Phelps come to visit

Matthew's sister and her family came to visit for a week and we had so much fun with them. We love spending time with Ashley and Robby! The kids love Robby, he is always throwing them around or wrestling with them. We went to the beach, swam in the pool, and just hung out a lot. It was fun for our girls to play together. Trying to take pictures of the kids together made me laugh. It seemed like there was always someone looking away, putting fingers in the mouth, poking their neighbor, etc.

Naomi likes Emily's nose.
Nicole likes Chloe.

Getting to know each other. Nicole and Naomi are only 3 months apart in age.

Angela's 5th Birthday

Angela turned 5 last week! I can't believe she is going to kindergarten. Angela has an amazing imagination, plays so well by herself and is becoming a big helper. She loves to be silly!

We had a My Little Pony party with some of her friends and we used ponyville figures to decorate the cake.

We had ice cream sundaes on her birthday with our family and grandparents.

Angela loves her first Webkinz!

Sunriver Reunion Opening Ceremonies

The first week of August, we went to the first ever Alder family reunion in Sunriver. Since the Olympics were starting we had our own opening ceremonies. We wore our red T-shirts at our group activities which made it easy to find each other and know who was a part of our reunion. We stayed in a house with my parents and siblings and it was so fun to spend lots of time with them. There is so much to do at Sunriver and so many activities the kids could enjoy that we all had a great time.

The little girls carried in the flag.

Emily and Angela loved to play with Ellen. They were so good with her too.

We're so glad Jeff and Jennifer could come!

Sunriver Reunion: Pony Rides and Princess Party

Emily and Angela had never ridden horses before, so this was very exciting.
Gram gave a Princess Party for all the little girls and they had so much fun.

I was trying to get Nicole to hold still for a picture and then I said, "Show me your pretty purse," and then she did this little pose for me. She's never posed before, so it was really cute.

Showing Ellen how to be a princess.

Sunriver Reunion

We saw a lot of deer at Sunriver and they were so accustomed to being around people. They came right up to our deck and ate out of our hands. I don't think the kids realized how unusual that is.The girls wanted to go in the hot tub at our house everyday. They layed out in the sun one day and Nicole wanted to join in.
We all went to Goody's for ice cream. Yummy!

We had a bike olympic event one day and I was so glad the little girls did well in the trailer. Emily was determined to ride the whole thing on her bike and she rode really fast to prove it. She was quite the biker!
We went swimming every day and Emily spent most of her time going on the big slide over and over. Thank goodness Melissa was there to wait in line with her.

Sunriver Reunion: Golfing

We played miniature golf one morning and Matthew was able to play 18 holes (of real golf) twice while we were there.

Sunriver Reunion Family Photos

We had a photo shoot one morning for a large group picture, but it was raining and stormy off and on, so pictures were a little hurried. Fortunately, the rain held off for a few minutes for the group photo. Nicole was not very cooperative for the pictures. Most pictures involved her sliding off a lap mid picture, holding onto a bag of graham crackers, or making a funny face.

My family and my grandparents.

All 80+ of us.

Visit with Nani and Grandpa

Matthew's grandparents were in town recently and we were very surprised to see how comfortable Nicole was with them. She voluntarily gave hugs to Grandpa and wanted to be held by him. It was fun to spend time with them.