End of the summer trip

Beginning in June, Ben secured a new job at school in the Kennedy Center working for the Study Abroad security director. He spent the summer working, and we were able to finally get a break the last two weeks of August to take a trip north to see family. 

Aunt Michelle had a bridal shower in Utah we attended about a week before our vacation. Evelyn had an ear infection, her first really bad one where she felt lousy. We ended up taking her to urgent care on the way home so she could get some medicine to feel better. 

 On the way north, we would always stop at Grandma Chicken's house, since it's on the way to Washington. The laundry basket was cool at this point. 

The county fair was in full swing when we arrived in Washington, and Aunt Heather was busy showing her llamas. Evelyn liked seeing all the different animals. 

 When Ben and I took off on our little Red Sox side trip to Seattle, Evelyn stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Cows, where cousin Kaden was also staying for the summer. They had fun, and Grandma said Evelyn slept, and didn't wake up too much at night. That's what I was worried about. I almost cried when we left to Seattle, but I knew the trip and separation would be fine for all of us. 

 Evelyn playing with Uncle Ryan on the air mattress.

 Grandma was busy digging a big hole in the front yard for her long-sought landscaping feature - a waterfall and koi pond. What little kid doesn't like dirt? Evelyn actually ended up rolling into the hole, but I'm told she had more of a bewildered look on her face than anything, and didn't cry. 

 Foam peanuts doubled as dirt for Kaden and Evelyn. 

 Hiding out in the furniture. 

Trying to climb through the bar stools. 

 Nicole and I comparing bellies, she was due 3.5 weeks after I was. 

 A family picture that quickly changed - Bryson left on a mission a few months later, and there were two new grandkids. 

 On the way back to Utah, we spent more time at Grandma Chickens. Grandma had found a wading pool that Evelyn was content to play in, as long as the hose was running. 

 Grandma said, "Show me your pudding!" and Evelyn would lift her shirt to show her belly. 

 Old Navy had an early sale on Halloween costumes, and Evelyn made an adorable monkey. She absolutely knew she was the center of attention and made the most of it. 

Playing with Dad while getting ready to head back to Utah and another year of school. This was a fun 2 week trip, and the last one we made before Jilly came along.