Arboretum

Steel Roots Sculpture 2010

We love the Children's Garden & the "water ball"

The frog pond. Check out Cana's new ride!
This was our first outing with the new stroller and the cargo space was wonderful. We brought a picnic lunch and made a day of it at the Arboretum. There was a new area of the Children's Garden that was previously fenced off so we enjoyed some new exhibits.

The Good Time Gwage

Adley says gwage - not garage. I love it!
Adley has been steadily learning to ride her bike (and scooter) while Daddy works in the garage. Over the summer she has progressed to making several large ovals in front of our house. We're sure that her abilities were spurred on, in part, by the addition of the handle bar streamers. She occasionally gets caught on a slight incline and has trouble getting started again - but is usually able to get going again before help arrives.

Mommy and Cana watching Adley's new moves.

Daddy in his woodshop.
(he even has a sign)

More Family Fun

Uncle Gary, Aunt Darlene, Aunt Karen, Jared & Michelle
(their first visit to Zion, I believe)

Cana spent part of the service with Grandma, part of the service with Grandpa and part with Auntie Anna. That was a good thing because it was a looong service. Cana was a trooper and was even pretty quiet. She did sing a little.

Notice the owner of the princess is not present

GrandMary and Grandpa Al getting ready to say goodbye.

Saying goodbye - the Adley way!

Grandpa and Grandma and Auntie visit!

Grandpa Al and GrandMary and Auntie Anna came late on Wednesday night. They planned to stay through church on Sunday. On Thursday, us girls went out shopping and then, in the evening we enjoyed a pizza supper with the Koehler family. Friday found us with more shopping, time with Daddy and a BBQ dinner at home. On Saturday GrandMary and Grandpa Al attended a wedding while we played with Auntie Anna.

Reading with Grandpa

Reading with Auntie Anna

Baby Lyla was sick but she appears to be in good hands

A shot will make her feel better

"I don't like the grass!"

"Posing" for a picture

Learning ballet - check out those pointed toes!

August at our house

August has been a busy month. We arrived back from California on the 9th and celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary on the 11th. That second week we jumped right back into the regular schedule with several meetings and confirmation class. We've been enjoying our pictures from California, surveying our garden (first cucumber) and a batch of the best pesole. Then on Sunday, 8/15 Daddy didn't feel well and he was sick the whole next week. It was nice having him home - even if he was asleep for most of it.

Despite Daddy's illness we have been entertained by Cana. She pulled herself upright for the first time on 8/16 and started taking steps or "cruising the furniture" right after that. She claps often (with or without) provocation. Cana will say "Bye Bye" in a sing-song and wave. When she drops a toy she looks dejected and says "Uh-Uh" instead of Uh-Oh and she calls both of her parents and enthusiastic "Ma-Ma!" We have heard something that sounds an awful lot like "Adley" but we can't quite confirm it just yet. And last but not least she put her fingertips together to make the sign for "more" just this week. Its the only sign she knows but her face just lights up when we praise her. What fun!

GrandMary and Grandpa Al and Auntie Anna arrive on the 25th for a few days so we have plenty to look forward to. As we say - "Its so much fun being a family!"

Watching sister fly a kite with Daddy

Playing together in "their" room

Magnets!

Our 'lil cupcake

Our princess

"We're the girls!"

A mover and a shaker - so proud of herself

Standing up everywhere

"Mommy, take my picture"

Visiting Lisa at her office for Community Day

Playing chalk outside
(she picks out her own clothes)

Standing!

This is her first time. She is so proud...

...and curious too!

Pesole

Pesole with home-grown basil - what could be better.
Thank you Uncle Henry & Aunt Eileen

August Garden Update

Our garden when we arrived home - 8/10/2010

And our first cucumber - 8/10/2010

The same cucumber - 8/18/2010
Adley picked our first cucumber from the garden and we sliced it up for supper that night. It was tasty but very light in color. We're waiting to see what the next one looks like.

The balcony herb garden on our return.

California Girls

Adley enjoyed swimming, tea parties, swinging, Funderland, tea parties, watermelon, roller skating, tea parties, swimming, playing Chutes N Ladders, watching the Wizard of Oz, swimming, fresh blueberries, Grandma's heart shaped sandwiches, and swimming.

Of course, her favorite was playing with Grandma and swimming with Paka.

We also enjoyed time with Papa Vern, Uncle Jeff, Auntie Mallory, Uncle Henry, Aunt Eileen, Uncle Lou, Aunt Betty, Uncle Gary, Julie, and lots of friends.

Cana enjoyed swimming, playing in the pink tent, crawling, bouncing, swimming, tea parties and watching sister play.

Her favorites were rocking with Grandma and napping with Paka.

Cana reached several milestones during the trip. She cut two teeth, learned to clap, and strengthened her crawling skills. Cana was also able to swing, swim and play in the tent with her sister - all new things!

Mommy enjoyed swimming, mangos, roller skating with Adley, artichokes, shopping, clapping with Cana, swimming with Adley and occasionally, sleeping in. Daddy enjoyed swimming, the hammock, Mikuni's and playing with the girls. We also had an anniversary dinner at the E-bar without our children - what a treat!

THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL TIME!

Last Luau

After church on Sunday.
We were supposed to come home and start packing.
Instead...

...we went to Mikunis...

...and had sushi (Jared), LOTS of tofu (Adley), a great time (Cana), her hands full (Michelle).

What a group! Grandma and Adley were already gone and checking out the fish tank.

After Mikunis we were supposed to come home and pack.
Instead...

...we went SWIMMING!

Cana loves the water. She splashes, kicks and doesn't seem to mind too much when she gets water on her face.

Adley is getting braver all the time. She went underwater with Mommy and she loves "spinning." We'll have to find more swimming opportunities.

Ok, then we had to pack!