Mexico vs South Africa

The World Cup is here and Mexico's first game was Friday morning. Believe it or not Milton had the Carne Asada, beans, rice and guacamole ready by 7:30 am. Everyone sported their Mexico jerseys (or onesie) and enjoyed the game. Unfortunately, it was a tie so we hope that Mexico can win all the rest!
Ayla was so glad to be with her Papa after a long time away in Utah.
She loved hanging out with her Tio Elton too!

I managed to pull myself out of bed for the occasion as well despite being exhausted from our trip.

Utah Trip - Part 2

For second part of our trip we first headed up to Clearfield. Along the way we stopped at Uncle Brad and Lisa's house to visit. Ayla was coaxed by Jared 3/4 of the way up their stairs. Luckily we already have baby gates!

We also met up with a childhood friend of mine at Murray park. Unfortunately I didn't get any pics other than Ayla eating her cucumber, which she LOVES.

Ayla really loved Brandon's dogs. Here is Ayla and Nike having a stare down.

Nike even taught Ayla a few tricks, including squeezing herself between the couches.

After a night at Brandon's we headed up to Kathryn and Bram's in Samak. Ayla was in toy and kid heaven! They had so many toys and Abram was so good to entertain both babies.

I joked about how redneck Bram has become since moving to Utah. Here he is shooting the gophers in the yard and Abram is right behind him in his underwear (he doesn't usually run around in his undies).

You gotta love his boots that are so worn out from his constant use.

Monday morning we went to the Kamas Aquatic center. Ayla loved the floaty especially once we got in the shallow end and she was able to run around as if it was her walker.

Later that day we picked up the Uhaul trailer in Heber and headed to Orem to visit Ayla's Abuelos. She was loved constantly!

Tuesday we headed to Scera park and put Ayla in the swings (her obvious favorite at the parks).

While Abuelita pushed her I sat on a bench and Ayla would look over her shoulder and wave to me.

Ayla has really become mobile within the past couple of weeks. She is cruising along everything and starting to look less and less like a baby everyday.

On the way home from the park we stopped by my old neighbor's house to say hello. This pic is of Barb. As some of you may know I lived in Orem just a block away from Milton's parent's house for a year before I moved to Colorado. A bit ironic that I ended up meeting him a couple of months after moving to Colorado...I know we would have ended up meeting sooner or later regardless of whether I made the move or not.

Abuelita takes care of an elderly couple and had to go show Ayla off to Sister Brown.

Abuelita gave Ayla her first doll. She's never really been exposed to dolls, but she immediately knew what to do by hugging and giving her kisses.

Wednesday morning we drove to back to Fairview to pick up my mom's piano that she gave to us. It was the piano that I played on growing up and was so excited to bring it back with us. I'm not sure why I didn't get a picture of the trailer, which was not only loaded with the piano, but a bed, box springs, clothes, shower doors, etc.

After loading up the piano we headed to Price to visit my Grandpa and Grandma Garff.

My childhood best friend, Myndi, lives in Price as well so she brought her three kids over for a quick visit.

Finally, Thursday morning we headed home with the trailer in tow. We were so excited and glad to see Milton that the trip seemed to take FOREVER! Ayla did so good the entire time we were away, but I am so glad that I have a husband who helps me out with the day to day things and taking care of Ayla. Two weeks of being on my own was way too long! We had to make a few stops along the way, one of which was my favorite rest stop just East of Glenwood Springs. It was absolutely beautiful! The river was full, the trains were going by and it was so green.

Ayla enjoyed crawling all over the grass and pulling out as much as she could at a time.

Despite sleeping most of the way to Colorado Ayla was EXHAUSTED when we got home. I think she was relieved to be home and in her own crib.

Here's a cute video of Abram teasing Ayla and her funny reaction. She just couldn't handle some of the excitement!

Thank you everyone who made our trip so enjoyable.

Utah Trip - Part 1 Continued

I didn't realize on my last post that I had missed so many pictures of our time in Fairview, especially the pics from McKelle's graduation (which was the biggest reason we even went to Utah).
Kathryn and cousin Bennett

The graduate with her niece and nephew

McKelle with Grandma Anderson

Ayla and my cousin's little girl, Brooke

Ella (Steve and Laura's girl), Brooke and Ayla. They were all jammin' and dancin' in a circle.

Our Road Trip to Utah - Part 1

Ayla and I headed to Utah on May 27th for a two week trip. We made a stop in Grand Junction for lunch and she was loving crawling all over the grass.
We made it in good time and shortly after we arrived so did Aunt Kathryn and her two boys, Abram and Bennett. Ayla and Bennett were so cute together! We did have to watch them closely to make sure they didn't crawl down the stairs, bite eachother or push eachother down, but overall they played so well together.

Grandpa went to the park with us and was pushing Ayla much higher than I was comfortable with...but of course Ayla loved it!

Grandpa Anderson passed away almost 4 years ago. I hadn't been to his gravesite and the moment I saw the back of the headstone I knew it was his. I have felt him with me many times since he's passed and hope that I always do. He was a very influential person in my life and I am so grateful that we grew up just a block away from my Grandparents. Thank you Grandpa for all the sacrifices you made and the example you were to me!

The back of the headstone. It was so beautiful and the inscriptions gave such a wonderful picture of what his life was like.

Uncle Victor and his family came to Fairview to pick up a few bummer lambs. We tried to get Ayla to pose with the lambs, but instead she wanted to play with the dogs that were laying nearby.

Tuesday we packed a lunch and headed west of Fairview to the original homestead of my Great Grandparents Selma and Cleon Anderson. Some of the family members decided a few years ago to restore the homestead.

Glad I never had to live there!

Here's the pictures of the humble couple.

The memorial sign is posted on the front door of the cabin.

It was a bit chilly on the ride.

Ayla and her grandparents overlooking the Fairview valley.

I got Angel when I was in middle school and she's still alive! That makes her about 12 years old, which is amazing for a farm cat.

Wednesday night I got to meet up with some childhood friends. This is Stephanie and her daughter Seattle. The picture was taken by her 6 year old son, Damien...pretty good huh?

Great Aunt Beth (Grandma's sister) has always been an important and sweet person in our lives. She lives in Fountain Green so we all decided to make dinner Thursday night and head over for a visit.

Ayla was definitely the life of the party (are we surprised?) She wanted to touch everything possible, including Aunt Beth's bird chi chi.

Friday morning we were head up to the SLC/Orem area to visit more family and friends for the second part of our visit. Grandma made us a yummy breakfast and Ayla decided that she no longer wants me to cut up her bananas. I had turned my back for just a second and she was going to town on the banana, peel and all. I guess this explains why her favorite animal is the monkey.

Our little changita.