Labor Day

We had such a fun day! We started out at the ward breakfast, and ended with a neighborhood barbeque.

Playing at Deep Run Park at the ward breakfast.

The "backyard" barbeque

Anna and some of the neighbors

Gotta love cupcakes!

Last Day at the Pool

Anna, Avery, and Skye a couple of days before the pool closed for the season.

Summer is officially over.

Things I love about Anna

Since this blog has sort of become my online journal, I thought I'd share some of the things that Anna has been doing.

Words she says:

shooowww (show)

daa (dad)

Mom (when she wants something)

mama (when she's sad)

cookie (code word for anything that remotely resembles a cookie)

mickamickamickamicka...(milk)

bookabookabooka...(book)

buba (bubble)

side (outside)

amol (animal)

heeshe (please, chesse, & Jesus. It kind of sounds like a snake hissing.)

Gampa (Grandma and Grandpas' get this one)

baby

bock (block)

Eemo (Elmo)

appo (apple)

Meimei (Amelia, cousin)

Mayee (Maylie, friend)

noway (saved for times when she is really upset)

shoe

utoh

baa (bath)

various animal sounds

Really, she babbles all day long. I'm sure there are others as well. It's so much fun to watch her figure out words and pick up on language skills, i.e. intonations, pronunciations, facial expressions. So cute.

Anna is not afraid of anything! This is a blessing and a curse. I love to watch her curiosity and independence as she tries new things, but she gets herself into trouble. Example, she decided it would be a good idea to start climbing onto the kitchen table to play with the centerpiece. She pulled herself up on the chair and then on to the table. On the descent she missed the chair and found the floor. But there are good things about her lack of fear. I took her to the pool yesterday and she would jump from the edge of the pool into my arms. So fun! She didn't even want me to hold her once she was in the pool.

Anna loves books. If someone were to ask me what Anna's favorite thing to do is, I would say reading. She is always carting books everywhere! When I take a shower, she'll grab two or three books and plop down beside the tub and read until I'm done. She also likes to read behind our big recliner, under the kitchen table, in her crib, and in my closet. I think she likes to feel cozy when she reads. Lately she has been dragging an empty pillow case, stolen from the laundry basket, and using it as a blanket. She'll pick her spot, lay the pillowcase over her legs and start reading. She's very animated when she reads. There is lots of pointing and hand-waving, and various volumes of blabber. She always likes to throw in some words she know in the mix. "Shebo do da sinka 'daddy' mabo 'animal' la goma 'cookie' gogga..." and so on. I can't help but smile thinking about it.

Anna loves to give hugs and kisses as long as it's on her agenda. If she's busy, she has no time for such frivolities. But when she does give them out, they are the best. There is nothing like a baby wrapping her arms around your neck and nuzzling into your shoulder, nothing.

Moving into the 21st Century

We are officially the last people on the block to own a digital camera. Thumbs up for us! I am so excited because now I don't have to wait for a whole roll of film to develop before sharing pics! Here are some I just happened to capture today.

Anna playing in her hut.

A new reading spot.

Amelia Comes to Visit

Last weeked we watched Amelia while Ben and Sarah went to a wedding in Minnesota. They had a great time playing together. Amelia called Anna, "Amma." And Anna refered to Amelia as "Mei Mei." They have a funny understanding. They don't really play together. Rather, they kind of co-exsisted in the same room. But, if one of them left, the other was sure to notice and follow or scream their name at the top of their lungs.

We loved having Amelia at our house! What fun cousins are.

The girls dressing up as Princesses. Anna looks more like a court jester.

Watching movies with blankets and animals.

Not Your Average Princess

She's definitely not your average princess, but we sure love her! This was a hilarious day. Anna was running around in her diaper (a favorite past time) and brought me her favorite church shoes, so I strapped them on. Then she brought me the glasses and crown, also a favorite. Finally, she added the fun scarf and purse by herself. I think I was doubled over laughing. She kept running to the full size mirror in our bedroom and checking herself out. (Can you blame her!)

Matt & Clancey Get Hitched

What a great couple! We were so excited to visit Utah for Matt and Clancey's wedding. The ceremony was one of the most spiritual I have ever been to. Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi of the Seventy sealed the two. He was the mission president to Clancey's dad in Hawaii several years ago. The Spirit just eminated from him. I have never been to a sealing so centered on Christ. It really made me think about my own marriage covenants.

Then it was off to the luncheon at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. We sat at a table with all of Jeff's siblings and spouses. Anna got dressed up in a "fancy" white dress and her favorite Sunday shoes. She loved running between the tables and saying "hi" to all the guests.

After lunch we had a short break and then made our way to Clancey's parents' house in South Jordan for the ring ceremony and reception. The ring ceremony was really nice. It was fun to see Clancey's dad walk her down the isle. The recption was a little windy but that didn't spoil the fun to much. Leatherby's catered the occasion with ice cream sundays. Matt and Clancey creamed each other with wedding cake and got down on the drive way (dancing). Anna also got in on the dancing action. She danced with Ethan and Tanner and her daddy. Then the "hokey pokey" came on and she decided she needed to be right in the middle of the circle. That's our girl. She's not intimidated by much.

Anyway, congrats Matt and Clancey! We love you!