A wonderful Sabbath!

I am just sitting here thinking over my day and I have to write how truly blessed I feel. Cheesy? Perhaps, but nevertheless it is how I feel. Some days come and go and I feel this way, but don't take the time to note it. So I will today. It was one of those days that I woke up with so much on my mind - many things to do (Sharing time and teaching the cute CTR 6 and 7 to name a couple). I was able to get most things done, be to church on time and enjoy the speakers. They spoke on being slow to anger. The spirit was very abundant and though I don't recall a ton of specifics, I loved the overall feeling I had. All my Primary tasks seemed to go well and then I headed home. I drove around for 20+ minutes trying to get Anna to go to sleep, and I just enjoyed the first signs of fall. I tried to find some of the best streets to take my in-laws on when they come in a few days, and found every corner I turned was just as beautiful as the last.

Anna wouldn't sleep, instead she advocated for Mia to get out on a walk and I obliged enjoying every moment of the gorgeous fall Ann Arbor weather. We stopped at the playground near our house and Anna explored while I talked to a best friend of mine. It is always nice to talk with old friends, even when it isn't as often as you would like. It seems that true friends will always be there, and each conversation seems so comfortable and fun the you don't want to hang up the phone! I feel so lucky to have the friends I do, whether they are longstanding friendships or new ones!

Afterwards we enjoyed a fabulous "southern dinner" at our friends the Abernethys. They lived in Louisiana for the summer for an internship and just accepted a job there for next year! They introduced us the some delicious "Po' boy" sandwiches, Jambalaya, and beignets (scones that I saw on the food network channel and have been wanting to try! They were amazing.). It was a great to be all together as SPH friends. We have been lucky to make these friendships over the past year and will live it up for one more year... until we are all spread across the U.S. (At least we'll have fun places to visit -right?)

Then I was able to act on an impression and know the feeling that the Holy Ghost really does guide us and if we are willing to act we will be blessed. I am thankful for the General Relief Society broadcast that was last night, it helped me prepare for the needs that needed to be met tonight. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, I am thankful for my testimony, for the power of the spirit, and the way that my knowledge of God and my Savior help me to be a better person.

Life is Great amidst the stress it can bring. Or rather the stress we put on ourselves from all that life has to offer!

Anna's words

I have been amazed at the rate that Anna has picked up words. I am writing this post more for her knowledge and my memory, because this is one(yes I have a few) the best journal I have right now... sad yes I know. Here are Anna's words and such to date...

Words: Hi, Bye bye, help, up, down, out, off, please, thank you (dayn do), toes, head, eyes, knees, nose, teeth, belly, eye brow, go, 1-2-3, shoes, socks, off, on, rain, walk, ball, tree, bus, swing, splash, swim, kids, t.v., rock, and rock a rocka, animals, no no no, that, ball, walk, ah-oh, wow, sit wet, water, bubble, baby, rock, flower, tractor, cheese, ham, cracker, truck, hat, butterfly, poo poo, stomp, pizza, jump, hot dog, bath, banana, me, star, tree, fish, duck, horse, apple, bee, stroller, sit, red, bow, hugs, hot, cold, wash, dirt, pretty, turtle, flower, circle, orange, open, banana, pizza, jump, and one of the most important... STINKY! (yes, many times I have gone to get her out of bed and she has warned me as I walk in the room!)

Signs: cracker, bear, eat, where, day, water, bird, more, all done, milk, juice, banana, star, fish, spider, sleep, please, and plane.

Favorite songs: Spider, Twinkle twinkle, If you're happy and you know it (stomp stomp), no more monkeys jumping on the bed, popcorn popping, I have a tiny turtle,

Phrases: I love you, night night, "there it is," all done, bye bye daddy, I'm cute, AH-OH, "up above...." (from twinkle twinkle), and the MOST important of all . . . GO UTES!!!

Animal sounds: Baa Baa, Niegh niegh, moaooow, duck duck, meeeow, bac bac, phhhh (elephant), chomp chomp (zebra), giraffe, snorts like a pig, buzz buzz, roar, dog dog (she ussed to say woof woof and since she learned the name this is what she says instead), bunny (just closes her eyes trying to make her nose wiggle), and the lizard (move tongue in and out).

Names: Anna, Mama, Daddy, Mina (Mia), Grandma, Grandpa, Papa, JoJo, Kjersti, Nannie (Natalie), Hola (Holly), Chris, Nini (Lily), Cait, Jackson, Sarah, Grace, Aubrey, Audrie, Jack, Logan, Chelsea, Fiona, Aylee (Eilidh- which is Gaelic), Sloane, and Rich, Travis, Mini (Mindy), These are the ones she is really good at, though if I say a name she really tries to say it!

Anna is 18 months... about 2 months ago

I waited until we got these photos from my fabulous friend, Melanie. You can check out her photos here: http://www.melaniewaltonphotography.blogspot.com . After we got them I got busy. So here is our little toddler at 18.5 months!

Ann Arbor Sighting...

I have found the "DOG WOMAN!" You know how there is always the "old cat lady" in each neighborhood? Well we live in a pretty good complex of town homes and I just found one of my favorite places to walk by. Let me give you a little history first.

For holidays you typically see there is a random very overzealous neighbor who has a flag for each holiday (or some sort of odd decoration) that they proudly display as soon as the season hits. Well the Dog Woman has taken this to a new level. I first noticed a random flag at Valentines with hearts surrounding the photo in the middle, but didn't realize it was a trend... until now.

I'll let you know when the next season starts with a new flag and the same dog! (:

One of #23's biggest fans....

As many of you know, my husband LOVES sports, basketball in particular. Growing up he spent COUNTLESS hours out with a basketball, shooting hoops. His favorite player has always been Michael Jordan and he cheered on "his Bulls" every year. There was only one time he witnessed Jordan play in person and that was with me! I was able to get tickets to see Jordan take on the Jazz on Valentines, not the most romantic thing to do on Valentines, but he was so giddy it was worth it!

When we were home for the summer I found the following photos and planned to do a blog post on this obsession. What better night to do so than tonight?! Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He gave a speech saying, "I personally wanted to thank Dave for his shrine, it was inspiring!" (Okay not really, but he did say a quote at the end of his acceptance speech that I liked: "Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.")

The following photos are NOT an illusion, but it was Dave's bedroom before his mission. YES, we still have the majority of these posters stashed away in storage. No, our bedroom will never look like this...how did he sleep?

If you look closely you can see his bed somewhere under there...If you look even closer you can see his light...

Probably the only white walls you could see, right above his pillow, I guess he needed a little space to put his head? (that black spot is his pillow)Love you babe, and your quirkiness! (:

A TRUE LOVE'S FIRST KISS

Tonight we were able to hang out again with our good friends the Abernethys. We are so excited that we are all back in A2 together. Anna and Hunter are only a few months apart and had a great time playing together... if you count stealing toys.
The two were sitting by each other on the back porch and Katie (Hunter's mom) asked Hunter to blow Anna a kiss, they both turned towards each other and kissed! We laughed so hard! I ran to get the camera and we tried to recreate the moment, I didn't get the best photos, but here is Prince Charming and Cinderella....

Too bad Prince Charming was the one that ran out on Cinderella in this story, soon after the kiss he got allergies to something, we assume the dog, but I guess he could be allergic to his first love! Too bad, they make a cute couple!

P.S. It has been exactly a year since we first hung out together. Things have changed just a bit...
( I don't know what happened to these pictures, they are all pixalated (if that is a word!?)

Upper Michigan- DAYS 6 and 7- the end

Mackinaw Island and HOME!

Arnold Ferry Ride * "bubbles" * WINDY * Awesome views of the island * Anna obsessed with camel back * Quiet streets * Ryba's Bikes * Anna's helmet * Sainte Anne's Church * Anna not liking the bike and pinching Daddy's back * Arch Rock * beautiful clear water * having to stop to fix Anna * Anna's interesting nap * *8 miles around the island loving every turn * struggling up hills on a 3 speed bike to just turn around * walk through down town * "neigh neighs"* yummy chicken sandwiches * The Grand Hotel * poor Canadian worker who had to stop everyone not staying at the hotel * watching horses * going into stables and seeing and touching Hank the largest horse at the hotel * the fort * walking through bird poop * playing on the lawn * saying hi to Mollie the dog and almost getting bit * trying to shop and bringing bird poop into the store on the stroller wheels - the store worker's look - hillarious as if he was saying "what the heck am I suppose to do with that!?* not finding any good things to buy... except Anna's toy "neighs" * Missing the ferry to buy ice cream * Spending hours looking for a good sweatshirt * A not so wonderful and very expensive buffet * Fun evening just together * Waking up just in time to see sunrise then back to bed *

Heading over on the ferry going by the bridge-( it was SO windy!)
Anna loved watching the "bubbles" or the wake behind the ferry

A view of the grand hotel this thing was huge!

I didn't expect all the homes, there were some LARGE summer vacation homes around the island.

Main Street in the morning before all the crowds, horses and bike riders

At the beginning of the bike ride. Anna looked so cute in her little helmet, though she didn't think so and here is what happened later...

Anna enjoyed the bike ride in a totally different way. She slept the WHOLE time like this! Ha! Thanks again Dave for pulling her.

Arch Rock

A view from Arch Rock The Island was SO gorgeous, I just kept turning to Dave and saying, "I LOVE THIS!"

The amazing Daddy and Sleeping Wonder

A view of the road (this is the only "state highway" in the U.S. that doesn't allow cars)

The Mama!

THE GRAND HOTEL- they would stop you at the point where this picture ends ( on the right) and not let you pass unless you were staying there or paid to go inside

Anna couldn't get enough of the "neighs." There are no cars allowed on the island and the only ways to get around are walking, biking, renting your own horse and buggy, riding a horse, or going around in a carriage like this one.

We went into the Horse stalls to look around, this young lad pulled out the largest horse on the island. Anna was THRILLED! He was about 7 feet tall. The horse's bridle costs over $8,000! The kid then got dressed and went out with a few horses on a carriage that looked like this...

One of the first wagons on the island

We played at this park for a little bit to let Anna run some energy out. It was a beautiful view from all over the island

If you couldn't tell by the next photo Anna had a good day!

No, the next photo is NOT a sunset, if you have been following the blog it is full of them However,

Anna woke me up my crying out for a minute. I noticed how the sun was coming in through the balcony and stepped out to snap this photo of the sunrise. Pretty good for being half asleep.

Anna saying goodbye to a wonderful trip (okay actually the bubbles on the back of the ferry).

It was such a good week! If you have read each post, you are amazing. I did a lot of writing, mostly for my own journaling. Thank you for enjoying the ride with me!

Now, on to updating the blog on our summer... oh man!