"Hey Emma, do you remember me?" is what Mark said to Emma. He loved being the cool uncle before he left, and he's now resumed his post, though it took Emma a couple of weeks to get used to him. She wouldn't even give him hugs, but now she laughs and always asks me "Mom, where's Marko?" "Let's go see Marko!". (Sorry, my camera was turned on the wrong setting, so lots of these pictures were blurry)
Here's the group who picked Marko up from the airport. Marko served in the Chile Antifagasta mission. He looks about the same, though he's got a great tan and wears glasses a bit now. He also acts about the same, though you can detect that Chilean spanish accent still, and he'll be talking in English, then slip into his espanol. It's pretty funny.
Marko with his sisters! We all love Marko, he's such a great kid! A few days after Mark got home, he was off to Michigan to see our oldest brother, Adam. So we haven't all been together for over two years, but hopefully we will all reunite this November, when Adam, Meghan & their new little baby Steven will be coming to visit us in Utah.
We had a great time the day he got home. We had a steak lunch, and then just talked and listened to stories and caught up. Marko also brought home some souveniers and trinkets. Here's Emma trying on a soccer jersey he brought home.
The family group shot after Marko's homecoming. He did a great job speaking and our little Marko is not so little anymore. He's grown up now! It was so good to hear his testimony also. I'm grateful to have family members who are going in the right direction.
Marko and Cal have already bonded (it didn't take long for Callahan, like it did for Emma). Here they are playing together. Mark is so fun with kids, they all love him!
Classic Stoddard sibling pic (Adam, we can photoshop ya in!). We've used this pose since Adam left on his mission several years ago.
Mark loves helping out with the kids and playing with them. Here he is after feeding Cal. Marko adjusted pretty quickly to life at home. The day he got back, he was cranking his SKA and rock music up loud while he took a shower, and asked to pull the car over to get a jr. bacon cheeseburger at Wendy's on the way back from getting mission pics at Costco. He's pretty funny.
Ah, the dog days of summer. Emma and Cal love summer, as I do. Somuch fun and so much to do!
Here's Dave & Emma at the Real Game. It was pretty fun, and REAL actually won, which was great, because they haven't been doing so hot this season. It was a pretty exciting, fast-paced match.
Cal, the little soccer fan...
Emma is having a fun time with Callahan, and he's able to handle a little more now. She is very sweet to him (99% of the time! There are occasional incidents) and loves to help me with him and play with him. She calls him "Handsome Man", "Little Boy" and "Cal Boy" the most. My favorite is when she speaks to him in "Motherese", that high-pitched Mom to baby talk.
Our day at the Zoo was fun! Emma loves the Merry-Go-Round (She thinks it's called the "American Round") but doesn't like the animals that go up and down.
Callahan was a happy boy at the Zoo! I personally think he could get away sneaking in with the Chipmunks exhibit, with his cute two front teeth. Oh wait, they don't have chipmunks at the Zoo.
"How do you measure up?" Most ask if Callahan is 4 or 5 months, but he's almost 8 now. He's always been a little guy!
One night, we went to the Mayan for dinner, and then to the REAL SL soccer game. Emma had so much fun playing on the statues outside while we were waiting. She loved sliding down and climbing on them. 
Once we got inside the Mayan, it was a different story. "This is spooky" Emma kept saying. Se did like the waterfall, and the food, but I think the lighting, sounds, and cliff-divers scared her.
Here's Dave & Emma at the Real Game. It was pretty fun, and REAL actually won, which was great, because they haven't been doing so hot this season. It was a pretty exciting, fast-paced match.
Cal, the little soccer fan...
Emma is having a fun time with Callahan, and he's able to handle a little more now. She is very sweet to him (99% of the time! There are occasional incidents) and loves to help me with him and play with him. She calls him "Handsome Man", "Little Boy" and "Cal Boy" the most. My favorite is when she speaks to him in "Motherese", that high-pitched Mom to baby talk.
Our day at the Zoo was fun! Emma loves the Merry-Go-Round (She thinks it's called the "American Round") but doesn't like the animals that go up and down.
The waterfountain, it's a classic! That's one of the things I remember from a young age about Hoagle Zoo. Here Tayla and Emma are enjoying a drink.
Callahan was a happy boy at the Zoo! I personally think he could get away sneaking in with the Chipmunks exhibit, with his cute two front teeth. Oh wait, they don't have chipmunks at the Zoo.
"How do you measure up?" Most ask if Callahan is 4 or 5 months, but he's almost 8 now. He's always been a little guy!
Little Pioneer Girl! Emma had a great time with Pioneer Day. Her most recent favorite song is "Little Pioneer Children". She sings it all of the time. And the oxcart one. She likes that one too.
Emma and Callahan in the parade! Yee-haw!
For our ward's playgroup, we created our own "covered wagon" and entered it into the Ogden Pioneer Days Children's Parade. We had a great time! Here's what we came up with:
Emma and Callahan in the parade! Yee-haw!
For our ward's playgroup, we created our own "covered wagon" and entered it into the Ogden Pioneer Days Children's Parade. We had a great time! Here's what we came up with:
I don't know if you can see them, but we had "seagulls" flying from the truck. It looked kind of fun (great idea, Natalie!)
Here are some of the ward buddies in the float. From left to right, Natalie Chesley and her little girl Alexia, Vladimir Canro, Arianna and Amanda Canro.
Emma and Arianna on the float after the parade. Arianna thought it was too loud and had her hands over her ears the whole time. Emma said during the last few minutes "Mom, are we done yet?" and she began crying. She was done. Good thing this parade wasn't very long!
We went to the rodeo, and our own little rodeo queen had a fun time at her first rodeo. She really liked those horses!
Pioneer Day! The Bountiful Handcart days parade. Emma and Tayla loved the candy and marching along with the music. It was hot, but worth it, it was a fun parade!
Emma watching the fire engines pass by. "They're too loud!"
We had a yummy pioneer-authentic (or as close as we could get...I'm sure the pioneers would be living it large with this food) dinner. Here's Kolby, Emma, Mark, Dave, and Cal helping finish up the dutch oven cooking. We had ham, baked beans, pioneer salad and dressing, homeade whole-wheat bread and jams, and peach cobbler and homeade ice-cream for dessert. It was fun.
Later on the 23rd, we saw the Meuller Park fireworks. Callahan has loved fireworks this year, and Emma still does. He was also fascinated by the glow sticks, which Grandma Sue has in large supply.
The Handcart Days festivities at the park. Emma loved swinging more than anything (well, and the snowcones!). Phew! Okay, I'm done now! I tried to keep it brief. Hope everyone is having a great summer!
Here are some of the ward buddies in the float. From left to right, Natalie Chesley and her little girl Alexia, Vladimir Canro, Arianna and Amanda Canro.
Emma and Arianna on the float after the parade. Arianna thought it was too loud and had her hands over her ears the whole time. Emma said during the last few minutes "Mom, are we done yet?" and she began crying. She was done. Good thing this parade wasn't very long!
We went to the rodeo, and our own little rodeo queen had a fun time at her first rodeo. She really liked those horses!
Callahan at the rodeo. He really liked trying to eat the camera, like he's doing here.
The Ogden mounted police possee. That was pretty cool. They were making all kinds of cool formations and doing fun tricks. I didn't know they existed!
Pioneer Day! The Bountiful Handcart days parade. Emma and Tayla loved the candy and marching along with the music. It was hot, but worth it, it was a fun parade!Emma watching the fire engines pass by. "They're too loud!"We had a yummy pioneer-authentic (or as close as we could get...I'm sure the pioneers would be living it large with this food) dinner. Here's Kolby, Emma, Mark, Dave, and Cal helping finish up the dutch oven cooking. We had ham, baked beans, pioneer salad and dressing, homeade whole-wheat bread and jams, and peach cobbler and homeade ice-cream for dessert. It was fun.Later on the 23rd, we saw the Meuller Park fireworks. Callahan has loved fireworks this year, and Emma still does. He was also fascinated by the glow sticks, which Grandma Sue has in large supply.The Handcart Days festivities at the park. Emma loved swinging more than anything (well, and the snowcones!). Phew! Okay, I'm done now! I tried to keep it brief. Hope everyone is having a great summer!