Madison's 1 year Birthday Party!

We had Madison's birthday party at Hogle Zoo. She was still a little too young to really appreciate it yet but she still had fun and we figured it was a good excuse to take her for her first time with everyone.

I'm so sad, my baby is already 1! It went by way too fast!

Madison and her step-cousin Simon attempting to do a pacifier exchange.

Her 1st time on the carousel. Rowland insisted on taking her.

Here she is looking enthralled on her 1st train ride as you can see!

Her 1st gift of the day. We bought her a "band in a box" my sister, Jennifer suggested

(since she loves hitting things). She opened it that morning and has loved it ever since!

Now we just need to figure out how to teach her that our dog, Sammy is not also a drum! :)

Father's Day

This was Rowland's 1st official Father's Day (with a baby). Last year Madison just missed it and was born a few days after. It was fun, he woke up to breakfast in bed and a big hug from his beautiful daughter!

Camping in the Uintahs

We went camping in the Uintahs with some family & friends.

It was a great time as always!

Rowland in his element. He caught several fish.

I even fished for a little bit and caught one.

Our happy camper!

This baby back pack my Dad bought for Madison was a lifesaver camping

and she loved riding around in it!

It also doubled as a high chair; what a cutie!

Madison with her cousin Austin by the fire.

And giggling on the camp radio with her cousin Kimberly.

Playing with her friend, Samarra who's just a few months older than her.

It was freezing at night so we had Madison in 3 layers of clothes

and several blankets.

Rowland's brother Clay and his wife Katharina--or as I like to call them,
the expert campers who make camping tons of fun!

Our friends, Micah, Sharonna and their cute kids.

Trying to stay warm by the campfire.

Madison SO happy to be going home (just like her mom), after a long but very fun weekend. I really enjoy camping but I have a 2 night max; by the 3rd day, I am VERY ready to go home and take a nice, hot shower!

Sammy's Oasis!

We went camping in the Uintahs and Sammy (our German Shepherd) had the time of her life! It was too funny watching her away from civilization leaping and bounding through the woods having a blast; I had to dedicate a post to her!

She "helped" everyone fish, swam across the river, chased deer and gaurded the perimeter of our campsite every night to make sure we were safe (which was nice because there are bears in the area). She ate like a King having steak, bratwurst, eggs & bacon scraps (she hardly touched her dog food) and she had about 10 kids to play with; she was in heaven!

It's nice having a really smart dog for once! At one point, she went down a hiking trail with another family in our group, then found her way back up the trail by herself to come back to us. It was pretty impressive! If it had been any other dog I've ever had, they would have gotten lost and we would have spent the rest of the day looking for them!

She had so much fun, I felt bad for her when it was time to go home and back to her boring life of following me around the house while I do laundrey! Maybe I'll hang this picture (below) next to her bed. :)

Good Times in Vegas!

We went to Vegas with Rowland's sister, Michelle and her husband Terry who live Canada. It was a great chance to spend some time with them since we rarely get to see them. It was a blast!
I'm embarrassed to say Madison has now been to Vegas 3 times and she isn't even 1 yet!



Madison's 1st time in the pool; she loved it! She was a little nervous at first but I'm sure it helped to see her cute cousin Ella splashing around having a ball.



The proud Dads! Terry with Ella and Rowland with Madison.



We stayed at the Cancun Resort, that Michelle found online (I highly recommend it). It's a nice smoke free, family oriented time share that rents out rooms. They had the nicest pool!



Madison & I went a month later with my sisters and Dad to help Lydia move. (Lydia, Jennifer, Dad, Me & Nootz).



Madison watching one of my favorite parts of Vegas, the water show at the Bellagio.
I'm glad I pulled her out of her stroller to see it, she was mesmorized! :)



She was so into the lights and excitement that she couldn't sleep all weekend. It's like she knew we were in Vegas, she wanted to party all night!



Madison with her Aunt Jenny



her Aunt Cherie...



And her Grandpa Roger

Madison's Blessing Day

Madison was finally blessed! We had a private blessing at our home with just basic family and a few friends (due to the size of our family). Madison looked like such a little Princess in her beautiful dress my mom bought for her. Here are some pictures!



Here are the men from the blessing circle. Madison did really well during the blessing smiling at all the handsome men and happily blowing bubbles.



Here we are with parents and grandparents.



Madison with Rowland, his dad, my grandpa, step-dad and our Bishop.



Madison with her proud Grandmas.



Madison with her great Grandpa Waterman



My mom, step-dad and two of my step sisters, Angie & Erica.



The two troopers! My sisters-in-law who both just had babies within one week and two weeks of the baby blessing!