Cheyenne even though it has been 12 years (yes, 12 years) since I graduated. One of the parks in town has a great new area for kids that I had heard about. There is a little pond with rocks and tiny waterfalls to wade in and since it was 86 degrees today (so much for snow in June) it was the perfect day to play in the water. The girls got soaked but loved every minute of it.

The counselors arrive this week and so the craziness begins in the kitchen....3 meals and 2 snacks a day until the end of June! We are so excited to be back in WY though, seeing family and friends and enjoying zero percent humidity. Miss you friends in KY though too! Love to you all!

Catch Up

Well only 6 six days left here in KY before we head west. I have a lot to do. We have, however, been doing as much as we can before we leave. The new polar and grizzly bears have come to the zoo, the Kentucky Derby is today actually, and we have been trying to hang out with friends before we leave. This is Hadley getting herself dressed with glasses and Joni's jacket.

We planted some herbs that I got at the Dollar Store and we watched them and watered them everyday. They finally popped through the dirt and Hadley was so excited she was jumping around. Then Joni pulled the whole thing on the floor and we had to throw it all away. Nana is awesome though and got us more to do this summer.

So we haven't been doing a whole bunch of Derby things, mostly because it has been raining for 3 weeks straight, however, we did brave the rain and cold and went to Thunder Over Louisville. The day of Thunder is the big kick-off to the Derby Festival ending today with the Kentucky Derby (always the first Saturday in May). They start off the day with the air show (didn't get started till late due to the weather) and then they shoot TONS (and I mean TONS) of fireworks off the Ohio River bridges. We have heard it is amazing and we watched it on TV last year, but this year went to a clearing above our church to watch it in person.....so incredible. Next year we may have to brave the crowds and head to the river to watch it....we'll see :)

She LOVES her umbrella and would carry it rain or shine if I let her.

This is the view from where we were sitting. The show doesn't start till 9:30 but you have to get your seats early if you want a good spot.

It was really cold but it God is good and it stopped raining and the wind stopped blowing right as is started. Not sure if you can see Hadley's face but she was really excited.

OOOOO!

AAAHHHHH!

WOW!

Before Easter, the Seminary put on a Resurrection Party on campus that Andy had to work so we went and enjoyed it too. There were games and bouncy castles and then we all sat down and listened to the Easter Story. It was also the first time that either girl had their face painted.

Hadley was scared to do it and so we made Joni go first, then Hadley was excited too.

We had a girls-only party for our kids we teach at church on Wednesday night and decided to do a cake decorating contest. I didn't put the rest of the cakes on here but truth be told, they looked about like Hadley's. So here she is, putting on sprinkles......(look at that tongue....that is some major concentration)......

and marshmallows....

and more sprinkles....

and the end result! Mmmmmm looks good, doesn't it? She won the "HEAVIEST CAKE" award.

Here is my cake....I didn't win anything because apparently I'm an adult and adults don't win.

Hadley and Dad playing Pick-Up-Sticks. It was just cute because she was laying just like him.....monkey see monkey do.

Our awesomely awesome friends came to see us again before we left town and it was wonderful hanging out with them and little Nolan. Reading a book before bed....

Getting kisses....

going swimming.....

Then we went to the park for lunch and to.....you got it....swing.

Sweet Jo.

Jo likes to swing too.

It was also the weekend of Andy's birthday so we went to Carrabbas for dinner. THANK YOU GUYS AGAIN SO SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING!

And I made him a cake (pretty sure it's the first one since we have been married).

And last but not least, Ms. Ruth (see Easter post), Hadley's teacher, threw the kiddos a good-bye party for Hadley (since she is leaving for the summer) and Will (a little guy whose family is moving). They sang some songs.....

and made a sweet little craft with a picture of the class. Thanks Ruth!

So we are packing and sorting and getting ready to head out. Hope to see some of you soon and others.......we will be back soon! Love to you all!