Yellow Hill

For Family Home Evening this week Paul took us on a hike walk up Yellow Hill.

 We started off with some stretches. First backward...

 ...then forward...

 ...then we paused to watch Ben break dance.

Abby was snug as a bug in a rug. Her cheeks are simply scrumptious - I know! 

By the time we reached the top Abby was fast asleep so I flipped her around and tucked her right in. She snoozed the rest of time and missed the view at the top.

 The kids took turns throwing rocks off the top. Then Dad stepped in to show them how it was REALLY done. There were a lot of "WOW's!!" and "WHOA DAD YOU THROW FAAAAR's!!" from Rachel and Ben. We love Vernal and it was so great to see the beauty of our little town from up that high. The farms and streams and trees look beautiful this time of year.

(It kills me how much Ben is a cookie cutter image of Paul, even down to that little cow-lick of hair that grows straight down their forehead!)

 On the way back down we saw two snow-tailed rabbits, and some hawks and other birds. We took turns talking about our favorite things about Vernal and our favorite parts of the day. This moment together as a family was at the top of every one's list.

  It was wonderful to talk to each other with no interruption from LIFE. We were out of the house, away from noise and chaos, and just focused 100% on our family. Thanks for taking us Daddy!

Cutie Patootie

Does it get any cuter than this?

I mean REALLY?!

Kung Fu Mama

 Have you ever noticed that babies make it really hard to get stuff done? I mean never mind the fact that I spend 8 hours of my 24 hour day feeding the lil' angel, but sometimes she JUST WANTS TO BE HELD. And those "sometimes" usually fall at the exact time I am hurrying to try to make dinner or get Rachel on the bus or something else that requires 2 hands. So I decided I would look into the VAST ARRAY of baby carriers and slings on the market to try and make this "supermomness" possible. I scored this little number on eBay and when I tried it on I thought "this thing makes me look like a NINJA! PERFECT!!" Because that's what I was going for you know... 

Kung Fu Mama

Not only does this thing make me LOOK like a ninja - turns out it has some pretty mad "ninja skills". I love that it distributes the weight over my whole back and not just one shoulder. It is SO COMFY! Abby loves it too - observe... 

Hug Hold

 

Kangaroo Hold



See how HAPPY she is!! Of course it has nothing to do with the fact that she found herself in the mirror ;) I love these sweet smiles!! (and yes she totally has my ears...sorry sweet girl!)

She was so snuggled and warm that she fell right to sleep. So I turned her around and tucked her right in.

Our home is once again a safe and happy (and snuggly) place.

"There is no charge for AWESOMENESS..." - Kung Fu Panda

A Few Favs

I can't believe our Baby Girl is 2 months old already!! WHERE DID THE TIME GO!?! At least I can say I haven't missed one single moment of this little girl's life...and I have the dirty dishes and piles of laundry to prove it!...sorry Dear.

The past two months have been some of the best of my life. I know it sounds cheesy and cliche but it's true. Every moment with Baby Girl is a happy one. My good friend gave me a wall decoration that says, 

"A baby fills a place in your heart you never knew was empty."

So true. So very very true. And we love this little Joy with all our hearts.

These are a few of my favorite photos of her first week. 

 One of Abby's MANY nick names is "Tiny" - I think you can see why...

 I love how she is peek-a-booing over the blanket. There is something about a new baby that makes your other kids suddenly seem HUMUNGOUS!!

 "OOOooooo"

 I imagine this conversation went something like, "Now Ben, if you want to hold Abby you have to be VERY CAREFUL like ME!" Such big helpers...

 All this "big brother-ing" really wears Benja out. I love how he just snuggled up in his little sister's blanket and crashed on the couch. Sweet Boy.

Next up...first day of kindergarten, baby blessing, Benny birthday, and baby smiles...

Stay Tuned...