Peas

My daughter has an aversion to anything that resembles vegetation. She doesn't even like most fruits. She'll eat veggies if they are hidden, mostly because she doesn't know they are there! She loves zucchini as long as it's in bread. Will eat carrots if they are hidden in soup.
So, as with many two year olds, getting them to eat something that they have set in their mind as forbidden is like trying to lift a speeding train off its tracks and send it in the opposite direction. Clearly a disaster, until yesterday...

Nik took Rilynn up to Steamboat with my family for Labor Day weekend while I stayed behind to photograph a wedding. On their way to Steamboat, they stopped in Central City for a night. At dinner with Gpa and Gma, Bamps and Nana and auntie Rae, Nik had his hands full with a Rilynn who had not had much of a nap that day and was almost at her end. He got up to go give her a change of scenery - the salad bar. As they were naming vegetables, something caught her eye and she and yelled PEAS! Daddy asked her if she'd like some to which she replied, YES! So they got her a little bowl of peas which somehow turned her mood from sour and whiny, to happy and content! She ate and ate and ate the peas. When the bowl was empty, she said, "More peas please!"
The surprise rippled all across the table as everyone there had been witness to her disgust of many things healthy. This was wonderful. They got her another bowl and she continued to eat up the peas like she had longed for them her whole life. Daddy was so proud of her that he decided to get her some chocolate cake! When the cake came, Daddy asked if she would like some. She replied, "No thanks! I'd like some more peas please!"

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I love when she catches us unexpectedly!

Jesus Loves Me and Jesus Loves the Little Children Medly :)

Hide and Seek

We played hide and go seek for about 15 minutes before this. She absolutely loved playing! The very last time was the one I finally grabbed the camera. At the end, you can see she gets a bit distracted :) Very fun and cute!
The below are pictures of Chic fila free day! We heard on the radio that if you dressed up like a cow from head to toe, adults would get a full meal and kids would get a kids meal.
So at noon, you could find us cutting out cow spots and cow heads. Pretty fun! We really love to eat there :) mmmmmmmmmmmm!

Rilynn got to hug the cow and give the cow hugs. She loved that cow. It's strange how we let our children hug complete strangers because they are dressed as animals :)

Big Girl Bed!

Summer Time!

It's been a while since I've last updated. We've had a busy summer. This is truly one of the sweetest times in life. Enjoying our daughter as she grows and experiences new things there's nothing better. Honestly, I feel so lucky to be able to spend time with her, listening to her giggles and seeing her smiles. We have had our bummers, one of which is just odd. Anyone heard of Fifth's Disease? Viral rash that looks horrible. Well, Rilynn got it somehow...didn't bother her at all which was a relief. Just is a bit aggrivated by the sun and heat. So we have done some indoor activities as well. Rilynn has been going to "macksticks" (gymnastics) and has absolutely LOVED jumping down the long trampoline strip and jumping into a big foam pit! (See the video below.) She's mastered her sommersaults and loves to walk on the balance beam. It's very cute! We also have enjoyed going to a local fountain park area with our friends, Ayla, Ashton, and Conner. She can not get enough water!!! She's got fins! :) Every Thursday, we meet our friends at the pool. She's recently learned how to go under while holding her breath! This last Thursday, she went under about 75 times, no joke. She was so proud of herself. Jumping off the side of the pool and going under is also a favorite! Miss Stephanie is teaching her how to do a backfloat! Swim time always makes for the best naps. I love summertime.

Nik has been busy running the summer Youth Corps program. He is enjoying the group this year of about 200 corps members and team leaders. But he does have his fair share of "interesting days." :)

I've been booked almost the entire summer (weekends, that is) with weddings, engagement shoots and senior portrait sesssions. I've left the month of August open for a bit of a catch up break from May, June and July and will have a few more weddings in September to finish up the busy season.

Nik just had his 10 year highschool class reunion, and mine will be in September as well.

Now I'm Two

Rilynn is so affectionate these days. She likes to give hugs and kisses thanks to the Barney song I Love You, You Love Me. Can you make out the words?

It's hard to beleive that she knows her ABCs already! But she gets distracted easily. So loves to dance, sing and look in the mirror. And she loves to run around in just her diaper. But we're working on potty-training so hopefully she won't need those anymore.

This is a daily activity: jumping on the bed and doing tricks. She loves to be asked what she can do. And she counts so well!

The Itsy Bitsy Spider (eepsy spider)

We've been working on this song a little bit. She just loves it. She started doing it by herself one day and we just can't get enough of her little voice. Hope you enjoy it!!!
Lots of love!