Eldorado Mine and Kayaking

We went to the Eldorado Mine with Shana, Stewart and Ella and Stewart's family. Stewart's Mom is really nice and she planned this day for everyone. We went on a tour of one of the mines and got to hear some of the stories of a lawless time. It was fun and the mine was actually a cool 60 degrees inside. After the tour we went kayaking at the river.

Elliot and Ella pounding some strawberries. Elliot had no problem digging into all of the food Stewart's Mom brought.

Here is my little family in the kayak. Don't be fooled by the oar in my hand. With Elliot on my lap I was not able to do any of the rowing. Good thing I have a strong husband.

I can't remember exactly what was going on here but it does look like Elliot was trying to jump ship. It is a possibility.

Haircut

Elliot has had many hair trims at home done by mom to remove her mullet but this was her first professional haircut. She did really good. She was so excited to have Shana cut her hair. She held really still and even let Shana blow dry her hair. It is so nice to have a friend that cuts hair. Elliot has such stranger anxiety that I am pretty sure she would cry if a stranger came near her with scissors. Elliot even made Ella jealous the next day when she told her that Shana had cut her hair. Ella looked at her Mom, grabbed her hair and gave a little whine.

The finished bob. When we got home Landon asked if I purposely had Elliot's hair cut like mine. I told him no and that I just told Shana to make it cute. Which I think she did a great job. Besides there is not alot of hair cut options when the hair on the top of your head still hasnt caught up with bottom.

San Diego

In July we took a little 3 day trip to San Diego with the Christensens. We decided that Sea World would be the best attraction for toddlers. Ella ended up falling asleep about 15minutes after we arrived and took a pretty long nap but once she woke up the girls had a good time.

I just think this picture is funny. Landon was taking a picture of us looking at the dolphins and happened to get the girl picking her wedgie.


Elliot and Dad on the elmo ride. Sea World has a whole Sesame Street area which the girls were drawn to. Elliot would point to it every time she looked at the map.

Elliot and I took a 3 hour nap when we got back to the hotel. She was so tired that Landon and I could not get her to wake up for dinner. She finally woke up when Ella came in the room. I guess she figured it was worth it to play. While asleep Elliot turned onto her back and started clapping and then stopped and turned back on her side. I think she was dreaming about one of the shows she had seen that day. It was pretty cute.

The next day we went to the beach. Landon and Stewart went boggy boarding while Shana and I tried to keep the girls happy. When Elliot and Ella first got to the beach they wanted nothing to do with the sand. They would complain about the sand sticking to their feet and hands. Elliot gave the water a chance but once she was knocked over by a wave she wanted nothing to do with the ocean.

Shana and I convinced Landon and Stewart to take the girls for a swim so we could just lay on the beach and relax. We definitely enjoyed our 15 minutes of rest. Once the girls went in the water with their dads they realized the ocean wasn't too bad.

Summer fun!

Eating yummy summer treats.

Playing on the splash pad at the park with aunt Megan. Notice how far away Eliiot is from the water.

We went to Fao Schwartz with Shana and Ella. The girls played with the toys and we stayed out of the heat.

Mt Charleston had a little festival to celebrate the first day of summer. The girls were able to try their first sno cones and got their faces painted. Elliot had a lot of fun in the bounce house and enjoyed the animals at the little petting zoo.

After the festival we went out to lunch. Here are the girls sharing some ice cream. Shana and I are so glad the girls have fun together.

Elliot is 2!

Elliot turned 2 years old on June 17th. I can't believe we have a 2 year old. Where does the time go? It is amazing how quickly my baby turned into a little girl. So far we are really enjoying this age minus the occasional meltdowns. Elliot is talking so much now. I am constantly amazed at the words she knows.

On Elliot's birthday we went swimming at the YMCA with Ella and Shanna. The kiddie pool is shallow so Shanna and I can relax while we watch the girls play. This has become one of our favorite activities to do this summer since it has gotten too hot for the park. A lot of the parks here in Vegas have splash pads with the toys that spray water but Ella and Elliot will have nothing to do with them.

We celebrated Elliot's birthday with my family on Sunday. I made Elliot's yummy cake and she really enjoyed her presents. My parent's gave Elliot a little trunk full of fairy costumes. She loves to put on her costumes. Every time she wakes up from her nap she sees her trunk and has to put on a costume which includes a dress, shoes, wings, wand, necklace and head band. Of course after all of her gear is on then she wants her post nap cuddles. Believe me it is not so easy to hold a fully equipped fairy.

New painting for Mikki

Here is my latest painting. My little sis Mikki asked if I would paint this one from a photograph for her. She better like it or else...........

I love having a little girl

One of Elliot's favorite things to do is wear her plastic high heels that she got for Christmas. Sometimes she even runs in them. I am quite impressed because I am pretty sure that I would fall on my face if I ran in heels. She even tries to wear them outside of the house and I have to explain to her that they are just for play. Here are some videos with her shoes on. Her shoes make the best noise. It just makes me smile when she does really girlie things.

Subway hike.

We decided to close our semester at UNLV off with a little adventure. The spot we chose was Zion's, Subway Trail. This hike was 8 hours of some of the prettiest country in Utah. The hike has several places where you have to swim through its narrow slot canyons and the water is frigid cold. As you can see in the photos were were smart and brought wetsuits. This time of year they are a must if you want to enjoy the swimming, which is the best part of this hike.

After the swim portions of the trail you are in and out of the river scrambling over a rocky trail. This hike requires a nice pair of shoes that will be completely ruined by the end of the day, but its worth it.

The 8 hour hike ends with an ascent up a giant cliff to the parking lot. If the rest of the hike didn't wear you out this part would, and believe me we were spent well before this point of the hike.

As with most extreme adventures upon completion you can't imagine thinking of doing it again, but 4 days later after the pain wears off I'm ready for more.

El capitan here we come!

The sweetest hike ever.

Some sweaty guy helping the girls down a short drop off.



The water here rushes through this crack in a solid slab of rock.

Kristin was tuckered out at this point in the hike. If she only knew that there was still 3 hours of rock and river scrambling left.

Shana and Kristin showing off the knew spring line of ladies waterwear.


My wet suit with it's painted on abs still doesn't hide my bulbous belly. Next time i'll go for a tighter slimming wet suit.









ready to swim????????


Richard, Patrick, Shana, Andrea, Chris, Me, Kristin, and Stewart on camera.