Camping Trip

This past weekend we went on a camping trip with Dave's family. It was a cold night, but we still had a good time. Maggie loves pine cones and entertained herself for quite some time choosing which pine cone she would hold (and taste) next. All the kids had a great time exploring and climbing on the giant rocks around the campsite. It was a really pretty area and even though the camp ground was full, we had a lot of space to ourselves.
Dave and I were thinking of spending 2 nights up there, but Friday night was so cold and none of us got much sleep, so we decided to pack up Saturday evening. I was exhausted and needed my own bed. Maggie is also teething, so that added to the miserable night. Even with the rough night, we had fun trip. Maggie was in heaven going on walks with Grandma, and just being able to be outdoors.
Our big splurge for the summer is our new 8 man Coleman tent. I got it for $150 at Walmart and I think we are going to be happy with it. Our little 4 man just wouldn't fit our air mattress, play pen and all our other stuff. My favorite thing about our new tent, besides all the room, is that the door is on a hinge. It will stay closed with velcro so you don't have to zip it up everytime. This makes it really easy to get in and out, and it's easy to sneak out of with a sleeping baby.
Camping is definitly a different experience with a 1 year old. We will have another 1 year old next year. I was trying to figure out at what age it will get easier to take kids camping, my guess is around 4....we still got a few more years.

Food is always tastier outside

Maggie and Cousin Sophie (Sophie is 6 months older than Maggie)

Our new tent - 'The Cabin' (that's really what it's called)

Dave and Maggie chillin' in 'The Cabin' during a quick Thunderstorm that went by.

Maggie loves her cousin Rachel.

And her cousin Katie. Maggie thinks Katie is so funny, and giggles a lot when she's around

A Few New Pictures of The Magpie

A couple weeks ago, they put on a concert at the BYU Carillon Tower. It was a nice evening, and we really enjoyed listening to the bells. Maggie was entertaining everyone around us with her dance moves, she really shakes her booty.

Hanging out with Dad at the concert

For Father's Day, Maggie and I took Dave out for Chinese food on Saturday night.
Maggie loves noodles and we love watching her eat noodles.

First Guitar Lesson

Trying to figure this thing out

Naked baby bum....is there anything cuter?

Relaxing, watching some Signing Time.

Changes in a Year

I thought I would post both this year's and last year's grandkid picture. Maggie was a such a little squirt last year. It amazes me at how much they grow and develop in their first year. We've added one more to the bunch this year, with Matt and Greta's cute little Caleb and we know that there will be at least 1 more next year. The family just keeps growing and growing. Grandpa and Grandma Betts, you've got some cute grandkids.

2009

2008

Photo Shoot

Today we took the Betts Grandkids to get the 'cousin's picture' done. Maggie has had a history of being a little terrified of photo studios. Today, she did amazingly well. She was a little nervous at first, but with all the kids there, and with Aunt Melissa's bubble blower, she didn't have her usual panic attack. Here are a few of Maggie, I think she looks pretty cute.

I think this one kind of looks like my baby pictures....maybe? just a tiny bit?
OK, she looks like Dave

Play Date

I've been feeling rather cooped up lately, I know it's my own fault, I've just been too lazy to do anything. I try and get Maggie out of the house at least once a day, even if it's just the 4 block walk to the duck pond or a walk to the library when Dave gets home. I feel guilty on the days when we just stay at home, since she loves to go outside so much.
Now that our house is 'semi' put together, I decided to invite some friends over for lunch. Once in a while the 4 of us will do a girl's night. We'll go out to dinner or a movie with no kids, it really doesn't happen enough if you ask me :) . This time we let our little girls hang out with us too.
Maggie was in heaven having other kids to play with. We went up to feed the ducks and took them on a long walk. Then we came back here for some food.
The other day on a talk show they were discussing the growing trend of 'happy hour play-dates', apparently there are groups of women who get together and let their kids play while they drink wine and visit. I couldn't help but think of this as our kids played while we sipped on our 'Diet Coke' that I bought special for this occasion. I promise, I'm only a social drinker.

Rebecca, Stella, Cadence & Maggie

Teeny Tidy

Maggie is a really good eater, but she does not like me to feed her. She's very independent, if I put the food on her tray she's content to sit and eat until she's full. I can usually get a lot done while she is eating. It's about the only time, besides when she is asleep, that she doesn't want my complete, undivided attention. When she is full she gives me a little yell and does the sign for 'all done' or 'finished'.
Yesterday, I cut up her food and let her sit and eat while I did some dishes. A while later she was letting me know she was ready to be done. I started laughing so hard when I saw her tray.
Lately, she has been into 'cleaning up' (I won't complain). She'll dump out her shape blocks and then put them back in the container, or empty her diaper bag and then put everything back. I guess this is her way of 'cleaning up' her food.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

Yesterday we went with Joan, Weldon, Melissa, Justin, and their kids to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. The Temple is beautiful and it was fun to go with some of Dave's family. Maggie was really good the entire time, and seemed to be looking around taking everything in. She's already been through 2 temples in her short little life. I, of course, enjoyed the 'open house' cookies at the end.

Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple

I decided to humble myself and put up this picture so everyone can see the 'shelf' that Maggie gets to sit on. I forget how huge I am until I walk past a window, or see a picture of myself, yuck! Only 6 more weeks....and then at least 6 more months of trying to lose the weight :(

Climbing on the wall

It was a windy day, so Maggie is doing the sign for wind.

Our Little Family (thanks Liss for cutting off my 'hugeness')

1st Steps and More Pictures of MagPie

Maggie finally took her 1st steps yesterday. She has been cruising along furniture and even standing on her own for a few months now, but when it comes to walking, she has been such a chicken. If I would try and get her to reach for something, even just an inch away, her legs would turn to jello, and she would go to her knees. Yesterday, I was sitting on the floor playing with her and she was leaning up against the couch. She looked over at me and took 2 steps towards me, I cheered so loud I think I scared her half to death. Since then, she's been taking 2-3 steps at anytime, she's getting better and better. It's so much fun to have her hit these mile-stones in her life.

First Steps.

Cheese Grin.

Maggie is obsessed with Dave's hats....actually she is obsessed with anything to do with Daddy.

Who needs a sippy-cup when you've got a camelback.

Wook at that wittle face.

I gotta admit, she is kinda cute.