June Excitement

In June, we decided to see just how crazy one month can get . . .

One last good-bye picture with grandma

We went to a carnival at Adriana's preschool. Adriana and Elena loved the rides, but Abigail wasn't sure what was going on. She preferred to stay with us.

Abigail before she started crying.

Elena & Adriana on the bumper boats.

The girls had fun with some old cassette tapes, pulling it  all out.

Mark and his brother Matt recorded a CD of songs, some originals and some covers. One of the fun ones was Patience, by Guns 'n' Roses. Sarah also played some violin songs, and Adriana even made an appearance. It's not done yet, but will be soon.

\

While Matt was here we went to NYC to see the Broadway musical Newsies. This is one of our all-time favorite movies and was a fabulous production! We also saw a few other things.

Grand Central Station

One of the new WTC towers

Ground Zero

On top the Empire state building looking at the financial district.

Adriana's last day of school and her book of memories.

We also took a family trip to Philadelphia to see history... and Elmo (at the Sesame Street amusement park).

Liberty Bell

In front of Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.

Phillie Phanatic

Good times at Sesame Street park. It was perfect for our girls. The whole park is geared towards kids 2-8 so they were able to do most of the rides and activities. We watched both parades featuring all the characters, did dry and wet rides, and ate way too much popcorn! It was a fun day.

We got to see Elmo in Elmo's world.

The real thing up close was a little scary for A&E

No pictures of the water portion of the park, but they had fun in the little pool and splash park.

Abigail finally warmed up to the merry-go-round

Back downtown Philadelphia seeing the rest of the sites. In the visitor's center they have people stationed from different time periods.

Another shot of Independence Hall

And the inside

Of course we had to stop at the Museum of Art and pretend like we were Rocky Balboa.

The "Rocky Steps"

Like Rocky, we made it to the top

Lots of fun, and we're not done with June yet! Still to come . . . our trip to UT for several reunions.

A visit from grandma

Grandma came to visit in May while Mark and I went to Atlanta to house hunt. Yep, another move for us. We just got out here last week, but more about that later. We all had such a fun time with grandma. She brought some great activities for the girls to keep them busy while they were busy keeping grandma busy! Here are a few from just before she came and all the adventures while she was with us.

Abigail sporting her Elmo hat we made at the birthday party.

Happy birthday Mark

Ever wonder why girls go to the bathroom in groups? Besides the emotional support, it is so much more fun, and it starts at an early age! 

Elena showing off her creation

Mommy's birthday

Reading with grandma

Showing off the dresses that grandma made!

Our last Music Makers class

With grandma at the Trolley Museum

Having a picnic with grandma

Memorial Day at the cemetery. It has become our tradition to put flowers on graves of people we don't know since we don't live by family.

I took my mom to Maine for a few days to see some things with the girls. It was a beautiful trip, but unfortunately rained most of the time. I guess we got the true spring experience in Maine. We stayed in Old Orchard Beach and also went up to Portland and took a boat tour.

A train ride along the coast in Portland, ME

I don't know if you were aware of this, but the rain in Maine falls mainly near the train.

Elena & Abigail loved the seats

Not quite the beach holiday we were going for, but they got to play in the sand a little bit.

These are some of the lighthouses we saw on our boat ride. It was fun to experience.

Mark and I presented a little recital of the pieces we had been working on. My mom was able to stay to see it. Fun to learn some new repertoire and to play together.