Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Philadephia

Axel and I flew in to Newark super late, Jeff picked us up, and we all drove the 2 hours to Philadelphia. Then a few hours later we got up and went to the Philadelphia Temple Open House (our tickets were for 8:30am!).





Walking around the area of the Temple, Axel stopped here because his "legs are soooo tired" and incidentally it made a great picture.

Then we went back to the hotel and took a 3 hour nap. Then we headed to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.



The Rocky steps.


Axel ate breakfast in the hotel lobby like this one morning.

We went to the Philadelphia Zoo. The hippos came so close to us!

Orangutans.

Gorillas lounging about.


We went to the Rodin Museum. Jeff and the Thinker.

We bought Axel a meerkat at the zoo, and they were inseparable. 

After church on the Sunday, we drove to Valley Forge since Jeff had not been and our hotel was really close. Axel staged this photo for me.

I had in mind a perfect place for our picnic lunch, but we didn't even last 5 minutes because it was super windy and we were attacked by bees. So we had to eat in the car again!

The while at George Washington's Headquarters, the heavens opened and POURED! We were soaked!

Axel got really good at jumping into the water while in Spokane. Here he is showing off his new skill to Jeff at the hotel pool.

Philadelphia was fun as usual! And the temple is beautiful! I'm glad we had the opportunity to go and see it.

Spokane Trip

Axel and I traveled to Spokane to meet baby Peter! He was 3-4 weeks old while we were there.

My first look at his precious (but sleepy) face!



Dallin and Alicia have this great stand of trees right outside the back door in their apartment. Great for playing!

Peter found a comfy spot on Great Grandma.


Axel and Everett thought that holding up different toys/objects and asked "Is this Joseph?" (like from the nativity) and laughing hysterically was a great game.

Kira and Addie

Nice muscles Ev!

Axel running through the sprinklers.

Peter in his swim trunks.


Alicia and Addie getting a little wet.

Julie's backyard is really perfect for playing.

Nothing better than holding a sleeping baby.

Cousin bath time!

Blowing dandelions.





Dancing maniacs!

Up on Ben's shoulders! This might be the tallest Axel has ever been. Benjamin is super tall!


These four cuties wearing the outfits I got them. Thanks to Jon for doing some editing magic to get all 3 big kids smiling in one photo!

Reading a book together.

She is such a doll!

I would find Axel like this (or even more under the bed) several times a night. Poor kid could not stay on the pad!


Story time at the Library!

85-ish pounds of kids on my lap. Ouch!

I just want to kiss those cheeks!

Addie giving kisses.


Axel and Great Grandma hamming it up.

These goggles are too tight!

Family swim time at Dallin and Alicia's complex's pool.




Post-swim snuggles with Addie and Alicia.



My kid is hilarious.


Playing Post Office.


Tummy time is the worst.





Kristi and Peter

Great Grandpa and Peter

Axel and Peter

Dallin, Everett, and Axel

Everett, Great Grandpa, and Axel

Axel, Kristi, and Everett

Boys with Kira

With Uncle Jon! Notice Addie saying "Cheese" in the background.

With Great Grandma

With Julie

Addie and Great Grandma

Alicia and the boys

Benjamin with the kiddos

"I'm Fatman"



Trying out a bun in Addie's hair.


Saying our goodbyes!

I'm so glad that Axel and I had the opportunity to go out and help Dallin and Alicia, and also visit with so much of my family. I love that there are so many family members so close together! (To give you an idea of how close everyone lives, I only drove the rental car 40 miles in 8 days, counting driving to and from the airport) And thank you to Julie and Great Grandma and Great Grandpa for being wonderful hosts. We LOVE visiting!