Our little beach bum

We've been to the beach several times since we've been here. Most days it's been a little chilly though and we end up going in our shorts and sweatshirts. Not today. It was in the 80's. Perfect beach weather. We were able to cool off the fun way. Sophie has no fear of the water, waves, or sand. She had a blast. Thank goodness she doesn't put sand in her mouth; although, I didn't find her sucking on a few sand toys and Bree trying to serve her salt water in a cup. We had such a fun day!

Happy Father's Day!

From your Little Bat Girl. Sophia's so blessed to have a wonderful father like you Rob. We love you and miss you!!!

( Sophia 3 months)

10 Months

Bathing Beauty Doing my favorite thing (walking)

Yummy beans

Princess and the pea

Beep! Beep!

Baby Sophia, as cousin Bree calls her, is not so baby anymore. She seems more like a toddler and less like a baby everyday. She's turning into the cutest little girl. Here's the one month update:

• A few days ago she became scared of her baths. I'm hoping this will pass soon.



• She would love to walk (holding on to my fingers for balance) all day long if I let her



• She also enjoys cruising around her toys and the furniture



• Her main mode of transportation is scooting and rolling



• She loves sleeping on her belly



• Hates baby food now ( except for some fruits) would much rather be eating the real thing



• Loves to be OUTSIDE!!! She doesn't even have to be doing anything, just being out there brings her joy



• Loves popping bubbles (especially in Mom's face, that always brings giggles)



• Playing tug-o-war with her clothing brings more giggles



• A bad habit of hers is pulling at her hair ( we've just lost a few strands, no major chunks pulled out yet)



• She's still a cat napper



• She still enjoys swinging at the park, since we've been in Ca she's been quite spoiled with Grandpa taking her to the park almost everyday



• She will occasionally put food in her mouth on her own ( it's a start)
  

We love her so much and can't wait to get back home so Daddy can hold his little girl!

So cute, but so much work

My Mom was watching Martha Stewart one day and saw the cutest cupcake pops to make. I found the instructions on Bakerella's blog and we gathered all the ingredients. It looked like a fun mother- daughter project and it was, but we just didn't realize how time consuming it would be. They taste great and look adorable, but beware.... you have to have several hours free to devote to this baking/candy making project.

It's been too long

I spent one year away from home before getting married. That was my sophomore year at BYU. That was one of the most memorable years of my life. Not only was I enjoying and exploring all of the opportunities of being on my own, but I was spending it with the BEST roomies anyone could have asked for. King Henry- Apt. 17 Val, Court, Luisa, and Rachel. Courtney and I were already friends and Luisa and Rachel were already friends. The four of us came together that year not knowing that we would walk away with new friends, and memories to last a lifetime.

This last week I got to meet up with Luisa. It had been 5 years since our last apt. reunion. So many things have happened since then: marriage, babies, moves, education, and careers. We had so much fun catching up. We each did a run down of each year that had past since we had last lived together. It was so easy talking to her. It was just like the good old days. The weather was perfect and we had a nice lunch outside on the patio at Olive Garden. She was able to meet Sophia and I was able to meet her new little 2 month old Jake. We might even get lucky and see her one more time before we leave. I hope we don't let 5 years pass again before reuniting.

The Valerie's

Since being home in CA I've been able to see a lot of friends. A couple of weekends ago Sophia and I had lunch with Valerie. We go way back (about 16 years). It all started back at UCLA Hospital peds floor with two very ill girls. Our mothers met and found out they both had daughters named Valerie. I was being discharged and leaving my room. I had a sign that said "Get Well Valerie". We decided it should be passed on to the other Valerie.
A couple months later we met face to face at a Teen Impact Weekend Retreat and figured out that we had been in the hospital at the same time and I was the one that had given her the sign. We instantly became friends and have been ever since. Through the name connection and sharing very similar trials of enduring life threatening illness together we became close.
We didn't know that our first weekend retreat would be the first of many retreats and camps to come. We have so many great memories of the yearly retreats to the beach and Disneyland! Attending winter and summer camps at Camp Ronald McDonald together was a blast. Valerie has been such a special friend in my life. I feel so blessed to have met her and that we have both survived!

Better late than never

I finally read Twilight! My sister Stephanie and friend Amelia had told me for months to read the the series. I bought it last year and then I let it sit on my shelf for months. I'm hooked and have begun reading New Moon. After finishing the book I immediately watched the trailer and can't wait to see the movie. I will say I'm a little disappointed in New Moon. Edward has left the scene and who knows when he'll be back. My sister says the third book is better.