1st Camping Trip of the Season!

Last weekend, we ventured down to Goblin Valley with a group of friends.  It was only our 2nd time camping as a family of 4. (We took Abigail out at the very end of last summer.)  What a fun time!

Dinner time!

To say that Goblin Valley is one gigantic playground would be an understatement.

Snuggle time!

Hanging out by the campfire...Emma is on the verge of falling asleep.

We are still finding sand around the house.

Making breakfast...

Our campsite

Naps in tents are the best!

She hit the ball so hard she knocked over the tee.

Hiking around Goblin Valley State Park...

Abigail didn't make a peep the entire 2-hour hike.

Lunch break!

We even played a little frisbee along the way.

Playing with Mia...

 Unfortunately, we awoke to rain on Sunday morning (and a screaming 1-year old who could not be consoled).  It's bad enough we had to pack up in the rain but, worse yet, we couldn't even make our coffee.  We were on the road by 7:30 a.m. and home by about noon.  And, yes, we did stop for coffee at about the half-way point.

We also encountered snow on the way home.

This photo was taken after she FINALLY calmed down.  

I must say...both girls do pretty well in the car.

We can't wait for our other camping adventures that await us!!

1 Year Old!

One year ago today, we were blessed with this little munchkin.  She had made our family complete.  To celebrate, we are going camping this weekend!  More fun photos to come...

Family in Town

My mom, sister, and grandma were in town last week for my graduation and Abigail's 1st birthday party.  Emma loved spending time with all of them and I am sure they are all exhausted from Emma's enthusiasm and inquisitiveness.

crafting with Grandma

While I was at work on Thursday, they made this awesome banner for me.

I will add more graduation photos when I get them from my mom.  For now, here is a family photo.

 We celebrated graduation with dinner at Buca de Beppo.

Ben rode in style...on his new Harley.

We also made our first trip to the zoo.

The zoo is adding an African Savana and it is almost complete.  The male lions are there for now.

pretty comparable

This orangutan was having a blast wearing the blanket over his head.

Abigail was trying to make the tiger move.

We can't wait to spend more time at the zoo this summer!

Abigail's 1st Birthday Party

With my mom, sister, and grandma in town for my graduation, we decided it would make the most sense to have Abigail's 1st birthday party a week early.  It was a busy weekend, for sure.

Emma and my sister making the cupcakes

 Our theme for the party was "All Things Tiny."

the goodies to go with our sliders

fingerling baked potatoes

mini vegetables with hummus

grilled cheese sandwiches with shot glasses of tomato soup

mini cupcakes for dessert

going on a bug hunt

not quite sure what to think

Love!

Abigail with her great grandma

It took a couple of minutes, but she sure loved the cake!

This was all Abigail's doing...

We had a wonderful time!