Friday, June 24, 2011

Need a Ride?

He can't see over the dashboard, but Peter is ready to go for a spin.


He can't touch the pedals either.


This is by far the coolest new activity at our house.


Every time we are anywhere near the car, Peter says, "I need sit front seat! I need drive our car!" I wonder how long this phase will last.


Peter even took his sister for a ride in a pretend green bus at a playground the other day. She was a little skeptical, but it was pretty fun.


Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day


Happy Father's Day to the greatest dad from his two cute kiddos!

We told Peter the neighbors were sleeping because it was so early in the morning. "Shhh!"



Clara is such a sweetheart. She loves her dad.



This video of Ben trying to put socks on Peter should give you a pretty good idea of what life is like these days.




We are a lucky family!





Sunday, June 12, 2011

Iowa - Part 2

We have had the greatest time in Iowa this week! We saw lots of friends and family from Iowa, Nebraska and Chicago. Peter and Clara have really loved this trip. In fact, Clara started sleeping through the night while we were here. Maybe we need to move here!

On Saturday, Nanny met us at the playground. Here she is with Sam and baby Grace.



Vivi was learning to shoot hoops with her purple ball. She's a natural.


Peter finally got to go swimming. Can you tell that it is about 55 degrees outside?


Grandpa Don and Grandma Pam arrived from Nebraska. Do you notice that they're wearing coats? It was soooo cold!


It was so fun for Clara to meet Grandma Pam.


Vivi nicely offered to give Peter some goldfish.


"Here Peter. Let me just feed it to you."


Peter's cousins, Noah and Simon, came from Chicago. Peter tried (sort of, not really) to share his car with everyone.


On Sunday, Grace and Clara were both baptized. Here is Grace with her mom getting ready for the big event.


Vivi and Peter were great helpers with Clara.


Here is our family after the service.


The Richardsons and the Apleys


After church, we headed to the Lincoln Cafe for lunch.

At our table, we had our entire family plus Uncle Mitch, Aunt Ellen, Noah and Simon. It was a little chaotic. These boys have a lot of energy!


It was a fun and delicious lunch, though I imagine the Lincoln Cafe was glad to see us leave.


After lunch, it was back to Nonnie and Moe's for some fun before everyone headed home.


Grandpa Don showed Peter how to play the harmonica. Watch out, Bob Dylan.


Clara loved snuggling with Grandma Pam...


... and Grandpa Don...


...and Aunt Ellen.

What a sweet girl!


These boys couldn't get enough of the red wagon. They went up and down the hill about a million times. I wish I could take them back to LA with me.


Nonnie and Moe loved having everyone around. What a fun visit!


Friday, June 10, 2011

Iowa - Part 1

We have been having so much fun in Iowa the last few days. Yesterday, Clara got to meet her great-grandmother, Nanny.

Nanny's house is lots of fun.

Four generations of girls...


Peter has been having so much fun playing in the yard with Nonnie and Moe.

That purple ball is the coolest.


Moe took Peter to a really neat park today.


Don't you think Peter looks right at home in his Iowa Hawkeye t-shirt?


What do you think Clara is thinking in this picture?


Later this afternoon, Peter and Clara's cousins, Vivian and Grace, arrived from Chicago. So cool!

We all went to a neat restaurant on the river for dinner. This is Moe with Vivian.


Vivian and her dad...


Baby Grace is just two weeks younger than Clara.


Grace and her mom...


Look at these two cute kids. I wish they got to see each other more often. They had so much fun tonight. We are looking forward to a really great weekend.


Thursday, June 9, 2011

We Made It!

Well, we survived our first airplane trip with two kids.

It was not easy.

This photo was taken on the shuttle bus from the parking lot to the airport. We were not even at the terminal yet and I already had my hands full.



Thankfully, Clara likes to sleep.


And Peter likes Elmo.


At this point in the trip, we were so confident in our parenting abilities that we ordered drinks.



5 minutes later, our lives were utter chaos. We didn't get a chance to photograph that part.


Cut to... 3 hours later at a McDonald's somewhere in the middle of Iowa...

Peter and Moe sharing fries and McNuggets, so glad to be off the plane.


Clara kicking around in the booth. I'm sure it was super clean.


We love being in Iowa!