I am officially "taking off" with a lifelong love of mine! Thanks to KRISTEN CHRISTENSEN, who took Mylie's pictures while visiting Oklahoma, I was inspired to just do it, to get started on something I've always loved--photography. I'm still in the learning process and know that I will always be learning new things in photography and photo editing. So to help me "fly" I am offering a Holiday Special. Click HERE to see my work and rates so you can book a session with me!
In October I met up with some of my best friends for a Girls' Trip (plus our kids). We met at Lauren's house in a teeny tiny town in Ohio called The Plains. I knew we would have a great time together, but I certainly had even more fun than I imagined!
We visited an old, enormous, abandoned insane asylum called the Ridges, ate some disgusting AND delicious food at an eclectic Indian Restaurant in Athens, shopped the no name shops along the red brick roads in town, visited a dazzling art museum in which all the art was created by disabled people, walked the rows of inviting food and folk music at the Farmer's Market, had a delightful picnic at a lake that stood as still as glass, played at the park, and took insane amounts of pictures. I couldn't believe the beauty of Ohio in fall. The leaves were so vibrant and beautiful that I couldn't stop ooooing and aaaahing at their magnificence.
Mylie had never had her pictures taken professionally until last week! My mom knew of a fantastic photographer, so we scheduled to have Mylie's pics taken. I was so excited I had to go get her a new outfit. I don't have the pics yet, but I attempted my own photo shoot with my boring camera. For not having a great camera, these pics are pretty cute. I can't wait to get the amazing ones though! I wish I was a photographer!
My mom and I took on a big project one day while we were visiting. Since my parents just moved into a new home, my mom has much work to do--painting, decorating, etc. (Although I think it already looks fabulous!) Anyway, all the walls were white to we took on the task of painting the kitchen, breakfast nook, and utility room. We started around 9 am and didn't finish until around 11 pm. What a day, I LOVE a finished product! Here are some before, during and after shots. 
Mylie and I flew to Oklahoma to visit my family for a week. We had so much fun! Mylie adores Papa, Grandma Jo, Aunt Cassie, and Aunt Lisa! She loved spending as much time as possible outside throwing rocks, banging rocks on rain gutters, throwing and fetching balls, riding her little bike, and bouncing on the trampoline. She also loved going to the park with Papa and watching the ducks at the pond. What fun! We love visiting our family!
My mom has been asking for videos of Mylie for a while so here are a couple.
I've taken on a new hobby. Sewing. I inherited a wonderful sewing machine and was very interested in learning to sew. My friends Karli was excited about this too because she wanted a sewing buddy! She taught me how to sew these cute little bloomers for Mylie, and also a little dress that I don't have a picture of yet.
I was inspired by a couple friends to make a quiet book as well. This has really been a fun project that keeps me busy (as if I'm not busy with Mylie) and gives me something to create and have fun with! Can't wait to finish, but then what?! I'll need another project! Guess I'll have to take on wood carving or pottery or something like that! Or I could get back in to blogging more often again!
Mylie has grown in so many ways. She keeps me on my toes and certainly keeps us laughing.
1. Mylie started walking around 11 months, and is now a pretty good little runner too.
2. She still loves books, especially Richie's Gospel Principles book in which she can simply shuffle through the pages. That keeps her occupied for quite a long time.
3. She loves playing in her crib--as long as we're in the room with her. She holds on to the rails, jumps, giggles, and plays peek-a-boo with her blankets. She also lies down in her crib and goes crazy kicking, wiggling, shaking her head like crazy and making funky noises.
4. Every single day Mylie makes her way into our bedroom, finds Richie's alarm clock, opens up his night stand drawer and places the alarm clock inside the drawer. Then she closes it and her task is complete. I think she's taken on her Grandma Jo and Great Grandma Wannie's traits. PUT YOUR THINGS AWAY! Richie and I get a good laugh about that every night when he goes to set his alarm clock and it's not where is should be.
5. She is communicating what she wants fairly well. She has learned to sign eat, more, water, milk, all done, again, please, and thank you.
6. Mylie makes animal sounds of a duck, fish, dog, pig, monkey, elephant, dinosaur and lion, and even makes the sounds of a car and tractor!
7. Her words that have meaning are now "dada, mama, duck, and hot." I think she tries to say "I love you" too.
8. Mylie loves being chased. Tell her to run and she'll take off with a squeal.
We just love our little lady and really enjoy every stage of her development!
We really had a fun summer with all we got to do, places we got to visit, and people we got to spend time with. Oklahoma and Utah were our highlights, but we've also really enjoyed spending time with friends here in Tucson.
At the end of July my good friend Kristin and husband David and son Adam drove through Tucson on their way to Oklahoma. We had the pleasure of having them stay a night! We had so much fun catching up, chatting, and taking a morning swim. David even went on a morning jog. HOT!
We went camping with several families on Mt. Lemmon. We had a ball. Especially the night when all the kids kept each other up all night long with their waking up and crying (all the kids) or even giggling! Who giggles at 3:30 am? Oh, that would be Naomi and Gabe! With no naps and exhausted little kids, we didn't hear a peep the second night! Yay for a much better night's sleep. We also played games (our favorite being Sterling's rendition of the Newlywed Game) ate a bunch of food, walked around the lake (looks more like a very small pond though), and watched our kiddos throw sand all over their heads and their friends' heads. Fun times! We'd do it again!
My baby turned one July 15. Wow time flies. I remember those long nights I thought would NEVER end. But I also remember holding her little body in my arms in complete amazement of her being, of her perfection and sweet spirit! Oh how I love my little girl. 
My oh my see how much I had to catch up on? I tried to persuade Richie to do this post but I was unsuccessful!
What else did we do in Utah? We looked at the Tahitian Noni Gardens--beeeeeautiful, with Donna and Kate, we played cards and Speed Scrabble with Wannie, Pop Pop, Donna, and Kate, we went out to eat--A LOT, we had a nice dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Graves at Wannie and Pop Pop's house, we went to BYU's art museum, we ate at Brick Oven with Richie's family, we went over to BYU's dinosaur museum, we visited Richie's Dad's grave and my Aunt Heidi's grave, we visited with some of my old roommates and their families, and of course we just enjoyed being with family!
The Fourth of July is my next favorite holiday after Christmas! (Fourth of July in Utah anyway, that state REALLY knows how to celebrate!) We spent it this year in Orem with Richie's entire immediate family. It was so much fun! We had a barbecue and went to the Pleasant Grove fireworks, which were great! We did sparklers on the grass at the junior high where we sat to watch the fireworks. I love sparklers! I love fireworks! Have I mentioned that I LOVE the Fourth of July? Mylie was intrigued with the sparklers and fireworks too. I have a feeling that she will also love this holiday! Here are some snapshots of the family at the fireworks field!
Pics:
1. Mylie
2. Our Fam
3. Top: niece Jessica, Sis-in-law Pamela, Mommas (Eileen), Sis-in-law Patrice, niece Jeanette. Bottom: Sis-in-law Rachel with nephew Landon, me and Mylie, Sis-in-law Schuyler.
4. Nephews Brevyn and Aaron
5. Mylie with her cousin Joshua
6. Neices Amanda, Addy and Kamryn
7. Ryan and Schuyler
8. Jeanette, Michael, Pamela, Jessica
9. Matt and Camille (and Troy back there!)
10. Rachel and Landon
11. Troy
We had so much fun in Utah. We stayed with Great Grandma Wannie and Great Grandpa Pop Pop. The von Zastrow's and Davis' were visiting too--that was a special treat! We really miss living close to family and Utah itself. You can't beat those beautiful purple and green mountains!
Pictured in order:
1. Mylie with Pop Pop
2. Mylie with Wannie
3. My cousin Shalin, Aunt Jeanne and cousin Kate
4. Sister Lisa and Aunt Donna
5. Cousin Max, Uncle Dave, and friend Logan
Here are some snapshots from the rest of our trip to Oklahoma.
Mylie with Graves side cousins--Kyler and Conner.
Aunt Cassie and Cousin Kyler.
Mylie with Daddy.
Mylie with Aunt Michelle.
Mylie with Grandma Jo.
Papa and Grandma Jo.
We visited Kolby's grave one evening. It was sad, sweet, and special. I continue to ache for the loss but am also happy with the knowledge I have of the plan our Heavenly Father has for us, the beautiful Plan of Salvation.
We got to go to Turner Falls with my dad and Michelle in Oklahoma. It was so pretty and a lot of fun! I would describe it as the smaller, not quite as amazing but still pretty cool version of Havasupai Falls in the Grand Canyon. We definitely learned that next time we go we need to bring a cooler full of food, a few blankets and chairs to sit on, and lots of suncreen to spend the whole day there! Lovely! Michelle and I enjoyed this cool slide too!
Mylie has been having a blast here in Oklahoma! She absolutely adores her Grandma Jo, Aunts Cassie, Michelle, and Lisa. She has a blast with her cousin Conner and likes looking at her baby cousin Jayden. She's waiting for Grandpa Kevin to get home from a business trip, and will see her Uncle James in December.
Mylie has really enjoyed being outside. She loves splashing in the fountain in the backyard, pushing the blue ball all over the place, playing in the hose, bouncing on the trampoline, going to the splash park, and eating the sand at Lisa's volleyball games. Not to mention, she also loves sucking on anyone's fingers who will offer them to her. Yum Lisa! Your finger is like candy!
We're here in Oklahoma visiting my family. A couple days ago I got to visit with 2 of my best friends! We had babies so close in age we had to get some pics. Lauren had Bryce 1 week before Mylie, and Robyn had Kenzie 1 month after Mylie. Aren't they cuties? I love my girlfriends!
