Virginia

We moved! From the bustling town of Los Angeles, to the ...well...not so bustling town of Abingdon :) Although our social calendar has been very full. The first week we were here we went to an amazing charity dinner, to the theater, and to several social functions. We've gone out more here than we did in LA :) Abingdon is a little town in southwest Virginia on the border of Tennessee. Ben joined a pediatric dental practice out here with our friends from dental school, the Smiths, and their friends from residency, the Pillions. It is beautiful here...tons of trees and everyone has these giant yards..acres of mowed grass. It is like a perfect picture everywhere you look. I was telling Ben it is like being on an extended vacation. The kids love it here! They have already made tons of friends, and still can't believe I will just let them go ride their bikes down the street (which I can see from my kitchen window :) There is such a sense of community here, that was missing in LA. We have made so many good friends already....I have a feeling it will make up for the lack of shopping :) So, stay tuned...I am going to catch up since we have been here in Virginia. Isabelle said she feels like Hannah Montana, just backwards.

Park City

Nani and Papa treated everyone to a fun-filled day in Park City!
Hiding out waiting for tickets... Oliver and Jimmy have become quite the buds!

On the way up the mountain to the Alpine Slides

Getting ready to go down the slide...

I believe the consensus was no brakes....full speed ahead!

Jimmy and Oliver had a blast on the rides for the little guys...they were hysterically laughing on the train :)

Thanks Nani and Papa for all of the fun! XO

The roller coaster!

Again...full speed ahead!

We love Park City!

The cousins Sunday picture...with our newest little addititon...Lily!

We had so much fun on our trip to Utah...we almost forgot we were in the middle of a move....almost :)

Timpanogas

Checking out the mountain....all the kids were super excited for the hike :)

Excited for the hike...yep...those are ropes...yep...I may be paranoid, but I had a much more enjoyable time with them tethered to someone :)

The whole gang!

Resting up :)

Oliver and Jimmy hiking the last part of the trail...

The cave went from tiny crevices to giant "rooms"

The "heart" of the cave

Cute nephew totum pole

The whole family...we did it! Now we just have to get back down :)

Summer Fun with the Whitings

STADIUM OF FIRECarrie Underwood performed...and although my poor nephews were less than impressed...the girls loved it. Thanks for taking us Nani & Papa!

Oliver and Jimmy were quite the entertainment themselves!3

TOY STORY 3

4th of July in Nani & Papa's front yard!

Izzie's Star!

Allie writing with light :)

Uncles!

WATER FUN

Uncle Tuffer & Aunt Morgan headed up the water fight...thank you for sacrificing your fingers...

Oliver is happy with just the hose!

SLIP N SLIDE!

Grandma Great!

The boys went over to pull tree roots and replant my grandma's yard (Grandma Great to my kids...) So, we never miss an opportunity to hang out. My Aunt (who is only 2 years older than my brother) was there with my cousins (who are my kids ages). They alway love to get together. Halle and Izzie have been busy texting since :)

Heber Camp with the Whitings

The Whiting Family went to Heber church camp. It is not too far from my parents house, and although I usually don't do multiple day camping, the digs were not bad, I have to say :) The kids had a blast with their cousins....THANK YOU NANI AND PAPA for a truly unforgettable trip.
The rope swing...
Oliver one the rope swing....I think he likes it.

The family lily pad walk :)
This was the partner wire walk. Ben and I were the only ones to finish it, but it wasn't pretty, so there are no pictures :) But this is what they did after the partner walk. They had the girls do it and their father help them as they started out. As they went along, they had to do it on their own. Because one day, there father and mother won't be there, and they have to rely on eachother.....GEEZ way to make me get all emotional.
My kiddos on the "big swing"...we all took a turn, even Nani! But check out Oliver (last video) ...yet another adrenaline junkie.






The pullers....
Uncle Jon and double piggy back rides!
Playing cards with the boys....
Chef Papa
Oliver was tuckered out after the first day...and fell asleep with his flashlight in record time.
Canoeing and paddle boats....


Family hike...
Isabelle was very much in charge of the hike...walkie talkies were a hit.
The results of Izzie and Allie's nature walk...



This is our "cabin"...this is my kind of camping :)
Hot dogs and smores!

Cleaning up the cabin..... (is she channeling Giselle from Enchanted :)