Memorial Day picnic

On Monday we went to Rexburg City Nature Park and enjoyed a nice picnic together. It's been awhile since Lisa and I had any pictures together, so I had Ryan take a few. It was a fun little photo shoot. Outside pictures are definitely my favorite. Ryan also brought his fishing pole and let Lisa reel in a few fish that he caught in the little pond. Her attention span is about 5 minutes so she entertained herself with other things, like chap-stick and rock throwing, until he'd get a fish on the line. She was fascinated with the ladybug that landed on her arm, until she quickly wanted that thing to get the heck off! It was a fun day.

A glimpse into the future

Last weekend my sister, Katie, graduated from her Psych Tech program (we're so proud of her!!!) and I decided to take these pictures of Lisa with Ryan's hat on her to send to Katie in a special frame. I couldn't believe how well she cooperated. Usually I only have about 30 seconds, but this time she was totally playing along. Of course, I did give her a piece of chocolate, which explains the funny pursed lips in the first picture. I'm glad I have a few years before she wears her own hat. But she is growing up SO fast and becoming so independent. I can't wait to see how she does when her little sister comes along. 

Doc says it's a girl!

Here is me having fun trying to take my own picture of my 21 week belly. Today was my abdominal ultrasound and there seemed to be no evidence of boy parts, so it looks like Lisa will be getting a little sister! I am so excited to get to hold another sweet little girl in my arms. My little Lyra.

Family fun weekend

Last weekend Gramommy and Aunt Lisa came to visit. It was so good to see them and get to play for a few days. Lisa loved her new paints that Gramommy brought for her.We celebrated Aimee's birthday while they were here visiting. She was lamenting that she'd always wanted a barbie cake when she was growing up, but never had one. So I made my first barbie doll cake. I spent way too long on it, but it was so much fun. I had to include a picture of Ryan and Lisa doing all the dishes one night last week. It was so sweet. Lisa is such a good helper. Aunt Lisa is also now a certified hygenist (woo-hoo!!) and she gave Lisa the best tooth-brushing she's ever had.

Slowly, but surely, quilting along

I love quilting. So it seems silly that I would constantly put off doing the projects I get so excited about at first. But I do it all the time! About a year ago, I decided I was not allowed not to buy any more fabric until I finished all the projects on my list. It's a long list. This week I finished up two projects from the list. Hooray! My mom picked the pattern and fabric for the brightly colored one a couple of years ago. The original quilt is supposed to resemble the aurora borealis, but for my mom who loves the ocean it is more like a coral reef. It was really fun to work with such bright colors since I tend to choose more subtle shades.

The double wedding ring quilt, believe it or not, was started when I was 17 YEARS OLD. That was almost over 10 years ago! My Young Women's President was a very talented quilter and she offered to let any of us in her class who wanted to come pick out fabric from her extra and she would help us make a quilt. She encouraged us to sew it by hand and so I did. Every last stitch! I chose this vintage fabric and took so long making it that when I ran out of fabric and went looking for more a few years ago so I could make the quilt bigger, it was impossible to find colors that matched exactly. So it ended up being more like a wall hanging size. Maybe someday I will make a bigger one. But not until my list is all done!

Lisa's first haircut

Last week Lisa had her first ever real haircut. (When she was about 6 months old, I did trim an awkward long strand of hair from one side of her head, but I wouldn't really call that a hair-cut). Before this cut, her hair was all the way down her back , constantly full of tangles, and she really loathes having it washed or brushed, so it was definitely time to do something! We were very excited that we could go to her Aunt Aimee, who is attending Evan's Hairstyling School here in Rexburg, to have it cut. Of course, we also promised she could have her nails painted while she was there too. She had a fun day at the beauty salon and cutting that five inches off has definitely made a difference in how tangled it gets. Now she can eat her lunch without dragging her hair through her ketchup. And I can actually run my fingers through it without getting completely stuck. Amazing! Thanks, Aimee.

Graduation and Easter weekend

Where's Waldo...I mean, where's Ryan? Surprisingly, he was looking right at the camera when I took this picture from all the way across the stadium. We are so proud of him for his accomplishments. He has been such a superb student (as I'm sure he always will be whatever his course in life). Lisa was happy to see daddy home from his special day. She stayed home with a babysitter. Much more fun for her, I'm sure. That weekend we also had an Easter egg hunt for Lisa. She emjoyed her Strawberry Shortcake Crown from Marmee as well as the solid chocolate bunny she is chowing down on in the picture ahead.