Natalie 11 Months

Natalie is 11 months old! 

That's one month away from the big b-day. We can't believe it. It seems like we just brought her home from the hospital, but then again it seems like she's been a part of our family forever. Here is a picture of our sweet lady and her cruising skills.  She can also walk four steps between Mommy and Daddy. It won't be long know before she's walking all over the place on her own. 

 Here are some fun pictures of Natalie. In one picture she is happy, in another she is curious about what her brother is doing, and in another she is upset she can't reach her favorite blanket. I'll let you guess which is which. 

Natalie likes to play and explore. She sees what her big brother is doing and wants to do it too. She follows him around and tries to play what he is playing. We are teaching Jordan to be patient with his curious little sister and we tell him that she just wants to be like him. 

Here is Natalie discovering the wonders of chalk... no sweetie, we don't eat it. She tried anyway. Fun tasty times finding out new things. Natalie also likes to talk, she can say: "Mamma", "Dadda", "baby" (I guess we say that a lot to her), and "ball." She is also really into pointing right now. She will point at something she wants and babbles about it. If she really wants something she just shouts for it. She is learning to communicate for sure.  

Natalie also had her very first tooth show up this month! I was sticking my finger in her mouth trying to get out some paper she was munching on and I felt a little tooth. It is on the bottom front, on the left. We are excited for her and look forward to her eating harder foods. It'll be nice to add more to her menu of foods, plus not cutting everything bite size. 

I LOVE this picture of Jordan and Natalie together. Their smiles at each other are so sweet. 

Siblings are the best buddies!

Natalie is such a sweet natured little girl. She is almost always happy. She is very cuddly, especially with her Mamma which I love. She will hold her blanket, suck her thumb, and lay on me. It melts my heart every time. I wish I could bottle up those moments. Natalie will also cuddle with her stuffed animals. She is so full of cuddles... we love it!

Labor Day on Mt. Lemmon

On Labor Day this year we went up to Mount Lemmon with our good friends the Bucks. We had a wonderful time!

Here are the kids Jordan, Natalie, Kyai, and Cirdan playing in the great outdoors. The had a blast finding rocks, throwing rocks into water, climbing logs, and playing in the woods. It was so cute to see their excitement about everything. 

Here is our little Natalie loving the new discoveries she is making. Here she is showing us the rock she found. I love her huge smile. :)

The Bucks let us borrow their kid pack for our little hike down a trail. Natalie thought it was ok, but she would have much rather walked. She reconciled herself to playing with my hair as we walked. 

Beautiful view at the top of the mountain covered in trees and wild flowers. 

Everyone enjoying walking around the trail. Oddly enough there is a sky lift that goes to the top of the mountain. I know what you're thinking, this is Arizona right? Why a ski lift? I guess they get snow up here every once in a while and I suppose even desert folk want to ski every now and again. Surprising I know.  

Here is Natalie and Jordan sitting together in the woods. 

We came down from the top of the mountain and stopped in a little spot called Summerhaven. (I have never seen a more appropriately titled place.) At Summerhaven the Bucks introduced us to a place called the Cookie Cabin. Sounds delicious? It was!

We treated ourselves to a gigantic cookie the size of a plate that was covered with ice cream and whatever toppings you wanted! I had as much as I could handle, then Jordan ate the ice cream, and Preston finished the cookie. What a good team. Natalie will have to wait for a time when she is older to enjoy such sweetness. Sorry babe. 

Here we are outside of the Cookie Cabin. Natalie found a bell that she enjoyed ringing and Jordan found a big rocking chair to sit and relax in. 

The kids were all getting tired and as we headed back toward the cars I saw a river and couldn't help but check it out. (We don't see rivers very often in Arizona.) So we all walked over and saw this cute little river. I told Jordan he could touch the water... and let's be honest... I knew were this would lead, but I didn't mind. Within a few minutes Jordan, Kyai, and Cirdan were playing in the river soaked to their knees. I thought it was adorable! I just hope the Buck's thought so too. 

Natalie even played in the water a little. I love to see kids playing outside and having a blast. We had a wonderful day on Mt. Lemmon with good friends, yummy treats, and the great outdoors!

Videos

Buzz Lightyear wings... "To infinity and beyond!" 

Natalie cuteness. 

Pinata fun time.