Apple Valley

July was spent with family.

We went to Apple Valley for the first week of July, and had a wonderful time! I drove down alone with the two girls. Yes, this was more than slightly terrifying. But it actually turned out really well. Livia was an angel, and spent the entire trip perfectly content in her car seat, reading books, eating snacks, listening to music, and just watching the scenery. In the entire 8 hour drive she left her car seat ONCE--to go to the bathroom--and then hopped right back in the car. I stopped more than that of course, to feed Jane, change Jane's diapers, and pop pacifiers back in. But Livia never got out those other times, and never even complained. It was rather shocking, and definitely an answer to prayer! Jane did pretty well too, though I had to let her cry sometimes. Even though it was a pleasant drive, we were all happy and relieved to arrive at my parent's home!

Livia is positively enraptured with her Uncle David and Aunt Emily. I hardly even see my child when they're around! I love that they play so well together, and that Emily is so responsible that I don't even have to worry about Livia getting into mischief/danger.
They spent some time drawing on the sidewalk
My dad got in some time holding his second granddaughter

We played pretty pretty princess (and stayed dressed up all morning)
And we also went swimming at a friend's house, which was so nice of them!
On the 4th of July there was a freak thunderstorm in Apple Valley. Livia decided she didn't want to get wet, so stayed indoors. But Emily and David ventured out and ended up completely soaked through (as you can see in the picture below). That night when we went to go see fireworks we had to drive through a patch of desert to get there, and it was so flooded from that storm we were afraid the van would get stuck. I was not looking forward to the process of un-sticking it. But we made it through alright, so all was well!
On the 4th we also introduced Livia to Chuck.E.Cheese. As you can imagine, she loved it! She particularly loved this kid version of DDR, even though she had no earthly idea how to play. She was perfectly content just jumping around to each different colored spot as the music played (and asked to play this game over and over again).
We were all so glad that my dad could join us! He works such long hours we thought he was going to have to work that day, but he stayed home and came and played with us instead. Ü
We also spent time at a couple of parks, playing games, trying to introduce Livia to as many Disney movies that we don't own as possible, and overall having a marvelous time. It's always nice to spend time with my brother Perry too, who lives close by.