Deep in the heart of Texas...

My Daddy takes the Texas bar this week, please cross your fingers for him!

I love you Daddy, and can't wait to see you in a few days!

Good luck!!

Love, Arista

8 Exciting Months

Our little miracle turned 8 months today. It's hard to believe that our little baby is growing up so fast. Arista and I have had a fun filled month here in Idaho. Arista has reached some huge milestones including 3 teeth, and the army crawl! Arista is everywhere and loves to get into everything! She is really close to crawling, and often does a one-legged crawl. She loves to laugh, eat, and sing. Whenever a song is on she loves to join in. She still wakes up a few times during the night to eat or from teething pain. Arista loves chasing her auntie's cats, and loves puppy kisses from her friend Jager. Arista is a total Ma Ma's girl, and I can't ever be too far from her sight. She has had a blast in Idaho with my family and will miss them a lot when we leave next week. We just love our little baby!!

*Arista LOVES swimming, and goes almost 3 times a week.

*Arista got her first highchair, and eats solid food twice a day. She enjoys drinking water and juice from a sippy cup, and chewing on Baby Mum Mums.

*Arista had her first taste of frosting and she couldn't get enough.

*Grandma gave Arista her first drink of water from a cup.

*Arista met my dear friend Amanda and her family for lunch. We had a great time catching up, and are thrilled that Amanda and her husband are expecting. :)

*Arista and I go shopping at least once a day, and she LOVES it.

*I found this rainbow swimming suit, and knew Arista had to have it.

*Arista and I are best buds, and I hope we will always be close.

Faces of Loss, Faces of Hope

I found this site through a fellow angel Mommy Courtney. It's a site of women telling their stories of their loss and losses. Check out our story here.

Mona Lisa Floats on the 4th

4th of July weekend was a BLAST this year! Our cousin's Caysi and Stephen, and their kids Gracie and Mallory came to visit. They got in Wednesday night and we went straight to see Eclipse. I LOVED it! I was totally team Edward until seeing that movie. I have decided I am "Team Edward" for the books and "Team Jacob" for the movies. :)

The next day we went swimming at the pool and then us girls went to Corona Village for dinner.

Princess Fiona (Mallory) and Mikelle baking cookies


Caysi Nickle Pickle


On Friday we decided to float the Boise River. The water was so cold my feet literally hurt when you had them in the water. We hit some trees, but I came out scratch free. Poor Caysi and Gracie got some pretty bad battle wounds. Despite the scratches they had a blast! I wish we could have floated it 3 more times!



Gracie Lou Freebush




That night I went to a fancy fondue restaurant called "The Mona Lisa". I went with my cousins and Aunt and Uncle. The cheeses were fantastic! I had my first bite of Alligator which I really liked, and for dessert it was endless pots of chocolate and sweets.





Saturday Stephen bbq'd for us. He made the yummiest spicy chicken and potatoes. Then they headed to the airport. We were sad to see them go, but are excited to see them again in a few weeks.

Stephen


Sunday the 4th was a fun day. We went to church and then Arista and I took a long nap. After a tasty dinner of Chicken and Potatoes we sat and watched the local fireworks on tv. We were going to go to Ann Morrison park to watch them, but Arista didn't make it. She was exhausted, and slept through all the loud "bangs" outside.



I love the 4th, and am so grateful for all of the people who have fought, and are fighting for the freedom I enjoy today. We really do live in a wonderful country. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!

PS: I couldn't help but wonder how beautiful all the fireworks must have looked from Preslie's seat. :)