Happy Birthday, 1 year old!

Once upon a time there was a family of 3, a Mom, a Dad and one very special little girl. This little girl wanted a baby sister and asked her Mom one day if she could have one. The Mom (who had been trying for years to do that) told her that she couldn't give her a baby, they have to come from Heavenly Father, so if she wanted one she needed to pray for one. This darling little girl would always ask when praying, "Please bless us with a baby", she NEVER forgot. After about 6 months of her sweet little prayers, the family found out that they were going to get just that. The excitement the little girl felt was slightly diminished when she found out it was going to be a baby brother instead, but that did not stop her from praying "Bless our baby to be born safely". After 37 weeks of growing, a beautiful little boy was born safely into this world. The family of 3 now became 4 and a year of joy, love and laughter has followed.

I feel like both of my kids have been born of Faith and perseverance, but Aram needs to know that he was born of his Sister's Faith and perseverance. We love having him in our home, he is more fun than any sister would have been and we are thankful to a Heavenly Father who listens and answers prayers in such a perfect way.

2 weeks old

He has always been a beautiful little guy.

The silliness never ends.

His Birthday party included...

Lego Building Block Cakes made by Mom

Lots of fun toys, cute clothes and some great books!

Watermelon and Pizza... YUMMY!

A cake with lovely blue icing just for him...

that he was able to make a GIANT mess of...

and then Daddy helped by making Edible Indian war paint! What a fun time!!

Summer Time Fun

Today I realized... there are only 4 weeks left of the summer time fun!

We better make the most of it.

Unfortunately, our house gets pretty hot this time of year (103 degrees), but my kids still venture out to play. My little explorer, Aram found a spot to get out of the sun today... The playhouse has a tunnel that Jasper never has played in, but I should have known he would love it. It was pretty cute to watch.

Grammie decided to give Aram his Birthday present early. He LOVES it...

..so does Jasper. It's funny to watch him grip with his toes as she pushes him all crazy-like through the house. It makes for lots of laughs.

Mini Maniac Man...

My baby will not be 1 for another week, but I RARELY think of this guy as a baby. He gets up to such mischief. In addition to getting into everything, he now says "UH-oh" while doing things he KNOWS he is not supposed to. I guess this makes it okay in his mind.

He can now almost RUN from me when I am trying to get something from him. I seriously have to chase him down to take away the plunger or toilet bowl brush, Cd's, and anything I deem too valuable to entrust to him.

Yesterday the little maniac did a "Peter Pan" off the porch. He was playing with his Sister's bike and started to push it, I was watching from inside and saw that it was about 4 feet from the porch steps. I headed out to intercede and before I could get the door open he had pushed it right off the porch sending himself FLYING over top of the bike to land on his head in the dirt. Luckily he was not hurt, just covered in weeds and dirt. It was pretty funny after the fact.

Another silly thing he does is shake his head from side to side while walking. It usually makes him fall down, but he gets up and does it again.

I am continually amazed at his little personality. He is SO different from Jasper (who was still a baby until she was 2 or 3). I wouldn't change him for anything, I just have those moments where I wonder "Where did he come from?" and then I remember...

From my Heavenly Father,... and I am grateful to have him, Craziness and all.

He also learned to wave this week, but I think here, he is just putting mashed potatoes all over himself.

Independence Day in Silverton

We go to Silverton, Colorado every year for the 4th of July. It is probably my favorite place. The mountains there are so beautiful and they always have a great parade and fireworks display. This year we found something else to do in Silverton... visit the Big Foot Museum!

One of Jasper's best friends (Taegen, not the Yeti)

Trenton couldn't make it, so this guy stood in as Angie's hubby! :)


Animas Forks is a TINY ghost town above Silverton. Lots of neat old buildings and beautiful scenery.


Aram fell on some rocks the first day there... poor baby.

There are old mine shafts all over the mountain sides. Taegan, Kealen and Jasper were looking for "Mine Fairies". Kids have great imaginations!

See what I mean about the Mountains?

I think the old Miner cabins are pretty cool.

Love the wildflowers...

...and the Waterfalls!

There are so many creeks and brooks with ice cold water.

Just gorgeous!