The 4th

I felt like we had a 4th of July weekend!  We had fireworks on the 3rd, parade, BBQ and ball park activities on the 4th, and tomorrow is a rubber duck race down the creek.  haha!  

This was one of the best 4th's I've had.  Although Bryan had to work on the 4th I hung out with some sweet members from the branch and felt like part of the community. I felt very touched watching parade and the sweet military veterans walk down main street holding the American flag proudly.  I even got a little choked up (silly time I know). 

 I was just very grateful to celebrate Independance Day and our freedom to live in this country.

Okay, picture time :)

My morning couldn't start any better than a messy faced little boy

Watching the fire trucks at the Parade

That about summed up the Parade.  Truly :)  It was tiny, but also great to see the community out together!

Quarters are hidden in the bark chips and kids dig for them.  They have been doing this since Bryan was little

Fun little booths, games, and kid races

This wiggly boy wouldn't sit still long enough for a picture, but he was patriotic!

Excellent food and and excellent view

Mr E. going to town on watermelon!

What a great day!!

1 Year Young

At 1 Year Eli:

• waves hello and goodbye (and everywhere in between)
• claps
• high-fives
• walks along furniture or holding one hand
• goes up and down stairs
• wears mostly 9-12 month clothes
• weighs 18.6 pounds
• is 30+ inches tall
• has 2 teeth on the bottom and almost the top 2
• repeats words like hi, ouch, hot, mom, dad
• is so observant
• loves to play!

Happy Birthday To You

My Eli,

Words cannot describe the love I have for you, in just 1 year of sharing this life with you.  I feel so blessed to be your mom and help guide you in living a righteous, happy life.  The joy you bring to me is indescribable.

You had such a sweet spirit from the moment you were born.  You just looked around with your deep blue eyes and took in everything around you.  You have a happy and cheerful personality that I cherish.  I  can't exactly say calm and mellow because you are always on the move, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  I love seeing you explore and learn new things everyday.  You simply amaze me.

Not only do I love watching you learn, but I love learning from you.  You teach me patience, unconditional love, the meaning of true joy, how to just 'be', and to laugh those deep belly laughs.  You have given me the gift of motherhood and I am learning everyday what that truly means.  

Little boy, I love you to the moon and back.
Love,
your mom

One Year Older and Wiser Too

This little guy is dang hard to work with when he's so busy!

 (Don't know why I can't get my paragraph at the top of the page)

I tried to take some 1 year birthday pictures of Eli but he was not so cooperative :)  It was a quiet birthday but we celebrated as if everyone was here. Bryan works like crazy in the summer so we didn't see much of him today. 

Stylin'

TOES!

"Mom, I want the camera now."

 

I made a funny face to get him to smile and he copied :)

I want to start the little tradition of doing funfetti birthday cake pancakes.  Eli doesn't really eat anything lately, but I tried anyway.  At least I enjoyed them!

 

The lighting in this picture was AMAZING.  I wish I could get one of him smiling

Time for presents!

Here Fishy Fishy Fishy

I forgot how much I loved fishing in Alaska!  Bryan's dad took me and Bryan's mom Patty fishing yesterday, and I went out again with Shane and two members of our church.  We had a blast!  

I caught 3 king salmon, a silver salmon, 3 halibut (including a 35/40 lb one!), and a yellow eye (snapper).  I didn't get many pictures because as soon as we docked I went to get Eli who was being babysat for the day

Patty and I with our King Salmon

I can't get enough of the whales!   

I wasn't fast enough for a good picture, but they are beautiful

The 'Fishing Hole'

Do you see all those sea lions?  

We were fishing for salmon and a sea lion got lazy and decided to eat our fish instead of getting his own.  He had half of Shane's fish in his mouth and was pulling out line like crazy.  It was so fun to watch!

 I am overcome by how vast and amazing this part of the world is.  On our ride out to the fishing spot we saw sea otters, sea lions, dozens of bald eagles, humpback whales, and orca (killer) whales.  It is just incredible.  Come for a visit sometime :)