Happy Birthday Lily

Happy Birthday Lily!  I can hardly believe she is one!  It is amazing to see how she has changed physically, emotionally, socially, and so much more over the year.  She is one cute girl!  We love her sweet smile, giggles, and snuggles.  It is sweet to see her develop a friendship with Emily.  Although they have moments, they sure do love to play, giggle, and sing together.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to be Lily's (and Emily's) mom.

• Loves to crawl and get into things.  She crawls on all fours and using a sit crawl.
• Finds it fun to spin around around the wood floor and then clap
• Loves to play outside, especially in the pool and going for walks
• Enjoys playing with phones, books, and music making toys
• Uses a walker to move from room to room
• Walks along furniture and while holding onto someone's fingers
• Loves to eat blueberries - she could eat them every meal
• Becoming more social around grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles
• Loves to play peek-a-boo while folding laundry
• Enjoys adventures away from home to explore her world around her: library, splash park, GG's, and the store
• Likes to explore plants and dirt - we have to make sure she doesn't eat anything
• Giggles and jabbers lots

Little Reader

Emily is my "Little Reader!"  She has always enjoyed reading books with herself and others.  I love watching her retell stories I have read to her.  She is so bright!  Whether in a chair, on the couch, or spread out on the floor, Emily is so fun to watch read.  I love the way she reads to her imaginary friends, dolls, and princesses.  It is so cute to see her little legs and toys wiggle as she enjoys a book.
Emily thinks movie cases are books too.  She loves to read and look at the pictures on the cases.  Unfortunately, Lily and Emily are quick at pulling Nana's movies off her shelves.  It is always a fun clean up game;).

24th of July

 Happy 24th of July - Pioneer Day!  It has been a few years since my little family has celebrated this special holiday.  Being out of town we celebrated the pioneer aspect at church for the past 4 years, but little else.  This year we enjoyed seeing the floats at the Parade Preview at the South Towne Expo.  It was a great way to see part of the parade without the traffic or the heat.  On the 24th we enjoyed swimming, playing games, and sparklers with the family.  Lily and Emily especially enjoyed spending time with cousins.  It is so fun to see her developing friendships with them all.

Terrific Toys

Nana's house has given the girls an opportunity to explore more toys, especially outside.  We love the "cooler" weather here compared to St. George as if affords lots of playtime outside with swimming, wagons, scooters, and playing on the blanket.  The afternoons seem to pass so quickly in the sunshine.

The girls also love to play with the Little People, dolls, and watch Grandpa's train.  Nana has kept many of mine and my siblings childhood toys.  It is fun to see them explore some of my favorite toys while allowing me to be a little girl again.

Lily's Troublemaking

Lily is quite mischievous at times.  She loves to empty shelves, unwind the toilet paper roll, and climb!  It is fun to see Lily's smile widen as she eyes something she can make trouble of.  Although it isn't always fun to clean up her messes I am glad to see her explore her world.

Afternoon Swimming

In the summer sunshine, the girls love to swim in Nana's "Lion Pool."  Lily loves to splash in the connected sprinkler.  Emily loves to pretend to swim and play with all the toys.  I love the outdoor fun swimming brings.  I always manage to get soaked too.

A Trip to the Zoo with Cousins

We enjoyed a fun trip to Hogle Zoo with cousins, Nana, and Grandpa.  The girls loved watching the animals, eating a picnic lunch, and hanging out with cousins.  We were lucky enough to enjoy a train ride at the end.  Both girls had so much fun that they were asleep in the car before we left the parking lot.

Silly Lily

As my sweet Lily grows, her personality brightens.  She has always had a sweet, tender spirit.  However, Lily is cheerful, playful, and silly!  She loves to put things in her mouth like a binky - little people, crayons, rubber duckies, etc.  Lily will smile beneath the toy and look as you as if she knows she is being silly.  She loves to be applauded and claps lots!  A natural performer for sure!

Lily is a great eater!  She especially loves blueberries, which mommy is happy that it keeps her tummy happy.  We have had a few occasions to practice for her one year old birthday party with cake eating.  She loved the tactile texture experience!  I loved watching her experience it all.

As night and naptime falls, I love to snuggle with this sweet girl.  I can hardly believe she will soon be one years old.  At the same time, it is hard to imagine life with out this sweet girl in our home.  Each night I pray I can be the mother she and Emily need.  I also pray that time will pass just a little slower, so that they may be my babies that much longer. 

4th of July

Happy 4th of July!  We enjoyed the day with Nana & Grandpa in the morning with a sweet roll breakfast.  Then we had fun with our Yates family in Syracuse with a barbecue and fun toys at Brooke's house.  We are so grateful for this country & the opportunities it lends.

Emily's Best Buddies

As we left St. George, our dear friend Sherrie gave Emily a stuffed Olaf.  He has been her guardian angel giving her lots of night-time snuggles.  She loves to pretend with him.

Emily is becoming "Nana's Girl!"  She loves to play, read books, work, and sing with Nana.  It seems Nana always knows how to dry her tears and guide her steps.  As a child - even now - I was "Grandpa's Girl!"  As such it is fun to see my daughter get to know all of her grandparents and develop special, unique relationships with them.  This is a great blessing of living closer to family.