enjoying summer

we have been really loving the end of summer here in Utah. Geoff and i were commenting on how beautiful it really is in Utah during the summer. sometimes when we think of Utah we only think of the dreary winters that seem the suck the life out of you. it gets so gray here and it's harder to be outside because of the snow and cold temperatures. the mountains spotted with green and the wild flowers (some of which Geoff picked and put on Cora's hat) really make summer time in Utah gorgeous. we are never really here during the summer and so miss out on the fun outdoor activities that Utah has to offer like hiking. don't get me wrong.. skiing (which is also outdoors) during the winter is the best here and is a major attraction for people from all over, but there is something special about a beautiful summer day up in the mountains of Utah. here we are in Park City hiking up a mountain-biking trail that winds around to the top of the mountain, crossing over ski trails as we climbed:

Cora absolutely loved it and did great on our 2 hour hike that Nancy and Steve showed us!

this is my new favorite picture of all of ushere is Cora today out on our walk around Cameron and Brittany's neighborhood. i have tried to take her out on a walk every morning for a few weeks now. she seems to really loves it outside and it helps that she can see out better in this stroller that Britt is lending us!

6 months ago

our family of two became this:

6 months ago and we could not be happier!

Cora is 6 months old today.
She is so big sitting all by herself in this high chair at a restaurant. Sitting up on her own is her latest accomplishment and she is so proud of herself when she does!One of my favorite things about Cora is how vocal she is. She is constantly talking and it seems like singing at times, and just making happy noises that make us smile. She has started sleeping through the night again, which I am very grateful for. Months 1-3 she slept through the night, but for some reason months 4 & 5 she decided she would wake up every 3 hours. I'm glad that is over! She is very strong: she holds her head up off the ground when laying on her back, she loves standing, she rolls over, she does this side to side head swaying and will whack you in the side of the face if you're not careful, she sits, and she kicks you if you're in reach of her legs as she is laying down.

Here she is so big riding on Daddy's shoulders!
I cannot believe that Cora has only been with us for 6 months, it seems she has always been part of our family.
Happy half birthday to her!

cora meets cousins

we made it back to Utah from California last week. we're staying in Park City with Geoff's parents at a cabin they rented for the summer. geoff's sister stacie and her family are here too and we are having a BLAST! cora absolutely loves kids and she just thinks these cousins of her are so funny! they know exactly how to make her laugh and smile. lately i always have a helper to grab me a diaper, help me change cora into her outfit for the day, grab cora toys, etc. i can't wait till cora is big enough to run around with these kiddos!

cora with jackson and chloe

lexi and cora

the twins, claire and chloe, with cora

it's too bad cora doesn't live closer to her cousins in Washington, New York, and Utah (well for now we're in Utah but not for long)

a day at the park

the weather in California is incredible! just about 10 mins from where we live is a beautiful park called Lacy Park. we spent a few hours there just laying on a blanket with Cora, throwing the frisbee, and walking around the park.

for about a week now Cora won't stay in this position on her belly (see below) for very long. she is rolling from her stomach to her back and we celebrate every time she does it, which she seems to love!our time in California is coming to a close. i'm packing up this week as Geoff finishes things up at work. we have enjoyed our time here and we have especially enjoyed watching Cora change and grow since we first got here in May!

grateful

there are so many things to be grateful for...

here are a few i can think of today:

-my family
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-my faith
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-my health
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-my baby's health
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-the sun that is shining
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-my innate mothering abilities
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-a loving husband who supports us
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-the long walks Cora and I are enjoying together
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-airplanes that get me from here (California) to New York
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-Geoff's work ethic and the job that he has
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-a smiling baby that makes us smile

i love this pensive picture of Cora.

i think it is so important to stop once in a while and think of all the things you are grateful for, to write them down even, and to express your gratitude to the One who gives us everything!

happy 4th of july

Cora and i were lucky enough to celebrate independence day twice this year. once in New York and once in California. we just got back from a 3 week visit to my family in good 'ol Brewster. we sure did miss Geoff (daddy) though and i know he is happy to have us back as well!

Cora in her Red White and Blue. I love this outfit from Stacie (Geoff's sister). This was taken Friday the 1st when we had a BBQ and went to fireworks that evening.

sitting at fireworks with grandma Liza and cousin Olivia. the fireworks scared Cora a little bit so she and I got up and watched in the back as i held her tight and rocked her. she did like looking at the flashing lights though!

fireworks in California on the actual 4th. Cora fell asleep in the Bjorn with Geoff. Geoff turned Cora around when the show started so she could see because the loud booms woke her up, but as you can see below she fell right back asleep thanks to the much needed earmuffs that Geoff created with his hands!

big girl can...

stand up, only holding on to balance

wear jeans and a normal little girl shirt

go swimming sit in the cart at Target with her cousin aubrey
be held by cousins that are 4 years old and younger
count on her fingers like this...our sweet baby cora is growing up so fast. she is 4 months old and getting more and more fun by the day!