SAY "CHEESE"

SOME GLIMPSES OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THE PAST TWO WEEKS:

JULIA EXPLORING THE NEW CUBES FROM MICHELLE AND LUIGI'S

SUMMER LOUNGING ON THE FRONT PORCH

PICASO EMMA

THE FLUME GORGE, FRANCONIA NH

MOMMY AND EMMA AT THE FLUME GORGE

EMMA, DADDY, AND JULIA HIKING AT THE FLUME

SHERIFF EMMA LEADING THE WAY AT CLARK'S TRADING POST

JULIA, DADDY, AND THE BIG BLACK BEAR

POP POP, RARA, AND EMMA SAYING "TADAHHHH, WE DID IT!"

EMMA WAS ENTRHALLED WITH MEETING CINDERELLA AND SEEING HER PUMPKIN COACH.

JULIA SHOWING US THAT SHE WILL BE A HANDFUL!!

SISTERS ... HOW SWEET IS THIS!?!

THE CLOSEST THING TO A SMILE FOR EMMA THESE DAYS (SHE IS HATING THE CAMERA!)

THE OLD LADY WHO LIVED IN A SHOE

EMMA AND THE BEACH AT ECHO LAKE

Truths from a 3 year old

So, we had a wonderful rainy vacation in the mountains. It had it's ups and downs and was not with out some jaw dropping moments, such as Emma saying to me "Mommy why do you have a fat belly?". YUP -- my precious 3 year old dumps that one on me after we just had a fun time in the bubble bath that she had begged us to have! What payback. There were so many thoughts running through my head in that instant:

1. WHAT?????
2. Gee, thanks!
3. My belly really isn't fat, is it?
4. Emma, go to time out!
5. Gosh, I hate that kids are so objective.
6. One day she will know.

So, instead, I looked at her and handed her a towel and said "Emma, my belly is not fat". She responds "Yes, it is" and proceeds to push her finger into my pillsbury dough belly ... so at that moment I had to accept, well yes to a 3 year old I do have a fat squishy belly. Fortunately Rob came to my rescue and said "Mommy had to fit you and Julia in her belly. One day you will have a belly like that too". Thanks babe ... is that a compliment or what? He he he. But truth be told, us women do have some squishy bellies, even if we work out and eat well. That is what happens with age and with childbearing, I just wish my daughter could learn the old adage "If you can't say something nice, do not say anything at all". We really have been practicing this with her but she's just not quite there yet.

It's the little things...

Doesn't get better than a hot cocoa with lots of whipped cream! A big diversion from another rainy day. We just had our second trip to Polly's Pancakes. That place has the best pancakes with 5 different batters to choose from. Our favorites: whole wheat w coconut, oatmeal buttermilk w chocolate chip and buttermilk w blueberry. They have amazing maple sugar and spread! Yum!

Sunny day!

Flume Gorge. The girls did excellent on our 2hr hike. The waterfalls are gorgeous!

Tea cups of fun!

Mommy is not brave enough for the tea cups! The girls loved it with Rob and RaRa.

THE KERR CURSE

Despite the nonstop rain which we believe is due to the Kerr curse, we are having fun in NH. Rara and PopPop spent the past 2 nights and we toured Clarks and Storyland. Both we so much fun! Emma and Julia are doing great and cracking each other up and smothering one another in kisses. Full pics when we get back. Please send sun wishes so we can explore these mountains!

O'ROURKES DINER

Our first stop on the diners, drive ins, and dives tour.