Highway Trail

We went for a walk today along a trail that was part of a scenic highway, that has been closed to motor vehicles for pedestrians and bikes. This winter we went snow shoeing on this trail. So, all though it may look like we put our kid in the road to take a picture, there was no danger!

...a nearby orchard...

Mr. Cool!

...sexy mamma...

...and who is THAT sexy mamma?...

My Friend Jen Has A Blog!

Welcome, Jen, to the blog world!

Gracie and Bella

Gracie and Amya last summer

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Hey, Jen, remember these days?

Snow

We woke up this morning to snow falling outside!

I Love My Cousins!

Amya with all of her cousins...

...with Taylor...

...Walker...

...Bear...

....Kadence...

...and Willow!

When you say "walk", Amya is always ready to go!

Bows

Oh, I just can't help it! It is one of the sacrifices of being a girl!

Reading with Daddy

Big Girl!

So, I've been putting Amya's mattress on the floor for her naps to introduce her to "crib-free" sleeping (I'm really anxious to get that HUGE piece of furniture out of the room!). I didn't know what to expect...

The first time we tried it, Amya got right up, followed me out to the kitchen and surprised me (she was very proud of herself)! I brought her back and told her she had to stay on her bed...and she did...for an hour and a half! She sang and played with her dolly and covered herself up with her blanket, but never got out of bed!...but she didn't take a nap, either.

We tried it again today. I was spying on her through the crack in the door. She NEVER got out of bed! She threw her pillow off once and leaned way over to pick it up, careful not to get off the bed. 20 minutes later she was asleep! To those of you who know Amya, this is BIG deal! This is the child who scolds us when we reprimand her, because we've just slowed her down! Yeah Amya! I wonder how long this will last...

**UPDATE**

It only lasted one day! When I tried it this afternoon, she kept getting up, finding me, then running back, jumping on the mattress and pretending to sleep. It probably didn't help that I thought it was hysterical and couldn't hide my laughter. The mattress is now back in the crib! :(

In Love

Amya enjoys pretending that the kitchen towels are little blankets.

The disappearance of a chocolate bunny

"All right!...an Easter basket! Let's see what's in here...."

"Yeah!...a chocolate bunny! I've never had one of these before!
"Hmmmmm...pretty good. I think I like chocolate bunnies."
..."Just got home from church and all I could think about was that chocolate bunny."
"Gggrrrrr....don't get too close! This is MINE!"
"I think I'll color with my chocolate bunny and eat my brown crayon."

"Ahhhh.........so are there any more chocolate bunnies?"

Easter Pictures

(The REAL Amya)

Bubbles!

Easter Eggs!

Morning Time

Amya loves playing with her schoolhouse blocks. Actually, she likes picking them up and throwing them out of the box, then adding "non-block" items to the box.
In Amya's words................"Nuh, nuh, nuh (finger pointing) nuh, nuh!!!!"

St.Patrick's Day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COUSIN WILLOW!!!!

Amya and I spent the day weeding the garden beds....well, I was weeding. Amya was "transfering" dirt from one area to another, although she did help shake out the soil from the roots I pulled up. By the end of the day she was covered in mud and loved every minute of it!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

A Sad Goodbye

Our hearts are breaking today for our friends Lisa and Evan. They had to say goodbye to their sweet baby girl, a few days shy of her third birthday. As you read this, please say a prayer if you would, for this family, in this most difficult time.

That Kid

What would a journal entry be, without some random pictures of Amya!
...looking very much like a lawn ornament...pointy hat and all...
...trying to stay awak long enough to finish a meal...
...picking wildflowers...

Future cover of a rock album