Charlie Turns 1

Charlie's first birthday happened to be during the Foster Reunion so we went ahead and celebrated.  

 Charlie sporting a Happy Birthday hat, and enjoying my toothbrush.  

 Yummy chocolate cupcake!  

 I think he's enjoying it.  I promise that the bottle in his lap it root beer!  

 A Ball!

A Truck!  

Charlie also got a cookie monster from us.  He got a motorcycle to ride and cloths for G. Foster.  He got a train set from G. Elton.  He made out pretty good.

He's 22 lbs 3 oz.  30 inches tall.  He's not walking or standing on his own yet, but he still gets around pretty good.  A lesson we keep learning over and over is that Charlie is his own man and does things his own way. He'll walk when he wants to, we'll just have to be patient.  

Sweet Baby Things

Last weekend at the Foster Family Reunion the girls threw a Baby Shower for my sister-in-law Karen who is due in about 5 weeks.  I made this cute little outfit for our new little niece Lucy.  The only thing I bought was the onesie and the ribbon which was about $2.  I didn't use a pattern for the skirt so I really hope it fits her at the same time the onesie does.  Anyway I'm quite proud of the way it turned out.  I think it's way cute!  

Yellowstone

On Saturday we visited Yellowstone National Park.  I had been there once when I was 10 and again when I was in college.  But it was still amazing to see it all again.  

The flats

 I love the contrast of colors that appear naturally.  

 We learned that when you see water this blue it's over 150 degrees!  

 The kids and I...the wind was blowing so ignore my beautiful hair.  

 A geyser.  

 A hot spring right by the river.  

 Charlie riding in style.  

 Alaina wasn't a fan of the stinky smell.  

 Alaina pouting because we made her walk. 

The family.  

 The ridges around the outside of this pool look so neat.  

 Carson pointing out a Bison out in the trees.  

 Old Faithful.  

More Bison.  These sighting caused us an hour delay coming into the park because people aren't smart enough to pull off the side of the road to see the wildlife!  I swear some people have no common sense! 

This big guy had his spot and was thoroughly enjoying it.

Tony and I really enjoyed our time in the park but we learned that it is impossible to see everything in one day, especially with kids.  You need to spend a long weekend if not a week to really enjoy everything.  Maybe another year.  It's only a two hour drive from Rexburg so we could easily go again.

Camping

This last weekend we went camping with my parents near Yellowstone.  We all had a lot of fun and were wishing that we had more time to stay and play.  

 Eventually I just had to let Charlie crawl around in the dirt.  By the end I think there was more dirt than Baby!  

 Hebgen  Lake in Montana.  This is were we were camping.  It was beautiful!  The water was pretty clean for lake water and very inviting!  

 Carson

 My Dad, Mom, Charlie and I.  

Alaina picking all the pretty flowers.  

Trouble

Look who had fun in the bathroom the other day.  Yes, even the toilet paper is unrolled!  Sigh.  

Love Notes

Last week the kids and I found these notes around the house that Tony had written to us.  It was a wonderful surprise and it really brightened my day.  The first note was written on the bathroom mirror, but was erased by Carson before I could get a picture of it.  

This is a note I wrote to Tony on the bathroom mirror.  Don't make fun of my spelling.  "We love our Daddy!  He is the smartest, funnest, bravest, most handsome guy around!!!  Mommy thinks so too!"    

A note from Tony on the mirror in the kitchen.  I'll translate for those of you that have a hard time reading the small print.  " Angie, you are beautiful! Carson, you are handsome! Alaina you are pretty! Charlie you are cute!  I love my Family!"  

This note was written on the other bathroom/laundry room mirror.  "You are all Amazing!!!"  

All these notes have been up for awhile now.  But I just can't bring myself to clean the mirrors.  I love seeing these little notes from Tony.  Whenever I need a little pick me up I just go read one of these notes.  

Swim Lessons

Carson and Alaina just finished their swimming lessons for the year!  This is the second year that we've done swimming lessons through the city here at Rexburg Rapids.  The kids love the water.  Especially Alaina, she has no fear when it comes to the water.  Which is good and bad.  Both kids did really well and we'll continue to do swim lessons each summer.