Look who's 2!!!

Ayva doesn't officially turn two until Tuesday but we celebrated her birthday yesterday with a family party. We had taco's (Ayva's favorite food) and an ice cream cone cake. The cake was actually just a piece of Styrofoam that I frosted after cutting holes in it that could support the ice cream cones. This turned out to be a great idea, if I do say so myself, because it was so easy and there was very little clean up afterwards.

She loves the new Dora car my parents got her as a gift, especially the pretend cell phone that came with it. If she could only get her big sister to leave it alone!!

We are so grateful to have this little sweetheart as part of our family. She is funny and smart and always willing to give hugs and kisses. She is at a great stage in her development that is full of wonder and curiosity and though it gets her in trouble at times she is determined to figure things out on her own. We love you Ayva!

Hike #2

Saturday morning we set off for hike #2 in our summer hiking series. We went up to Brighton ski resort and hiked up to Lake Mary. It is a short distance up to the lake, only 1 mile, but it is pretty much up hill the whole way. Isabella did great, she walked all of it except for the last 50 feet or so when her feet started to hurt. I was so impressed with her determination to make it all the way up without being carried. Ayva on the other hand had to be carried 80% of the hike. She has developed a new fear of flying insects ever since she was stung by a bee a few weeks ago. So anytime a fly would buzz her head she would start crying and insist that we pick her up to protect her from attack.
The view was gorgeous and we even got to see a handful of these little marmots running around. This one let us get close enough for a picture.

Once we got to the lake we sat and enjoyed our lunch and then played around on the rocks for awhile. Even though there were a handful of other hikers around it was still very peaceful. The water level was a lot lower than I have seen it in the past so hopefully we will get a Seattle style rain storm soon. (just a little wishful thinking)

Here's a shot of me and the girls on top of a mini mountain. I think Bella might grow up to be a mountain climber. She had a blast climbing up on all the big rocks that were up there.

Life

Life has been a bit crazy lately and has left me little time, or energy for posting much on the blog. However, it is rainy and windy here in Salt Lake this morning so I have decided to skip our outdoor swim lessons and update the blog instead. In fact that's a good place to start. Since Isabella is 4 she is able to go to her class all by herself and Ayva and I go and do a mommy and me class at the same time. Peter joined us for their first lesson so I was able to take some cute pics. Here's Ayva learning to blow bubbles.

In Bella's class they have been working on learning moves like the monkey, airplane and soldier. In this picture she is just doing an old fashioned favorite, the kick.

They are both doing great and having a lot of fun. I have also been taking lessons and boy is my instructor hot! Peter and I have been going to the pool one night a week so he can help me improve my technique. (Sorry, no pictures of me in my unflattering speedo and swim cap.)

Bella also wrapped up her dance class recently with a final performance at the Country Fest. I would love to share the video I have of her dancing but I still don't know how to put videos on the blog. Sorry. I do, however, have a really cute photo of her in her costume.

Sooo Cute!!!!

In other news...I have started working again part time. I got the job at the credit union I worked at before I moved to Washington. It is only 4 hours a day and I am really enjoying the peace and quite I get to experience while I am there. My parents have been coming over to watch the girls and the girls love it. They have been baking and making craft projects and getting away with eating more snacks and treats than they do when I am around. I am very grateful to have their support and help while I return to work for awhile.

Not much more than that to share right now. We are planning on being in Seattle at the end of the month to see our friends and family that we miss so much. We are going to be driving there so wish us luck, we'll need it.