Quiet book is finished (for now anyway!)

While being pregnant with Brooklyn I started making a quiet book.  I figured we could use any kind of help to keep Maylee busy and reverent during church, especially since we would have a new little one as well.  It was finished right before going to church with both girls (thanks to some help from Grandma and Grammie!)  I love the way it turned out and it helped me work on my sewing skills that I so lack!  It is far from perfect, but serves its purpose.  She can play with the farm puppets, button on flowers, drive cars, fix hair and create faces, match shapes and colors, and get all dolled up with things found in a purse.  Maylee's favorite page is probably a tie between the page with cars and the purse full of "girlie" things.

Our little retreat

The end of July, we finally had the chance to escape from the day to day chores, work, and the intense Arizona heat! We were so ready for a chance to get away. Jeff worked a half day on Tuesday, July 27th, and we hit the road for St. George. We left Phoenix around 3 pm and didn't arrive in St. George until 1 AM! Yes- one in the morning! The days of the 6 hour drive are over! Yikes! The extra hours were added due to rainstorms and a little Brooklyn who decided she didn't want to eat from a bottle. :) Besides that, the girls were actually GREAT in the car!

We hung out in St. George for most of the day and then headed up to the cabin during nap time. The drive through Cedar Canyon is amazing!

We had a lot of rain while at the cabin, but it was a welcomed change. There is something about hearing the pitter-patter of rain hit the metal roof.
Between storms we had the chance to go on lots of   4 wheeler rides (which Maylee LOVED!!  Plus- don't you just LOVE the accessories- the helmet for safety, the sunglasses to keep bugs out of her eyes!),

 

swing,

fish,

throw rocks in the water,

walk to the creek,

and just chill!

Jeff and I even celebrated our 6 year anniversary while up there!

We had a great time.  And to top it off, the girls were fabulous when we drove home on Sunday (thank heavens for portable DVD players and driving during nap time!

bookworm

Maylee completed her first library summer reading program and got lots of cool prizes!  She was mighty proud of herself.  Reading the 30 books was a piece of cake and now we have a new book to read plus a ticket to go watch those D-backs!

Oh so fun!

Our sweet little Brooklyn is getting to be so much fun.  I love the sweetness of a newborn, but it is so exciting when they start acknowledging your presence and begin to get a personality.  At 6 weeks she began smiling and cooing!!  Now she is one smiley baby, pretty much smiling if she is awake- and has a full tummy :)  She also has become good at holding her head up and grasping things.  She sure is a pretty chill baby.  I guess that is what happens when there is an older sibling around to smother, I mean love her.  Maylee sure adores her new sister.  We sure are lucky.

Pics of the day

Roly- poly baby

Little Miss Brooklyn is starting to fill out a bit I'd say!

One month pics

I just can't keep up with all the photos! I just posted Brooklyn's newborn pics and here I am posting a few pics we took now that she is one month old!