Zions Ntl Park

In the first week of July we went to Zions National Park to celebrate Lorena's parents 50th wedding anniversary, and a family reunion. It was so fun to see everyone. We did some amazing hikes and Angela had a blast playing with her cousins and seeing the park in the backpack. We hiked Weeping Rock, where she cried every time water would drip on her; we also hiked the Emerald Pools, but only reached the lower amd middle pools, and the Narrows, where she had fun playing in the river. Then it was back to the lodge and playing on the grass and eating ice cream. Getting her settled down every night was a challenge, she would get extremely tired but still wanted to keep playing. We had a great time.


Weeping Rock

Mid Pools


the Narrows


finally... asleep

Beautiful Dress

Today Angela got to wear a most beautiful dress. Kiersten brought it home for her from China. She looks amazing in it. Thank you Kiersten!

Events

This past week was full of wonderful events. It was Angela's birthday. It seems it was a week of birthday. Every day she had something related to that wonderful day. Then we got to welcome home Kiersten from China, she was there for 5 months teaching English.

Then we had a party to welcome home Kiersten, wish Angela a happy birthday, and wish all the dads a Happy Father's Day. Before Kiersten left her and Angela were close friends. Angela is starting to remember all that.

Look who's 2!!

Today is Angela's birthday, she turned two. When asked, she'll now say she's two - that took a bit of work. She can't quite hold up 2 fingers, but we are working on it. We didn't do anything big - yet, that comes Friday. Today we went to church and had a quiet dinner and birthday cake. Angela helped mom frost the cake - ok, more like clean up the frosting.We cannot believe how fast she is growing. Every day is something new and fun and also frustrating. But even now that is official - the terrible two's - bring 'em on

big girl.

mmmm..chocolate.....

more pease!!

Then and Now

We can hardly believe it has been ONE YEAR today that Angela joined our family. It does not feel like one year. In that year we have been through a lot: learning to crawl, eat regular food, walk, broken wrist, head surgery, learning to talk, feed herself... oh my goodness, the list can keep going. She now will just burst into song singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." She knows all the words (mostly) and can stay on tune for all the words. She is starting to learn "I am a Child of God" and "Jesus Once Was a Little Child." She LOVES being outside, which for us is a good thing because we are always outside. She loves the dogs, and they love her. Our lives have been blessed to have her - she is an Angel - at least most of the time.

now


Then

Play Time

With the good weather that is upon us, and Angela's love for the outside, we finally got her an outside toy. A really cool slide with a rock wall, ladder, and a platform with a telescope. She loves to stand on the platform and "bark" orders at the dogs (no pun intended). So between the bridge, stones, and the slide, she keeps herself and us busy.

We also had a friend give us a Sit-N-Spin. Boy, have they improved the design - if you can call it an improvement? The makers added buttons on top that play through music while they spin - and there is NO OFF Button!! yep - no off button. She likes to hit the button and play the music then just dance to it.

Dress Up

With all the cold and rainy or snowy days we have to find new things to do. Angela loves to play dress up and did we have the perfect accessories for her. She had a ball in these clothes and had lots of fun. But can you believe one of her most favorite things to play with is the swifer? Yep - she will pull that out and start pushing it all over the floor. So mom always makes sure that there is a cloth on it so it will clean the floor - may as well make the most of it right?! These are from the end of March.

Helper

Butterfly wings

Dress up

Dancing