West Bountiful Fourth of July Parade

Syd woke up this morning very excited, knowing that today she would see her first parade. She dressed up in her most patriotic colors and waved her flag like crazy. Uncle Luke and Aunt Meagan along with a whole mess of friends joined us for the parade. We had an awesome time! Syd loved to watch everything that was going on and was very brave when the fire trucks and police cars came by. She didn't even cry when they honked their very loud horns. It was a fun, new experience for Syd!!

Finished Out the Quilt Hop Today

We made it to the last three stores today and after all is said and done we have spent way too much money and have way too many projects. My collections includes a Valentines day quilt, a Wizard of Oz quilt, a Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar quilt, two stitch pillows for Syd, and a safari polka dot quilt...just to name a few. So if I disappear off the face of the earth for awhile, you will know that the quilting abyss has caught yet another sucker.


This is Syd with Sneezy the Dwarf


Syd was thrilled that it was finally over!

Wasatch Front Quilt Hop

My mother, Sydney, and I decided this week that we wanted to participate in the Utah Quilt Hop. Every year several quilting stores participate in this event. You get a free pattern at each store that has to do with that year's theme. The theme this year is "Once upon a time...", so all of the quilts have to do with a fairy tale. The stores are decorated according to their chose fairy tale. They have games and drawings...all sorts of really cool things. We have come away with some pretty cool projects. I will have to post some of the material that we got and the ideas that we have. Some of the fairy tales we have seen are The Princess and the Pea, Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Hansel and Gretel, and Rapunzel (spelling?).

Today Syd and I went and hung out on the grass in my mom's backyard. Like we have mentioned before, Syd loves being outside. She looks at the leaves on the trees and the shadows made by the sun, plays with the grass, and takes in all the new sounds. It was like our little safari since her friend Jorge the Hippo joined us. She is growing up sooooo fast. I can hardly believe it!! It amazes me all the new things she learns to do! We love her very much!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Syd put a few things together to let her Dad know how much she loves him! Jeff is an awesome Dad and he would give her the world if he could! You can tell instantly that Syd is a Daddy's girl!
WE LOVE YOU JEFF!!!!!

The Crazy Things We Do with Syd

So we have been trying to stay busy while Jeff is gone, and we have gotten a little creative. The first couple pics are from my mom's computer camera. They distort the faces and they are pretty hilarious. This week, we are staying at Luke and Meagan's and Uncle Luke decided that Syd needed her toe nails painted, so that is what they did. She was a sleep and it was quite the trick to get it accomplished! We are having fun!

Worldwide Family Communication

We have been talking to Jeff everyday through Skype. It is so fun for us to see his face. Although Sydney recognizes his voice, she doesn't quite understand where the voice is coming from. We appreciate all of you who are posting on his blog and keeping him updated. He is doing well and we are proud of him and love talking to him!

Polka Dot Safari With Daddy

There are a few things that we are beginning to learn about Sydney as she develops her personality. When I designed her nursery, I chose bright colored polka dots. I was razzed by many people who made comments such as, "Your child is going to have ADHD." But I ignored them and Syd has grown to love her polka-dot bumper and brightly colored room. So now anytime we see anything polka dot, it must be Syd's. Also, her toy selection has been exclusively safari themed. Mostly due to her Uncle Luke (my brother) who insists that she love hippos and has got her orange hippos, purple hippos, a hippo night light, a hippo pillow, and so on. Besides that, her toys range from monkeys to elephants to giraffes. And lastly, we all know that Syd is a Daddy's girl. She loves him so much!! He was the first to make her laugh and he continues to do so every day. Syd and I argue everyday who misses him more! We love her! She is a wonderful daughter!

Off He Goes

Jeff boarded his plane for Chicago this morning at 7:50 a.m. He has a full day and night ahead of him with a layover in Chicago, a connection and layover in Frankfurt, Germany and a connection and layover in Nigeria. Then, hopefully safe and sound, he will arrive in Accra, Ghana and begin his life-changing work. It was a difficult good-bye, but Syd and I are so proud of him. He is an amazing husband and father, and we can't wait to hear about all the great things he is doing. Please check out his blog and post lots of comments!!!!

Syd's Interview About Lake Powell

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to interview Little Syd about her Lake Powell adventure!! She had much to say! You may have to turn off the music down below so that you can hear her wonderful comments!

Little People Go To Lake Powell

A few weeks ago, Jeff presented me with an idea. He said, "Let's head to Lake Powell the weekend before I go to Africa." Now being a new mom, I was a little hesitant to take Syd out on the boat - not knowing how she would handle the heat and the water, but being the loving wife that I am I agreed. Jeff really loves to wakeboard and wow everyone with his impressive jumps!! And Syd really wanted to see her Dad biff it really hard! :) A few days before we left, Jeff invited his brother Dave and his family: Becki, Maggie (3) and Josh (1). Now it was getting interesting! So Friday morning at 7:30 a.m., we loaded three kids and five adults (Grandpa Aird joined us and provided all the amenities at no expense to us...you gotta love Grandpas!) to head to Lake Powell. Five hours, two feedings, a couple naps, and some DVD's later, we arrived at Lake Powell. We spent the afternoon watching Jeff and Dave wakeboard. The next day Maggie braved the tube with Dad and her Uncle Jeff. After being splashed in the face several times, she politely turned to Uncle Jeff and said, "I'm done now!" Overall, it was an interesting trip. I have left out some of the raw and gorey details that come when you take three kids under the age of four to Lake Powell, in hopes that one day you too may take such an adventure! Maybe then, in secret, we can share what trips to Lake Powell with young children really are like!! :)

Jeff Leaves for Africa Next Week

Jeff will be starting his law externship in Accra, Ghana next week and will be leaving on the 10th. He will be in Africa for about 4 and 1/2 weeks doing legal work for the Church. He is very excited and Syd and I are so proud of him. Just so you know, Jeff got a 3.53 this semester of law school - that puts in him in the top third! He is pretty much a genius! Jeff will be keeping us updated through his own "Africa Blog". The link can be found towards the bottom of our own page under "Family Links". It is on the right side.
You can also go to outofafrica2008.blogspot.com.
Wish him well and give him lots of comments!!!

It's Offical: Syd Loves the Great Outdoors

It being the first day off for Sara, after completing her first year of teaching. We decided to go on a family vacation...Ok...it was really just a little picnic up Provo canyon, but we had fun. Syd loved being up in the mountains with all the tall trees and streams and breezes. When we got to the picnic area up a side road, we took Syd out of her car seat and she just laughed and laughed as the trees swayed, allowing the sun rays to feather through...in what to her was a funny natural event. We also introduced her to some of the natural flora and fauna. She lasted a good 45 minutes until it was nap time, any amount of fun was not enough to keep her going. We had fun.
Jeff

Preview of Jeff's Summer Adventures

Bear Lake Memorial Weekend 08

Last week we all packed into the car and took Syd up to Bear Lake for the first time. It was a little chilly, but Syd braved the weather going on her first "hike" (it was a walk down a dirt road). We mostly just relaxed; which, in this family, means that we ate junk food and watched as many movies as we could find. Syd seemed to enjoy the time with her grandma, and grandma basked in the time with Syd. The following are some pictures from our "hike."