Teddy Bear Tea Party

We took Arabella to Barnes and Noble today for their "Teddy Bear Tea Party." Everyone was supposed to bring their favorite teddy bear, so Arabella chose "Bear" the teddy bear she got "from my Sandy." They read tons of bear stories, gave out "tea" (apple juice), and even had a really big teddy bear that everyone got to cuddle! Arabella had lots of fun. So did Bear.

Arabella and Bear are drinking tea and coloring

She was really good about drinking "like a big girl"

"More juice please!"

Everyone got to sit on the big bear's lap... Bella turned around
and gave him a kiss on the nose! :)

Family Reunion - UFF DA!!!!

Dave's family reunion (UFF DA) was this past weekend. It was a lot of fun, especially since there were lots of kids for Arabella to play with! Rhett and Colton, Arabella's step-cousins came too and they were so great with her! Can't wait until next year - it was so much fun!

Arabella and Colton hot tubbing at Sheplee's house

Rhett was so good about helping Arabella... she kept bringing

bowls of water to the dogs... they loved it!!!

"Good dog Butterbean!" And if the dog stopped drinking, Arabella would

push the water bowl closer and closer until the dogs would drink again!

Rhett and Colton helping Arabella blow bubbles outside of our hotel

Rhett, Colton, Arabella, Amara, and Mason (The Balloon Hat Crew)

Hanging Out at Applebees

Daddy's Little Girl

Arabella and Daddy decided to watch Franklin on TV during one of the rainy days lately... Bella decided Daddy's back was more comfy than her Elmo chair. They were too cute not to take pictures!

Apparently Daddy thought Franklin was boring... he fell asleep within 10 minutes! Bella didn't seem to mind that he slept through it!

Arabella's Second Birthday

Arabella had another birthday celebration in Sioux City with Grandma and Grandpa, Great Grandma Alice, and some friends! It was a nice day out and we had a fun pool party. The biggest hit of the day was the Jello Jigglers! We had lots of fun in the pool, opening presents, and eating cupcakes (Bella only had ONE bite of the actual cupcake, but ate ALL the frosting)! What a great 2nd Birthday! Enjoy the video!

New Swimming Pool

Arabella got a fun green froggy swimming pool for her 2nd birthday. She LOVES it! It even has a sprinkler! We've been playing in it every day since she got it. Here are just a few pictures of her enjoying the pool today.

She loved filling and empting her cups on the grass... on Davi... on Mommy... etc.

Arabella's first time down the "water-slide" into the pool

"You wanna ball Mommy?"

Having fun in her pool

Warming up in the "shunshine"

I Like to Move It Move It!

Arabella got many cards for her second birthday, but her favorites were the cards that made noise. Oh, how technology has changed birthdays. She received this card from her Great Aunt Debby and Uncle Al Larson. We found that she is actually a great entertainer. I got a short clip of it - let me know what you think! :)

Arabella's 2nd Birthday Part I

In Phoenix, we went to Margaritaville to celebrate Arabella's second birthday. Then we opened presents, went swimming, and had a Dora ice cream cake! It was a wonderful day! I can't even believe my little baby girl is TWO!!!!

Arabella loved opening cards - especially the ones that played music!

Swimming with Uncle Steve

Vacation to Lake Powell

The Leighton Family

Vacation to Lake Powell

Our family just got back from Lake Powell a few days ago. What an amazing vacation! We went with Dave's mom, brothers and their families, and Dave's Aunt Patti, Uncle Steve, and cousins Adam and Robbie. We rented a houseboat and went through a ton of canyons at the mouth of the Grand Canyon. I had my very first (and probably last) experience jumping off a cliff into the water... Oh my gosh, it was a huge rush... but not one I'd probably repeat. Dave did it a few more times from much higher cliffs. Arabella was timid to get in the water, but when she did, she had fun. She really enjoyed spending time with her extended family and getting to know her uncles a little better! It was an amazing vacation full of memories we'll never forget!

Part of our group at Rainbow Bridge

Patti and I

Mommy and Arabella boating

Our family at Rainbow Bridge (isn't it beautiful?!)

Arabella wearing Mommy's hat

Grandma Patti and Arabella playing in the shallow water in a

cove where we anchored for a few nights

Arabella caught her very first fish! It was a striped bass!

She was totally responsible for catching it, but needed

some help reeling him in and getting him loose.