Summer 2009- an attempt to catch up

Me and the girls at Silver Lake in American Fork Canyon.

Grandma Wendy and Grandpa Mark came for about 2 months. We went with them to Jake's family cabin in Island Park and to Yellowstone.

We adopted this crazy kitty named Charlotte. He died of Parvo 3 days later.

The first month of the summer we lived in Charlotte, NC. Our favorite place to go was the Latta Plantation, a lake and equestrian park. The water was warm and the trials were easy enough for the girls to hike along with us. We miss Carolina!

I have been procrastinaitng this catch up for far too long. Plus, now that these pictures are posted, I can tease you for the gems I have in store for the next post!

About a month ago we moved to Mapleton, UT. We've been wanting to move here for awhile now, and finally found a place that fits our family well.

I have lot's of pictures to post, but for now...

Here is Jake and Kayleee catching a fish in the pond on the property. The pond is surrounded by plum, peach, walnut and apple trees. Recently there was a fire up behind Maple Mountain and Hobble Creek and the helicopters filled their buckets from the pond cause it was the closest to the canyon.

Jake and Riley on the rope swing at sunset. There is nothing better than the Mapleton breeze on a summer night.

More to come soon!

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina...

Oh yeah, I'm going there for real, too. Actually, we are already here!

On Friday we loaded up the mini-van, locked up our house and drove 2064 miles to Charlotte, North Carolina. We stopped in Denver and in Kentucky and rolled into our apartments on Sunday late afternoon. The drive was surprisingly fun and beautiful. The fields in Kansas were green, the Smoky Mountians were amazing. Every river we passed Jake thought about stopping to go fishing.
We've been here a day an the girls are stoked. All week Kaylee has been saying " We're going on a big trip to Cadawhina!" We told her there would be new toys and a pool! Her dreams came true this morning when she and Riley splashed on the apartment patio. The big pool is just a little too cold right now, but it's something for them to look forward to.
I still need to do a post about Kaylee's birthday, but for now I'll just post pictures.

Riley and Kaylee at the park with Amari's and her kids.

Riley overjoyed about the bounce house birthday bonanza at Jenn's house.

Kaylee's birthday bike!

Riley made it to the bottom of the slide!

Kaylee, Annika, Bella, Tennis and Hunter- having the time of their lives.

Blowing the candles of the princess castle cake I made. I can't believe she is three!

An easel from Grandma Wendy. Kaylee teaching Riley a thing or two.

Riding the baby pony, Taffy, at aunt JoDee's house. A birthday dream come true.

My little princess with curly hair, a new dress and cowgirl boots- growing up so fast!

Riley playing in the grass. She is usually such a happy girl.

I am so impressed with my little travelers. They made it through a three day trip across the country with only a few meltdowns.No that's not a smudged windsheild. It's the "smoke" cominng off the Smoky Mountains on our way to North Carolina. This picture obviously does not do it justice.

They thought this was worth the trip!!

Do NOT leave your children unattended

I left Kaylee and Riley in the bath for a second while I visited with my dad and Jake in the other room. A few minutes of quite, then a sudden cry for help- I sprint into the bathroom to find Riley's face and body covered in pink nail polish! Kaylee had the time out of her life, sobbing on her bed while we removed the polish and rebathed Riley.

Here's what else my diva's have been up to...

"I'm not a princess, I'm a fairy!"

At the gardens at Thanksgiving Point. She called the trellis the princess castle.
Riley petting the biggest rabbit I have ever seen at Aunt JoDee's house. Kaylee on the swing at Aunt Jeri's house. Welcome home Justin!
Jake and Riley working on the patio garden.

Katie, Kaylee and Annika on the trampoline. Kaylee came home and said, "Mom, sit down- Duck, Duck.... Goose!" What a fun game she learned from her cousins. Riley making out with a sweet vanilla cone.

B-I-N-G-O

She is singing in the tub, obviously. But what's awesome is that she pretends that the green towel is her dress. The obsession never ends....

We made a last minute trip to Seattle for Jake to do some work. Of course we saw my family as an added bonus. We love visiting Seattle. It was so relaxing and fun to see everyone.

Brian and Heather brought their kids over to the park by my parents house. When Kaylee and Rees saw each other they gave big hugs and held hands on the way home. It's was so great to see them enjoy each other so much.

My dad read to Riley and she practiced her sounds. I can't beleive how many she can do.

Grandma Wendy and Kaylee ready to go to church.

My dad helped the girls paint ceramic ponies from the Target dollar spot. Kaylee painted hers a few times that weekend.

I took the girls with me to visit Greg and Sandy Johnson. I think Greg's mustache reminded Riley of Jake's dad. She kept calling him Papa and snuggled right up to him. They were so sweet to have lots of toys and treats to entertain them. They felt right at home.

We inherited a lovely collection of Big Band music from Grandpa Hart. Kaylee loves it. I don't kow if it's the music or the fact that the cd is pick- either way, we've been dancing to it everyday. She is in a dress, of course, because that is all she will wear.
Riley has climbed up on this stool by herself. Her sippy cup fell in the sink so she is screaming for her juice. She often finds herself stuck either on the stool or on the counter she's climbed on. Adventerous like her sister.... I'm in trouble!

We moved back into our house right after the new year. It has been so nice to be back in Lehi. Last week my grandpa passed away. It was a little bittersweet. He was old and losing his memory and had been sick for a few weeks. He died peacefully in his sleep. The funernal was this past weekend so all of my family came to town.

Grandpa Grandpa with Lucy and Riley

The men practicing Brightly Beams Our Fathers Mercy.

Evie Soule being cute as can be.

Melia, Kaylee, Rees Ezra, Sophie and Elliot in the playhouse. I'm sure there were more kids upstairs. These little second cousins are so close in age... they had a ball.

Sarah, Christie, Annie, me and Riley enjoying the best carmel popcorn I have ever had.

Kami, Jessica, Kathryn and Bonnie... beautiful ladies indeed!

Lucy, Rees, Riley and Kaylee watching a show. Both Rees and Lucy caught the flu while they stayed with us. Brian, Kami and some of the Hart kids got sick too... I'm so sorry!

Kami being a super aunt, reading a book to Kaylee, Riley and Lucy

Riley likes the shower now too!

Kaylee is on a pants strike- she only wants to wear dresses. In the morning she calls for me to get her out of bed. Somehow she is already in a dress! She changes dresses 5-6 times a day, usually favoring the floral one pictures and a little black and white polka dot dress that is actually Riley's. What am I going to do with this girly girly??


Riley is developing the sweetest little personality. She loves to play chase and hide and seek. She is really patient with her diva sister, but is starting to notice when things aren't fair. For the most part, she and Kaylee are the best of friends.