Portland: Family Dinner

First we got to meet cousin Henry! How adorable is he?

 Then Mady did bubbles with Papa on the deck! 

Love these shots - so Mady! 

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Jillian hanging close to her Grandpa for the time being!

Aunt Carlene helping Annabelle with some fresh from the garden peas

yum.yum.yum.

And then the rain came... 

have no fear... A'belle has the appropriate gear! 

By the end of the evening, the cousins were having a blast together! 

why didn't I get a nice shot of all the cousins?? seriously!! 

Portland: "walking" Daisy & Elska

the girls LOVED "walking" the dogs!

(but it was a lot of work for grandma! ha!)

Portland: Oregon Zoo by Sarah Lynch

A few of my favorites by Sarah Lynch....

Portland: Oregon Zoo

Linda planned a family photo shoot at the zoo, but I couldn't leave my camera at home, now could I? Here are a few of the 600+ pictures I took.

"Papa, shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....da bear is sleeping!"

Loving the otters

"a whittle turtle"

petting a bunny

"chooooo choo"

mady's idea of "shoulders"

love, love, love this shot!

and the money shot of Hezekiah....love him hanging out of the train! 

Portland: On our way!

yep - we were that family! but man, did Mady have fun running around the airport! 

Camp #2: Storybook Farm

Storybook farm at The Urban Farm! 

Each day featured a farm story and then the kids participated in a real-life farm experience. A super neat concept for a bunch of city kids. And I love that even as girly as Annabelle is, she LOVES to hang out in the dirt at a farm too! 

Monday

Book - Kiss the Cow

Milked a cow!! How cool is that?

Tuesday
Book - TOPS and BOTTOMS
Planted beans & flowers

Wednesday
Book - Three Billy Goats Gruff
Walked a goat...I hear goats need a good walk every once in a while! 

Thursday

Book - Snow Ponies

First they rode a horse, and then they gave the miniature ponies a bubble bath... my personal favorite! And the perfect way to spend a super hot day!

Friday

Read about worms and bugs! 

Looked for bugs in the garden! 

Annabelle had an absolute blast, and Mady got to interact with many of the animals (horses, goats, and pigs) at pick up & drop off each day, so it was a wonderful week for both girls. 

my bagel did it!

Mady's fortune

Mady cracked opened her fortune cookie, turned to me, handed over the fortune. 

Mady: A tag

And then promptly went back to enjoying her cookie. 

I love the world through the eyes of a child...

Spring Recital - Oh the Dances You'll Dance!

Recital day is always a special day in the Iten household. This year the Spring recital was held on Father's day, and Annabelle was lucky enough to have both of her Papas & her Daddy (along with many others) in the audience. 

 (ignore the change in camera settings)

And a HUGE thank you to Cassie for taking these shots! 

Oh my word, I will treasure them! 

Camp #1: Dance Camp

Yes, you should keep track! Annabelle has some serious summer plans! First up a dance camp - Jessie / Toy Story camp to be exact. Last year I worried that dance camp would burn her out, and that would be the end of dance... oh boy, was I wrong. This girl loves everything about dance & dance camp! She repeatedly asked me throughout the year if she could go again this summer. It was understood that dance camp had to be part of her summer plans! 

One proud dance camper! 

Californ-I-A: Day 6 (Sea World)

Sea World was tons of fun!!! Abby & Mady both loved the Shamu show! The big girls were super serious through the whole show!! 

I love this shot of Abby & Audrey!

(remember these? http://cathrynandscott.blogspot.com/2009/09/san-diego-day-6-sea-world.html )

come back turtle!!!! 

As Mady would say "a BIG, BIG turtle!"