Who Does She Look Like?

Everyone who knows me is always saying that Natalie looks like me. Everyone who knows Paul and his family thinks that she looks like him or our niece Alexis. What do you think?

Erin

Natalie

Paul

Alexis

Kayla Came to Visit

Our niece Kayla came to stay with us for a month this summer. She was able to celebrate her 15th birthday with us and her other Aunt, Uncle, and cousins.

This was taken at Isaac and Kayla's birthday party.

We were also able to see our other nephew and his wife quite a bit when Kayla was here. That was surely a nice treat!

Scout Camp

Ryan got to go to Jeremiah Johnson Scout Camp this year. He had a great time with his fellow scouts and his dad was excited to take his son for the first time this year.

Summer Fun in California

We went to Sly Park while we were in California. It had a beautiful lake with a red, sandy beach. We picnicked and went in a canoe and paddle boat. It was a gorgeous day and everyone had a great time!

Ryan wasn't too keen on all the yellow jackets that were flying around.

Brook loved the water.

Uncle Ryan taught Brook how to paddle in a canoe. They had a good time splashing us while we were in our paddle boat.

We also went sailing on the Folsom Lake in my parents boat.

Praise be! My parents bought Ryan a new bike while were in California and he learned to ride it!

Natalie is 2!

We celebrated Natalie's birthday twice. First, with a party at our house with Utah family and friends and then again at Grandma and Grandpa's house in California. The one is Utah went much more smoothly however. Natalie was unfortunately bit by one of my parent's dogs and had to go to the Urgent Care center to have it looked at. She wasn't in a very good mood after that, so the party was kind of a bust. At least the food was really good. My mom can cook, that is for sure! Here are some pictures from the events.

Ready for Potty Training?

This morning I walked into Natalie's bedroom and found quite the scene. She had taken off her pajama bottoms and her diaper and was using the wipes to wipe herself. She was quite proud of herself as I praised her. Natalie turns 2 tomorrow, so potty training is definitely on the docket in the near future. My plan is to try it when we get back from California. I think she is ready. Ryan was really quite easy to potty train (especially for a boy!). I am hopeful that Natalie will prove to be just as easy.

Natalie's Make Over

Natalie decided to give herself a make over today.  She got into my lipstick while I was talking on the phone.  She was pretty proud of herself.  I still can't get all of it out of her hair.  Right now, she is rocking a pink do in the front. 

 

Brook's Band Concert

Brook had her first band performance on Friday and it was pretty cool.  Each of the instruments played two songs for the audience and then the intermediate students played two pieces as well. The best part was when the American Fork High School Marching Band came in and played a few songs for us.  Now, that was cool!  

Natalie's Big Girl Bed

Natalie is growing up before our very eyes too!  She got her very own big girl bed this last weekend!  She has done surprisingly well with the transition.  It seems just like yesterday, I was bringing her home from the hospital...*Sniff*

Brook is 12!

Her cake got a little messed up.  It stuck to the pan...Oops!

This picture is great!  She is realizing that she got a cell phone for her birthday.  I wrapped it in a Trivial Pursuit box and she opened it and asked, "Don't we already have this game?"  Then Paul calls the cell phone and the box makes noise.  It took forever for her to be convinced that she should open it!  

A look of unbelief!

Trek

Brook went to Trek (a pioneer experience) with our ward last week.  She had two homemade dresses that my mom made for her.  They went to Wyoming for 4 days and hiked about 30 miles!  She took it on like a champ and had a great time experiencing a little taste of what the Mormon pioneers endured.  She would have made a great pioneer woman-She's tough!

Piano Recital

Brook has been taking piano lessons for about a year now.  She had her second recital of her piano career at the Piano Gallery in Sandy, UT.  She is doing really well and we are so proud that she is taking it seriously and practicing regularly.

The Roommates

I was able to see some wonderful gals from my college days at BYU.  Here is a picture of us outside of my house after our little BBQ.  It was so much fun to catch up and see one another again.  Hopefully, we will do this kind of thing more often!

Ryan's Baptism

On Saturday, May 30th, Ryan got baptized by his father at the Stake Center in Alpine.  He was nervous to go under the water, but ended up handling it like a champ!  We were hoping he wouldn't cry out of fear.  His Mom and Step-dad came, his uncle and cousins, and many wonderful people from the ward were in attendance.  He was 1 of 4 getting baptized from our ward.  Meghan Bitner and Erin Bitner gave the prayers.  Michelle Harvey gave the baptism talk and Brother Richards gave the talk on the Holy Ghost.  It was a very wonderful day and we are very proud that Ryan has made the decision to follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Way to go Ryan!

Dance Festival

The kids had a dance festival the last week of school.  Both of the kids did great!  Here are a few pictures.  

Ryan's 8th Birthday!

Ryan made it to the ripe old age of 8!  We celebrated by taking a huge group to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point.  We had a great time, but I want to go back when I'm not chasing 11 children around the place!  Hopefully, Ryan had a good time!

Family Pictures

We took some pictures with Joy Goff of Joyful Moments.  She took us to this beautiful garden in Cottonwood Heights.  It was heaven!  Here are a few highlights.  There were over 300 images to weed through, so hopefully we picked the best.