Summer 2009

One might think, perhaps, that not much has happened to the Findlays this summer.

Au contraire mon frere.

EVERYTHING has happened.

1. We moved to America.

2. We moved to America.

3. Yes, we moved to America, and did I mention we bought a house?

It's hard to grasp this, I know. After living in Guatemala for 3 years, we decided to go on a trip back to the States, and in a move, somewhat reminiscent of something you'd hear from a Cuban defector, we just didn't go back.

The housing market was right, the weather was so nice, and the joy of driving on freeways was too much for us to turn our backs on, so we stayed. Casey Richards, realtor extraordinaire, found us an awesome house. The heavens smiled upon us and somehow we got a loan (which is actually pretty tricky when you've been living out of the country for 3 years, and have no W-2s, mind you). We are now in SLC, just a stone's throw from family and friends of old.

I"ll post some pics of the house later, but for now, I will write a big ***SIGH*** of relief, and confess, this all feels pretty darned good. We Findlays are doing all right.

Here are SOME pics of the summer so far, in no particular order, as most of my pics are at Grandma and Grandpa Findlay's house (where we invaded their home and lives for 3 months!!!).




I like this pic, because it's Lucy's face, and Linda's hand holding the contraband: NERDS.


Our ride for Summer 2009. When I look back at this picture, I will remember that we bought it for $700, that it didn't pass safety or emissions for a couple months (while I cursed Dave's name for buying this piece), and then once it finally did pass inspection, how I kissed my sweet David's cheeks and told him he was a genius, because this little ride has given us miles and miles of endless good times this summer, through town and even through our "killer-loop" drive of days of old through East Canyon and Parley's. I will have to post later some pics of the twins in the back seat. It's a sight to see those girls in the back with her hair all flowy and their smiles from one ear to the other-- it's a crowd pleaser.


Grandma Holmes came to visit for a month as soon as we bought the house. It's going to be tough (especially for the twinners) to see her go on Tuesday.

A one-scoop ice-cream cone at This is the Place. One scoop means GINORMOUS icecream serving my friends. But not too big for Linda or Lucy.



Fun at this the Place with cousins Jacob, little Tyler, Naomi and Ian, and of course, the ever-popular Peter Lloyd (the twinkle of the twins' eyes this summer). The squeals that escape their mouths when this kid walks through the door is deafening, yet absolutely priceless.




Is this not adorable?

Ian and Jacob tickling Lucy. She really liked it for about 5 seconds...



Twins during a moment of sweet repose in our front yard. They love this book called "Wacky Wednesday." "Wacky" is now one of their favorite words and it sounds especially cute coming from Lucy's raspy voice.



Our first petting zoo experience. Also at This is the Place. Here Linda and Naomi are sharing a moment with a wee little goat.


Becca is having a baby! That tummy was calling my name.



Dave and I at Albion Basin. Lots of great memories here for us. We first came here together 10 (TEN, DIEZ, DIX) years ago when we FIRST starting hanging out (and I was madly in love him, and he really liked me... as a friend).





Summer of Barbies-- my cousin Suzie magnanimously donated their assorted collection of these dolls girls apparently like to play with. I never played with these little ladies, just chopped off their hair and flushed them down toiletts whenever someone gave me one. But since the twins love them, I have been learning to play with them myself.



See?

Photo taken by Linda. I like this pic because she did a great job of capturing her father's stunning blue eyes, while also catching her sister getting on a chair to reach an off-limits valuable twin magnet off Grandma's shelf.

Twins with Grandma Lucy Laycock.

Twins at Albion.

Look at these little hands. They are deliciously chubby still. I love how soft they are. I love watching them manipulate objects as they practice their dexterity. I love how they fit all smushy in my hand.

Grandpa Findlay...these girls have him wrapped around their fingers. He carted them around for 15 minutes in this wheel barrow and the twins were in heaven.



Reading time during Grandma's school with Pete and the twins. Mondays and Thursdays are the BEST!

Me and the twinners at Gateway after running through the water fountains.


A great new (old) friend-- Michael Nance. Kate and Greg's kid-- what a ham. I love this kid. So darn cute and such a boy.

Dave cruisin'.

For our anniversary we ditched the twinners and went up to Park City for a night. We went up the Alpine Slide and went on a hike and took cheesy pictures and had a grand time.




Ooohh... color coordinating and everything!


Findlays out.