Connecticut

We made a vacation out of a BYU game up at UCONN. We rented out a house with 4 other couples and enjoyed fun, food and the football game

At the beginning of the game June was a bit nervous and scared of the crowds. I did a good mom-thing and told her about Cosmo the Cougar...and then told her about Cosmo the Kitty. Her eyes lit up and she jumped up to look for the Kitty. Game. Set. Match. She was in heaven the rest of the game: watching the football, looking for the kitty and dancing to the music.

Anson, on the other hand, was immediately electric with the buzzing crowd. The louder the crowder, the happier he got. He would "cheer" and "yell" along. It was pretty hilarious. We had debated bringing the kids and were so glad we did in the end. It was a late night, but we all had a blast.

[Sadly] these are the best seats I've ever had at a college football game.

June still talks about "the kitty" and giving the football players high five at the end of the game.

Swimming at the house we rented was a highlight

As was the trip to the orchard. Apples, peaches and blueberries.

Daddy and June enjoyed sleeping in (hint, hint, Anson!)

Harvesting in Manhattan

The "Battery Urban Farm" is a 1 acre garden in southern Manhattan that has been made for educational purposes. School students plant and harvest in the garden--which many of them have no idea this is how food comes about. After summer is over they use the produce for the local school lunches. Since it was still summer, though, we got to go harvest. There are 30 spots each week and I was lucky enough to get one. It is a free (donations encouraged) event.

We picked a lot of cucumbers (this little patch has produced over 700lbs so far this year!). June's favorite part was using the scissors and cutting.

Yummy greens for salad, kale, swiss chard, cherry tomatoes, thyme, lemon thyme, peppers, etc.

Around the house

Had to take this photo of June sleeping

June LOVES turning on the flashlight on my iPhone and also taking photos (functions that don't require the pass-code). My phone is FULL of photos June has taken of herself and Anson.

On a walk

Working on a project (yes, circular saw in the kitchen....I held the board and vacuum and Curt cut). We chopped a closet in half and it's a great cupboard now.

Happy Birthday Curt!

We got to celebrate with mint chocolate cake and all the Calders in NYC

31 Flavors for 31 years

Bagel outing for breakfast

August Fun

Sleep or food? I'd say food wins more often with Anson...

June fell asleep on our walk to a birthday party

She woke up happy when we arrived at the children's gym for the party

June LOVES bday parties and treats

Lucky Anson got to tag along

We have had a blast with the Disney Princess Cookbook we checked out from the library.

Belle's Corn Chowder and Rapunzel's braids are a favorite (as are Pink Princess Popcorn and Aladdin's Magic Lamp Curry)

Our friend Resee got to spend the night at our apartment when her mom had an unexpected health complication (everything is fine). June talks about Resee regularly and wants her to come over constantly (she's 6)

Fun with Aunt Roo and Grandma Venita

Roo giving the Family Night Lesson

The activity that June chose: Sliding!

You have to know that since this FHE almost 2 months ago we have done "sliding" every week.

Bubbles with the bubble lady at Washington Square Park

June likes to ride the horsey to drink the water

Stopping for Gelato. Almond and Bacio. June held mine as a favor so I could take a photo of her with Roo. She licked hers, licked mine. Repeat. Smart girl.

Bronx Zoo with Grandma 'Nita and Roo

Woolworth Building tour with mom. It was quite the exquisite building. It was fun to be a 'tourist' and learn so much. An architect who studies the architect of this building gave the tour. When I say we were tourists--all 30 of us on the tour lived in NYC. In fact, most of the people there had been in NYC a LONG time (I was the youngest and mom was pretty young on the tour too)

Interior of the Woolworth Building