How fun to be one!

Fall is always so much fun, with the changes that take place and the anticipation of the holiday season! We bought some hot cocoa, apples and carmel dip, and got out our fleece PJ's (it has actually been very cold here for fall). Elena's birthday was on September 19th. Maceys gives a free small cake for babies 1st birthday, so we got a watermelon cake Elena could tear to pieces. Some family was over to eat some cake, but getting past the dye soaked frosting was a little too much for us. Aunt Angela preferred smearing frosting on Elenas face. We had Elena's birthday party with my friends little boy Henry, the weekend after. We made it bug themed, and it was a success. We had dirt n worms, ant farm pudding, ants on a log, rotten fruit platte and a lady bug and catepillar cake. It was lots of fun to see the kids play, but man I was tired by the end of the day! Along with birthday parties, turning 1 year brings- immunizations! This was definitely the hardest, mostly because the shot broke in her leg when the nurse gave it to her. Oh it was so sad! But, the second we poped a tootsie pop in her mouth I never heard another cry. By the time we got home she had sucked most the lollipop and had covered herself in sticky drool. But she was happy!

Fall is in the air

School is beginning (a week sooner than I thought, but that is another story). Fortunately we had lots of fun going to Hogle Zoo, Thanksgiving point and Lindon Aquatic center before the end of summer. The first two weeks of school have been great, not many assignments so you are still excited about school. This year the excitement is dulled by the fact that I don't know anyone and that we don't have football tickets this year. Sad. We had my little brothers wedding, which took place right as the Oklahoma v. BYU game begun. Elena also got her first bloody nose there. It almost hurts more since it was a great game that we WON! Well, good thing I have a bundle of joy who reminds me how lucky I am and how good we have it! We bought her a halloween costume at Costco during a students open house thing. Mike was changing her diaper and quickly got her in it, and it completely surprised me. It was hilarious to watch. She had to figure out her balance with the "heavy" horse head. She has become a great dancer though. We have a toy that plays "Shake your groove thing" and she will sit there shaking her head and an arm. She has become so animated too. Everything it either so exciting she has to open her mouth as big as she can or so terrible that she will scour at you. Lets hope this doesn't imply being an emotional girl, btu if she is at least I know it is my fault.

Enjoy pictures! Elena's birthday party is in two weeks, so we will have some pictures of that!

Christmas in July

July is always a much anticipated month for me. It is the Christmas of summer. After July, like after Christmas, I am tired broke and want a change in weather. Who doesn't love 4th of July, with sports barbecue and sunshine? It has been a tradition of our married years (the whole three-haha) to do the Provo parade and freedom festival. This year we even watched the hot air balloons take off and enjoyed a charity breakfast. After a day of volleyball at the park and grilled foods for dinner we enjoyed our "front row" free seats to stadium of fire. Sadly, Elena absolutely hates fireworks. But while fireworks bring Elena to tears, they are a much anticipated moment for myself. I love the feeling of really big fireworks- when they explode the wave seems to hit you in the chest. This year we enjoyed them closer than ever, and we enjoyed it while eating rootbeer floats- how American can you get? For many, after the 4th they could just fastforward to fall- but wait just a few more weeks for the best day ever. No, not pioneer day, back up a couple days- July 22- my birthday! My birthday is what really makes pioneer day. I have enjoyed the last 4 birthdays with an extra perk of a holiday (no school/work) only two days after, it will be a real tragedy when I loose this benefit. So for all those who are wishing this warm weath July away, just wait one more week and then by all means bring on fall!

For those who don't care what I have to say and just want to see picture of Elena- here you go! She is as fun as ever. She is walking well with one hand being held and she is beginning to take a step here and there by her self. Besides walking everywhere she also love to turn pages in books. She is a wiggly as ever, but as sweet as ever too!