What we've been up to

I wish I had some fun excuse for not blogging for so long, like that we went to Europe on a 3-week vacation or something, but no. We've had some fun times, though, and here's a recap:

Dave's brother Steve and sister Kristine were both here visiting at the end of August, so we got to spend some time with them. Here are Gracie and Kristine reading a book.

While they were here they took a week-long camping trip with their mom to Yosemite, where they both did the 17-mile hike to the top of Half Dome and back! Amazing, huh? We were very proud of them! We got to go for a couple days of the camping trip, and that was pretty fun. There was a very shallow river running by the campsite, and we spent most of the time playing with the water. Gracie loved finding rocks to "plop" (or, "buh-lop") into the water. She could've done it all day long! (Oh wait, she did!)

It was so nice to get away from the city for one last hurrah before reality set in...

...and Dave resumed his college career! We've both been looking forward to when he could start school again, and the day finally came a few weeks ago. He's taking 15 credits, so he's been pretty busy, but he's been working really hard and doing great!

We've also been getting some more swimming in as summer comes to a close,

going to the park and learning new tricks,

and getting worn out by this 1:00 P.M. church schedule.
(no nap + extra playtime in nursery=falling asleep sitting up at 5 P.M.)

Dave and I got creative last week for his mom's birthday party (which had a Hawaiian theme) and made this special Jello Hawaiian island for her, complete with Swedish fish inside, a Lego palm tree, and Sour Patch Kids as swimmers:

But most of all, we've just been hangin' out and having fun together as a family:

(Aren't they about as cute as two bedheads can get?)