The Fourth of July

The Fourth in Orlando was a little different than our family usually spends the holiday. Instead of going TO fireworks, because of jake's crazy work schedule, we made our own fireworks display with a bunch of families from work. It was fun for the kids to be part of the action. Despite how it appears - Luke actually LOVED "helping light" the big ones and enjoyed his extra long sparklers. He just wasn't too fond of the HUGE bangs a few of them produced.
Surprisingly, Miles loved it - loud noises and all. He has been obsessed with playing with his mini flag ever since!

Utah!

My dear friend, Jason, gave us the perfect excuse for a trip to Utah - his wedding! So. . .the boys and I flew from Florida - alone - and met my mom there. It was an adventure traveling with them by myself, but gratefully not a nightmare. We got to spend time with my sister, Lindsey, at BYU, my in-laws (though mom-in-law had sadly just badly broken her leg while hiking) and old childhood friends. It was fantastic to reconnect with these people I love so much!We went on a fun hike to Cascade Springs one afternoon and both boys LOVED it!


On the way up, we stopped for a photo. Luke was walking Lindsey's dog, Cliff (or "Cliffy" as Luke says) and the dog peed. Apparently, Luke observed the dog's process carefully, because when I asked him to try and go in the grass (he is newly potty-trained and I wanted NO accidents in the mountains. . .) he eagerly agreed and lifted his leg like Cliffy did! Ha!

I was amazed at the incredibly GORGEOUS weather we had while there. One night, I sat on Jacob's Aunt Kathy's porch in Alpine and read my book. The Wasatch Mountains were completely spread out in front of me and the air was amazingly cool for June. I found myself thinking, "Now, why was it again I wanted to leave this place???"

The New Year and a New Baby Blessed

Jacob's mother flew in from Utah on New Year's Eve and we enjoyed introducing her to her newest grandson! While she was in town we enjoyed a visit to the High Museum of Art including the Louvre exhibit (we saw a Vermeer's "The Astronomer"!!!) and the Chinese Terracotta Army.

Miles was blessed January 7. Jacob's sister Mary and husband Aaron drove over from Birmingham. It was a beautiful blessing. . . or so I hear. . .I only heard a little of it as Luke was kicking the pew in front of us and saying, "Mommy, daddy talking up there!!!" When Jake held Miles up at the end - he smiled! It was adorable!