Idaho

We had a great time in Idaho with Ethan's extended family! His cousin Amy's wedding is what brought us all together and most everyone was there for a week of swimming, biking, family dinners, and just hanging out. Wish I had pictures of everyone who was there but am missing several. Guess we'll have to get pictures from everyone else. Lots of fun and great to catch up with everyone!

Day One: Flight delayed, stayed overnight in Omaha. We have terrible luck flying. Emma said, "This is the same as Florida!"



Dinner at Spaghetti Works




Emma climbing at a fun park in Omaha where we met Paul and Janis. She was also able to swim at their hotel since ours didn't have a pool (tragic for a four year old.)



Posing for the camera

Day 2: Made it to Coeur d'Alene. Lunch and a walk up Tubbs Hill.

Found a hat that fit Noah perfectly!

Day 3: Swimming at Tubbs Hill

Jackie with cute Baby Caleb



Trying to get out of jail




Day 4: A trip downtown



The carousel at the toy store



Picnic and swimming at the beach



Noah loved playing with the sand and rocks.

Posing again

Day 5: Playing at the park with Daddy while Mommy had a mani/pedi with the girls

Cowboy and Indian Dinner



Grandma Janis made Emma and Noah adorable outfits!




The Paul Anderson clan



Our cowboy family

Kyle and Lindsey looking the part



Day 6: Tunnel and Trestle bike trip




Emma loved it. Noah had a couple crying episodes as you can see here if you look close.




Waiting for her "Gooey Sundae" at Dockside



Noah was rather attached to Laura. This may be his first crush. He kept trying to sneak over my chair to snuggle with her. Hilarious!

Enough ice cream for us all!

One very happy girl

Walking the boardwalk

Day 7: Jumping off the rocks and swimming at Kingston. The Nathan McLean family.

Amanda and Katy lounging

All dressed up for the wedding

 Emma was thrilled to sit in Cinderella's coach at the wedding.

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Tarbutton

Emma made friends on the dance floor.



Beautiful McLean girls



Ian and Amanda showing Noah their moves

Uncle Caleb dancing with Emma

Lucas, Katherine, and Isaac. Emma had a blast playing with Isaac!

Noah playing with rose petals.

We're still recovering from the week. Fell asleep today eating lunch.

On the go

We are in the midst of a few very busy weeks at our house thus the lack of posts. Emma had swim lessons last week, Ethan is playing soccer in the Iowa Games this weekend, we leave for our Idaho trip next week, and our nanny is on vacation so the kids have been to G&G's and now we have Austin and Hayli here this week. I feel like I'm in a vicious cycle of packing, unpacking, and doing laundry. Whewww...I love fun summer times but will be happy when life goes back to normal. Ethan doesn't know why packing has to be so hard. You just throw some shorts and a swimsuit in a bag right? It's been so hot so we've also been at the pool or keeping cool by staying inside. So that's our life lately.

I have also started putting together some preschool activities to do with Emma this fall. I ordered this curriculum online and have been printing, laminating, cutting, and putting it all together. I think I may have taken on too much but figure we'll just do what we can fit in this fall. At least I'm getting a headstart and will have some of it ready to go. She seems really excited about the idea so far.

I've been thinking about my role as a mother lots lately since I'm in the trenches of motherhood. I'm not going to lie or paint a rosy picture. There are great moments but lots of the time being a mom is just plain hard! It's physically, emotionally, and mentally draining. You are always wondering if you're doing enough or if your children are going to turn out.There are never enough hours in a day to do everything you think you should. Society tells you you're crazy and ranks children at the bottom of their list. "Why would you ever want to be at home with your children??" Here are two great articles regarding motherhood that I found very encouraging:

Motherhood is a Calling

Motherhood as a Mission Field

That's it from the Andersons. Just busy summer days and no pictures to share. I'll take pictures of our next couple busy weeks and post them when I get a chance.

July 4th

We enjoyed spending our first Fourth of July in Norwalk. In the past, we've always been at the Conference or celebrating with friends. It was really fun just to spend the day together with our own little family. Emma loved the parade and I didn't realize this was her first one! She came home with a whole bucket of candy. We had lunch at the park and then I took her to the pool while Noah napped. Ethan helped her with some sparklers that evening and we packed up to watch fireworks. We were pleasantly surprised by Norwalk's fireworks and the finale was spectatular!



All set waiting for the parade to start



Noah already on his second sucker

 "A parade is the best thing! They just throw candy right at you."



Too sticky, had to lose the shirt



Norwalk's claim to fame, Brandon Routh, aka Superman



The parade was a big hit!

 

Miss Fourth of July with her sparkler



"It's a magic wand!"