the circus came to town!

The girls spent 6 days with us while their mom, dad and baby brother were in Utah. The heat, humidity, and mosquitos kept us indoors most of the time (except for going swimming), so we really enjoyed it when the circus came to town!

During the "pre-show" the kids got up close and personal with the clowns, and got to try on some clown clothes.

They also got to try out their acrobatic skills.

I missed Kyla's walking the tightrope, because she came across so quickly behind Avery, while I was busy snapping pictures of Avery. So super-acrobat Kyla got to have her picture taken with one of the pretty circus performers.

 The girls got so close, they could have reached out and touched this gentle giant.

   She painted a picture during the "pre-show", using her trunk.

Some of us enjoyed parts (the intermission) of the circus more than others.

But I know we all agree, it was the "greatest show on earth"!

 Grrrrrrr! Grrreat fun for boys and girls of all ages!

a lot has been going on this month (part 2)

At the end of June, we flew to Utah for Andy and KayLynn's  wedding. The celebration began the evening before the wedding, when the bride-to-be's parents hosted a wonderful barbeque at their home for family and friends who had flown in.

Andy enjoyed the reunion with several of the guys he has grown up with who had flown in from out of state.

We sure enjoyed meeting KayLynn's sweet family. Here's her mom and sisters . (Her Dad and brothers had to leave for a while to play in their baseball team's final tournament.)

While everyone enjoyed visiting, the bride and groom had fun unwinding and relaxing before the big day.

 The wedding was beautiful. I was so happy that our four other sons got to be there for their brother.

Our oldest daughter,Emily, was the fantastic wedding photographer.

The youngest member of our family group to travel to Utah, was grandson Colby, accompanied by his very loving and patient Daddy, Mark. (Colby's mom stayed in Minnesota with newborn sister.)  Here is Colby enjoying the lovely reception.

The day after the wedding, the newlyweds had us over for lunch and then for an outing up in the mountains. Then they were off on a honeymoon trip. We are so blessed to have another awesome daughter-in-law, and we're so happy that Andy has such a sweet, loving, supportive wife.