Our Summer

I'm not sure how we went from this tiny thing.....

....to this beauty.  It's gone by so fast.  My baby girl is old enough for nursery as of yesterday.  Have I made these last 18 months count?  Does she know that the sun rises and sets on her beautiful face?  Have I soaked up every precious ounce of time?  I don't know.....but I LOVE my job.  How did I live before she came?

We were avid Olympic watchers, and she took upon herself to embrace "au natural" sink drinking as her favorite event.  I promise, we do give her plenty of water.

She suddenly became so much older once I could do little ponies.  I have a toddler.....the baby is gone. 

I see this ball of smiles and sunshine all day long.....well, except when she's teething and when she's being an Anti-Napite.

Whenever she is at Grandma Suze's, she gets a blanket ride.  When she gets a blanket ride, Mom's cat, Eli, is the stowaway.  He just hangs on and lays there for a ride too.  Makenna is just totally perplexed by this black body behind her, just hanging on.

Ba-Ba and Daddee......both words she has mastered.....along with Mommeee, ball, Nana (banana), doggie, kitty, TOW (cow really loud).

Her first 4-wheeler ride with Mommy, the expert.  Daddy almost had a heart attack.

At the spray park in Rexburg.  It's awesome and she loves it!  However, she loves the carousel more.

 This face is actually over-excitement, not frightened.  She's kind of a little spaz with horsies.  Big time.

Trying on Grandpa's cowboy hat.....so dang cute in his hat!

We teach her odd tricks based on what new talents we see emerging.  The next two photos are showing how we can get her to scowl and smile at will.  So funny!

She loves water!...and being in control of it.  Plus, her Daddy can't sit Indian style, so I'm thinking she's doing this just to rub it in a little.

 My sweet baby brother got married in August.  Somehow he is old enough to do that.  I can't believe it, so I'm sure my parents are still reeling.  However, I gained an incredible sister.  She's beautiful inside and out.  And her sense of humor is so fun, I'm sure they fell in love just for me.  :o)  I'm so proud of him.

We went to Reed's Dairy so she could eat ice cream and pet a real pony and calf!  

Grandma Merle, Darren's grandmother, passed away as well.  We've had a lot of funerals on Darren's side of the family.  Grandma was one we expected to happen a little sooner than the others.  She lost her husband 6 weeks after their 3rd living child was born.  So to say the least, she has longed for this reunion.  I will always remember how much she coveted my hair, and how warm she welcomed me into the family.  She also had a big mouth, but so do I.....hopefully by the time I've transcended this life, I'll have made some progress.  :o)

Marilyn's siblings.....people I didn't grow up with but love as if they were my own.

 Makenna, who has known Aunt Colleen all of 15 minutes, perfectly content to go home with her.  See??  Makenna loves them as quickly as I did.

 It has been a busy summer.  Darren is still working on his Masters, just began his 2nd year teaching in Shelley, and preparing his final project.  Sometimes it feels like we are ships passing in the night but I am grateful every day for this life Heavenly Father has blessed me with.  I have a healthy family, I get to be the mother of this beautiful creature, I'm married to another beautiful creature, and I know and see the hand of the Lord in my life and the lives of those around me, everyday.