TWO

I know all moms say this, but I can't believe it has been two years since we brought this beautiful girl home from the hospital.

Amaya,

Watching you learn and grow these last two years has been an absolute joy. We are so grateful that you are ours forever. You have an enthusiasm for life that is infectious! In the last year, it has been so fun to watch you go from a baby to a running, talking, crazy little girl.  We have loved watching you learn to talk and hearing what is on your mind.  Amaya, you have been such a good friend to your momma while your dad has been gone. You are a very maternal little girl and have been a great big sister to Oaklie (and a good mom to AbbyJo!) Your little testimony will continue grow as you go to "nursey" and learn about Jesus. Never forget how much He and Heavenly Father love you and how much your family loves you! Thank you for always being willing to give a hug and share your fruit snacks.  

We love you very much and are so excited for all of the laughs and silly stories the next year will bring. Happy 2nd birthday!

Love,

Mom and Dad

For Amaya's actual birthday we went to the lake with Shacie and her little ones. Of course, neither of my kids wanted anything to do with the water, but they had fun playing in the sand and snacking.

Cute little cousins

Our little sand eater.

Grandma Clark made Amaya a "orse" cake complete with "orse poop" (chocolate chips)

My sister sewed these cute little matching skirts for Amaya and AbbyJo. Amaya thought it was so neat. (The puzzle in the background is from Grandma and Grandpa Abrams)

Happy Birthday Amaya Belle!

R&R Part 3: Happy Birthday Shoo-Shoo!

Dallas narrowly missed Amaya's birthday (Jul 16) and his birthday (Jul 20) so we celebrated them while he was home on leave. The four of us went and picked out a trike for Amaya so Dallas could teach her how to ride it while he was home.

A few days after this Amaya was riding trikes and bikes with her cousins and heard everyone call theirs a bike.  I asked her if she was having fun riding her trike and she said, "No, it a bike!"

I bought all the stuff to make a baseball cake and told Dallas to put it together.  Apparently this is a fairly accurate scale model.

Always the rebel...

It's amazing the kind of stuff you can get away with on your birthday.

2nd generation rebel.

If you're wondering about the title of this post, it took Amaya awhile to learn how to say "Happy birthday TO YOU."

R&R Part 2: Independance Day

It was so fun to have Dallas home for the 4th of July.  This year was our FOURTH fourth of July together and the FOURTH year in a row that he played in a softball tournament with his friends.  Yes, we were there in 2010, 2009, and 2008. (pictures on our wedding video).  The last two years in a row I was HUGELY pregnant with Amaya (Jul 16) and Oaklie (Aug 20).  It was so fun to enjoy the warm weather this year without swollen ankles :) I was planning to take more pictures, but I yammered the whole time and only got a few.  Luckily other people took lots and sent them to me, so thanks everyone!

  

2011

Amaya thought she was on the team.

 Amaya "ran" in the 1-2 year old foot race.  I use the term loosely because she stumbled and bawled the whole way to the finish line.  I felt like a stage mom. 

This is the reason I didn't get many pictures of Oaklie.

We love Independance Day!  I love that we all celebrate and have fun, because freedom is a very joyous thing. 

We got together with Dallas' family that night for food and fireworks.  Amaya and Oaklie had a blast playing with their cousins and playing with the fireworks. (Alright, Oaklie was asleep almost the whole time.  Poor little sleepyhead).

 

 Aww...look at all those cute little cousins in their mini camping chairs.  I'm obsessed with miniature objects, which is probably why I got up at 6:00 a.m. on the 4th to go buy baby camp chairs.

*cue music* "Baby you're a firework..."

Aren't these two little cousins so sweet?

Of course, Independance Day this year is especially special concerning our current situation as a family, but hopefully it is very special for everyone because we all enjoy the blessings of our beautiful country. I have a firm testimony of the great plan He has for our nation and I am grateful for the righteous men who played such a vital role in the birth of our nation.

It is such a blessing just to be able to go to church with my little family, and not worry about being harmed.  I'm thankful every night when I put my little girls in a warm bed with full tummies. 

"Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written." --Ether 2:12

"For I, the Lord, the king of heaven, will be their king, and I will be a light unto them forever, that hear my words." --2 Nephi 10:14

If you're looking for a good read, try "America's Promise" by President Marion G. Romney.

R&R Part 1: Welcome Home!

R&R is a magically two weeks soldiers have to come home and spend time with their family during a deployment.  I have been waiting and waiting as my friends' husbands came home and FINALLY it was our turn.  We had so much fun! Dallas was originally supposed to fly in at 6:00 and his flight got delayed...and delayed...and delayed.  At least it seemed like forever to me! It had been nine months since the girls had seen him and seven months since we had seen each other. He finally got in at 11:00 p.m. 

*a big thanks to my sister Hailey for taking most of the pictures here. Even in the worst lighitng ever at the Idaho Falls Airport, she got some great ones!* 

Waiting...

Watching for dad

I was so worried if Amaya would recognize Dallas or not.  She saw him coming around the corner, yelled, "DAD!", ran, and launched herself into his arms. 

My dad captured this awesome picture.  I was so relieved to just get to kiss him again!

Our nephew is the funniest kid. He ran up and grabbed Dallas' leg right after he came through the gate.

Mom and Dad. It's definately an improvement over the last time we were at the airport together.  

Abrams

Clarks

We're so grateful everyone from both sides of our family was able to be there!

Dallas finally got to meet his nephew Paxton

Finally time to go home!