What a summer!

Wow, what a summer. I haven't been posting everything as it has been happening because I have been so overwhelmed with how much I have had to post! Everyday has been so special for so many different reasons. We have had so much fun together and have made so many memories. We even accomplished our two main goals for the summer: potty-training and big-girl bed!! I continue to fall in love with Aly a little more with each passing day, each newly learned phrase, and each new amazingly sweet personality trait that emerges. Take a look at my overview of a pretty perfect summer...

Naturals Baseball Game

For about a week, Aly would throw up a peace sign every time I told her to look at a camera. Don't ask me why. Donny and I aren't particularly the peace sign posing type. Maybe she thought it meant "Look at me, I'm two!" Thankfully it was a phase that passed quickly.

Aly and Andrew

We got to meet Strike!!

Tap and Ballet Class

Pretty sure their favorite part of dance class is the suckers they get when it's over.

First Haircut

So brave!!

Big Cedar Lodge

We couldn't get Daddy away from the store long enough to take our usual beach vacation this year, but we could get him to commit to a few weekend trips. This one ended up being a lot of fun for all of us.

When I took this picture she was saying, "Oh, I just love coffee!", which is actually chocolate milk. We hate to leave her out of our favorite way to pass the time.

Aly's 3-D glasses were a little oversized.




Tuckered out.
We can't leave the house without "blankie and kitty".


Fun with Friends


Who knew an $8 blow up pool could provide hours of summer fun?

Caroline and Aly came up with this on their own while eating sweet potato fries and asked me to take a picture!

Always taking care of someone.

Silly gulls!!
(That's what Aly says when she sees this picture.)
This was also 100 percent their idea.

Reunited with Ian at the library


She held her own with the boys at Lucas' birthday party.

Aly fell in love with baby Joshua! She took such good care of him while their mommies planned for the new school year.

Aly and her cousin, Aiden, enjoying some pizza.

Hanging out with "Dadd-y-o"

Donny was so patient with Aly when he let her help him with every step in the process of putting together her new bookshelf. She was so proud of herself and so thankful to him for letting her help.


Loving our time at home together

Aly loves playing with her Mrs. Potato Head, as you can see.

Taking a break from a shopping spree to eat lunch with Mommy

Just another reason I love my job. Three months of sleeping in, watching cartoons, cooking together, reading books, painting, coloring, braiding, baby dolls, and lots and lots of hugs and kisses along the way. Thank you for an unforgettable summer, sweet girl.

So blessed.

I am so blessed. I can't believe I have a daughter. A healthy, beautiful, smart, funny, loving daughter. I am her mom. For the rest of her life, when she refers to her mom, that's me. I can't describe the joy that she brings to my life every single day. I can't even put it into words how much I love sharing my life with her. I love watching her sleep, chew her food, play with a doll, run through the yard, greet a stranger and sing her favorite songs. When she was a newborn I was always afraid that feeling would go away, but it hasn't. In fact, it continues to grow stronger every day.

I have learned so much since I became a parent. Every day I spend with her is an eye-opening realization of how much God loves me. He loves me so much more than I love Aly! So much more than I could ever comprehend. It blows my mind! If he loves me that much, why wouldn't he forgive my sins, carry me through my every challenge, listen to my every thought, and meet my every need no matter how low of a priority I sometimes make Him? While I never want to see Aly hurt or sad, I know I can't shelter her from all of those experiences because they will make her who she is ultimately called to be. I will always have her best interest at heart and I will always try to look at the bigger picture of her life. No matter what decisions or mistakes she makes, I won't ever love her any less. I would easily give my life for her. Having a child of my own has truly helped me to better understand my relationship to my heavenly Father and it is unbelievably comforting. In the same way, He loves Aly as much as He loves me. He will take care of her. He will be there for her in the same way He has been there for me. It's now our job as her parents to make sure she knows it. I am so thankful to have been given the responsibility of raising this precious girl.

4th of July 2009

We had a great 4th of July weekend! We went to Tulsa to celebrate at Uncle Jeremy, Aunt Kristi, and Holly's house. We had a fun cook-out with family, cooled off on the Slip-n-Slide, watched fireworks, and even went to the zoo! Aly and Holly even got to experience their first "sleepover". What a fun way to spend the holiday!

I don't know who had more fun, the girls or all of us who were watching.



I have been watching my big brother light fireworks my entire life. It was pretty surreal to watch him light them for our very own daughters!

The girls watching the fireworks in their lawn chairs...
(Please take notice of Holly's favorite pink cowgirl boots. I thought they complimented her 4th of July outfit perfectly.)

I just had to add this one...