How young is too young?

I just wanted to let you know a little about myself. When I was a young warthog I liked my belts. I wore them with dresses...

 I wore them to show the world how fierce I was...

 I wore them with my leotards...

Yes, it is true. I liked my belts. So, when Erik emerged from the bedroom with Alyssa dressed like this...

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Brace yourselves.

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You might not be ready for what is coming...

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She is Erik's daughter, too.

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I just had to laugh!!!!!!!!!! So how young is too young to impose your fashion sense on your child?

This week we also went to our stake pioneer days. We watched a great firework show and had some fun food. 

When we came home we found our drive way infested with cockroaches. It's a good thing I don't normally go out at night. I am even more grateful that those little boogers mostly stay outside of our house.

3 more weeks of Vegas... *sigh* 

Surprise!

My Mom's birthday was last Friday and for a merry birthday present, we drove to Salt Lake. We left late Thursday afternoon and got there about 1:30 AM. Everyone was at the midnight showing of Harry Potter so we just sneaked in and went to sleep. In the morning we called to sing her "Happy Birthday" and then revealed ourselves while we were on the phone with her. It was funny! 

While we were there we went to the children's parade that celebrates Primary basically. Alyssa slept on Grandma's shoulder through most of it. Maybe she was a little young...

We had a lot of fun with James Archibald II and my family. It's always hard to say good bye, but the visit was worth it.

We only have 3 more weeks in Las Vegas. The summer has gone by so fast! I'm looking forward to being settled somewhere for longer than 3 months, though the trip across the country along with being so far away from family is a little daunting. I know that Delaware is where we are supposed to be and we'll make it work somehow!

These pictures feature my "photo shoot" with Alyssa. She moves so much when she smiles that it is hard to capture her in a picture. We love our girl!

Improvising

Alyssa likes to stand up and preferably without anyone holding her. We've discovered this because of her affinity for her door hanging chair. We also tried out a few toys at Target and Babies R Us. We decided maybe she needs a walker. Being as cheap or rather as intuitive as we are, we made her one out of her door hanging chair and a diaper box. She loves it. We keep a close watch on her though, don't worry.

How can you resist this little bright eyed lizard baby?  (You probably can't!)

What a cheese :)

We've...or rather I have become obsessed with housing in Delaware. I want to find the perfect place for the perfect price. I am beginning to doubt such a place exists but I've made 9 new friends. I emailed the BYU Alum who live in Newark and they have all had a lot to offer. Hopefully we'll find our house soon!

No crazy adventures this time, but maybe next week...if the Museum of Natural History thrills your fancy.

Hooray for the Red, White, and Blue!

It's been a fun week! The Archibalds and company came to visit us. We had lots of fun adventures! We made cute bug cakes with Maria as seen below. 

Erik's Grandma came with Aunt Becky. She tells us that her mom also had red hair (my mom does/did too). So now we know that Alyssa has two sides pulling for that red hair to stick around. Grandma liked to hold Alyssa. Alyssa was a little less sure...

Margaret or Grammy or Maggie or Mahola....or whatever she's decided on got Alyssa to use her binky on more than one occasion. I'm not sure how she did it because we're back to the thumb!

We went on a dam power plant tour. Alyssa's reaction in this picture may prove prophetic of all future family vacations...

We also went swimming at the hotel pool. It was nice and cool and Lys loved it.

The lovely swimsuit models are seen below:

For the Fourth we got all dressed up in patriotic gear. I know it's a blurry pic but I love the face.

Erik made patriotic pancakes...

James Archibald II spent most of the 4th with us. We had a patriotic speech and sang some songs. Scooter aka Jim should be proud!

We went to see fireworks. Alyssa enjoyed them quite thoroughly. It'll be interesting to see if she likes them next year.

Alyssa is becoming quite sophisticated in her entertainment. No more vibrating bouncy chairs or a bunch of silly faces. She wants more! She learned how to use the computer. She also likes to stand up in her door way bouncing chairy thing. She is smiley and silly. I'm thinking about taking her to the mall so she can people watch because the two of us at home just doesn't seem to be cutting it anymore!