What we've been up to

After what seems like forever, Laura has finally decided that she is ready to start walking. And I am loving it. She just keeps getting more and more fun.


I took Laura to our favorite park to go on a walk and it was such a gorgeous day we had to take a couple of pictures. I am loving spring in TN. The last few years I have been in Utah for the spring. I hate spring weather in Utah. Really, does it have to continue to snow until June? Maybe in a couple of months, when my clothes are sticking to my wet, sticky body, I will be missing Utah's more moderate summer weather.





Isn't she starting to look so much like her father? Everyone tells us she looks like a little Peter.



Grandma Munk came to stay with us several weeks ago and we loved having her here. She even let us share her birthday with us. It was a great opportunity to try out the birthday banner and hats I just made.



And last but not least, I have little blossoms all over my vegetable plants! About a month ago, I built these homemade earthboxes following an online tutorial. I wanted to have a garden, but didn't have a spot to put it. So I built these to put on my deck.



And now, a little over a month later, my tomato, squash, zucchini, and cucumbers are covered in little yellow blossoms. I love gardening. Even if it is in a cheap, plastic tub. It is so exciting to watch plants grow.

Laura's Birthday Present

For the past month, I have been slaving away on Laura's birthday present. This little quiet book took a surprising amount of time! But, I really like the way it turned out. And so far, Laura seems to love it. The test will be on Sunday when we find out if it really keeps her entertained and quiet!












(I am not sure why this pictures uploaded sideways.)

Happy Birthday, Laura

My baby is now one year old!. I can't believe how fast the last year has flown by. Last night, when I was putting her to sleep, I got a little sad thinking that the first year of her life is over and I will never get to spend that time with her again. But, as cute as she was as a little baby, she is so much more fun now. I love seeing her gain her own little personality and learn how to do new tricks.

We celebrated her birthday with a little party with some of our friends.


One of the couples we invited over have a baby about the same age as Laura. It was fun watching them play together. Don't they look so cute in the party hats?


Laura had her own cake that we put on the floor. She had fun digging in to the frosting and licking it off her fingers.



This was the cake I made for Laura that the grown ups got to eat.

Laura's First Steps?

My favorite thing about my gym is the child care. Laura gets to be watched by these sweet, old southern ladies with a inch of orange foundation on their face and the greatest southern accents. They all call her "Miss Laura" and everytime I pick her up she smells like rose scented perfume.

Last week, I went to get her after I had finished my work out and the lady told me, "Miss Laura is getting good at walking!" I responded, "You mean standing up?" She said, "No, walking. She took 3 steps all by herself." What? Did I miss my baby's first steps?

I really hope that Laura was not so inconsiderate as to take her first steps in front of the nice YMCA ladies and not her mama who is with her the other 23 hours of the day.

My superior athletic abilities

On our picnic last Sunday, my friend snapped this picture right after I threw what I thought was a pretty good pass to Peter.



Yeah, I think this picture sums up my athletic abilities pretty well. It looks more like I am doing a dance move than throwing a football. I mean seriously, have you ever seen anything more awkward?

Easter

We had such a wonderful Easter! The Easter brought Laura a cute bunny hat (Peter surprised us us by going to Target yesterday to buy Laura an Easter present and some chocolate for me.)



In between sessions of conference we went to a park and had a picnic with some friends. I am loving this 80 degree weather. I know that it is going to get really hot soon so I am going to enjoy the perfect weather as long as I can.







And here are a couple pictures of Laura's Easter dress.

Peter's Spring Break

Peter had spring break last week which meant that we got to spend a little bit more time with him. We were invited by one of his friends to go on a "hike." It turned out that it wasn't much of a hike at all, at least we wouldn't call it a "hike" in Utah. It was more like a walk through a forest. But it was a beautiful day and it felt so good to be outside. I am looking forward to going back after the trees have leaves. It will be beautiful.



Laura is so much fun these days. She is constantly getting into trouble. Here are some of her latest tricks I've caught her in:



It seems like everyday she learns something new. Yesterday she danced for the first time and today she learned how to stand up in her high chair. I liked the dancing way better than the standing up in the high chair.

I just painted and recovered this little rocking chair to go in her room. She loves to sit in it and make it rock and can climb out all by herself.