September = Birthday month at our house

Luke turned the big 2-8 on Sept 8.  He had to work, and go to school... boo... so we didn't get to see him much until that night. But we have fun preparing for his arrival! We decorated the house with some streamers, bought party hats (cause I told him he had to wear one) made homemade pizza, and ate cake topped with SPARKLERS! Then we watched one of his most favorite movies, "Where the Red Fern Grows" as well as "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and wished him a happy birthday about a hundred times!

Check out their aprons! A few months ago Tianna realized Luke didn't own an apron like the rest of us and said she wanted to give him one for Father's Day. Since it was August, and he'd have to wait a really long time, I figured his birthday was more practical. The girls LOVED making it for daddy.  It says "daddy's grillin so we're chillin" and has their hands and footprints. Adelia thought it was awesome--she lifted her foot up and waited for me to put the paint on it. She's getting to be quite the copy cat to all her sister does.

We sure love this man! He's a wonderful daddy and an exceptional husband! Have a great 28th year! (boy that sounds old. he's close to 30 now!)

Miss Tianna also celebrated a birthday this week. Yesterday, on Sept 16th our baby girl turned 4! 

Before we get into the details, I have to share this story.  Very first thing yesterday morning I hugged her and said, "Happy birthday!" and she pulls back with a wary look on her face. "Am I 3 still or am I 4?" I said, "you are 4 now!" and she pulls her nightgown tightly around her and examines herself up and down. Knowing what she's thinking, I say, "Do you feel bigger now?" And she exclaims with all the gusto of a 4 year old.. " I DO!" 

And she IS getting so big. We sure love her! She is such a joyful person to be around. 

Her birthday was crazy! But crazy fun. It started the night before when Grandpa Bert and Aden came to town. We went out to Sizzler to eat and she got a complimentary root beer float (loaded with the most whipped cream and M&M's possible)..... luckily her dinner consisted of fruits and veggies and a few tortilla chips (she's weird. but we won't complain)

Thursday morning began for all of us really early. Luke kissed me good morning before his shower and I looked at the clock. It was 6:43---- THE EXACT time she was born. Quite the coincidence, eh? 

Now this post will be way too long if I include all the pictures of her friend party--let me just say, it was HUGE but super fun. And most importantly, she loved it. So the details of it shall have to wait. But as for the rest of her birthday... after the party we ate lunch with her bff's, Kendra and her cousin Aden

Mommy and Tianna in our party dresses

Then Grandpa and Aden left... and it was a big sad for Tianna.

But she recovered... and when Daddy got home and we opened family presents

 

Featured here: Pet shops from James, Val, and Jacomo, and Belle from Grandpa Neil and Grandma Bonnie

Awaiting a special surprise from Mom and Dad (mostly Dad)

He was VERY excited! 

Then we went and ordered a pizza and ate it at the cool Whittier Center Park.

On the way home we saw the most gorgeous view of the Temple

If only the dang power line wasn't there...

When we got home we realized that we hadn't even sang to her "Happy Birthday" nor had she blown out candles. (the party was a bit crazy so we had just passed out cupcakes and didn't even sing to her)

Then of all the luck, i couldn't find the candles i bought. So we improvised. 

Although she says it about everything, I still believe her when she said "It was the best birthday I ever had!" WE LOVE YOU TIANNA!!!! 

Bear Lake Continued

Since the beach pictures were so abundant I decided to break it up a bit. 

The Camp

Tianna telling Chantel where to hide so that she could be found during Hide-an-Seek

Card Games in the tent

This warm bed

results in this: a happy kid in the morning

It was way too early for this much fun. 

The whole gang at Minnetonka Cave

Would be a great family picture if it weren't for the silly sticker on Tianna's forehead. 

The Smiths: Kent, Chandra, Kendra, and baby Taylor   

    

At Summers End

I have been in denial about summer ending and fall approaching. I think it had more to do with not wanting to accept that school was starting which we've really been dreading at this house.  Now that he's a week into the new school year, there isn't much I can do to change that. SO, I embraced it, and we had one last fling before Autumn hits.

We spent the Labor Day weekend in Bear Lake.  It was amazing! We were with our friend's, Blake and Chantel Merrell and her sister, Janae.  We stayed in Clover Leaf campground up St. Charles Canyon and it was so nice! We spent Saturday at the North Beach playing in the sand and with the wave runners Blake and Chantel brought.
Sunday we drove back to Logan for church and then went back up afterwards.  It was SO cold that night! Luckily Monday wasn't too terribly cold, but it was chillier. We went up to Minnetonka Cave for a tour that morning and our friends, the Smith's, met us up there.
We ate lunch, broke up camp, and then wandered around Garden City and such before heading home. It was a bit hectic but SO FUN! And very memorable.  A perfect ending to a fabulous summer!

AT THE LAKE

I tell Tianna to smile for the camera and her first reaction is to get down and lay sexy like in the water. What the heck?!

She was in HEAVEN at the beach! She played for 3 or 4 solid hours in the sand and water. Luke did take her on a wave runner ride and she really enjoyed it too! We also attempted to fly her kite for a bit but the wind kicked up really fast and really hard. 

Miss Adelia also loved the beach. I tried so hard to get a picture of her holding still, but unlike Tianna, she's not much of a poser. :) But she thoroughly enjoyed herself running, splashing, and EATING SAND! Ew. 

I love this picture! 

This too was very precious-- Tianna was leading Adelia all around, hand in hand. I think they will grow up to be best friends. *let's hope!*

I had a wonderful time, myself. I loved seeing my girls play, riding the wave runner, and hugging my hunk-husband!

Luke REALLY enjoyed the wave runners. He and Blake especially liked it when the wind kicked up and the waves got really big. Both regretted it a bit the next 2 days when they were sore, head to toe! :)

Blake and Chantel

and Chantel with Janae

The last picture we have here today is of THE BIRTHDAY BOY and his girls!

HAPPY 28TH BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART! You are the best! And you deserve a wonderful, super, awesome, incredible, fabulous day!

Honoring a Princess 8-23-10

Two weekends ago we headed down to Castle Valley so that we could be honor Vittoria on what would have been her 9th birthday.
First stop-- SCOFIELD! We were so glad to go to the cabin. I use to go so often growing up... it was almost as much home as my actual home was.
We were able to ride the horses, Tianna got to ride one all by herself (with a lead rope of course), go on a long 4-wheeler ride looking for said horses, play with Grandpa Neil (and teach Adelia to say grandpa!) and later that afternoon we also got to spend time with James, Val, Jacomo, and Val's parents, Anna and Guilio.

First ride as a "Big girl"

Who doesn't like smudges on their glass? 

Leading the horse

Aunt Val

Saturday night we went down to my parents house and made a little trip over to Luke's family on Sunday.

Monday was a hard day for the family.  We cannot believe it's been a year(on the 16th) since Vittoria returned to Heavenly Father. Those dark days in the hospital, the viewing and funeral, the grave.......... it all seems like a bad dream. When all the cousins are together playing we half expect Vittoria to run up along-side all of the group too.  Our heats still break for the sadness of her parent's.  We are just so grateful to have the Gospel and the knowledge that she is in Heavenly Father's arms and that we WILL see her again.  How truly difficult this would be for everyone without that to hold on to.

Tianna's note to Vittoria

It was a special time at her grave with the family.  There was a balloon release at 5:46 pm-- the time of her birth.  It was beautiful to watch the purple balloons float up to heaven for the birthday girl to enjoy.  Each balloon had a message written to Vittoria from her family and friends.

When her parents were there on the 16th, they were surprised to see her grave-stone was in place... it was their special birthday gift to their sweet angel.  It is so beautiful and just perfect for her.

A New Chapter in her Life

The day arrived.......... Tianna is now an offical pre-schooler! It's crazy my baby girl can be that old! I know it's very cliche' but really, it feels like I just had her!
Her first day was Friday, August 20th.  I'm so glad she actually could go on the first day... luckily her bout with the flew was nothing more than an occasional stomach cramp on Thursday.
She was so excited to start school...but she keeps calling it "Kindygarten" instead of pre-school.  Come on! don't grow up any faster than you already are!

Don't mind the waffle in her hands...

Coloring her self portrait

Showing off "Sunny," her favorite doll she took for show-and-tell.  

"This is Sunny. She is mine and I just love her."  Actually, the doll use to be mine and about a year ago she found it in a box and adopted her and adored her since.