On Friday Ari and I took daddy and Nana to the Botanical Garden. They had some really cool plants and a fun kid area. Too bad the splash park was closed due to the thunderstorm.

YMCA Splash Park!

From splash park

From splash park

I took Ari to her first splash park on Friday last week. She was unsure about it at first, but by the end she loved it. She kept putter her feet and hands over the water and splashing me and Nana. Thanks Emma and Heather for going with us.

Aquarium with the Scouts

From Ari at the Aquarium with the Boy Scouts

Bryan's calling in our ward is with the scouts. He couldn't have asked for a better group of boys. They are well behaved and a pleasure to be around. Ari loves these boys and in return they love her. We took the scouts to the local aquarium one night and had a good time.

From Oceana Waterpark

From Oceana Waterpark

Ari loves this little slide. She could care less about the kiddie area. We spent two hours going up and down this slide. My friend Heather's daughter Hayleigh gave me a break. Ari is like her daddy and loves the slides. She kept pointing at the big kid slides.

4th of July Fun!

We stayed in town for the 4th and had a great time with friends.  On Friday night we went to the minor league baseball game.  We took our friends little girl with us and had a  great time.  Another friend that went with us hooked us up wither free face painting and balloons from her mother-in-law.  The girls had everyone around us captivated.  We stayed for the entire game plus the fireworks.  The girls were fabulous.    On Sunday the 4th we had everyone over for dinner and then went and watched the fireworks on the beach.  I can say I have never watched the fireworks form the beach. It was a lot of fun.

Playing at the park

Reading Time!

From reading Time

Ari loves her books and it is always fun to read with others.  We are going to miss Elle and Solomon.  

Colonial Williamsburg

Jellyfish!

From Jellyfish beach

I forgot to post about Ari's run-in with the jellyfish.  We went to Yorktown Beach after visiting Colonial Williamsburg.  We hadn't been at the beach very long when Ari and I ventured out into the water to meet Bryan and Elle.  Well, on our way out to the deep part Ari grabbed her foot and started to scream.  It was nothing I had ever heard her do before.  When we got out we were told there were jellyfish.  My little bug is so tough she only cried for  a short time.

Grandma Allred's Visit

While I was in Florida officiating, Grandma Allred came out to watch Ari. We all enjoyed Grandma's visit. 

Play Group at the Aquarium

From Play Group at Aquarium

Every Tuesday they have a story time at our local aquarium.  Since we bought a season pass and many of our friends did the same we meet for story time and then walk around and see all the exhibits.  We are going to miss our friends and the fun aquarium.

Fun at the Apartment Pool

We have been so spoiled to have a pool at our apartment.  Ari and I have taken full advantage of using it.  We have had BBQ's with our good friends and just relaxed.  Ari is our little water baby.  We have to be quick to get in the water once we walk through the gate.  We will miss this pool.

Bryan's class had a BBQ in June to celebrate passing the hardest  part of their school.  Everyone brought food and the class leader rented a water slide for everyone.  We had a lot of fun.  Ari didn't get to ride this slide, but Bryan and I had fun. 

Virginia Beach Botanical Garden

In June Ari and I went to the Botanical Garden with Mana (the wife of one of Bryan's classmates). Lots of flowers were in bloom and there was plenty of room for Ari to run around. Thanks Mana for a fun day.

Help the Sullenger Family

Warning: You may need tissues while reading the following blog link.

My heart aches for the entire Sullenger Family. My best friend's little niece was in a tragic accident on July 9th and has returned to her father in heaven. For more you can visit

http://www.patrickandashley.blogspot.com/

If you click on the icon above it will direct you to a website where you can help this amazing family.

Last night I couldn't let go of Ari. I prayed that I could protect her from life's misfortunes, but I know that is not what our Father in Heaven has sent us here to do. He wants us to have experiences so that we can return to him even stronger. Please keep the Sullengers in your prayers.