Summer recap continued

As Siena continued to grow the girls became pretty good buddies. It has been so fun to watch them interact more and more.

But in a house full of girls (poor Dave) I have learned that moods can go from good...

To...total breakdown within a few seconds

But there is nothing a little lazy afternoon by the lakeside cant solve. Especially with a little bbq and some ibc's.

Our second camping trip was also in the uintas with some great friends. The area is so beautiful.

 

Over the summer Evie became quite the little baker. (check out that concentration)

In August we took our annual road trip to California to visit Daves family. On our way there we stopped to hike down to our "secret spot" in Tahoe. This little beach is so beautiful. Dave went snorkling in the crystal clear (freezing) water. The weather was absolutly perfect.

After Tahoe we met up with Nana and she joined us on our drive up to the cabin.

Evalyn inherited some great dress up clothes from cousin Maddie and insisted on wearing them as often as possible. (The shoes rarely came off)

Evalyn loved every moment with her cousins and still asks about them. Here they are all watching the deer off the back porch.

There is always some great food...

Poor Siena was teething and had a rough week but her aunts discovered the swing would sooth her.

Chef Evalyn

We organized a little surprise party for Daves 30th birthday while we were in California since he never gets to celebrate with his family. Here he is in his birthday hat

We hiked to some beautiful springs not far from Carie's place

Dave with two of his sisters and mom. They found some great blackberry bushes along the trail.

Since my family just moved to SanDiego, we continued our road trip south and spent a few days with them. We hit the beach, Sea World, and just enjoyed spending some time together.

Here we are leaving Sea World. My Dad is walking with a cane due to his torn ACL and I must say it was pretty nice not having to wait in line for the rides. However, the next day we drove the 2.5miles from my parents place to the beach and while my Dad and brother were in the water my father stepped on the barb of a sting ray. It went into the bottom of his foot (the same leg as the torn ACL of course) It wasnt pretty. One thing you can count on when visiting the Ayala's...its never boring :)

Still growing...

Siena was a trooper at Sea World, just hanging out in the stroller.

Part one of our Summer re-cap (and a lot of pictures)

We had an awesome summer this year. I think a lot of it had to do with our "summer list". At the beginning of summer we sat down as a family and wrote down everything we wanted to do the most. I am proud to say only one item remains undone and we have it planned for this month. So here are some of the things we did this summer-Part-1

Firs of all I want to make it clear that near the beginning of summer, my baby looked like this.The pictures at the end of summer look so different to me.

We had to hit the water park here at least once-

The girls with their cousin Emma

Evie and her bud Tate

CAMPING TRIP #1

Sleeping in tents

Exploring the Uinta National Forest (and only approx 15 mi from our house)

A herd of Sheep passing by our camping spot

Crusin with buddies

Making Breakfast (Daves famous pancakes)

Packing up to go home

We have two reservoirs within 5min of our house. Some days we would go lay out in the sun, just the girls!

It was the summer of weddings! Here we are at the Aviary for Julies wedding.

And Evalyn, dancing her little hear out

We were so lucky to have Jayden come and visit us for two days. We wish we could have had him longer. Evalyn was in heaven and would not let him out of her sight.

We start every day off at our house with some great bedhead. Jayden fit right in.

We took this opportunity to visit the Aviary in Salt Lake.Some of the birds there are amazing and the peacocks are very friendly.

Then we hit the rides in the park.

My favorite part was watching Dave almost lose it on the swings that Jayden talked him into.

And it wouldnt be a day with dad (or uncle Dave) without some ice cream.

We called it a day by watching our neighbors light some fireworks. (Totally random?) But these two enjoyed it.

Tonight I am overwhelmed with gratitude for blessings and answered prayers. Less than 24 hours ago I sat in a hospital room and was told that my tiny little daughter had developed type 1 diabetes. Her whole life would be different from that moment on. I had watched her suffer since Monday night and finally reached the point where I simply could not bear to hold it in any longer. I broke. The power of the Priesthood is real. Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers according to his will. Once I gave in to him, and surrendered my will, a miracle occured. Tonight I am home with my beautiful, now healthy daughter and the doctors simply apoligized saying, "I am sorry I have no explanation for what Evalyn has gone through." Her blood sugar levels have simply regulated themselves and there is no sign of diabetes any longer. Nothing else matters. Not my house, its decor, anything worldly, all I want is to be with my family, take Evie to the park and run around with her as long as she wants. Bake cookies and dance with her in the family room to her favorite songs, read books in her bed and soak up every single perfect moment. Family and the gospel of Jesus Christ is all that has ever or will ever matter. Sometimes life needs to be put in perspective every once in a while. I am greatful for the overwhelming awareness of my blessings and the love of the Lord. Now I am going to go pick up my sleeping daughters and kiss them one more time, goodnight.

August 20, 2010 5 years!

August 20th was our five year anniversary. We have five years of amazing memories, and two beautiful little girls to show for it.

Dating: Our first Valentines Day together February 14, 2005
I love this picture because of the story behind it. We are waiting for dinner at a nice resturaunt and right before we were about to be seated Dave received a phone call that his ice hockey game (which was supposed to be canceled due to extreme cold (rink outdoors) was actually going to go as scheduled. So it was either stay at dinner and let down his team or totally ditch his date for valentines day. One thing I love about Dave, he cannot let anyone down especially if he has committed to something. So long story short I ended up in the bleachers in negetive who knows what weather- watching him play ice hockey outdoors. I still remember the aches in my body from the cold. But totally worth it!

 August 20, 2010

5yr anniversary

Humiliation

Today I mowed the lawn for the first time in my life. (Yes, I am serious) While I was struggling (in every sense of the word) to start the lawn mower, my two year old sweetly said "you want me do it mom?"... It must have looked really bad.

Independence Day

We had a fourth of July bash at our place to celebrate one of my favorite holidays.  We had so much fun and I am so glad our friends were able to come up for the day.
Lessons I learned:
~have a stash of warm clothes for friends to borrow (the mountain air is surprisingly chilly after 10pm
~never plan to hand squeeze lemons for lemonade unless you are making it hours ahead of time
~bring a flashlight for after the fireworks so you can find all of your stuff in the dark
~remind Evalyn that its not OK to tackle your friends especially if they are younger than you (sorry Blake)

We were a little worried that we might lose some of the kids in our huge pool. Luckily they all knew how to swim.

I originally made these for the kids but the adults seemed to eat them up while the kids had pie.

We have a new tradition of smores at our spot while waiting for fireworks. We started this last year and it its a keeper.

After smores its sparklers (a pre-show)

Then its the main event, fireworks show off of memorial hill

They are impressive just check out this next photo if you don't believe me

The next morning (the real 4th of July)

we started the day out right with some festive breakfast waffles. Another new tradition :)

Cascade Springs

I love summer, I love the outdoor, and most of all going on little outings with our family!

Siena didn't make it there without a little nap...

And Evie was struggling to stay awake...

The falls were beautiful and the weather was perfect

Its so beautiful (I think I took 50 pictures of Evalyn and Dave walking through the scenery together)

And here is one just to prove to my children when they look in our family album, that mom really was around. (Us moms are just always the ones taking the pictures)

Wasatch Back 2010

RAGNAR 2010

WASATCH BACK

Relay from Logan UT to Park City UT

Wow! What an awesome experience. I am DEFINATELY doing this again. I love the feeling of pushing myself to the max (thank you adrenaline) and then feeling the sense of acomplishment at the end and thinking "Did I just do that?"

We had the best team and a van full of ladies that were constantly making me laugh. Everyone worked so hard. And almost all of us mommies!