O Canada!

In July we were able to visit Dereck's "home and native land" for a week. Kiara had really warmed up to cousins and animals by the end of the week and it was hard to say goodbye. Here are niece and nephews Taylor, Josh, and Dylan riding Jasper, Nellie, and Mick:

The kids up there really make Kiara and Kate look like city wimps. Check out 7-year-old Marlee climbing on her horse!

This is the only kind of horse that Kiara would ride up there (after much persuasion):


We were able to explore Waterton National Park a lot more on this last trip. We hiked to Wall Lake with the girls on our back (ouch).



Later in the week Grandma & Grandpa watched the girls so Dereck and I could hike to Crypt Lake. We took a boat across Waterton Lake to the trailhead and hiked 11 miles round trip to a glacial bowl lake. To get there we scaled cliffs and crawled through a natural tunnel. It was truly amazing!

The natural tunnel:

2007 in a Nutshell

Since I did not do a Christmas newsletter this year, I have summed the year up for you here:
2007 was a great year! The early winter months were filled with sledding trips and building snowmen. Kate tried to keep up with her sister in every way. We went on field trips with the neighborhood friends to the planetarium and the children’s museum at the Gateway. Kate started eating solids with vigor. She can’t seem to ever get enough! In April we were able to spend a week in St. George with the Jacobs. We swam, played on the playground and sandbox, drove to Las Vegas, and had some great family time. In June we celebrated Kate’s first birthday and Kiara played on her first ever soccer team. On Friday, June 22, Luis and Alicia were sealed in the Mount Timpanogos temple and had a reception at Le Jardin in Sandy. The first part of July we were in Canada for a week. We were able to do a lot of hikes in Waterton National Park and the girls got to ride horses with their daddy. Over Pioneer Day we went camping up Little Cottonwood Canyon at Tanners Flat. In August Kiara started ballet and neighborhood preschool, Dereck and Adrienne went on a weekend trip to San Diego, Dereck started the Executive MBA program at the University of Utah, we had a Wise/Williams reunion at Heber Valley, and Kate learned how to walk! In September we went to the Utah State Fair and went down the Giant Yellow Slide. In October Grandpa Randy came to visit and we celebrated his birthday. In November over Thanksgiving we stayed at a beach house in Ventura for a week and went to Disneyland and Cousin Kristy’s wedding in Laguna Beach. In December Kiara had her first dance recital and we had a wonderful Christmas. Kiara got her first bike with training wheels.

She Did It!

One of the most magical days of my life was my sister's wedding day, June 22. Everything came together just in time and it was a wonderful day! I was dubbed the wedding planner and then the travel agent when Luis and Alicia had to quickly change their honeymoon from Mexico to Whidbey Island, Washington.

As you can see, Kiara was very happy about the occasion. I think she realized that she was no longer Alicia's one and only love:


I think Kiara was the only unhappy person there. Even the staff at the reception center commented on the special feeling that was there at Luis and Alicia's reception.

In Stitches

"She speaks!" I have unburied myself from the wrapping paper and pine needles and I have found my computer. I realize that it has been months without an update. How you must have all been anxiously waiting! Here are a couple of projects that have been keeping me away. I made a little baby quilt for Cousin Megan and a king size quilt for my sweetheart, Dereck. I have made about 30 bags this year. They continue to be popular. I made the orange one for Dereck's secretary who had a baby.

My Big Little Sissy is Getting Married!

I have played Trouble & Scrabble with her until the wee hours of the morning, I have gone on numerous shopping trips with her, I have shared many cries and laughs with her, and now my big sister is getting married! I am so proud of the beautiful woman i have raised (I always pretend like I am her mom). Congratulations on the engagement, Nonny!

Bathing Coneheads

This bath photo is for my dad, who for years gave my two sisters and I wacky hair do's (and dont's) in the bath tub. I just wanted you to know I am carrying on your tradition, Dad! See, I did learn something from you. Not to mention the "Scrub-a-dub-a-dub-a" song.

Temple Square Tulips & Blossoms

Princess

I have a trail of glitter through the house, necklaces and wands strewn down the hall, and a very temperamental little girl---sound like a princess to you? The other day Kiara had her little friend Tyler over (the girl in the first photo). They disappeared for a little while and I found Kiara hiding under her pillow giggling and Tyler was saying, "Come on! You need to get ready for the ball" as she was trying to slip a dress over Kiara's head. Kiara says, "Wanna be a princess" and that's when we pull out the princess chest of dress-ups. I thought it was funny when Kiara slipped her princess shoes on over her feeted jammies.

Good Ol' St. George

St. George in April! What a treat! It was great to spend time with Dereck's family at Las Palmas Condos. My mom and Steve came down for the last few days. Unfortunately it was too cold for swimming most of the days. One day we took Dereck's nieces and nephew to Las Vegas to see the sights. We rode on the Circus Circus roller coaster and walked through several of the casinos. Kiara & Kate were great little travelers.

My Little Egg Hunters

In April we had a cute little Easter egg hunt at the park with Kiara's play group. By Kiara's third Easter egg hunt she was really getting the hang of it! Even tiny Kate got into it (into some other child's basket that is).

Discipline

On this day in April I could not convince Kiara to stop hitting Kate so I put them on opposite sides of the glass siding door. It was great because Kiara could hit the window and Kate couldn't feel it!

All Smiles

Our little Katy Bug continues to bring us so much joy. If only I could make her stay a baby! She is so cuddly and lovable and kissable. Some friends have nicknamed her "Kitty" because she is so playful and fun. I just want to hold her forever!

Still Daddy's Girl

I would encourage all mothers to raise daddy's girls. It can be hard on the ego, but it's also a nice break when your little girl wants daddy to change her diaper and put on her shoes. How can you argue with that? Daddy is willing to do anything for his princess and then mommy can finish the dishes!