National Homemade Cookie Day

Today was National Homemade Cookie Day. 

Now before you get all crazy on me wondering how in the world I know about these little-known, all-too-specific holidays, hear me out. 

About five years ago, when we were living in California, I had the pleasure of knowing a wonderful woman named Michelle. Michelle is someone I truly wish everyone in the world could know. Or at least meet. She is happy, and kind, and smart, and funny, and giving, and fun. She knows when to be serious and when to joke around. She has spunk and style. And she makes you feel like YOU are just as incredible as she really is. Well, every October 1, Michelle would bake up lots and lots of cookies and open her home to family, friends and neighbors to celebrate National Homemade Cookie Day (which, by the way, is a real thing!). 

After I moved from California, I always forgot about it until the day of, and then remembered Michelle, and California, and all of my friends there, fondly. I move around so much and get to meet so many wonderful new people, I might as well bring the best of what I have experienced along with me, right? 

So this year, I decided I would channel my inner Michelle, bake up (not quite as big of) a storm and invite some friends over to celebrate. 

So, 224 cookies and roughly 35 people later, Michelle now has a fans in Iowa. I chose six different recipes (from six different family members/friends). I had everyone vote for their favorite (it was a tie between peanut butter and chocolate chip). And at the end of the day, I texted with Michelle. We exchanged recipes and talked shop for next year...because this will definitely be an annual event. 

And poor Kate. She was so patient, not eating any of the cookies until people started to arrive. But once she started, she didn't stop. I'm not stretching the truth at all when I say she had cookies for lunch. Probably 11 of them. And that is it. Except for the batter from the beaters. She ate that too. 

10 mile goal: report

Remember that goal we had to run or walk 10 miles this summer? 

Well, the girls basically blew it out of the water. 

As of the last day of summer vacation, they walked more than 20 miles. They really surprised me! Most days we went more than a mile. The girls were exhausted, which was the goal, and usually happy to boot! I carried each girl ONCE (on different days) for about a quarter of a mile, and that is it. 

We picked a lot of flowers. 

Took a few breaks. 

Twice (or thrice?) we went with dad. 

 And once we went with friends. 

 Once we checked out a brand new trail. 

And once Kate and I went sans Leah (who was running around at camp), allowing us to find a path less traveled and much rockier. Kate was a fan.

But usually it was just me and my smiley crew, slowly but surely making our way down the paved path. 

We always ended our walks with snacks and water in the back of the car. 

And a few times it resulted it late morning naps. Because it's summer, so why not!?

All in all, a worthy goal, good effort and such a great result. Definitely an activity that will be repeated in summers to come. I'm so proud of those four little legs! 

Niabi Zoo

In an effort to explore a little more of our still-new-to-us town, the girls and I joined some friends for a day at the Niabi Zoo (knocking off a summer bucket list item while we were at it!). 

We rode the "choo choo" aka train. How Katrin manages to look good despite the heat and humidity is beyond me. I need to learn her secrets! 

We went on the "up down up down" aka carousel...
...where Leah was pleased as punch to be riding Po the Panda. Only the best for Leah. 

We had a yummy picnic lunch on the grass where Leah gobbled up her food and Kate ran around like a crazy person, only willing to eat fruit snacks, per our usual routine. The only time she sat still was when we hoisted her onto the hippo. (Does every zoo have a statue of a hippo? So far we are having fantastic luck with a picture of our Kateapotamus on a hippopotamus in every location!)

And we saw so many animals. It really was a fun trip with fabulous company. Something we will definitely have to repeat in the near future. 

Nauvoo Pageant

The day Ryan got home just happened to be the last day of the Nauvoo pageant, a yearly summer tradition held in Nauvoo that culminates each night with a live show about Joseph Smith and the early latter-day saints and the sacrifice and faith they showed to build the city of Nauvoo and the Nauvoo temple. 

There is a fair held beforehand with bagpipe players, games and activities common to the 1830s and 40s, and crafts for adults and kids to enjoy.  

We knew it would be the last night the pageant was running, but we also knew Ryan would most likely be exhausted after being in a completely different time zone for three weeks and then traveling home for more than 24 hours. But, around 4:00 in the afternoon, we decided we should give it a shot and we made the two hour drive to Nauvoo. 

I'm really glad we did. We were able to walk around for about an hour and the girls had fun making fabric braids (which Kate refused to take off for a few days) and seeing all the entertainment. They wouldn't let Ryan out of their sight! 

The pageant itself was wonderful. The singing, dancing and acting were all top notch. And I really want to make this pageant a yearly family tradition (also because I'd love to watch the show again without wrangling a 2 year old at 10 pm). 

Kate was really worried when they turned the lights off of the temple they had been building on stage for the entire pageant (as the saints left Nauvoo and the temple was destroyed). And it was such a great moment when they lit up the current temple, rebuilt in its original location. Kate was honestly awestruck and was so happy the temple was back again. 

We packed up our sleepy ladies and made it home just after midnight, which made for a sleepy Sunday (never a bad thing!).