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. 

Trip to see the Red Sox

Ben attended college in Boston for a semester, and while there, caught Red Sox fever. In our early college days, he had more time to follow the baseball season and the Red Sox. They were actually pretty good during these years as well, winning the World Series in 2004. The American League Championship Series  that year was the best time we've ever had watching baseball. The Red Sox came came back to beat the Yankees after a 0-3 deficit. So awesome. 

This summer, the planets aligned and Ben determined to see a game in person when they played the Mariners.

Ben's parents and some second cousins that are like his aunt and uncle decided to make the trip with us. 

We arrived extra early so Ben could watch warm-ups and batting practice. 

 David Ortiz chilling on the grass.

 I don't remember who was pitching, Ben had hoped it would be Tim Wakefield, but it wasn't. 

 Ben thoroughly enjoyed the game, and I was more distracted by watching the people in front of us get up again and again for more beer. I really hoped they weren't driving home. I think they'd had 7 beers a piece by the time the game ended. 

 Unfortunately, the Red Sox lost. But the garlic fries we had were really, really good. 

 It was my first major league baseball game, and we had a good time. 

 On the way back over the Cascades, we took the 410 highway that cuts near Mt. Rainier National Park, and got some pictures of the park. 

 Crazy mushrooms growing on the trees. I'm seven months pregnant. 

 Someone left a pretty rock sculpture near the White River in the national park. 

 Ben found the mountain impressive, and we wished we could get closer. But that trip was for another time. 

Evelyn's first birthday

 Grandma and Grandpa Chickens came for Ev's first birthday, and at first Grandma thought I had gained a bunch of weight because I was wearing a pair of Ben's shorts. We told them that yes, I had gained weight, but only because there was another baby in there, due in 4 months. Happy times!

 Grandpa helping Evelyn play with one of her birthday presents. If only older children could be so entertained with inexpensive gifts. 

 Daddy was helping her figure out this wrapping paper business. 

 Maybe a bit worn out from opening so many presents. 

 Having a giggle over another new toy that has continued to entertain. 

 Unsure of what to do about this cupcake and candle. I ended up blowing it out for her. She was nervous about everyone singing to her too. 

 We hadn't let her have much refined sugar up to this point, so she had no idea what frosting was. 

 But she figured it out. 

 And actually ate most of the cupcake. Our good friends, the Johnstons were here for this party, along with a few friends from the ward. 

 Her new phone. Evelyn had so many cute little dresses. I haven't been able to hang onto all of them. 

 Another little birthday party, this time at Grandma Green's house in Farmington. Complete with a fancy cake. 

 A generations shot. Great Grandma Green on the left, Grandma Chickens in the middle, and Great Grandma Cluff on the right. 

 Mom trying to help rid Evelyn of some excess energy. At this point, she'd had a lot of fun running around the wall that separated the kitchen from the living room. 

Me trying to keep on the matching  hat for this dress. It didn't work very well. None of my little kids have liked wearing hats. 

By one year, Evelyn had grown to about 21 lbs. She had most of her teeth, but wasn't talking much. She did a few signs, "milk", "please", "thank you", and the sound "mmmm," which meant "movie." She was just beginning to like watching Baby Einstein, which she ended up loving. 

Middle Summer

 Self-portrait with Daddy. I loved her big binkies. We went through so many with her. 

 Feeding Daddy a carrot. 

 Evelyn was still a cute baby, loving her bottles of milk. She was by far our best milk drinker. 

 She loved carrying bags or purses around. I would call her our little bag lady. The hidden pull-out drawers seen behind her were a favorite place to pass the time in our small apartment - pulling out all the silverware. 

 I got a new haircut and Evelyn enjoyed standing on the back of the couch and watching me pull faces. She would eventually just fall backwards to get down; she knew the couch would catch her. 

 A little more comfortable in the bath tub, as long as there was a trickle of water running. 

 Taking a nap with mom. This was before we discovered how a nap schedule would benefit our life. 

 Crazy Evelyn, going down head-first on the slide.

 Excited about a pair of shoes that she couldn't really walk in yet. She was just barely taking her first steps, and shoes made it more difficult. This was before all those pre-walker shoes hit the big box stores like Wal-Mart and Target. 

 Waltzing around naked. 

 Laughing at Grandma Chickens during a visit to Idaho. Evelyn was really comfortable around extended family members. 

 Trying to capture the color of her eyes, which were still undecided at this point. They were a dark green here, and kept lightening to a hazel. By now (she's age 7), they are a definite brown. 

Eating pancakes with Mommy in the morning. Grandma Cows was able to find a little nightgown for Evelyn, as I was unable to find clothes that would keep her cool enough during the hot summer nights.