September Bubba visit

 Laura came out to visit the first weekend in September and do some fun fall shopping with the kids. 

The kids were on these bead crafting kick and Ellie made this, which I thought turned out so cute! She made Miki (my brother Tom's dog), which she did!

It was super smokey when Laura arrived, but we still went to check out the roses at Manito!

as you can tell - Charlie was super unimpressed with this. 

a bit better.

taking photos of my favorite ones. I have these in my yard and they are awesome! 

the dahlia's are just incredible! 

another favorite.

taking our annual "picture" photo at Manito. Claire's legs really show how tall the girls have gotten! 

 

about the best we could do. so much bigger than the first year we came! 

then we took the girls to get their hair cuts! WAHOO!!! 

Claire went first and picked out a short cut. 

looking so cute! 

Ellie chose a bit longer cut and I am SOOO happy about that! A few days later she asked me if she could go get her hair shorter. I told her I would bring her, but tried to emphasize how awesome it is to have different hair from her sister. She eventually agreed to leave it and all the teachers at school rejoiced! 

Shopping time!! Ellie finding the perfect flats! 

then putting on crazy high boots.

claire wanted a turn with the boots

checking out - Laura is so gracious and takes the girls out for shopping and lunch a couple of times a year. Charlie was bummed he had to go along - ha! But it is such a sweet time to see them get things they want and enjoy shopping together. 

Wearing their new socks, dresses and hair bows from Nordstrom Rack. Love these dresses we found! 

I mean! How are these my little babies???

We headed up to the Bach to try and escape the smoke! it was still there! 

 we woke up on Saturday to clear skies!!! It was such a huge relief! While out hiking I came REALLY close to a huge Bull Moose and high tailed it out of there as fast as I could go! 

lily was no help with the bull moose.

the lake was still socked in.

a bit better, but there was still so much smoke! 

we just parked out in front of our favorite house - we would love to eventually buy this house some day FAR from now. 

Sunday we became members of our church - Christ the Redeemer. So thankful for our church home. 

we cruised up at green bluff for Sunday afternoon.

I had purchased these little needlepoints for the girls because I thought they might love them. Ellie was obsessed! She was diligent and focused and so intense about how exactly she do it. Claire on the other hand tried to like it, but wasn't careful at all. So fascinating to watch their personalities come through with different projects. 

Ellie - so proud! 

Ellie. I dont even have a picture of Claire because she was always just cutting up tiny pieces of string and leaving them everywhere. ha

Such a wonderful visit with Laura. We are so thankful for the dedication our parents have to coming out and spending time with our kids.