Play Groups, Sedona, and Tahoe
July- We have been enjoying our hot summer days at indoor play areas such as "Imagination Ave".
Olivia is learning so much, so quickly. She has over 60 words, counts to 9, tries to say A,B,C's, and can make most animal sounds. She puts together 2 words, and is super expressive. We are now potty training. Exciting stuff...
I have begun teaching 2 days a week at our community center. It is a Learn and Play group for toddlers and we are having a blast. It is for Olivia, but I am enjoying using my Preschool background again!
Livi wants to be just like Daddy- playing the rock band drums and walking in his shoes. She copies everything, and also has her own very unique and strong opinion about life. I call her my "spirited baby" and she teaches me patience and grace daily :)
August beginning- We took a Sunday drive to Sedona AZ. Just an hour and a half onto the freeway 17 and this is what you see! It is amazing and I am beginning to fall in love with parts of Arizona...
Olivia loved being in the cool out doors. It's about 15 degrees cooler in Sedona, and breathtaking.
We did a 2 hour hike at Oak Creek, which is 20 mins from Sedona's main town.
I carried Olivia up, and Bri took her down. SHe loves this back pack carrier, and always sleeps mid-hike.
This was a perfect spot to have a snack and look at the nature around. Olivia love looking for fish- or as she says, "bish"
Livi finds dogs to pet everywhere we go. Very friendly and excited to see new things and meet new people. Our adventurous side has wore off on her!
We loved cooling our feet in the creek and taking in the air. It's amazing how beautiful our country is!
This is the sun set spot that looks down on the main city of Sedona.
Back pack on Daddy. Livi sings the back pack song from her fan Dora the Explorer. Super cute!
Getting darker...
The moon peeked out for us to capture. It was like walking in a post card! These shots make me feel the ancient of days- how long have these rocks been here, what did they look like years and years ago, how have we changed the earth and how has it changed us? I know these moments speak volumes to me and every time I see more beauty, I am changed- hopeful and thankful.
August end- We met up with Nicole, Bri's sister - In Lake Tahoe. She lives there, and we all attended a good friends wedding. It was a great long weekend!
Kings Beach, the town Nicole lives in, is amazing! Small and quaint, yet alive with nature and beauty! Livi was very daring walking into the chilly Lake and along the rocks.
Here at the West wedding in Tahoe. It's so great to be at weddings and have the reminder of love's beginning. To be around the promises, the future's start, and the joy of this couple- Brian and Lesley, as they make a decision to love....
the ceremony was very intimate- and very real. We loved it!
ahhh! the kiss. best part- always.
Nicole and I being sisters.
What a great summer it is so far. These trips make it! To stay in the heat of Phoenix is no good. We have been blessed with opportunities to serve and make connections in our community here: Neighborhood groups, swimming, play dates, summer movies, Saturday Church at CCV, Martial Arts, Learn and Play classes, the gym, Yoga, and the indoor community center, and of course visits from our family. Our weekend trips are awesome gifts, and it is the thing to do during Phoenix summers.
I thank Brian for providing such a life, my baby for her laughter, and all of you for the shared memories and new ones to come...
God bless.
No comments:
Post a Comment