The big 3-0

On Jan 25th Tyler turned 30. He took it a lot better than I would! One thing I have noticed with Ty, is that age doesn't matter to him. "It's just a number Rach" he would tell me. 25 was a big one for me, and I hated turning 26 because I was closer to 30 than 20. I need to be more like Ty, just enjoy the celebration and forget about the number. I wanted to throw a big party for him with a bunch of his friends, but all he wanted was to go antler hunting...go figure (yes it is that time already, and yes it does come sooner every year I swear). We ended up just having the fams over for dinner and birthday cake, it was a great way to celebrate. Again, I never take enough pics.

Little Swimmer

Danielle and I got the girls started in swim lessons. I know that sounds crazy, but it is really good for them to start in the pool early. The girl we go to will see them as early as 6 mo. We waited until the girls were 9 mo. The lady and her daughters that do it, have a pool in their backyard, and they cover it in the winter, it's pretty cool. They don't waste anytime getting these babies used to the water. They immediately dunk them and start to teach them how to hold their breath under water. Obviously they are not learning the breaststroke, but survival water skills. Learning how to float on their backs, and finding the surface if they were to fall into any water. It is really amazing what they do. I will admit that it is hard to watch, because for the most part she doesn't like it. I really like the one on one teaching method that they have too. No matter what age your child is, they always have their own lesson, it is not a group lesson. It was good to do in the winter I thought, because it got us out of the house. I will for sure do it again in the fall. Check them out on facebook, O'neal Aquatics. I loved the water when I was little, and still do. I plan to spend a lot of time swimming with this little water baby!

New Year 2012

This New Year's Eve was uneventful, with having a baby that goes to bed at 8, it changes a lot of things! I actually don't really enjoy ringing in the New Year, I know, weird. It is a drinkers holiday along with St. Patrick's Day, and if you don't drink (like muah) the time is usually filled with eating junk and going to bed feeling that way. Also, I am more of a morning person than night. Fighting sleep to say Happy New Year, just isn't worth it to me anymore. What I do enjoy is New Year's Day. My family has this tradition of eating fondue on New Year's Day, and it is such a fun tradition. My mom always does a great job with meats, veggies, bread and cheese, dessert with chocolate, the works for sure. Anyone who has had fondue, knows that it is a time consuming thing. You can only cook a few items at a time, and it takes a bit for it to cook. It is the longest dinner we have all year, and it is fun to just have everyone at the table talking and laughing. I wish I would have had my camera to take a picture of everyone and all the pots. This is a tradition I hope to enjoy for a long time, and look forward to every New Year.

Christmas Time

So I went a little overboard for Zoe's first Christmas. The problem was that I would buy stuff, stash it (I don't know why) and then forgot I bought it. Online shopping kind of goes the same way, buy it, forget you bought it until it shows up at your door. Tyler laughed at me because I wrapped up most of her gifts, I don't think she fully unwrapped even one! She loved the paper, wrapping, and bows more than anything.

Regardless of my serious type A personality and wanting EVERYTHING to be perfect and orderly, especially for her first Christmas, it was perfect (even without snow). We loved spending the day with family and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, and not all those silly gifts.  

We got the girls together to take some fun pics for some gifts, they turned out pretty cute. The dress is actually as dress both Danielle and I wore as babies.

October

 Walks up Hobble Creek

Blue eyed baby girl!

 Petting Zoo (I have a secret obsession with donkey's, I think they are so cute!)

 Playing with pumpkins on the porch in pajamas (tongue twister :)

 Zoe Bug!

 So I was trying to keep this whole bug theme for the fam, but no, Tyler wanted to be a cowboy! I think it's because he doesn't even look dressed up.

 There's a lady bug on my floor!

Playing Catch Up

Tyler drew his Mountain Goat tag this year on Timp. It was a once in a lifetime hunt that he has put in for for the past 10 to 15 or so years. These animals are amazing. Really gorgeous and ginormous. He was with his brother Shane and one his lifelong best friends, Adam Webb. Tyler knows the mountain really well, and spent a lot of time on it with Adam growing up. I kept teasing Tyler that he had to take Adam with him because he is a paramedic just in case! I swear the more years that go by, the more of a worrier I become.

While Tyler was on the snowy and foggy mountain, Zoe and I were in hot and sunny southern California. Most my family was there, and we enjoyed every minute. My dad of course had to rent a family van so we could all ride together! The drive out we had my mom, my dad, Zoe, me, my sister Danielle, her baby girl Cambri, and my other sister Ruth. It was a car full, but so fun. The babes did amazing for their first long trip. We watched movies and listened to music to try and keep them entertained. We took two days to drive out, spent the first night in Vegas. The second day we watched Mary Poppins and the girls slept the entire time! That movie is a lot longer than I remember too.

California fun consisted of multiple swims a day, hanging out in the condo watching movies and visiting, playing games almost every night, Mike and I even hit the tennis courts one night, which was so fun, even though I am such a sad tennis player. The street market on Thursday night in Palm Springs. Zoe was so interested the whole time we were walking the street with the music, arts, and people, even though it was past her bedtime. I of course forgot the camera doing most things, but here are a few of us at the pool.

 Zoe loved this floaty my friend let us borrow, she would just lay back, splash, and hang out.

After a week of relaxation, it was time to drive home. But we were ready, and excited to see Tyler. My sisters left earlier in the week, so it was just my parents, me, and the Zoe Bug for the drive home.

On another note, Zoe is now 6 mo old. I know I say this every time, but...what!!  She is growing so much and changing by the minute I swear. She is so fun, and getting very mobile. She rolls both ways, and when she is on her tummy she tries to get her legs under her by putting her bum in the air. She is SLOWLY growing a little hair, but you can't tell much because it is so blonde. She is still in the 50% for all categories. Strong, healthy, and average, we couldn't ask for anything better. She still is sleeping like a champ as well, (knock on wood :) eating solids, but constantly wants to suck her thumb while eating. I think it is just the fact that she is used to sucking to get food, and she is not quite getting it, but it is super cute. Any body else's babies do this?

Ty and I just celebrated our 5 yr. anniversary, which is also crazy. We didn't do anything too exciting, just spent the weekend together which was perfect. I wanted a few trees and shrubs for the front yard, so that is what we got each other, haha. We went out to dinner as well, which is something we haven't done since Zoe was born. I feel very fortunate to have Ty as my husband and best friend. I love experiencing parenthood with him. He is such a good dad, and amazes me often.

Lastly, we have a new nephew and cousin for Zoe!! Cody and Emily had their little boy on Oct. 17. He is just amazing, so perfect. When we went to see him, I knew it was going to amaze me that Zoe was ever that small, and of course that was the case. I am so happy for them, and glad that Zoe has a cousin on each side of the family close in age.

Labor Day Weekend

We went camping for the first time since Zoe has been born around the Fish Lake area. We figured now was just as good a time as any, especially since she doesn't have much to bring, and she is not very mobile. It was just us and our dogs, Shan was nice enough to let us borrow the Karmabe mobile. The thing is like the Up house in mini size, you can't help but smile. Aside from a blowout 30 min after getting to camp, which Zoe is known for and took up half the wipes I brought, everything went great. We fished, went on a beautiful hike, had tin foil dinners, and hung out at the campfire (my favorite). Zoe was a little out of it the first night, but still slept pretty well, the second night she was fine and slept just like her normal self. That will probably be the only time we camp this year, but we are looking forward to many outings come next summer!

 Me and my Zoe bug

The doe we saw at the start of our hike 

 Hats!

 Guss was loving each shade spot we passed by

 Family portrait!

(Apparently I am the only one who smiles in this family :)

 We hiked up a mountain to a beautiful open field called "Big Flat" 

It was so calm and peaceful, and we were the only ones there.

 Zoe was mesmerized by the fire 

 Zoe in my sleeping bag

 The dogs were wiped out after swimming and hiking all day.

 We had a little shooting contest before we left 

Me against Ty and Zoe

It was really close, but then of course they beat me!

On a completely different note, Zoe turned 5 mo just the other day, what the...where does the time go. We have loved every minute with her!