Capitol Reef

Last weekend, we headed to Capitol Reef National Park with the Johnsons and the Hunters. Capitol Reef is my (Justin) favorite National Park. The Park encompasses a huge area (most of which is inaccessible) but the campgrounds and visitor's center are in a green valley. The valley was home to Fremont Indians who left numerous petroglyphs and evidence of irrigation. Turn-of-the-century pioneers also left petroglyphs and further irrigated the valley. The best part of the park are the numerous orchards, which yield free fruit for visitors.

We had a lot of fun site-seeing and hiking. At night, we had some great meals. We even picked pears to use in a cobbler. Isaac loved playing with friends and visiting the school house, Grace only loved picking and eating pears in the orchard.

Happy Birthday Grace!

Grace is one! I think everyone knows she was our little 'surprise.' I don't know what better surprise a Momma could ask for. She is the happiest baby. Grace makes us smile everyday. She has the fastest army crawl you've ever seen. She dances in a funny bopping way ALL THE TIME.

She says: Daddad, cracker, boom, bubber (brother) and of course uh oh. She likes to squeeze noses, give fives and growl, growl, growl.

She LOVES her big brother. It's funny to watch them after nap time. It's like they're long lost friends reunited after several years. Grace reaches through her crib bars for Isaac and kicks her feet. I pick her up and she begs to get down to give him hugs and then the cutest little fish kisses you've ever seen.

We celebrated Graces birthday last Saturday. Enjoy a few pics of her eating her special cupcake (decorated by Isaac), opening presents and romping in the back yard in her new birthday dress. [Justin edit: Diana made the dress and the bow. Skillz!]

Isaac Says...

Lately it's kind of been a battle getting Isaac to cooperate to get his dirty diapers changed. He runs and hide and such. Yesterday our conversation was this:

Diana: Isaac, get over here so we can get your stinky bum changed.

Isaac: Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, you have to change my stinky bum.

I fell on the ground laughing and Isaac ran away. What a clever little boy.

Lagoon

We finally had a free Saturday and headed over to Lagoon on a whim. Isaac had so, so much fun. He ran from ride to ride for about six hours. When we finally got him buckled in his car seat, he was asleep before our car left the lot. Grace also had lots of fun, she squeeled everytime we passed the carousel. She felt so big riding on those animals. We'll have to do season passes next year when Isaac hits that magical 36" mark.

Fall Afternoons

After dinner, we usually play outside until bedtime. Isaac builds nests for birds and provides water. Grace begs for apples off the tree. Do they really have to grow up?!?