Sarah Marie's 1st Birthday!

Sarah has officially turned 1! She is so big!! She didn't quiet understand the whole birthday party thing, but she was glad to have cake and ice cream!

Bumpa made a wonderful, creamy homemade ice cream for Sarah's party. I made a cake, with Megs help, and decorated it for her 'Under the Sea' party.

It all started with a fun game of water volleyball. Everyone enjoyed and had a wonderful time! Abby learned how to play, with Karina's help, and enjoyed tossing a water balloon back and forth. Phillip and Luke (Jordan's cousin Jame's kids) enjoyed playing as well. Everyone enjoyed a yummy BBQ dinner and then dug into the cake. Of course Sarah had to blow her candle out (with everyone's help) before she could dig right in.

Isn't she cute?! Sarah dug right into her cake, both hands (of course!). She didn't understand why the cake didn't come off her hands when she tossed them up and down. The frosting made everything stick! But, she loved it and wanted more--but I spared her a tummy ache and guided her to more healthier things--like presents!

Sarah's first present was a book from Mommy and Daddy. Sarah loves books! She can sit on the floor with a couple of books at her side and she will flip through each of them and 'read' to herself. It is so cute!! She loves to flip through all the pages and look at them. When I get home from work she has me sit down with her and read books, well, her choice of book about 5 times over. But I don't mind--I am an avid reader as well so having a daughter who loves books just makes me jump up and down with excitement! Anyway, when Sarah opened her first gift she didn't want anything more. She wanted me to read her the book before I moved on. So, that is what we had to do with each book! She got about 5 or 6 books and had to 'read' them all.

Sarah got plenty of other wonderful gifts and she thanks everyone for the PJ's, clothes, and toys! She loves them all!!

After cake and ice cream we all enjoyed a pinata! Of course Sarah enjoyed watching--her coordination isn't up to speed with the other kids just yet. Abby was second to go after Luke. Phillip next (who hit it hard enough some candy came out!). After the kids had their turn, the adults got to try! Jon attempted, but failed to make a break. Then Roo tried, got a good hit, but didn't knock it down. Then came my turn. I didn't think I was going to hit it, but I swung hard and the pinata burst open spilling candy everywhere!

All in all, it was a fun birthday party, weekend at Bear Lake with beautiful weather, and a great time! Sarah had fun sitting on the beach with Nana and playing in the sun! I finally got to wakeboard after a two year break! I am a little sore, I admit, but it was a blast! I was glad everyone was able to come up and enjoy some time together taking a break from the stresses of life! Thanks everyone who came!!!

Sarah's 1st Birthday!!

Well, a year has come! Sarah will be one this Thursday!! I can't believe how quickly it has all gone by. Soon she will be running around, talking on a cell phone, and driving! Scary!

For Sarah's birthday we are planning on going to Bear Lake and spending the weekend there. We're going to have a BBQ on the beach on Saturday for Sarah's birthday party. We're going to have some games and treats. I am pretty excited. I know Sarah won't remember this party, but everyone else will! Since the party is at Bear Lake I have decided on an 'Under the Sea' theme. I think it is going to be a lot of fun!!

Sarah is so close to walking! I can't believe it! But, I am glad she is preferring her crawling right now. I know as soon as she decides to walk I am in a load of trouble. She already climbs, I can only imagine the trouble she is going to get into once she can walk!

I will write more once Sarah's party has come and gone. I'll be sure to post pics as well. I hope everyone is planning on a fun weekend! I am!

Indianola

Hello All~

I know it has been a while since I have written. I have just been so busy in life that I didn't take the time to write. Shame on me, I know, I know.

Good news, my book that I wrote has already been asked to be seen by one literary agency. The great news about this was it happened within a 24 hour time frame of when I sent out my query letter. This is completely unheard of in the industry, so I was ecstatic! I should hear from other agencies within another 5-7 weeks from now. Hopefully I can get my foot in the door. I know rejections are to come, it is to be expected, but I am still thrilled nonetheless. Please keep me in your prayers! This could be my huge break!! I would love to see my book in print. That is all I am looking forward to is sharing my work with others and hoping they too like it as much as I do.

Sarah is taller than all get out!! She just keeps stretching!! Poor thing is going to be seven feet tall by the time she is five at the rate she is growing. Well, at least she will have to marry some tall guy who happens to be an NBA player so Jordan and I can have our retirement settled for life--right?! Sarah is just as cute as she is tall. I will have to post some pictures soon.

Over the 24th weekend we decided to go to our cabin in Indianola. It was very, very hot! We had a lot of fun despite the heat wave that hit us. We spent the later part of the afternoons sitting in the creek and splashing each other. Sarah enjoyed splashing us as well. It was very cute!

Daisy had a blast. The first day she wore herself right out and she was good for the entire trip! She swam in the creek, ran with the 4-wheeler, and searched for every type of varmint possible. Daisy is a true-blue lab. It was a lot of fun to get away from everything for a weekend and just relax.

My older sister Liz had her second baby, Aiden Robert Kempe! She had him July 23rd just before midnight. He was born face up and swallowed some fluids, so he is in ICU on a ventilator. But, he is doing well and should go home sometime later this week. We are all happy for Liz and baby! Especially now they are showing signs of good health.

Cottonwood!

We finally made a trip to our beloved Cottonwood! It was a lot of fun! It was so nice to get away from everything just for a few days...cell phones, computers, tv's, movies--everything! Nature really does have a healing power.

Sarah really enjoyed herself as well. She went on her first boat ride!! I was driving the boat and fishing at the same time, so Nana took it upon herself to hold Sarah while my hands were occupied. Sarah, obviously, couldn't be in better hands!

Abby also had a great time, even though Liz could only stay for a part of the trip. Her little Aden is due any day now and pretty soon Abby will have a little brother to take care of. We were all really glad Liz didn't go into labor while we were there, talk about what a story that would have made!!

Sarah also took her first 4-wheel ride with Daddy. Look how cute they are!! Sarah enjoyed the short ride her and Jordan went on.

Everything is so green this year! The winter was wet and long, something everyone needed. The mountains were beautiful this year, as you can see, and we saw several animals.

We saw a lot of deer come to the salt lick. One morning there was even a bull moose who came out of the willows for some salt! I saw an otter, or a mink, in the lake as well. It had the cutest face!! No beavers this year though, perhaps next year. We seem to see beavers about once every four years or so.

The fishing was great this year. I caught 9 fish in one day! And that was all in the evening as well. Of course I catched-and-released. The fish are still growing, so we didn't catch any really 'nice' ones. Not to mention, is almost spawning time and we always need more fish in the lake for next year.

We also enjoyed a hike to Slide Lake (or what we call Dead Lake) this year. It was full and beautiful as you can see. The hike was gorgeous as well!

We had a wonderful trip and I am sad it is over...as usual. I hope I am able to go again this year before the snow comes, but we'll see. I am planning on going on the deer hunt this October, so I might not be able to make it up to Cottonwood before then. But, there is always next year! I look forward to this trip year after year.

How was your July 4th?

Preparing for Cottonwood

So, we are really looking forward to our trip to Cottonwood! I missed it last year, so this year will be making up for it. I am also really excited to share this fun place with Sarah! I will update with pics after we go! Have a happy July 4th!

Fishing!!

So, I finally went fishing!!! It took long enough!!! We went up to Timpanogas, Silver Lake and enjoyed an afternoon fishing and relaxing in the mountains. I hadn't realized how much I missed it. I hadn't been fishing for over a year, something unheard of, because of all the events in my life. Now that Sarah is a little older it is easier taking her places. But, she still got filthy. I had a taste of how dirty Sarah will get at Cottonwood. I have to say, fishing with Daisy and Sarah is not the easiest thing to do. Daisy loves the water and loves to fetch, so I am sure you can make the connection. Let's just say I had a fish on the line till Daisy decided to join me. I was irked, but hey, such is life.

Jordan tested out his float tube and LOVES it. He told me I had to outfit myself before we go to Cottonwood at the end of the month. Well, I don't mind! I have wanted a float tube for a while now. That red dot clear out there is Jordan. A little surprising considering he is afraid of water!! I have rubbed off on him--I am a fish.

Sarah has taught herself how to play 'peek-a-boo' without mommy or daddy covering her. It is so cute! She was playing on the way home from fishing. Isn't she a doll?!

Sarah the Stander-Uper

So, I finally remembered to bring my camera with me to the computer. (Sighs) It took me long enough!! Isn't my little girl so cute!!! I can't believe how big she has gotten in the last couple of weeks. She just never seems to stop growing.

Sarah has also learned to shake her head 'no'. She doesn't know what it means, she just knows it makes everyone laugh. I have tried several times to catch this on camera, but she freezes up. She'll smile for the camera, but that is about it. So, here is what happened when I tried to tape her cute 'no'.

Tonight we are looking forward to a BBQ with our neighbors the Reinfelts. They are awesome and we love living next to them. I am sure when Sarah is a little older she will feel the same. Anna likes them too. It is so nice living next to people you get along with.

Last week Sarah and I went to Logan and spent some time at the farmer's market and also the Providence Carnival. It was a lot of fun! Sarah enjoyed watching cousin Abby on the rides. By this time next year I am sure Sarah will be tall enough for all the kids rides. She is already up to Abby's chest, and Abby is the tallest person on her t-ball team. Anyway, that was the update about last weekend...which was also very cold!!

Daisy still hasn't really figured out how to avoid...or what is the right word...hide from Sarah. Sarah loves to stand up! Even on Daisy. Daisy, however is a very social animal so she doesn't like to be in another room when someone isn't in there with her. So, if we are in a room close to one of Sarah's gates then Daisy will take the opportunity and 'hide'. Sarah doesn't mind, she still seems to find ways to get Daisy.

The other Sunday, Sarah was wearing her beautiful pink dress Nana gave her. I couldn't resist taking a picture. Sarah is so pretty in pink! Of course my front yard garden only has deep colors like red, yellow, and purple, so my pinks are all in the backyard. This picture was take nest to my variegated weigela that was in bloom (pretty, huh).

I hope everyone has a great Father's Day weekend! Jordan, I am sure, will.