Picnic in the canyon

My family usually gets together to celebrate Pioneer day, but this year everyone did their own thing. We spent a big part of the day at Deer Creek Reservoir. That night, we watched a movie and did a few sparklers out front. Emilia really liked watching the sparklers!

Because we didn't hang out on the holiday, we decided to meet up at Millcreek Canyon a few days later. The forecast was threatening rain, but when we got to our picnic site, it was just a little cloudy and it was quite warm! James wanted to explore a lot (especially the waterfall!) and Emilia loved getting passed around and loved on. We got out some chips and dip to snack on while Jessica and Joe kept the fire going and Ethan started cooking hot dogs.

A kiss from cousin Juliet!

Emilia wore a special hot dog outfit and Converse "sneakers"

We wanted to get some pictures by this waterfall because this is where we had some of our engagement pictures taken

After a tasty dinner of hot dogs, macaroni salad, and watermelon, it was time for s'mores! I love s'mores. In fact, I'm pretty sure they are my favorite dessert. We all sat around the fire roasting marshmallows and laughing and stealing everyone else's prepared graham crackers. Emilia was not interested in sleeping so I cuddled with her on a camp chair. She was so interested in everything going on. 

I think some family time in the mountains was just what I needed today!

3 months!

Emila is 3 months old today. This month has been so much easier than last month! Emilia is still fussy, but her meltdowns last for 10-15 minutes instead of hours. She is so smiley and a couple of days ago she (sort of) laughed for the first time. She can roll onto her side by herself, but she can't quite get all the way over. She has started to be more interested in toys and grabs the ones hanging from her playmat. She sleeps pretty well most nights- either sleeping through the night or waking up once. I sure love this baby girl and I can't wait to see what she learns this month!

Likes:
Car rides
Being outside
Ceiling fans
"Standing up"
Fisher Price seahorse (but she has always loved this!)
Stroller walks
Peek a boo kisses book
Restaurants
Fake coughing game

Dislikes:
Getting dressed
hiccups
Dadda sneezes

3 months

2 months

1 month

Emilia's first 4th of July

The 4th of July started early this year! We had to be up at 6:30 in order to make our first activity of the day: The Heber Creeper Freedom Train (which was extra fun because a huge thunderstorm kept us up during the night). We had heard about the freedom train last year, but tickets sold out too fast so this year we made sure to get tickets way in advance. The train left right at 8 and we got to the depot at 7:52, but we made it and got settled just as the train departed for Decker Bay. We relaxed and watched the scenery as fiddlers played patriotic songs.

Emilia seemed to really enjoy the train ride. We thought the slow movement of the train would make her fall asleep, but she only slept for about 15 minutes of the whole 90 minute ride. She was really interested in looking out the window.

Later that afternoon, we headed to Salt Lake to celebrate Ethan's birthday with tasty Thai food before heading to their house for cake and fireworks. Unfortunately, we got a flat tire on the way which delayed things a little. 

Jessica and I have been having fun dressing our little girls in matching outfits. They wore special outfits for the holiday.

Emilia is having fun practicing sitting and she is all smiles these days.

Family picture!

Happy 4th of July!

3rd Anniversary

It has been our tradition to spend our anniversaries at Castle Creek Inn. We usually spend the weekend eating Chinese food and watching movies. However, this year our tiny baby changed that. Castle Creek Inn isn't really the place for a baby and she isn't ready for an overnight babysitter.

Our anniversary was a Wednesday this year. Joe worked in the morning and then took me to a surprise spot for a little picnic. This place is just up the road a bit and seems to be some kind of wildlife sanctuary. We had  a tasty light lunch while watching birds and butterflies.

Emilia wore a special dress

We still wanted to go out to dinner, but we wanted to go somewhere family friendly so we decided on Outback steakhouse. We are lucky that Emilia is usually pretty good in restaurants.

We are trying to stick with traditional anniversary gifts. 3 years is leather, crystal, or glass. Joe cooked a nice dinner on Tuesday night and put my gifts on the table. I had wanted candlestick holders for a while and he picked a beautiful set! I got him a leather binder/organizer/notebook thingy and filled it with some office supplies.

It's been a wonderful 3 years.